A Horse With No Name

My latest quest is a possible upgrade of my turntable. Right now I run a Fluance RT 82.

I just upgraded my CD game with an Audiolab 6000 CDT. 

I am enjoying a ton of Vinyl right now. Classical, some jazz albums almost free. older albums often sound quite good and can be picked up quite cheaply. 

Would have been a pretty car back in the day. 

Gone now!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/450056464120794

On 4/18/2024 at 12:17 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

I am growing two endangered American Chestnuts in buckets in my back yard. I started them from seed last summer.

Where did you get the seeds? From the chestnut preservation folks, or just a wild chestnut tree?

1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Once they get in the ground they will grow very rapidly until the blight gets them. These two seeds are from different, naturally blight resistant trees. They’ll be planted near each other in the hopes that their seeds will also be blight resistant and if I’m still here in 10 years and the blight hasn’t gotten them, I can share the seeds with others. 
 

This was once the most populous tree in North America, numbering in the hundreds of millions, and the blight wiped it out in a matter of three decades. Now it is rare to see one more than 10 years old in the wild and the ones that are out there are protected and studied.  I believe there’s less than two dozen wild ones in PA now.

A woodworking freind of mine knew of a giant one on private land in Michigan about 30 years ago. I wonder what happened to that tree. 

On 4/19/2024 at 9:09 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

I see your rental, and raise you mine..

I want to try an electric rental. 

On 4/18/2024 at 6:03 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

The two big things you need to know are How Acidic and how well it drains or not.

I took a class last year on how to grow the American Chestnut. American Chestnuts like to be high on hilltops with very well-drained soils. There's a geomapping tool in Pennsylvania that uses known land and altitude data to populate the best places for Chestnut plantings, and my property is one of the best in the county.  What I used was a mix of planter soil and something called Pittmoss, better than Peatmoss. Its manufactured here and is mostly recycled newspaper. It's good for containers because it holds moisture better than peat.  Just put them in some 5-gallon buckets and let them go.  I need to move them around a bit soon.

True genetic American Chestnuts are very hard to find. If you find them online, they are most likely crossbred with something else that is blight-resistant. I got my seeds directly from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation at one of their research centers at Penn State.

Contacting them., thank you. 

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

Just for the record, those are not dots in the grille. Those are the "tristar" Mercedes logo of different sizes. 

it still looks like @ss. I do believe Mercedes has come out and said they'll eventually make the EQS a more conventional 3 box sedan, but I think that's when the ICE S-Class goes away. 

Jeez, 50% of the most depreciated list are EVs. Doesn't seem like a great time to buy into those yet. 

Hybrid for me next I think. Maybe even Maverick hybrid. 

World is getting nuts. 

2 hours ago, David said:

Loving this and hope it comes true.
Kia’s EV9 Pickup: A Miserable Design or a Future Success? (kangnamtimes.com)

This design is growing on me. 

This looks interesting

The hiker and woodworker in me loves this next one. 

2 minutes ago, David said:

You will be surprised as the Kia Sportage and Rav4 are pretty much neck to neck in retaining resale value.

I have also thought HARD about the Maverik

I ideally would like something I could amp in the back of. 

Far easier than towing a teardrop trailer behind the Ranger which would be the other option. 

27 minutes ago, David said:

Totally agree with these videos which is so true to me.

I would suggest test driving one as well as the RAV4 on the same day to compare. One of my daughters friends has a Rav4 and has had a few little things that warranty took care of, but other wise solid. Yet after driving Amy's Sportage, she wishes she had checked out others. Mi actually likes the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid better and while her Rav4 is a 2023 model, she uses it for work and so it tends to get high miles, after two years she is knocking on 50K miles now and so is thinking of trading it in on a 2025 Tuscon Hybrid.

Review the Hybrid list above, test drive to compare and go with what you feel is right for you.

Cool. Resale also plays a part. at least here in Ohio, Toyotas hold their value way better than Kias. 

Although I like Kia products I find myself really not wanting to own one. Not sure why. 

2 minutes ago, David said:

Very bizzar is that the Ford Bronco and Ranger are pilling up here on Dealership lots. I see tons of them and the amount on the road seems to have dropped off. This could be a PNW oddity as many have moved onto EVs with Tesla leading of course, but Hyundai/Kia/Genesis nipping at their heels along with Ford Mach-e and Lighting. I see tons of these EVs everywhere.

Musk needs to go and get a real CEO in there to run the company, even the loyal are realizing his time is over.

Agree, Kia has some banging style, so much better than other companies especially Buick.

City life will never appeal to me, but I do get it that if you have mass transit that is solid and reliable that being close where you no longer need an auto makes sense. The Seattle greater lite rail system has taken this into account as each lite rail stop has around 10,000 apartments that have been built for folks that need to get into Seattle or the airports and get around without the use of an auto. Crazy dense living.

In regards to the RAV4 comment, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you Test drive the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Far SUPERIOR over RAV4 IMHO. Daughter owns one and plenty of coworkers. the 2024 Sportage Hybrid Rocks.

https://fourwheeltrends.com/toyota-rav4-most-common-problems-explained/#:~:text=Common Toyota RAV4 issues include oil consumption%2C transmission,suspension%2Fsteering issues%2C water pump failure%2C and electrical problems.

https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/rav4-years-to-avoid-an-excellent-cuv-with-a-few-problem-years

RAV4 is far from the reliable SUV Hybrid they have marketed it as. Yes the last few years seem to have worked out the bugs for the most part, but it does have a weirdness that they are either right from the start or a lemon from the start. Seems to be the two types they have come in as they use some of the oldest tech now and are not class leading IMHO.

https://www.caranddriver.com/kia/sportage-hybrid

https://www.edmunds.com/kia/sportage-hybrid/

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/hybrid-suvs

A little more luxury is the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid as an option.

Consumer Reviews to look at:

https://www.edmunds.com/kia/sportage-hybrid/2024/consumer-reviews/

https://www.edmunds.com/kia/sportage-hybrid/2025/

Will have a look

On 1/5/2024 at 10:46 AM, Robert Hall said:

I like that green...the R32-R34 generations were better looking cars, IMO.

I love the R34 styling..

I agree. 

21 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

There will be initial bump, sure but long term it will be niche at best (as far as full size pick ups go). All the pros being an EV (although they, once again, lied about the range and price) are being killed by the fact that it is half baked (at best) as an actual pick up. Countless reviews all say the same thing about it. 

 

Oh and haven't seen one here yet but plenty of Model Ys and 3s.

I can't imagine owning one as anything other than a novelty. Or winning it as part of a contest. 

On 11/1/2023 at 1:13 PM, ccap41 said:

Perfect for another 5k increase! 

Everything is up. I thought about buying a new Ranger since my Ranger is at 86k. Keeping my Ranger. 

New Ranger starts mid thirties rather than mid twenties. 

Religion continues to go the way of the DODO bird...

Interesting take on things. 

On 9/12/2023 at 8:07 AM, trinacriabob said:

Join me in wishing @A Horse With No Name, our long-time member and friend who knows how to mix up insightful observations and zany humor, a happy birthday!  Enjoy your special day ... and cheers.

Thank you!

On 11/16/2023 at 12:41 PM, ccap41 said:

Oh yeah, I just wasn't about to look that stuff up. I knew it's been 20+ years and that was good enough for me, Hahaha. 

Chevy's been running the old-@ss 5.3 for decades while Toyota has a brand new boosted 3.4 AND a boosted hybrid in their full-size truck. Obviously, it won't sell worth a sht, for whatever reasons, but it's about as technologically advanced of a truck powertrain as there gets right now. 

And the Tacoma now has a nice Turbo 4. Lots of selection in midsize trucks right now, which is the only market segment I personally find interesting at the moment. 

On 5/25/2015 at 1:40 PM, TaurusSHO said:

Every forum needs one of these.

Like GM and Ford full size trucks, This forum would not survive without this thread. 

On 8/29/2023 at 1:28 PM, David said:

For those that like all black, Ford has a Platinum Black Edition of the Ford F150 Lightning pickup in Matte Black.

F-150 Lightning Platinum Black Edition (shorthandstories.com)

I like it, just not 85 thousand dollars worth. 

On 9/6/2023 at 11:48 AM, David said:

Very interesting story and some interesting name plates on the top 20 list like the S class car and the Miata.

Domestic Vehicles Among The Slowest-Selling In America, Whether They’re New Or Used | Carscoops

With the Camaro gone, one wonders how long the Mustang will continue. 

On 12/16/2023 at 7:40 AM, surreal1272 said:

"GM has a plan"-Every pro GM post I have seen over the last three or four years

 

And that plan, apparently, is to continue to shoot themselves in the foot after three or four years of hype over the Ultium platform, low entry prices, and sales projections for EVs. Just cannot believe how bad they and Ford are screwing this up right now, yet at the same time I should have half expected it. History does not lie but it does have a nasty habit of repeating itself.

I was hearing this from GM fanbois from the early 1970's onward. 50 years of the same narrative is enough. 

On 12/1/2023 at 11:12 AM, NINETY EIGHT REGENCY said:

Please check the Tesla section out.  I posted videos about the cybertruck this morning. 

Thank you!

On 11/21/2023 at 4:33 PM, surreal1272 said:

I have to say that the mobile version of this site has become more unusable due to the pop up ads and videos. I get the reason for the ads but the execution of them takes away from the usability. 

This site usually has a problem with the stability of the folks that post on it, not the stability of adverts. Odd. 

On 11/22/2023 at 3:13 AM, David said:

As expected Toyota grabbed headlines about a breakthrough solid state batteries, but clearly they have not invented them yet and even if they can actually deliver, it will be limited to 10,000 EVs globally by 2030.

 

Guess they still think hydrogen is the way to go. 😆

 

https://electrek.co/2023/11/21/toyotas-long-range-solid-state-ev-batteries-limited/

Toyota will fall way behind. Does not mean I won't be considering a Prius or RAV 4 for next vehicle. Want a hybrid. Not ready for full electric yet. 

On 12/6/2023 at 2:04 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

Eh, that article makes some statements without data to back it up. It's a puff piece for EVs.

That said, for EVs that have heat pump HVAC, the difference in range is negligible.  Certainly less than the drop in fuel economy I see with cold weather in the truck.  The EPA says that cold weather of 20 degrees (fairly common where I live) can drop your fuel economy 15%.

If you properly precondition your EV in the cold before you leave, the range drop won't even be noticeable.  All modern EVs (even not modern ones like the original Volt) have the ability to set a departure time and can heat up both the cabin and the batteries before you drive away.  Of course this is best if you're on wall power at the time, but it helps even if not. Roughly the same as remote starting your ICE.

Winter gas formulations suck also. My Ranger loses about 2 MPG with the winter formulations. Had to believe I am at 86,000 miles and looking at replacing my (other car). My ancient Chevy Aveo we only use to run to the store on weekends and such. 

On 2/14/2024 at 3:04 PM, surreal1272 said:

Dear Tesla fan(s): Tell us more about that superior Cybertruck...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cybertruck-owners-theyre-already-rusting-154649229.html

It will sell big time. Starting to see them around. 

On 1/5/2024 at 5:54 AM, trinacriabob said:

This was shocking.

The Airplanes sub-forum is intended to be a celebration of airplanes and aviation.  The following does not qualify, so it's here in Random Thoughts.

You know how when you sometimes get a snippet of a piece of the news and the gravity doesn't sink in?  Well, it sounded like 2 planes in Tokyo bumped into each other while taxiing or maneuvering and would need to be repaired. 

Far from it.  

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67879308

This was an actual crash as a newer JAL A350 had landed at Tokyo Haneda and clipped a smaller aircraft with 6 people in it while moving on the runway at high speed.  Five of the six people in the small craft died (the pilot is in serious condition) and everyone on the Airbus 350 - 379 people - made it out in time as they plane was starting to catch fire.  They filed out to the different slides and listened NOT to reach for their carry-ons.  The hull is a complete loss.  They are investigating the situation and Airbus experts have gone to Tokyo to assist, but people have some general ideas about what happened.

This hearkens back to the weirdness of Air France 358 from Paris to Toronto where the A340 overshot the runway (there was no other plane involved), went into an embankment on the side of the big 401 expressway, broke up, caught fire, and yet everyone was able to exit the aircraft and survive the crash.  

I wrote an aviation short story based on both of those accidents. Decided to destroy a 737 MAX as part of the process. 

On 3/27/2024 at 9:30 AM, ccap41 said:

The 3 OR Y outsell all of Cadillac. Selling nearly 2 million a year is pretty much a sht ton when you can't get in one for under 50k. If your ONLY comparison to attempt to bring Tesla down is a cheap Chinese company, it's safe to say Tesla's are selling very well, better than any other electric vehicle. 

Also, just because BYD surpassed them in one quarter, doesn't mean Teslas aren't selling well. 

Again, just because you don't like Elon, doesn't mean people don't love his products. 

This sums me up. Love his products, think Elon is bat$h!. 

On 3/30/2024 at 6:42 PM, trinacriabob said:

To those who celebrate it, Happy Easter.*

To those who don't, have a great weekend.

* I always struggle with the after-the-event deeply discounted chocolate in the stores. However, I've read more than one source that says some dark chocolate is actually good for one's heart ... I'll run with that one.

Don't celebrate it, had a fantastic weekend. Thanks. 

On 3/5/2024 at 8:25 PM, David said:

Some interesting reading:

Even as EV sales slow, lower battery prices are expected to boost demand (goldmansachs.com)

Electric school buses outperform diesel in extreme cold (electrek.co)

 

That's interesting about the school buses. Probably an ideal EV platform. Big, heavy, slow, limited actual range needed. 

On 3/7/2024 at 12:53 PM, trinacriabob said:

A random thought that sometimes goes through my head:

Does TikTok often come across as a low budget, low skill, white trash alternative to YouTube?

Absolutely. 

On 2/12/2024 at 1:30 PM, David said:

Agree, I am seeing some quality Photoshops that would be awesome to have here in the U.S.

I love this guys work, as this would sell now if they had it I believe.

This is killer. What we should see on the streets. 

On 3/18/2024 at 10:12 AM, David said:

So I posted this in my company Slack auto channel and am reposting it here to share my crazy Sunday with the Wife who is now considering retiring the SS for a new auto.

Interesting, my SS that the wife drives has started to have gremlins. As such upon my return on Saturday from my work trip, she complained to me about not feeling she can rely on the auto. I asked her what she would like to do since I picked the SS for her and over all she loves the power, AWD of the 2008 Trailblazer SS AWD, but at approaching 300,000 miles, it is coming time to retire rather than put money into the auto. She responded that she would be open to an EV.

So, Sunday we spent the day driving EVs to check them out. My wife's response to the following EVs we drove: 

BMW - Nice to drive, was fine with the interface, but the exterior was just ugly with the big kidney grill in the front and weird pinched rear end look. Still will consider.

Mercedes - Interface was fine, driving was nice, liked the interior for the most part, but what were they thinking with the Jellybean shape? Hard pass.

Cadillac - Nice to drive, exterior was far better than the Mercedes or BMW, Failure in that they do not support Android Auto / Apple carplay. As such not acceptable. Yes, there is the * that Lyriq has a limited support for Android Auto, no Apple Carplay and the sales rep did say that GM was moving away from it with their Android system that is voice controlled and easier than using your cell phone. Wife was not impressed with the limitations, wants full support of her Ultra S23 in the auto.

Hyundai - Was not wowed with the style exterior, but interior loved it and roomy for me. Loved the full Android Auto/Apple Carplay support. A solid candidate to consider.

Kia - Again the exterior was not bad, but not wowed by it either. Interior was nice and fit her well, but the tight bucket seats of the EV6 were super tight for me and she said it would not work for us due to my size as no one could sit behind me. EV9 was great, anyone can sit behind me and was very spacious for both of us. Liked the style much better exterior and interior was very nice to her. One to consider, only thing was the poor slow charging speed for L1/L2.

Genesis - GV60, she liked exterior was fine, Interior was very nice. It fit us fine though no one could sit behind me. Interface was very easy to use. But she even asked them if there was a bigger version for the GV70 or 80 and they said not yet, it was coming.

Ford - F150 Lighting she liked allot about it exterior and interior wise, just was hoping for a mid-size rather than full size vehicle so would think on the truck. Mach e she liked, we both fit comfortably and clearly anyone could sit behind me, as the lead developer who is 6'2" tall stated, the EV was designed to handle tall people. Major dislike was the salesperson who was very pushy and made comments that told my wife he was a male chauvinistic pig. He actually to me to man up as the wife would drive whatever I decided for her since I was the man. Big mistake, if we go with a Ford, it will be a different salesperson and might even be a different dealership.

Rivian - Exterior and Interior were big wins for her, she loved everything about it and even the test drive was great. Sadly, Rivian is off the list as she asked the counselor about Android Auto/Apple Carplay and no support, no plan for support. FAILURE big time.

Tesla - She wanted to look at the Y. We went in and over all the experience was good, but no one can sit behind me. The counselor went over the interface and then offered for us to take it for a drive. Wife asked if it supported Android Auto/Apple Carplay and the Answer was no, and then they said a major failure. Musk knows how to build a superior interface, and no one needs those old cell phone connections, only Bluetooth to use your phone. With the crazy way to start the EV and lack of cell phone support she passed on even test driving it. 

One thing my wife did tell me was that an all-software app interface is a failure point to her. She wants physical buttons for the basic stuff and then will be happy using the touch screen. 

Not sure what her choice will be, but she is going to think on this.

Ford needs an Electric Ranger. However, they are selling every Bronco they can build and the Bronco and Ranger shar an assembly line. Ergo, they build very few Rangers. Zero incentive to do an electric one in quantity. Good luck with your choice. 

On 3/24/2024 at 11:40 AM, David said:

OUCH, $169 device allows you to hack the Tesla 3.

'White hat hackers' carjacked a Tesla using cheap, legal hardware — exposing major security flaws in the vehicle | Live Science

Musk and his antics would keep me from ever considering one of their products. Which is sad, because from a need and affordability standpoint we are looking Hybrid/EV for the next car. 

On 3/24/2024 at 11:49 AM, David said:

WOW, If Kia did make the EV9 into a pickup truck and give it the style of these images created by Hot Cars, I bet it would sell big time especially over the hideous CyberTruck that is clearly not setting the after market on fire.
Kia’s EV9 Pickup: A Miserable Design or a Future Success? (kangnamtimes.com)

Very cool updated images of the nearly done Hyundai Ioniq9 SUV.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 9: Likes and Dislikes Divided by Unique Blinker Design (kangnamtimes.com)

Kia has some of the best styling right now. Odd, but true. 

On 3/24/2024 at 4:21 PM, trinacriabob said:

Amazing.  Today marks 5 months of not owning a vehicle.  I use a cheap monthly transit pass.  It goes most everywhere I need to go.  I'm saving a lot of coin. 

For one, I'm going to be going back and forth a bit this year.  Then, I really want to do the research before making an auto purchase, especially since I foresee it being a lightly used vehicle in this fairly different context.

I am highly jealous. I have thought about moving into town and onto the bus line. 

On 3/25/2024 at 8:36 PM, riviera74 said:

I find it interesting that the CT6 is no longer sold here in NA.  The CT4 and the CT5 are still sold here, but Cadillac is (from a sales perspective) mostly a crossover/SUV shop.

As is everyone else. I have never owned an SUV (other than a junker 69 Bronco) and am considering one. Everyone can flame me, but if I buy one it will be a RAV 4. Probably a hybrid. 

66 GTO convertible....

The inner 14 year old in me blowing s#!t up and destroying it...for science...

Racing has gotten much safer. None of these guys would have been killed under current racing safety policies/rules.

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Hahaha well Musk as a person is a completely different issue and I can understand not liking the man. I was speaking strictly of the product(s). 

No real issue with the products, but car for car would buy a Mach E before a Tesla 3. You are a bad influence on me!