I drove my first EV

[SteelJones]

A buddy of mine picked up an Audi RS E-Tron and let me drive it yesterday. The acceleration was off the charts, so now I can see all the fuss about EVs, but the lack of any sound was very strange and made me feel disconnected from the car. Hard to describe but the car was unbelievably fast!

I grabbed a couple of pics of my good old fashioned ICE car next to the EV. I'll stick with my Bully but the EV was very luxurious.

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[SBR70.3]

One of these cars is depreciating at an unbelievable rate and the other will be a collectors item...............

There were 2 Tesla Model S at the track during my last HPDE. They were in the beginners group. It was weird watching them drive by without making a sound.

 

[SteelJones]

As an ICE driver my whole life there is definitely an odd feeling when driving something that fast yet totally silent.

There are no visceral cues that your moving that fast other than the immediate boost. I've also read that the E-tron is depreciating at an accelerated pace.

 

[Yorkshire_OH]

Not depreciation fast enough for me to afford one haha

 

[LOL WUT]

This thread will go south quickly.


However, having owned a EV (Model S) and a 800hp Mustang. They are both great for their intended purposes. I’d agree that the silence of EVs is quite an adjustment but the bang for buck acceleration is unparalleled.

The E-Tron GT is one of the best looking EVs out IMO. Second only to a plaid.

I always find it funny when people have such hate for EVs and claim it’s because they are “being forced on people”. Hate the forces not the vehicle that outperforms 🫡. Or “they have no soul” Umm okay, whatever that means, don’t buy one lol.

Great looking rides OP!

 

[K4fxd]

I've had several EV's in my lifetime, they are called golf carts.

That said if I lived in a gated community I'd have another EV. Yep a golf cart.

 

[Mustang_Lou]

My daily is a 2024 Polestar 2 ... for commuting an EV is where it's at IMO.

But on the weekend or a nice workday every now and then it's the Bullitt. The emotional engagement will never be there on an EV as much as an ICE car.

Having said that, the new Ioniq 5 N with pumped in ICE sounds and a "rev limiter" and fake gear changes is a step in the right direction for us enthusiasts if we have no other choice.

 

[K4fxd]

My daily is a 2024 Polestar 2 ... for commuting an EV is where it's at IMO.

I can see one for commuting if one has the ability to charge at home.

If my friend hadn't had his house burned down by one I might consider it. Once burned twice shy and all that.

 

[MartyM]

Before telling this story in full, I give the following wrapup:
EVs are the future to eventually surpass ICE vehicles in terms of lower maintenance and economy. Downsides to be addressed include readily available fast chargers with a standard connector, lower prices, readily available and modular parts (for repairs in minor collisions), and most important shielding batteries from fires. Also see the important caution about quietness in report below.

Today's answer is the compromise of Hybrids over ICE vehicles.

THE STORY:
My fun car is a 2020 Bullitt. For long hauls and multiple passengers a satisfying compromise is my 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. When the lease was up on my 2020 Lexus RX searched unsuccessfully for a RX Hybrid. Simple reason, the MPG on the Lexus was similar to the Bullitt. Decided to test drive the Highlander as it was a comparable to the Lexus RX and I figured we get a feel for the RX.

At the Toyota dealer I requested their most experienced salesman. On introducing ourselves told the salesman I've bought dozens of cars over the years and do not expect to be handed a line or I'll walk.

As my wife and I took the car for a test ride we were looking at specific things. First of all did it ride and handle well and did it have good acceleration. It rated high in all respects. The window sticker said MPG was 35.

I was ready to walk away from the test drive without purchasing hoping to wait for a Lexus to become available. The salesman asked to look at my Lexus which was 2 months prior to lease end. He said it was perfect and offered to buy it out for a price equal to what I'd just seen in Kelley Blue Book. After some haggling where we got to a lease price I was comfortable, I said what I learned many years ago, "The deal sounds reasonable but whenever I make a big purchase I always go home and think about for a day. I stood pat that no deal was to be made that day. Next morning, salesman called early to ask if we'd decided. I told him I was checking out other factors. Cut off his conversation politely but firmly. 4 PM, his salesmanager called and said they were able to lower the monthly lease if only I came in that evening. End of sales story after more haggling, lease came down $100/month and mileage allowed per year increased from 10k to 12k.

After 1 1/2 years and 20k miles it is easy to say this is one of the best large cars I've had. The worst thing, the window sticker 35MPG is a lie, we only average winter/summer 33MPG. WooHoo!!!

THE CAUTION: the hybrid starts and runs up to about 25MPH on the electric motor* which is very quiet. This means people not facing the car do not hear you. From this I've learned patience to wait until safe. Maybe once or twice had to tap horn.

* This Hybrid is not a plugin. It recharges when coasting downhill and when braking. Battery is warranted for 10 years. Have not heard of a battery fire on a hybrid.

Here's the Shocker:
Love my Bullitt. However, when and if a GT Hybrid comes to market, I'm in. Ford has considerable experience with Hybrid Transits so will likely do this right.

 

[K4fxd]

At my age I'll never buy one.

Hybrids may take over but battery only cars will never be more than a small percentage of the fleet. There is not enough electrical generating capacity to charge them and it would take 75 or more years to put a dent in the supply end.

 

[CrackedHorn]

My biggest complaint with EV is that it is portrayed as "green" and is somehow going to combat climate change. And by consequence, that you and I (car owners) are by default, making the world worse off via our nasty car pollution.

EV isn't the future unless we all want to have self driving cars the size of a shoe. No autonomy. And that's not a world I want to live in.

Same story for most of the green movement. Owning land, eating food, using AC.....simply existing... is bad for the world and we should all be ashamed and bow to our leaders who tell us we will have nothing and be happy for it.

These same people fly private jets, own land, and do all of those things...on a much larger scale.. that we, as plebs, should be ashamed for doing.

 

[K4fxd]

My biggest complaint with EV is that it is portrayed as "green" and is somehow going to combat climate change. And by consequence, that you and I (car owners) are by default, making the world worse off via our nasty car pollution.

EV isn't the future unless we all want to have self driving cars the size of a shoe. No autonomy. And that's not a world I want to live in.

Same story for most of the green movement. Owning land, eating food, using AC.....simply existing... is bad for the world and we should all be ashamed and bow to our leaders who tell us we will have nothing and be happy for it.

I read somewhere that if the UK were to go all EV it would take 3 years of the entire worlds supply of copper. Plus all the other minerals it takes to make the batteries.

Calling an EV green is one of the biggest scams of my lifetime.

 

[Woketman]

My neighbor had a Tesla Model 3 base. I asked him to take me for a ride. He threw me the keys and said "you drive". As stated, it is weird driving with no sound. He told me to nail it from a dead start. I did so and immediately took my foot off the pedal cause I thought I broke something. The massive acceleration at 0 MPH was like God hit the back of the car with a giant sledge hammer!!! He laughed and told me to do it again and keep my foot down. WOW! WOW!!!!!

 

[Mustang_Lou]

Yep, it's INSTANT GO! You try it once or twice but honestly not many more times (for me anyways).

It's not about the speed, it's about the engagement and how it stirs your soul and the EV leaves me blah in that regard.

It's why I own the Bullitt and 3 motorcycles ... as long as I can physically do it, I will continue to own those as there's no measurement (0-60 etc) that can top how they make you feel inside.

 

[MD18EcoStang]

Here's the Shocker:
Love my Bullitt. However, when and if a GT Hybrid comes to market, I'm in. Ford has considerable experience with Hybrid Transits so will likely do this right.

Love my Fusion Hybrid! Between my wife and I, we've owned three of them! My current one is my daily, a 2014. 241K+ miles and counting.

PS - Frustrating that Ford dropped out of the sedan market... Maybe they'll reconsider at some point.

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