Let's Talk about sweet cars

[BottenFieldofDreams]

Related enough, I hope. I visited Phoenix. Why isn’t it covered in solar panels? Really expected to see a lot more.

The response I got there was that the technology isn’t really there yet. But I see more in Portland.

I wonder what they mean by that?

I have solar here in St. Louis and they’ve performed great (better than expected actually). I’ve had them since August and if all works out I should only be paying a few hundred bucks in energy costs per year (plus the system cost of course) on an all electric home.

I’m going to get out my depth immediately. I know storage is a huge challenge. But if it’s worthwhile for people to put up panels here in the grey NW (and this is only true in time), and I can buy a solar powered phone charger at Ross for $10, there must be some at least small wins possible, I’d think. it just doesn’t add up to me.

Is it utility dynamics? Bureaucracy?

[G. Keenan]

That looks impractical as hell. The solar idea is nice though.

Yeah, not a family car. But I could see it working for a couple, or as like a 2nd car if both parents need to commute. It's basically a hatchback.

[ghostrunner]

That looks impractical as hell. The solar idea is nice though.

Yeah, not a family car. But I could see it working for a couple, or as like a 2nd car if both parents need to commute. It's basically a hatchback.

I always wonder about wheels that jut out like that. Maybe it seems more delicate than it is.

[cardinalkarp]

That looks impractical as hell. The solar idea is nice though.

Yeah, not a family car. But I could see it working for a couple, or as like a 2nd car if both parents need to commute. It's basically a hatchback.

I see they are taking deposits, is there any idea what the actual cost is?

Edit: never mind, if it was a snake it woulda bit me…anywhere from 30ish to 50ish depending on the range…that doesn’t seem too bad

[IMADreamer]

Thoughts on the Aptera electric car? Claims to have 1000 mile range and solar panels for charging without having to plug it in.

I kind of like it.

Seems like it would be a great commuter car. I think it looks kinda cool.

[cardinalkarp]

Related enough, I hope. I visited Phoenix. Why isn’t it covered in solar panels? Really expected to see a lot more.

The response I got there was that the technology isn’t really there yet. But I see more in Portland.

I wonder what they mean by that?

I have solar here in St. Louis and they’ve performed great (better than expected actually). I’ve had them since August and if all works out I should only be paying a few hundred bucks in energy costs per year (plus the system cost of course) on an all electric home.

I’m going to get out my depth immediately. I know storage is a huge challenge. But if it’s worthwhile for people to put up panels here in the grey NW (and this is only true in time), and I can buy a solar powered phone charger at Ross for $10, there must be some at least small wins possible, I’d think. it just doesn’t add up to me.

Is it utility dynamics? Bureaucracy?

As far as storage goes, it’s basically whether a person deems it necessary. Honestly, it really depends on the utility company and how they go about purchasing the excess power you generate. In my case our utility company has 1-1 net metering mean that for every excess kWh of energy I produce durning the day, it can be used at night when I’m not generating power from the solar. Anything I produce in excess for a given month is bought back by the utility company at the wholesale rate.

In my area a battery is simply used as a safety precaution in the event of a power outage or grid failure. If you don’t have anything to store power then you typically are still going to be w/o power in the event of an outage. There are units you can buy that will disconnect you from the grid if the power goes out and then you can use your solar to run low load circuits when the panel are producing energy, but if you want to run things at night a battery is necessary.

The overall initial investment is costly even w/ the 30% tax credit, but the system should pay for itself in 10-12 years and the panels are good for 25+ so I’m hoping it pays off long term as energy costs continue to rise.

Sorry if this de-rails the thread a bit. And I’m by no means an expert at this stuff, but from my limited knowledge for us it seems to be doing well.

[IMADreamer]

This feels so stupid to complain about. I'm obviously very lucky and in a position many would love to be in. However I am just not getting my strength back on my right side and my Viper is going to have to go. I don't feel comfortable driving it right now. Part of the problem is when I'm hot my symptoms get worse. There is some name for that I can't spell or pronounce, but when I was diagnosed my neurologist said I had to keep cool because getting hot would make me have relapses and if I was already in a relapse my symptoms would get way worse and may last longer. The Viper while it does have AC also has an 8 liter V10 and huge transmission inches away. In fact on a warm day the footwell gets so hot I've heard of people burning their feet if they do prolonged driving. I've found that I really struggle making the 2 to 3 shift on the transmission because I get a little shaky and weak. It's all so frustrating.

I'm still hunting for my next car, but maybe there won't be one for a while. I've been driving my truck a lot because it's easy to get in and out of and an automatic. It feels like my dream is dying, but I'm thankful for a while I got to have that dream.

[GeddyWrox]

Dang man. I'm sorry to hear that! I hope you can still find joy in your passion for many years, even if Vipers aren't doable anymore.

[IMADreamer]

I'm really fortunate in many ways but particularly I've owned two of my dream cars and this weekend I'm going to look at another. We are headed to KC to check out a pretty mint 2014 C63 AMG Mercedes. The last of the naturally aspirated V8 AMGs. It's always been a dream car of mine, but I also think now is the time to buy from a financial stand point. I'm pretty sure the values are at or near bottom and if you made me pick a top five cars that will become collector cars in the future it would be probably number 1 or 2 on that list. Don't know if I'll buy it, but if it really checks out and is as good in person as the records show It's probably coming home with me. Plus I'm just really excited to get back into a super sedan.

[IMADreamer]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a6320 ... late-2025/

Honda Confirms New Prelude Hybrid Coupe Is Coming to the U.S. in Late 2025
The Prelude name will return for a sixth generation, with Honda announcing that the two-door model will reach the United States late next year.

This is exciting news even though I fear the car will be a bit over priced. Going back 20 years ago or a little more the market was awash with fun, sporty, yet practical and economical cars. I would love to see that return to some degree as I do think there is a niche for them. This of course if the automakers can get the price under control because these cars really aren't going to sell at 40k.