Random Thoughts Thread

[A Horse With No Name]

Someone wasn't thinking on this sign...

 

[trinacriabob]

Good morning ...

... a quick quiz - 3 guesses and the first 2 don't count.

Match the following:

1.  state governor

a.

b.

2.  to the vehicle they are likely to pilot

a.

b.

- - - - -

Don't think too hard now.

[trinacriabob]

On 5/15/2024 at 5:13 PM, A Horse With No Name said:

Someone wasn't thinking on this sign...

 

Re "their" signs:

Their signs often show their stupidity, their rigidity, or both.

[G. David Felt]

This is an interesting read.

If the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST Doesn't Have Enough Range, You Might Be the Problem (motortrend.com)

They have now gotten wireless charging up to 120 kW which is great, I can see them eventually getting this to the 350 kW level and then payday for selling it to a variety of businesses on top of this new release being perfect for home charging.

Fast Wireless EV Charging? It’s Coming (motortrend.com)

[G. David Felt]

This guy nails it on all the politicians who are attaching renewable energy and EVs.

Ph.D. student debunks common misinformation about renewable energy transition: 'So many people don't understand' (thecooldown.com)

Candles did out sell at their peak when light bulbs first came out, but technology and adding electrical lines to homes replaced the need for candles and how they are now a luxury thing to light and enjoy the sent while soaking in the bathtub or having a romantic dinner with someone.

EVs are progressing faster than ICE autos ever did and for now, leasing IMHO is the best way to go with EVs.

Want an EV? Here's how to decide whether you should lease or buy (usatoday.com)

They nail it when they say that in 36 months, EVs will have leap frogged what traditional ICE have accomplished in the past and especially today.

Mach e owners are loving their small gift in the mail for the added charging network.

Tesla's DC fast chargers now work for Ford electric vehicles too (usatoday.com)

[trinacriabob]

Good morning  ...

... this was my morning.

I love looking at this thing.

[G. David Felt]

On 6/1/2024 at 9:01 AM, trinacriabob said:

Good morning  ...

... this was my morning.

I love looking at this thing.

What Mountain is that?

[trinacriabob]

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

What Mountain is that?

Mt. Etna on the island of Sicily.  Approaching it from the urban plain to its south gives this more complete view of it ... about 10,000 ft. and an active volcano.

[trinacriabob]

What I was really going to say:

"Buona Festa della Repubblica"

"Happy Republic Day"

Today, June 2, is to Italy what the 1st of July is to Canada, the 4th of July is to the U.S., and the 14th of July is to France ... more or less.

Edited June 2 by trinacriabob

[G. David Felt]

Some interesting reading:

Scientists make breakthrough in EV battery technology with self-extinguishing capabilities — here's how it could revolutionize auto industry (thecooldown.com)

Scientists make discovery that could act as 'energy drink' for aging vehicle batteries: 'Very exciting news' (thecooldown.com)

[trinacriabob]

GUTEN TAG !

A warm welcome indeed ...

I am stuck on a thing or two ... or three ...

[trinacriabob]

Recurring random thought:

Hotels almost always have crappy fitness centers / fitness rooms

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

Recurring random thought:

Hotels almost always have crappy fitness centers / fitness rooms

? So ya stay at a Hotel to work out?

[Drew Dowdell]

16 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

Recurring random thought:

Hotels almost always have crappy fitness centers / fitness rooms

As a swimmer, I concur.  The pools are so tiny I can't even get one stroke in before the end of the pool.  I'm 6 - 10 strokes per breath, which means I breathe as little as once per 25 yards. Most of the hotel pools are no more than 5 yards.  

[trinacriabob]

17 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

? So ya stay at a Hotel to work out?

No, but no LA Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness in some parts of the world.  Hotel gyms and other small gyms have random pieces, poorly positioned and grounped pieces, and don't breathe well.  You walk up to a machine that doesn't agree with you and you may not work out.

[trinacriabob]

2 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

As a swimmer, I concur.  The pools are so tiny I can't even get one stroke in before the end of the pool.  I'm 6 - 10 strokes per breath, which means I breathe as little as once per 25 yards. Most of the hotel pools are no more than 5 yards.  

They are indeed tiny and, also, many times the jacuzzi is out of order.

They also have issues with tables.  If in the room, who wants to be at a desk facing a wall while on their laptop?  Some hotels smartly have tables or desks perpendicular to the wall.

Also, they have cocktail tables in any public room.  They want you to buy drinks and not have your laptop open.  At some lower price points, tables of any kind are scarce as they want to make damn sure the clientele is not in the public spaces - "out of sight, out of mind."

[Drew Dowdell]

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

They are indeed tiny and, also, many times the jacuzzi is out of order.

They also have issues with tables.  If in the room, who wants to be at a desk facing a wall while on their laptop?  Some hotels smartly have tables or desks perpendicular to the wall.

Also, they have cocktail tables in any public room.  They want you to buy drinks and not have your laptop open.  At some lower price points, tables of any kind are scarce as they want to make damn sure the clientele is not in the public spaces - "out of sight, out of mind."

Ugh, and most of the Marriott properties use glass tops on their desks, meaning I have to go find some magazine or something to use as a mouse pad since optical mice don't work on those.  

[ccap41]

3 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

No, but no LA Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness in some parts of the world.  Hotel gyms and other small gyms have random pieces, poorly positioned and grounped pieces, and don't breathe well.  You walk up to a machine that doesn't agree with you and you may not work out.

I don't travel anywhere near what you do, but the few I've been so have been horrible. I've never seen even a decent hotel gym. 

[regfootball]

I had seen first of the new traverses about 4 weeks ago but forgot to load pictures here . Lot trolling just now. The equinox EV is here now , not sure why we have the Blazer EV then since they are about the same interior size. Silverado EV in work truck trim sure looks meh. 
 

the new traverses here I’ve seen have been front drive only, explains why they haven’t sold yet. Anyone here is snow country will look to get AWD. 
 

 

Edited June 16 by regfootball

[Drew Dowdell]

5 hours ago, regfootball said:

I had seen first of the new traverses about 4 weeks ago but forgot to load pictures here . Lot trolling just now. The equinox EV is here now , not sure why we have the Blazer EV then since they are about the same interior size. Silverado EV in work truck trim sure looks meh. 
 

the new traverses here I’ve seen have been front drive only, explains why they haven’t sold yet. Anyone here is snow country will look to get AWD.

The new Traverses make me double take as I think they are a Tahoe at first but then something in the back of my brain will click and say "WRONG".

The difference between Equinox EV and Blazer EV is range, performance, and sportiness. 

[regfootball]

48 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The new Traverses make me double take as I think they are a Tahoe at first but then something in the back of my brain will click and say "WRONG".

The difference between Equinox EV and Blazer EV is range, performance, and sportiness. 

 

That is the 'shark fin' you finally recognize........

I think if the Equinox EV is priced well (considering incentives and subsidized leases) I think it has a real chance to move in some volume.  Its shape is a little more un-GM (looks a bit like the Kia EV6) and may resonate with the lower end EV buyer more.  It appears to have a lot of room inside, and a really good dash layout.

Let's see if GM scales back production numbers WAYYY back or if they decide to subsidize the living daylights out of their EV lines and just produce a lot of them.  They should do the latter, the rate of EV adoption is going to be slow for awhile again but you can win people with incentives.  We are likely to see all of these new GM EV's pretty much untouched for the next ten years (except for batteries and motors).  They can't kill any of these models because they would receive backlash after the EV1 axing.  They'll just have to plan for like a 10 year production run of all of the models.  Which is fine.

They can get some desperate leases on the BlazerEV or Equinox EV set up for like 249 and not much down and I'd get one as a third car / weekly commute / good weather car and just use it to keep miles off my other cars.  Ultimately I'd like a hybrid....gonna look at the 25 Camry when it comes out as a commuter, AWD plus hybrid and 45 mpg I'd be up for that.  The 25 Equinox should have been offered with a plug in hybrid or even a plain hybrid.

Edited June 16 by regfootball

[Drew Dowdell]

2 hours ago, regfootball said:

The 25 Equinox should have been offered with a plug in hybrid or even a plain hybrid

I’m 99% sure it’s coming, just not officially announced. It might be a 2026 model. They’ve already developed the powertrain for the China market and with Barra’s reversal on PHEVs in the US, it seems logical to not waste development dollars.

[G. David Felt]

Some interesting reading.

Here's Why People Are Willing to Pay More for an EV - CNET

The Real Costs of Electric Car Ownership - CNET

Why I Don't Own an Electric Car Yet - CNET

EV Charging vs. Gas: We Do the Math to See Which is Cheaper - CNET

I will say that the last writing where people say installing a home charger negates any savings on charging versus gas buying. That might be true if they have been driving a Prius but for me that had an SS my wife drove spending $600 a month on premium fuel or $7,200 a year on gas, even if I had paid the cost of an Electrician installing a home charger rather than doing it myself as I wrote about here:
 

I am still coming out ahead on home charging with an EV that is roomy, comfortable and way better in many ways than my SS was.

[G. David Felt]

Very cool to see how advanced Kia has become over other EV makers for their stock EVs.

https://insideevs.com/news/724217/ioniq-5-n-pikes-peak/

[G. David Felt]

Very cool a snow removal system for EVs.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/06/gm-files-patent-for-snow-clearing-function-on-electric-vehicles/

Wow, wish I had bought stock last week.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-invest-up-5-billion-rivian-part-tech-joint-venture-2024-06-25/

[trinacriabob]

Very random thought:

I wonder what people's dogs and cats think, if anything, when seeing their owners having sex ...

[G. David Felt]

I have far more faith in RJ leading Rivian than Musk and Tesla long term, as such today I pulled the trigger this morning on buying Rivian Stock. I agree with this story.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/will-rivian-rebound-heres-how-high-wall-st.-predicts-the-ev-stock-can-rise

[G. David Felt]

This is interesting to see for Farrari, the fake exhaust tips are just too funny!
This Is Our First Look at Ferrari's New EV (motor1.com)

[G. David Felt]

WOW they pummeled Volvo, Mercedes and Audi for EVs NOT to buy and praised Tesla, Hyundai as some of the best EVs.

I Have Driven Over 100 EVs: These Are the Best and Worst for Your Money (msn.com)

OUCH Bloomberg has quoted the JD Powers Survey that shows Tesla is on Par with Rivian, GM, Hyundai for EV quality due to bizarre design changes such as removing turn signal stalk and instead going with a push button on the steering wheel.

Tesla’s Design Changes Confuse Drivers and Undercut EV Quality (msn.com)

[G. David Felt]

WOW, about time Chrome Died

Why the company behind Jeep and Dodge will no longer offer chrome in new vehicles (msn.com)

[G. David Felt]

Interesting read on how many Solar panels you need to power your EV, your Home, etc.

Here's How Many Solar Panels You'll Need to Charge Your EV (msn.com)

[Drew Dowdell]

Happy Birthday @Robert Hall!

[trinacriabob]

Good morning!

When you do see this IRL, it is definitely funny.

[Robert Hall]

Random pics from my birthday Friday...took my Mustang for a spin in the morning, then went out to a great local lakefront seafood place for dinner...when I came out, found the valet had parked my CT6 out front next to a Bentley coupe.

 

 

[G. David Felt]

On 6/30/2024 at 1:28 AM, trinacriabob said:

Good morning!

When you do see this IRL, it is definitely funny.

You found my Brother from another mother.  

[G. David Felt]

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!

[ccap41]

Ya know what I've been wanting recently? I have been wanting an 03-05 Lincoln Aviator. I want the size, I want a V8, I LOVE the sound of the Ford modular 4.6L V8. I love that there are a few touches of modern luxury still like cooled seats... and I can't think of what else, but I thought there were a couple things that were neat.

It has the split opening rear hatch, so the glass just opens to throw smaller things in the back.

The DOHC 4.6 is the version from the Mach 1(with a slightly different tune), as opposed to the 4.6 that's in the Explorer and F150. It's 302hp and 300tq compared to the Navigator's 5.4V8 making 300hp and 355tq. interesting outputs between the two vehicles. 

I really like how they look still, but finding one that's not in scrapyard condition is proving pretty much impossible. they only made the dang thing for 3 years

 

 

 

[Drew Dowdell]

52 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Ya know what I've been wanting recently? I have been wanting an 03-05 Lincoln Aviator. I want the size, I want a V8, I LOVE the sound of the Ford modular 4.6L V8. I love that there are a few touches of modern luxury still like cooled seats... and I can't think of what else, but I thought there were a couple things that were neat.

It has the split opening rear hatch, so the glass just opens to throw smaller things in the back.

The DOHC 4.6 is the version from the Mach 1(with a slightly different tune), as opposed to the 4.6 that's in the Explorer and F150. It's 302hp and 300tq compared to the Navigator's 5.4V8 making 300hp and 355tq. interesting outputs between the two vehicles. 

I really like how they look still, but finding one that's not in scrapyard condition is proving pretty much impossible. they only made the dang thing for 3 years

 

 

 

You know what?  I can see it....

You could probably upgrade the stereo to a modern CarPlay unit pretty easily too. 

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

Ya know what I've been wanting recently? I have been wanting an 03-05 Lincoln Aviator. I want the size, I want a V8, I LOVE the sound of the Ford modular 4.6L V8. I love that there are a few touches of modern luxury still like cooled seats... and I can't think of what else, but I thought there were a couple things that were neat.

It has the split opening rear hatch, so the glass just opens to throw smaller things in the back.

The DOHC 4.6 is the version from the Mach 1(with a slightly different tune), as opposed to the 4.6 that's in the Explorer and F150. It's 302hp and 300tq compared to the Navigator's 5.4V8 making 300hp and 355tq. interesting outputs between the two vehicles. 

I really like how they look still, but finding one that's not in scrapyard condition is proving pretty much impossible. they only made the dang thing for 3 years

 

 

 

Nice if you can find a clean used version. I agree with Drew, put in an AA/AP modern head unit.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'm feeling the same way about the second. third, or fourth gen Lexus LS lately. 

There's so much noise in the world, and I just want to shut it all out. I don't want excitement, I want peace.

 

[ccap41]

15 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Nice if you can find a clean used version. I agree with Drew, put in an AA/AP modern head unit.

Clean ones are soooo hard to find. The only few clean ones are 4 hours away.

I need to find a way to at least drive one somewhere around me before committing to a trip like that to buy one. 

16 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

You know what?  I can see it....

You could probably upgrade the stereo to a modern CarPlay unit pretty easily too. 

Yeah, it just sucks that just finding them are extremely difficult. It seems like half of the ones on FB Marketplace have issues and the ones that don't have over 150-200k miles on them. I know I'd be buying something with quite a few miles on it already, but I don't exactly want to start over 150k. 

Wireless CarPlay would be perfect in something like this, because I could keep the radio hidden away and it would just always have that clean look to it, because the radio hides away. 

[Drew Dowdell]

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Clean ones are soooo hard to find. The only few clean ones are 4 hours away.

I need to find a way to at least drive one somewhere around me before committing to a trip like that to buy one. 

Even if you find one that maybe has too many miles but is still in decent shape, you can go drive that to see if the layout and powertrain is to your liking enough to pursue it further.

[ccap41]

15 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I'm feeling the same way about the second. third, or fourth gen Lexus LS lately. 

There's so much noise in the world, and I just want to shut it all out. I don't want excitement, I want peace.

 

If you were to pull the trigger on something like this, what gen would you actually WANT? I know finding what works out and is available for you isn't always 100% what one would want, but which gen do you desire the most? 

I do have a soft spot for a full-size sedan. Just that quiet luxury in a barge is super cool to me. When an S Class or a CT6 drives by, I always get a little excited seeing people buy those still. 

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Even if you find one that maybe has too many miles but is still in decent shape, you can go drive that to see if the layout and powertrain is to your liking enough to pursue it further.

Autotrader has zero within 100 miles of me... There are some on FB Marketplace but I don't really want to joy ride somebody's vehicle with almost no intent to purchase. 

The closest one on AutoTrader is 204 miles from me... but It's actually a really good example and one I wouldn't mind possibly buying. See below link for said vehicle.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/719765701?endYear=2005&makeCode=LINC&modelCode=AVIATOR&newSearch=true&numRecords=25&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fall-cars%2Flincoln%2Faviator%2Fhighland-il%3FendYear%3D2005%26newSearch%3Dtrue%26searchRadius%3D300&searchRadius=300&sortBy=relevance&clickType=listing

I hope that link works. 

[Drew Dowdell]

20 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

If you were to pull the trigger on something like this, what gen would you actually WANT? I know finding what works out and is available for you isn't always 100% what one would want, but which gen do you desire the most? 

I do have a soft spot for a full-size sedan. Just that quiet luxury in a barge is super cool to me. When an S Class or a CT6 drives by, I always get a little excited seeing people buy those still. 

I'm not that picky. I'd go as new as 2017. After that, they get too sporty and not cushy enough for me. I just know I'd want either bronze/tan and look like a doctor, or black on black and look like a gangsta.

20 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Autotrader has zero within 100 miles of me... There are some on FB Marketplace but I don't really want to joy ride somebody's vehicle with almost no intent to purchase. 

The closest one on AutoTrader is 204 miles from me... but It's actually a really good example and one I wouldn't mind possibly buying. See below link for said vehicle.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/719765701?endYear=2005&makeCode=LINC&modelCode=AVIATOR&newSearch=true&numRecords=25&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fall-cars%2Flincoln%2Faviator%2Fhighland-il%3FendYear%3D2005%26newSearch%3Dtrue%26searchRadius%3D300&searchRadius=300&sortBy=relevance&clickType=listing

I hope that link works. 

The only thing is that I think they have the same suspension setup as their contemporary Explorer. I don't know if they're sprung any differently.  The Explorer of those years wasn't a terrific riding vehicle. 

[ccap41]

10 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The only thing is that I think they have the same suspension setup as their contemporary Explorer. I don't know if they're sprung any differently.  The Explorer of those years wasn't a terrific riding vehicle. 

" Lincoln ditched the Explorer's steering rack and fitted a variable-assist, variable-ratio steering gear manufactured by ZF. It replaced the pressed-steel lower control arms with stiffer cast aluminum units and added a larger, stiffer front crossmember and frame inserts to reduce frame flex and increase steering precision.

There's also a set of shocks and springs that are exclusive to the Aviator. The suspension bushings were replaced with units that are compliant longitudinally to soften bump impacts but stiff laterally to increase steering and handling precision. In addition, the anti-roll bars use ball joints to connect to the lower control arms. This is a stiffer, lower-friction arrangement than the rubber bushings used in the Explorer and Mountaineer. "

caranddriver.com/reviews/a15135546/lincoln-aviator-road-test/

It sounds like it's fairly different. I'm not sure how different it would feel 20 years and 100,000 miles later though. Hahaha

[Drew Dowdell]

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

" Lincoln ditched the Explorer's steering rack and fitted a variable-assist, variable-ratio steering gear manufactured by ZF. It replaced the pressed-steel lower control arms with stiffer cast aluminum units and added a larger, stiffer front crossmember and frame inserts to reduce frame flex and increase steering precision.

There's also a set of shocks and springs that are exclusive to the Aviator. The suspension bushings were replaced with units that are compliant longitudinally to soften bump impacts but stiff laterally to increase steering and handling precision. In addition, the anti-roll bars use ball joints to connect to the lower control arms. This is a stiffer, lower-friction arrangement than the rubber bushings used in the Explorer and Mountaineer. "

caranddriver.com/reviews/a15135546/lincoln-aviator-road-test/

It sounds like it's fairly different. I'm not sure how different it would feel 20 years and 100,000 miles later though. Hahaha

Hmm, I'm wrong then.  That sounds like a significant reengineer. 

I really liked the current generation Aviator in Grand Touring trim. It's heavy because it's an AWD PHEV, but mountains of torque and it just wafts over road imperfections like they aren't even there. you can take railroad crossings at speed and not spill your latte

[ccap41]

19 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Hmm, I'm wrong then.  That sounds like a significant reengineer. 

I really liked the current generation Aviator in Grand Touring trim. It's heavy because it's an AWD PHEV, but mountains of torque and it just wafts over road imperfections like they aren't even there. you can take railroad crossings at speed and not spill your latte

That's kind of how I got here, actually. What I REALLY want is an F150 Lightning Lariat w/ the bigger battery. Then for 2024 they added a heat pump, and now I kind of feel like I "need" that, as well. I can't afford a 60-65k truck (with all of the incentives and rebates). That had me looking and thinking about other options. What's something cheaper and larger than my MKC that I'd enjoy for a couple years? I want a truck and don't just want some appliance Traverse, Explorer, highlander for like 20k used. I JUST (this week) paid off my MKC. I'm in no rush to get another loan on something I don't REALLY want. 

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, ccap41 said:

That's kind of how I got here, actually. What I REALLY want is an F150 Lightning Lariat w/ the bigger battery. Then for 2024 they added a heat pump, and now I kind of feel like I "need" that, as well. I can't afford a 60-65k truck (with all of the incentives and rebates). That had me looking and thinking about other options. What's something cheaper and larger than my MKC that I'd enjoy for a couple years? I want a truck and don't just want some appliance Traverse, Explorer, highlander for like 20k used. I JUST (this week) paid off my MKC. I'm in no rush to get another loan on something I don't REALLY want. 

Leasing looks good on the F150 Lighting

[Drew Dowdell]

57 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Leasing looks good on the F150 Lighting

Eh, $23k before tax for 36 months with the truck isn't a screaming deal.  Plus, that's not even the long-range one he wants. 

4 hours ago, ccap41 said:

That's kind of how I got here, actually. What I REALLY want is an F150 Lightning Lariat w/ the bigger battery. Then for 2024 they added a heat pump, and now I kind of feel like I "need" that, as well. I can't afford a 60-65k truck (with all of the incentives and rebates). That had me looking and thinking about other options. What's something cheaper and larger than my MKC that I'd enjoy for a couple years? I want a truck and don't just want some appliance Traverse, Explorer, highlander for like 20k used. I JUST (this week) paid off my MKC. I'm in no rush to get another loan on something I don't REALLY want. 

So, if you want a truck, why look at the Aviator?  (Genuine question, trying to sus out the desire here) What are the desired traits?

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

Leasing looks good on the F150 Lighting

I'm not wanting an XLT Standard Range though. I want a Lariat Extended Range. That's also only 10,500 miles/yr. I'd need at least 12,000/yr. 

13 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Eh, $23k before tax for 36 months with the truck isn't a screaming deal.  Plus, that's not even the long-range one he wants. 

Yeah, it's just not what I want. I want a Lightning, but I wouldn't settle for one I don't really want. I'd need more miles than that lease anyway, so the price would go up from there. I'd need at least 12,000/yr.