Quote from: Morris Minor on May 30, 2024, 03:36:02 PMIt would be nice if the beeps only happened when there were actual vulnerable people detected: walking, cycling, pushing shopping carts etc This would be something NHTSA could usefully do.

I suspect most modern cars/vehicles do internally to alert the driver.  Large trucks/buses or vehicles with blind spots can beep externally to warn pedestrians.

Quote from: r0tor on May 29, 2024, 12:21:16 PMHmmm..... I think I'll have to reword that just a bit

Well, I mean, obviously you know your wife better than I do, but I think I got it pretty spot on. But use your best judgment.

Quote from: CaminoRacer on May 30, 2024, 09:29:02 AMI'd disable any backup beeping speakers in a heartbeat.

It would be nice if the beeps only happened when there were actual vulnerable people detected: walking, cycling, pushing shopping carts etc This would be something NHTSA could usefully do.

APR finally released a stage 3 kit for the Audi B9/9.5 platform: https://www.goapr.com/products/engine_hardware/turbo/direct_turbocharger_replacement_systems/apr_stage_3_dtr8868_turbocharger_system_-_30t_ea839/parts/T4100001

I have an appointment scheduled for next Friday at my local tuner for the install. The stall also requires a TCU tune which reportedly also dramatically improves performance and feel.

Stay tuned!

Quote from: veeman on May 30, 2024, 09:34:10 AMThey depreciate horribly but so do most German and American luxury cars. An Audi SQ5 probably depreciates around half its purchase price after 5 years. Once you daily drive a nice EV, it's difficult to go back to ICE as a daily driver. As a local driver, assuming your EV is reliable and you have home level 2 charging capability, it's fantastic. Going back to ICE would be like going from your computer keyboard back to a manual typewriter (more than a bit of hyperbole but still). A well sorted EV is smoother, quieter, faster, and less maintenance hassle than an equivalent ICE car. Out of home charging range, I think ICE is much better and will remain that way for decades particularly for anything that's not a Tesla. 

For my own personal finances, I couldn't care less about vehicle depreciation TBH. It's price of having a new(ish) vehicle for its modern safety/design/performance/features/etc.

I just scheduled a BIG ASS TURBO upgrade for the SQ5 next week (will give me ~550 hp), so no EV for me anytime soon (if ever, hopefully).

This first wave of the EV push has essentially already failed, dragged down in particular by the failure of autonomous driving.

Quote from: MrH on May 30, 2024, 07:39:40 AMI took a deeper look at my electricity bill.  Previously, I just used my $ spent per month, divided by the total kWh to figure out cost/kWh it was around $.16/kWh.  Turns out, $100/month of it is just the fixed delivery charges, regardless of consumption.  It's really only $.069/kWh for actual usage.

My daily work commute of 75 miles round trip:

Lightning (2.0 mi/kWh) = $2.58/day
BRZ (25 mpg, $4.40/gal for 93) = $13.23/day

$10+/day difference.

I think you need to re-read that bill

Your electric bill is generation cost ($/kwh) + delivery/distribution charges ($/kwh) + fees

Quote from: GoCougs on May 30, 2024, 09:14:32 AMWhat's the estimated depreciation differential though? EVs in general are falling off a cliff - way more than ~$11/day.

They depreciate horribly but so do most German and American luxury cars. An Audi SQ5 probably depreciates around half its purchase price after 5 years. Once you daily drive a nice EV, it's difficult to go back to ICE as a daily driver. As a local driver, assuming your EV is reliable and you have home level 2 charging capability, it's fantastic. Going back to ICE would be like going from your computer keyboard back to a manual typewriter (more than a bit of hyperbole but still). A well sorted EV is smoother, quieter, faster, and less maintenance hassle than an equivalent ICE car. Out of home charging range, I think ICE is much better and will remain that way for decades particularly for anything that's not a Tesla. 

Quote from: GoCougs on May 30, 2024, 09:14:32 AMWhat's the estimated depreciation differential though? EVs in general are falling off a cliff - way more than ~$11/day.

That's a good question.  You're right though, most EVs are falling off a cliff.

Short range Lightning residual values are in the absolute dumpster.  Extended range Lariats, like I have, are fairing the best currently.  I bought at the absolute bottom though (right around $57k for mine new in Dec 2023), so I'm actually up according to Edmund's tracker?  I'm surprised by this.



And this is trade in value!  Private party is at least a few grand higher.
I think there's going to be a floor with these.  At a certain point, they reach price parity with gas equivalents but with much lower operating costs.

I'd disable any backup beeping speakers in a heartbeat.

Quote from: GoCougs on May 30, 2024, 09:14:32 AMWhat's the estimated depreciation differential though? EVs in general are falling off a cliff - way more than ~$11/day.

With tax credits and incentives, usually the depreciation is normal for the vehicle's class. (Excluding Tesla, which is all over the place depending on Elon's mood)