balthazar

https://www.engadget.com/2018/09/16/tesla-ends-lifetime-free-supercharging-offer/?yptr=yahoo Tesla's offer of free, unlimited Supercharger access was supposed to have ended in early 2017, but it's been on a form of life support since then. Unless you were buying a regular Model 3, you could get the no-cost charging by ordering your EV with a referral code from an existing owner. Now, however, even that exception is coming to an end. Elon Musk has pointed out that the referral program is about to end. After September 16th, owners will only get to hand out $100 in Supercharging credit to Model S, Model X and Model 3 Performance buyers -- just enough for a few top-ups. The end to the offer isn't surprising, even with Tesla's repeated extensions. Superchargers may cost you less than filling up a gas-powered car, but they're still expensive to operate -- Tesla had to factor the cost of Supercharging into every sale when the perk was free for every buyer. And when the automaker is still bleeding cash, it's likely determined to cut costs and boost revenue whenever possible. All the same, this could significantly alter driving behavior for people buying Tesla's more expensive vehicles. While the cost isn't that steep (if you can afford a Model S, you can pay for charging), it may reduce the number of people visiting Superchargers -- you may wait until you get home instead of recharging when it's convenient. Tesla won't mind when this could reduce overcrowding at its stations, but this still represents the end to a golden era. ~ Jon FIngas, Engadget

^ I just read someone online talking about a current prank of feeding a hose into the dryer vent & turning it on.

Last night, after at least 3 hours on the compumachine doing research, got tired, shut down the machine, walked thru the kitchen and picked up my cell phone. Time was 1:11. - - - - - For Moltar; comparing the '15 to the '19. :

Hilariouser and hilariouser.

If it's fixable with software, obviously it's not merely electric, it's also electronic. The complexity there is open to question.

Trucks have much higher profit margins than cars do, why would any OEM 'need' to sell 400+K to make a profit? Many models sell in the low 1000s/yr, assumedly at a profit...

LOL- shorter overhangs do zero in increase interior space. Why not make these powertrain options on the existing lines vs. making an entire mirrored SUV line? OEM's are STILL hedging their bets on EVs this way.

Maybe the Denali was spoken for/sold. - - - - - Believe it or not, someone did this to a '66 Corvette :

Silverado depends a lot on the trim and the lighting. It is a complex design up front, and it can take on a lot of different appearances. REALLY curious to see one in person. Until then, I can definitely find versions I would say I like enough to purchase.

Reg has a bug up his butt about white gauges- pass it on!

Here's the 7+ PSI mechanical fuel pump, says it'll support 550 HP: These are the 1 7/8-in 'shorty' Riviera headers. Said to only lose I think 10-20 HP over full-length headers. Going to put the block/trans/heads together and see if they fit. I'm a bit nervous- have a fat steering box behind the crossmember... but my frame is 3-in wider than a Riviera frame. We'll see. Look at that bottom flange- it's a full 1/2-in thick!

'18 Sierra CC/standard box, 5.3L/3.42 rear : tows 9100 lbs. 6.2L /3.23 rear : 9000. Add Max Trailering package and it goes to 10,700. That's plenty- I can downgrade from my 2500HD with no worries. B-59 should be around 4100, car trailer is about 1500. Maybe I can find a good deal on a 1-yr old '18.

^ You can get the cocoa/dune interior tho. • Very pleased to see the suite of safety nannys (forward collision, lane keep, etc) is line-item optional! My build on the '18 1500 :

Wonder how many of that 155 units they'll sell?

Meh- to each, his own. I like the 'fangs'- GMC has done rectangular grilles ad naseum. As the Elevation is limited to the Double Cab, it looks like to get something similar, appearance-wise, in a Crew Cab one has to go with the AT4.

I know- I like to gloss over that. ;) Buick's '71 GS455 was rated @ 315 HP, it was rated at 270 in '72-73.

BMW locator says within 100 mile radius of my location (out of 3598 vehicles), there are 58 electrics (i3) and 112 diesels. Of course, that doesn't say anything WRT actual sales- diesels may be 'piling up' on lots.

V8s were common in the '70s, but 6s were quite common too. In '70, the Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, Chevelle, Nova & Camaro all came standard with a 6. Actually, the Nova came with a base 4. ElCamino, 1/2-ton, 3/4-ton & 1-ton trucks and vans were also all standard 6s. Only the Monte, Caprice & Corvette came with a standard 8. How is the Camaro 'stuck trying to be a V8 car' when it comes standard with a 4 and also offers a 6? Camaro V8s ran up to 450 HP in '69. But power levels in the '70s were not overly impressive worldwide- the top-shelf MB 6.9L only made 250 HP in the '70s.

I suspect it might be even more lop-sided at Chevy- found these numbers~ Camaro : '67 :: 58K 6's / 162K 8's '73 :: 3K 6's / 93K 8's '77 :: 31K 6's / 187K 8's '83 :: 63K 4's / 28K 6's / 63K 8's '91 :: 31K 6's / 69K 8's

Hmmm; what's the 'F-Body days'? '67 :: 17K 6's / 65K 8's '73 :: 14K 6's / 32K 8's '83 :: 32K 4's / 11K 6's / 32K 8's '91 :: Firebird, Formula, T/A & GTA. F-bird had the 6 standard, but had 2 optional V8s. I don't have the engine breakdown handy. 24K Firebirds, 6,343 T/As. '99 :: 18K Firebird 6's / 1,602 Formula 8's / 16K T/A 8's Firebird V8s was always a strong seller, and by the above, was usually the majority of sales.

2018 BMW 330e thru August : 1,197 units sold. How many 328ds were sold in the same period? The brands can switch to E power, but they have to convince buyers to buy. My question is, is BMW thinking the diesel buyers will automatically move to an 'e' model?

Ooof; all that black unpainted plastic & body cladding on the MB is rough on the eyes, hopefully there's a trim that eliminates most of that crap/finish. RE: the I-6; mercedes is only building them as a cost-saving move to share tooling with their 4-bangers. 117 years and no I-6 @ Cadillac; I strongly doubt it's remotely being considered.

Regularly searching local dealership sites for Sierras/SIlvies- very scarce still. - - - - - If one happens to ever read the Wikipedia entry for 'Pontiac Catalina' and notes the passage that states 'over 3.8 million were sold', this is where that tally came from; I added up the years it was a model series and edited the entry. BTW, I've seen conflicting info on whether the Cat made a 1 year return for '83, but the production total I saw is inconsequential either way WRT 3.8 million.