Random Thoughts Thread

[G. David Felt]

18 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I think they're the same level of cheapness. We have just gotten used to nicer interiors. 

Just a couple weeks ago I was in the back seat of a buddy's 2023 or 2024 GTI and it felt extremely cheap feeling. I can't imagine a 2003-2004 GTI really felt any nicer back there though. It's just as cheap, we just expect much better for 30-35k vehicles, which is understandable. 

This is where if the IDIOTS in DC ever figure out how to really deal with trade, the Kia EV3/4 that has gotten rave reviews in Europe and Asia for high-quality entry-level interiors will be interesting to see here. Currently on Delay except for Canada and Mexico which will get them built in Korea, shipped to those markets. So later this summer, I hope that when I go up to visit Canada again, I can check one out.

I totally agree with you that we have gotten used to a much nicer interior and so when it comes to entry level autos, the cheap plastic interior is not wanted by the masses. Much like technology, young people have complained about why entry level auto's do not have all the tech that their parents auto have and again, cheap entry level, stuff is not included except as an expensive options package.

[G. David Felt]

Ugh for the summer drivers.

WA the only state with higher gas prices than last year

[G. David Felt]

First off, I am NOT wanting this to be political about our current president, but I do acknowledge that some will want to go political on this.

Springsteen Fans Walk After Trump Comments | National Circus

While i respect those that walked out of his concert, canceled tickets, etc. this I believe brings up a bigger issue. The intelligence to lead a nation and the effects one has on those citizens.

Some say #47 is having a positive effect on the U.S. others say he is having a negative effect and the current administration is taking credit for the current low inflation, low unemployment, etc.

Yet, what is happening now from an employment, selling price, etc. is actually the effects of the last administration. WHY, most businesses are selling product they ordered back at the end of 2024 at a set price and received before tariffs went into effect. It has always been normal for businesses to have 6 to 9 months of stock on hand unless you are a true little mom and pop shop where you tend to be more month by month.

In this regard we have seen the current administration tariff war end in closing down small companies due to no longer being able to afford their products that are produced in China and abandoning the product in China as they cannot afford to pay the higher prices.

This bring it to the point I am making in what I believe Bruce Springsteen is calling for, people to think about how businesses are really run, the costs of things to come and the pay to play affect of the current administration.

We have seen plenty of battery and EV auto plants now put on hold, we have seen plenty of green energy projects canceled or put on hold. 

The effect on the auto industry will affect millions and Tesla just announced a minimum of 1 week idling of their U.S. assembly plants due to oversupply of EVs.

We are coming up on the end of the two-month freeze by auto companies on the prices they sell their auto's for. Will it truly end in big or small price increases? How much of the cost of high tariffs will the companies eat to keep sales going?

If you have not repaired your auto at the Dealerships, 3rd party repair places or did the repair yourself buying parts at an auto part store, then you have not felt the increased cost yet, but I can tell you things have gotten much more expensive than they were.

Here are the current statistics:

Producer Price Index by Industry: Automotive Parts, Accessories and Tire Retailers (PCU44134413) | FRED | St. Louis Fed

[regfootball]

So, it seems like they are screwing around with the GM Card again. 
 

https://news.gm.com/home.detail.html/Pages/news/us/en/2025/may/0520-GM-enhances-loyalty-program-unveils-GM-Rewards-Mastercard-Barclays.html

are cardholders getting screwed?  I can’t hardly tell from the bull$h!. 

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, regfootball said:

So, it seems like they are screwing around with the GM Card again. 
 

https://news.gm.com/home.detail.html/Pages/news/us/en/2025/may/0520-GM-enhances-loyalty-program-unveils-GM-Rewards-Mastercard-Barclays.html

are cardholders getting screwed?  I can’t hardly tell from the bull$h!. 

Just not GM Loyalty card, their points program as well as other bank rewards programs. Seems Everyone is wanting to go cheap and give minimal for customer loyalty. Making me rethink many programs. I have started to stop and quit a few as the changes are not worth the hassle. 

[G. David Felt]

I have to totally disagree with the Chinese 996 work approach. This is total BS.

Scale AI’s 30-year-old billionaire cofounder has a warning for anyone who craves work-life balance: ‘maybe you’re not in the right work’

[G. David Felt]

Interesting read, one thing I have noticed with my Kia EV9 self driving is that traffic circles confuse the system, seems Tesla also in their current version are still confused with traffic circles. I totally agree with the guy that the fit n finish of the BYD is better than Tesla. Having been around plenty of Tesla, I know my Kia has better fit n finish than tesla.

I'm a retiree living in Mexico who owns a BYD and a Tesla. Here's why I prefer the Chinese car.

[ccap41]

On 6/20/2025 at 6:01 PM, G. David Felt said:

It has always been normal for businesses to have 6 to 9 months of stock on hand unless you are a true little mom and pop shop where you tend to be more month by month.

What place of business has 6 to 9 months of stock on hand? If Walmart/Costco/Kroger got zero shipments starting today, their shelves would be empty so much sooner than 6 months. I cannot imagine many companies have that much inventory just sitting around. That's a lot of wasted money on their side. 

[ccap41]

On 6/20/2025 at 6:01 PM, G. David Felt said:

 

We are coming up on the end of the two-month freeze by auto companies on the prices they sell their auto's for. Will it truly end in big or small price increases? How much of the cost of high tariffs will the companies eat to keep sales going?

If you have not repaired your auto at the Dealerships, 3rd party repair places or did the repair yourself buying parts at an auto part store, then you have not felt the increased cost yet, but I can tell you things have gotten much more expensive than they were.

Here are the current statistics:

Producer Price Index by Industry: Automotive Parts, Accessories and Tire Retailers (PCU44134413) | FRED | St. Louis Fed

If you zoomed out a little bit and didn't try and focus on just a handful of months, this trend started in 2021.

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

If you zoomed out a little bit and didn't try and focus on just a handful of months, this trend started in 2021.

Agree, but the spike just this year is still very big in such a short time compared to the 2021 to 2022 rise imho.

[G. David Felt]

Yea, NOT Washington State has just approved a 6 cent per gallon gas tax increase that goes into effect July 1st 2025 as supporting road projects.

• State gas tax will be 61.4 cents per gallon
• Federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon

Some counties here have additional gas tax in support of the county projects. As such, looks like starting July 1st the tax on gas for Washington state will become 95 cents per gallon. CRAZY

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

Agree, but the spike just this year is still very big in such a short time compared to the 2021 to 2022 rise imho.

It doesn't look much different than the spike last year, May-July 2024. 

47 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Yea, NOT Washington State has just approved a 6 cent per gallon gas tax increase that goes into effect July 1st 2025 as supporting road projects.

• State gas tax will be 61.4 cents per gallon
• Federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon

Some counties here have additional gas tax in support of the county projects. As such, looks like starting July 1st the tax on gas for Washington state will become 95 cents per gallon. CRAZY

That hurts to read.. IL isn't too far behind, but 61.4c/gal is brutal for you guys. Good for you for buying an EV in that climate. 

[A Horse With No Name]

23 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Interesting read, one thing I have noticed with my Kia EV9 self driving is that traffic circles confuse the system, seems Tesla also in their current version are still confused with traffic circles. I totally agree with the guy that the fit n finish of the BYD is better than Tesla. Having been around plenty of Tesla, I know my Kia has better fit n finish than tesla.

I'm a retiree living in Mexico who owns a BYD and a Tesla. Here's why I prefer the Chinese car.

BYD is everywhere in Mexico. And honestly, I saw like 3 Teslas on the road in 3 days in Canada. 

This is badass....

 

 

[G. David Felt]

4 hours ago, ccap41 said:

What place of business has 6 to 9 months of stock on hand? If Walmart/Costco/Kroger got zero shipments starting today, their shelves would be empty so much sooner than 6 months. I cannot imagine many companies have that much inventory just sitting around. That's a lot of wasted money on their side. 

Walmart, Costco, Sams club, etc. have all stated that non-perishable items they tend to have 6 months on hand in their core warehouses. This is where even Krogers, Safeway/Albertsons, etc. have also stated that non-perishable good they keep higher inventory on hand. That makes sense to me that you would keep more stock of items that are not perishable on hand.

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

BYD is everywhere in Mexico. And honestly, I saw like 3 Teslas on the road in 3 days in Canada. 

Yes, when I went up there for a week of relaxation after my tradeshow, I noticed far less Tesla's than there used to be. Musk has clearly become toxic for Tesla and with his support of Idiot47 has turned off Canada for buying them for the most part imho.

[trinacriabob]

Dang ...

... airfares are high

... rental car prices are high

Since Southwest pulled the plug on the low cost model circa 5/28, their airfares are much higher, and so are the fares of the legacy carriers.

[G. David Felt]

23 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

Dang ...

... airfares are high

... rental car prices are high

Since Southwest pulled the plug on the low cost model circa 5/28, their airfares are much higher, and so are the fares of the legacy carriers.

With Idiot47 Tariff war and now illegal war attack on Iran, everything is getting crazy expensive. Was interesting to see the report on tourism downfall due to the tariffs. As such, auto rental companies are raising prices and delaying new investments in rental fleets due to the slowdown. 

I feel our recession has officially begun under incompetence DC.

[A Horse With No Name]

19 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

Dang ...

... airfares are high

... rental car prices are high

Since Southwest pulled the plug on the low cost model circa 5/28, their airfares are much higher, and so are the fares of the legacy carriers.

Exactly why I bought my tickets for my fall trip months ago. 

[A Horse With No Name]

GM had fantastic red colors in the 1970s.

 

 

[A Horse With No Name]

 

[G. David Felt]

4 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

GM had fantastic red colors in the 1970s.

 

 

Would love a modern version of this in EV format.

[trinacriabob]

If someone has sex in Denver, does that make them a member of the "Mile High Club?"

[A Horse With No Name]

15 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Would love a modern version of this in EV format.

Absolutely. EV's are becoming more popular here in Ohio. I think I am going to make a baby step and buy a Maverick Hybrid for my next car. 

This thing just has the look....

 

 

[G. David Felt]

We'll this tends to align with the U.S. going into a recession and the auto industry hurting.

Business optimism collapses under Trump

[G. David Felt]

A shame this Nissan product is not here, it would stir excitement for their customers. I will say that the two-tone interior is nice.

[trinacriabob]

Every once in a while, I crave a Brazilian steakhouse buffet ... like now.

[G. David Felt]

Further proof that EVs last longer than ICE.

EV Batteries Can Easily Outlast A Typical Gas Car’s Lifespan: Study

[ccap41]

14 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Further proof that EVs last longer than ICE.

EV Batteries Can Easily Outlast A Typical Gas Car’s Lifespan: Study

No, that is not the headline. 

"EV Batteries Can Easily Outlast A Typical Gas Car’s Lifespan: Study"

What you said and what the article is about are two different things. A car's lifespan is almost always down to getting wrecked and totaled. 

"Over this generous timespan, EV batteries suffer from about 1.8% degradation per year. This means that you’ll lose 1.8% of the original range every year–not ideal, but certainly not a dealbreaker. After 20 years, if nothing goes catastrophically wrong, you can still enjoy 64% of an EV’s original range. The data comes from analyzing over 10,000 EVs." 

Oh wow, 64% battery capacity after 20 years? That makes most any EV pretty much done by 20 years. Nobody is buying an EV9 with 150 miles of range, and decreasing by the year. A 20 year old ICE vehicle still is making 90% of its total output and range. 

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

No, that is not the headline. 

"EV Batteries Can Easily Outlast A Typical Gas Car’s Lifespan: Study"

What you said and what the article is about are two different things. A car's lifespan is almost always down to getting wrecked and totaled. 

"Over this generous timespan, EV batteries suffer from about 1.8% degradation per year. This means that you’ll lose 1.8% of the original range every year–not ideal, but certainly not a dealbreaker. After 20 years, if nothing goes catastrophically wrong, you can still enjoy 64% of an EV’s original range. The data comes from analyzing over 10,000 EVs." 

Oh wow, 64% battery capacity after 20 years? That makes most any EV pretty much done by 20 years. Nobody is buying an EV9 with 150 miles of range, and decreasing by the year. A 20 year old ICE vehicle still is making 90% of its total output and range. 

20yr old ICE is not making 90% of its hp/torque, those rings, transmission, gaskets, etc.  and the overall condition would have it much less than that. Most engines are having to be rebuilt by 250k miles. Yes there are exceptions of those that are well taken care of and last a million miles,l but even then, they are not producing 90% of their HP and Torque and gas mileage is not what it was new either.

Modeling of batteries is much beter than 64% also, We will have to take a wait and see attitude as electric motors have kept their output far longer than ICE motors as they age. 

I think it will come down to maintenance, garage kept versus sitting outside in the elements. Lots to be taken into account.

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

20yr old ICE is not making 90% of its hp/torque, those rings, transmission, gaskets, etc.  and the overall condition would have it much less than that.

So you're telling me your Escalade is making around 220hp now?!? Or would you say it feels just about as strong as it did when you first bought it? I would bet a good amount that it's making around 90% of it's original power numbers. 

And one great thing about ICE is that they aren't getting worse year over year for just sitting or hardly getting used. Your article states that a battery will degrade year over year regardless of it being used or not. 

Edited 7 hours ago by ccap41

[ccap41]

What's even more ridiculous is that you basically need a climate controlled garage to really keep your battery in proper condition. So if I bought an EV without a garage, it will degrade faster than having a garage. It's a shame people buy EVs and then drive to work and park their cars OUTSITE...🙄

"Hot climates also increase battery degradation, so keep your EV in the shade if possible, especially when charging it."

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

What's even more ridiculous is that you basically need a climate controlled garage to really keep your battery in proper condition. So if I bought an EV without a garage, it will degrade faster than having a garage. It's a shame people buy EVs and then drive to work and park their cars OUTSITE...🙄

"Hot climates also increase battery degradation, so keep your EV in the shade if possible, especially when charging it."

That is all the problems with Nissan Leaf current generation and Tesla where you have no insulation or proper management of the battery pack. Those auto companies that have gone 800V have done their work that it is not the issue it is stated to be.

[ccap41]

49 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

That is all the problems with Nissan Leaf current generation and Tesla where you have no insulation or proper management of the battery pack. Those auto companies that have gone 800V have done their work that it is not the issue it is stated to be.

So you're saying the source you linked to say EVs last longer than ICE, is wrong? 

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

So you're saying the source you linked to say EVs last longer than ICE, is wrong? 

No, I am saying when you look at the grand whole picture, EVs will outlast ICE.

If you follow the link on what that write up is based on and I guess I should have just done this as it has far better info, but on the extreme end of 1.8% degradation, you still get a solid output in the way the EV will drive and handle.

EV Battery Health Insights: Data From 10,000 Cars | Geotab

This gives a pretty solid picture and even they state that every year the batteries get better and better, and degradation is reduced. Picking on just a few negative points without looking at the bigger picture is just one way a person can read this, I look at it as the positive of a less complex auto lasting longer than a far more complex auto.

I feel strongly that Hybrids, while they have their place for long distant driving, is NOT the right solution for most who just drive locally and at that average 40 miles a day for commuting.