Tesla employees say to expect more Model 3 delays, citing inexperienced workers, manual assembly of batteries
I fear for anyone that buys a first-year Model 3.
Tesla's problems with battery production at the company's Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada, are worse than the company has acknowledged and could cause further delays and quality issues for the new Model 3, according to a number of current and former Tesla employees. These problems include Tesla needing to make some of the batteries by hand and borrowing scores of employees from one of its suppliers to help with this manual assembly, said these people.
Tesla is still not close to mass producing batteries for the basic $35,000 model of this electric sedan, sources say. These people requested anonymity as they are not authorized by the company to talk to the press.
Meanwhile, bears are growing more skeptical by the day. Stanphyl Capital's Mark B. Spiegel, who has a significant short position in the company, told CNBC: "While I've no doubt that Tesla will eventually work out its Model 3 production problems, the base model will cost Tesla at least mid-$40,000s to build. The company will never deliver more than a token few for less than the current $49,000 lowest-cost offering. Sales will hugely disappoint relative to expectations of over 400,000 a year. And even at those higher prices Tesla will never come anywhere close to its promised [profitability]."
Manual assembly works for some parts of battery production, like bolting down and gluing the "clamshells," or outer structures that hold a battery pack together.
But bandoliers are tough to put together by hand. Cells can be pushed a bit too high or low, or otherwise drop out of alignment, as they're squeezed against the glue on a cooling tube and packed into modules.
A current Gigafactory engineer recalled that in December, factory workers were manually "slapping bandoliers together as fast as they possibly could," generating a lot of scrap in the process.
But one engineer who works there cautioned that the automated lines still can't run at full capacity. "There's no redundancy, so when one thing goes wrong, everything shuts down. And what's really concerning are the quality issues."
Many of the company's quality control workers are relatively inexperienced, make sloppy calculations and don't know when they're looking at flaws, according to several current and former employees. They said many quality inspectors were temp-to-hire workers with no automotive experience who Tesla hired via a staffing agency.
Two current engineers told CNBC that they are concerned some of the batteries being shipped do not have the minimum gap required between lithium-ion cells. These engineers warned that this "touching cells" flaw could cause batteries to short out or, in worse cases, catch fire.https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/25/tesla-employees-say-gigafactory-problems-worse-than-known.html
I fear for anyone that buys a first-year Model 3.
holy shit @ improper spacing between lithium cells
welp, hope you never let your charge get too low or hold on to a high charge for too long!
welp, hope you never let your charge get too low or hold on to a high charge for too long!
By Christberg Go To PostAt least you didn’t tell him to trade it in for a PanteraI actually kind of like the Pantera. But if I were Alpha, I wouldn't trade it in for that.
And wow at that Tesla coverage. It'll be interesting being an early adopter of the Tesla Model 3. To be fair, I still like Tesla and their cars. I hope they improve and find good footing for success.
Cool breakdown of how Mazda achieved their silly great fuel efficiency with the SkyActiv-X
So Mazda's gone sideways a bit. Rather than eliminate the spark when running in compression-ignition mode, spark is always involved. Mazda claims the production version will be up to 30 percent more efficient than the already efficient Skyactiv-G engine. To understand why, Jay Chen, Mazda Powertrain Engineer, stepped in to explain how Mazda's variant of compression ignition, known as Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI), works.
Imagine a normal gasoline combustion cycle. You mix just the right amount of air with the perfect squirt of fuel, squeeze it with the piston, and then blast it with a spark to light it off. It explodes, expands and pushes the piston down. Get the timing or compression wrong and the fuel might preignite, exerting destructive pressure on the piston while it's still moving upward. That is, to put it mildly, bad.
Using cylinder pressure monitors, ambient condition sensors, and a lot of computing power, the application of spark is timed just right. So too is a split pulse of fuel from a very high pressure, multi-orifice injector. The high pressures (somewhere between Skyactiv-G and -D, but Mazda won't say how much) and spray pattern help the small amount of fuel spread evenly. The combustion chamber and injection pulse is designed to create a swirling effect, like a little hurricane — complete with an "eye." Mazda discovered that it could make the eye a little richer than the rest of the mixture by injecting some fuel later, while keeping things overall too cool and underpressurized to actually self-combust.
Igniting that small enriched portion in the "eye" creates enough extra heat and pressure in the rest of the combustion chamber to ignite the leaner mixture around it. The result is a controlled and very quick burn of an extremely lean mixture overall. It's the puzzle piece that makes SPCCI work at around 80 percent of the operating range of the engine in normal circumstances.
In normal spark combustion mode, used at startup and very high loads, the engine uses a variant of the Atkinson cycle to lower effective compression to prevent preignition, leaving the intake valve open to allow the piston to push some charge back out. That's nothing new; a Prius uses the Atkinson cycle at low loads to save fuel, and so do Mazda's traditional Skyactiv engines. It's not as efficient as SPCCI, but it's also only using spark-ignition for a small range of operating conditions.
This is a technology that can only exist in our charmed world of cheap, high-speed computing — and it's also a technology that requires dismantling many preconceived notions of internal combustion to grasp.https://www.autoblog.com/2018/01/25/mazda-skyactivx-compression-ignition-explained/
I just watched Doug Demuro's new clip on the Stinger GT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDVbx1ZEs5E He liked it a lot and was impressed by it but said it will have a problem selling in any significant numbers because 1) it's a Kia and 2) it isn't an SUV or crossover.
I agree with the second point. Sedan sales are on a downward path and SUV's and trucks are hot right now. But are there really a significant number of buyers who are in the market for a luxury performance sedan that wouldn't give the Stinger GT a look just because it is a Kia? There's no way to know for sure, obviously, but it wouldn't matter to me at all as long as the the rest of the car met my criteria.
So, is that Kia badge a kiss of death for the Stinger or will it not matter so much to folks who are serious shoppers in this segment?
I agree with the second point. Sedan sales are on a downward path and SUV's and trucks are hot right now. But are there really a significant number of buyers who are in the market for a luxury performance sedan that wouldn't give the Stinger GT a look just because it is a Kia? There's no way to know for sure, obviously, but it wouldn't matter to me at all as long as the the rest of the car met my criteria.
So, is that Kia badge a kiss of death for the Stinger or will it not matter so much to folks who are serious shoppers in this segment?
Regarding the clips above, that M8 sounds really, really good. I expect it to be really fast, sound very mean and have at least one (if not more) problems with the engine that will cause the whole thing to grenade before the 60,000 mile mark. Cynical aren't I?
By reilo Go To PostCool breakdown of how Mazda achieved their silly great fuel efficiency with the SkyActiv-XThis is neat. Please continue to post new breakthroughs /techniques like this.
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/01/25/mazda-skyactivx-compression-ignition-explained/
By matmanx1 Go To PostRegarding the clips above, that M8 sounds really, really good. I expect it to be really fast, sound very mean and have at least one (if not more) problems with the engine that will cause the whole thing to grenade before the 60,000 mile mark. Cynical aren't I?
The first 2-3 model years will certainly be plagued with a signature BMW kiss-of-death issue, until it is resolved down the line.
By zfzmikey Go To Post:(
How long you saving for?
Not even really saving for a car.
Wanna get other things in order first before moving back to a second car
By Kibner Go To PostThis is neat. Please continue to post new breakthroughs /techniques like this.They put up the review of the engine today, along with a video: https://www.autoblog.com/2018/01/26/mazda-skyactiv-x-review-compression-ignition-engine/
Yeah, SPCCI engines are super interesting stuff. I have very little bad to say about Mazda, and they frequently do innovative stuff like this.
The article touches a bit on it, but they are of the mind that since they are a very small company, going electric for them is an expensive endeavor at this point in their company's life, and hybrids just don't sell that well regardless. They want to squeeze out the most out of internal combustion engines until the market is ready to adopt electric full-time. And according to them, this engine is much cheaper to produce than a hybrid. It sounds like they're about to hit the 35/45 mark without conventional forced induction or help from an electric motor while pushing 190/190 from a 2.0L in power. That's pretty insane.
In case anyone was wondering why every company under the sun is making crossover SUVs:
Last year, Jaguar sold nearly 19,000 of [the F-Pace] in America, amounting to nearly half the big cat's Stateside sales. (The sales runner-up, the compact XE sedan, moved just 9,278 units.)
By reilo Go To PostIn case anyone was wondering why every company under the sun is making crossover SUVs:
The crazy shit is that Jaguar sells as many (sometimes more!) F-Types as they do the XF! An average of 500 XFs vs. 600 F-Types per month. I basically drive some sort of exotic Jaguar sedan.
In any case, once this XF lease is done, I'm probably going to buy an XJ (hopefully scoop up a 5.0 or 5.0 SC) and get it through CarMax so I can have a long warranty on it. XJ's are easily the best looking and handling of the big boy sedans, and the interior isn't as gimmicky or fussed with electronics.
XJs can be had for AMAZING prices right now, and people would be pretty crazy to buy a comparable 7-series or S-Class over the big cat.
By Smokey Go To PostXj need a refresher
XJ was refreshed in 2016. It's getting an all new model next year for the 2020MY.
By matmanx1 Go To PostSo, is that Kia badge a kiss of death for the Stinger or will it not matter so much to folks who are serious shoppers in this segment?
I actually really like the Kia Stinger GT. I saw one in person last weekend and fiddled with the car, but didn't take it on the road since it was on the show floor only at that point. But it looked pretty awesome. Lots of tech and amenities for such a fair price.
Would I get it though? I honestly wouldn't, but it's not because I don't like Kia. It's more because I like other brands more... if that makes any sense.
OK sl&ent, i need your expertise....
leaving work i heard a terrible noise, thought it was a chunk of ice i was dragging - stopped a few times, couldnt pin point it, figured it may be in the suspension - no big deal. stop and get gas and inspect more closely and all over the passenger front wheel i see metal shavings.
https://imgur.com/a/E6JBz
and theres this chunk of metal lodged between the caliper and wheel.
https://imgur.com/a/l0XFI
i took it to a tire shop close by and we discovered it was this front "cover" piece pictured here on the left (metallic with the two large holes). the guy didnt know what it was for and being in a small town on a friday afternoon, the mechanic was closed. i drove home taking care to break as minimally as possible.
what is this part for? whats it run to fix it (or can i do it myself)? how on earth did this happen?
leaving work i heard a terrible noise, thought it was a chunk of ice i was dragging - stopped a few times, couldnt pin point it, figured it may be in the suspension - no big deal. stop and get gas and inspect more closely and all over the passenger front wheel i see metal shavings.
https://imgur.com/a/E6JBz
and theres this chunk of metal lodged between the caliper and wheel.
https://imgur.com/a/l0XFI
i took it to a tire shop close by and we discovered it was this front "cover" piece pictured here on the left (metallic with the two large holes). the guy didnt know what it was for and being in a small town on a friday afternoon, the mechanic was closed. i drove home taking care to break as minimally as possible.
what is this part for? whats it run to fix it (or can i do it myself)? how on earth did this happen?
Your caliper cross spring broke. That's a VERY unusual piece to break on a caliper, granted most calipers don't use them. Edit: But reading back, you said it's been icy, which also means salty. So the freezing temps, salt, and heat from the brakes must've caused the breakage.
On Brembos, their function is to keep the pads tight and always aligned within the pad place setting. Without them, you can get brake chatter (whirring noise or squeaking), and slightly uneven brake pad wear, which can lead to vibration in the steering wheel. A lot of calipers use alternate methods to restrain movement and apply tension to brake pads, but this is Brembo's, so it's pivotal. Driving with it off for a few days or week won't cause any significant damage. But get it replaced - it's like $3.
Any authorized Brembo dealer should have them. Try calling Brembo directly even with the make and model of your car.
On Brembos, their function is to keep the pads tight and always aligned within the pad place setting. Without them, you can get brake chatter (whirring noise or squeaking), and slightly uneven brake pad wear, which can lead to vibration in the steering wheel. A lot of calipers use alternate methods to restrain movement and apply tension to brake pads, but this is Brembo's, so it's pivotal. Driving with it off for a few days or week won't cause any significant damage. But get it replaced - it's like $3.
Any authorized Brembo dealer should have them. Try calling Brembo directly even with the make and model of your car.
thank you alpha, seriously more detailed information than i could probably get from anyone within 60 miles of my house
What happens when you want 500HP? Hang with supercars like Lambos, Rarris, F-Types, AMGs...but you have a max $45K budget? You can't afford an Alfa. You can't afford an M3/M4. Hell, not even an RCF, ATS-V, CTS-V, etc.
Well, you buy an Infiniti Q60 3.0T (doesn't even have to Red Sport model) and embarrass everything on the road with about $2500 in total parts.
Dynos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEA1Qy9tV5I
1/4 mile 11.0 @ 124.5MPHhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkYn4BS3ysE
Just to put that into perspective, that is as fast a Ferrari 458. And a few ticks short of a Huracan.
Think about that. All stock turbos and motors. That is frighteningly quick, folks.
Well, you buy an Infiniti Q60 3.0T (doesn't even have to Red Sport model) and embarrass everything on the road with about $2500 in total parts.
Dynos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEA1Qy9tV5I
1/4 mile 11.0 @ 124.5MPHhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkYn4BS3ysE
Just to put that into perspective, that is as fast a Ferrari 458. And a few ticks short of a Huracan.
Think about that. All stock turbos and motors. That is frighteningly quick, folks.
Someone smashed my front passenger door in a parking lot. Could have happened in front of my apartment building in the evening for all I know. Fucking furious.
Asking about the place I was at yesterday if they have cameras.
Asking about the place I was at yesterday if they have cameras.
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostWhat happens when you want 500HP? Hang with supercars like Lambos, Rarris, F-Types, AMGs…but you have a max $45K budget? You can't afford an Alfa. You can't afford an M3/M4. Hell, not even an RCF, ATS-V, CTS-V, etc.That is extremely impressive. That quarter-mile video really shows how quickly it can get down the road. As with all tunes and bolt-ons that make a car go faster though I have to wonder at the long term reliability of the motor and transmission.
Well, you buy an Infiniti Q60 3.0T (doesn't even have to Red Sport model) and embarrass everything on the road with about $2500 in total parts.
Dynos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEA1Qy9tV5I
1/4 mile 11.0 @ 124.5MPHhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkYn4BS3ysE
Just to put that into perspective, that is as fast a Ferrari 458. And a few ticks short of a Huracan.
Think about that. All stock turbos and motors. That is frighteningly quick, folks.
By matmanx1 Go To PostThat is extremely impressive. That quarter-mile video really shows how quickly it can get down the road. As with all tunes and bolt-ons that make a car go faster though I have to wonder at the long term reliability of the motor and transmission.
The transmission SHOULD be okay, as it's built to haul a 5000lb+ truck and SUV. And it's also paired to the 5.6L V8 in my old M56S, which made 420HP and 420TQ. Mine was tuned, and made more than that and the transmission never hiccup'd.
How Porsche plans to tackle charging times with Mission E:
Yes. But we intend to revolutionise charging times by doubling the capacity of the high-voltage system from 400 V to 800 V. In a nutshell – a range of 400 km in less than 20 minutes. Without exception, all our current competitors are advertising charging durations which are twice as long.
We view the entire charging infrastructure – including the charging stations – as a single unit. For example, our turbo-charger has built-in storage which can be used to charge three all-electric vehicles, one after another, without connecting to the grid. It can even be topped up using solar energy. This is extremely important in countries where the supply of power via the grid is not as seamless as it is in Germany, and variability is commonplace.
An 800 V electrical system?
Exactly. Because that allows us to achieve something our customers particularly value in a Porsche vehicle – an optimised power-to-weight ratio, even when charging.
What does that mean?
Physicists use the equation P = U x I, or in other words power equals voltage times current. So if you want more power, you have to change one of these two variables. Up until now, all the automotive manufacturers have done that by increasing the current. But this means that the cables have to get thicker, which in turn means a huge increase in weight, and the limits of the system are quickly reached. To circumvent this problem, we’re increasing the voltage in our charging system.
This is often a source of confusion in public debates on the matter. Ultimately, the electrical consumers determine which electrical system is most useful. For example, 1.5 V is best for the microcontrollers in the car. The classic 12 V architecture is extremely robust. But if you want to operate high-performance assistance or chassis systems at lightning speed and in real time, such as the roll stabiliser, you need a 48 V electrical system. It can also be used for redundant systems in addition to a 12 V electrical system in order to achieve automated driving.
Our Mission E vehicle already demonstrates quite a high level of development. We also anticipate that the efficiency of traditional lithium-ion batteries will improve by up to 5 percent per year in the foreseeable future. In the long term, these foreseeable improvements alone will result in hugely increased power.
What is your take on the liquid-free batteries which have generated quite a lot of excitement?https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/technology/porsche-emobility-battery-charging-technology-apps-artifical-intelligence-interview-uwe-michael-head-electrics-electronics-development-14740.html
You mean solid-state electrolyte batteries. We don’t expect to see models which are suitable for use in cars before 2025. We’ve already made a great deal of progress in this area with our partner Quantumscape. The use of lithium-air technology is also a very exciting prospect.
How long will this take?
Realistically speaking, we’re unlikely to see this technology in series-production vehicles before 2030.
Here's another interesting one I found on Motor Trend about a camless engine and the relevant paragraph: "As installed on a Chinese Qoros 1.6-liter 16-valve I-4 engine, the Freevalve system lowers the engine height by 1.9 inches, length by 2.7 inches, and mass by 44 pounds. Perhaps more important, the engine’s power improved by 45 percent, torque by 47 percent, and fuel consumption by about 14 percent (at steady highway speeds). Official fuel consumption is expected to mirror that of a similar diesel but at lower incremental cost. Development of Qoros’ “Qamfree” engine should conclude late this year with production following shortly thereafter. Another 15 manufacturers have expressed interest in the concept."
Full article here: http://www.motortrend.com/news/is-the-era-of-the-camless-valvetrain-finally-upon-us-technologue/
Basically, the engine uses a combination of hydraulics, air and electricity to control the valves without a camshaft of any kind. Pretty interesting tech and one that seems to have found some traction already in the real world.
Full article here: http://www.motortrend.com/news/is-the-era-of-the-camless-valvetrain-finally-upon-us-technologue/
Basically, the engine uses a combination of hydraulics, air and electricity to control the valves without a camshaft of any kind. Pretty interesting tech and one that seems to have found some traction already in the real world.
Interesting tidbit about the new Jaguar XJ posted on the Jaguar Driver's Club.
A senior Jaguar Design Centre employee states that the XJ will NOT be an all electric car only. It will debut with an electric option as the "First Edition" launch package (First Edition cars are packages that Jag puts together to sell the first few hundred of a new model). In the case of the XJ, all First Editions will be electric. But there will continue to be a petrol AND hybrid version shortly after launch.
Quite frankly, I think hybrids have nailed the sweetspot. I think the best possible option is a motor paired to a battery. The battery works to drive the car around at local speeds, and above certain speeds the motor engages and drives the wheels, as well recharge the batteries. This is all standard stuff.
But employ that kind of tech on a luxury sedan with a potent motor, and now we're talking. When I test drove the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid, I thought it was essentially perfect. Gobs of power and great efficiency without having to sacrifice having a true hulky motor. That's the future. Cars like the 918 and NSX, they are the future to me, an enthusiast.
I hope Infiniti's future hybrid endeavors pair the VR30TT with a small battery - because that would be absolutely MEGA. A 500HP Infiniti Q60 with torque fill from a battery? Yes please.
I'm guessing Jaguar may use the XJ's hybrid system with their Ingenium 2.0T (which has enough pep at 300HP stock), so paired to a battery, it'll easily achieve ~400HP + a ton of torque. Color me excited.
A senior Jaguar Design Centre employee states that the XJ will NOT be an all electric car only. It will debut with an electric option as the "First Edition" launch package (First Edition cars are packages that Jag puts together to sell the first few hundred of a new model). In the case of the XJ, all First Editions will be electric. But there will continue to be a petrol AND hybrid version shortly after launch.
Quite frankly, I think hybrids have nailed the sweetspot. I think the best possible option is a motor paired to a battery. The battery works to drive the car around at local speeds, and above certain speeds the motor engages and drives the wheels, as well recharge the batteries. This is all standard stuff.
But employ that kind of tech on a luxury sedan with a potent motor, and now we're talking. When I test drove the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid, I thought it was essentially perfect. Gobs of power and great efficiency without having to sacrifice having a true hulky motor. That's the future. Cars like the 918 and NSX, they are the future to me, an enthusiast.
I hope Infiniti's future hybrid endeavors pair the VR30TT with a small battery - because that would be absolutely MEGA. A 500HP Infiniti Q60 with torque fill from a battery? Yes please.
I'm guessing Jaguar may use the XJ's hybrid system with their Ingenium 2.0T (which has enough pep at 300HP stock), so paired to a battery, it'll easily achieve ~400HP + a ton of torque. Color me excited.
By matmanx1 Go To PostSo, is that Kia badge a kiss of death for the Stinger or will it not matter so much to folks who are serious shoppers in this segment?Selling as both a Genesis and Kia, I think they'll move enough product and bring enough people to the brand for it to be considered a success. I think the fact that it's hatch-ish helps a lot.
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostThe first 2-3 model years will certainly be plagued with a signature BMW kiss-of-death issue, until it is resolved down the line.That signature issue is on new engines/platforms. I'm assuming this is using the same setup as the new M5, which means that first MY issue will likely be resolved. Especially since it's still the S63 engine.
By zfzmikey Go To PostSelling as both a Genesis and Kia, I think they'll move enough product and bring enough people to the brand for it to be considered a success. I think the fact that it's hatch-ish helps a lot.
That signature issue is on new engines/platforms. I'm assuming this is using the same setup as the new M5, which means that first MY issue will likely be resolved. Especially since it's still the S63 engine.
Never underestimate BMW and their ability to ruin something.
The Lexus GX470 is headed to my local mechanic today. It started throwing a code back before Christmas and it needs the right side catalytic converters replaced. I am also going to have the headlight assemblies replaced while he has it as well as get the oil changed and the brakes checked. It will be a pricey visit but in the (nearly) 2 years that I have owned it and even with the maintenance and repairs it has still cost me less to own and drive than pretty much any new car would have while also being a really comfortable and useful vehicle to have around.
I think when you decide to buy and run an older vehicle (and this one is a 2004 model) you sort of become a "caretaker" as well as an owner. Certain things will need to be replaced and problems will come up just as a result of age and wear that aren't necessarily reliability issues but need to be taken care of nonetheless. It's an experience I haven't had since my very first car (which was a 1968 Mustang that my Dad and I restored) and so far it seems to be going decently well.
I think when you decide to buy and run an older vehicle (and this one is a 2004 model) you sort of become a "caretaker" as well as an owner. Certain things will need to be replaced and problems will come up just as a result of age and wear that aren't necessarily reliability issues but need to be taken care of nonetheless. It's an experience I haven't had since my very first car (which was a 1968 Mustang that my Dad and I restored) and so far it seems to be going decently well.
Speaking of fancy new engine tech, the first thing to get Nissan's new VC-T motors is... a compact SUV. Looks to me like the gas mileage gain wasn't worth the complexity, but we'll have to wait and see what the EPA says. Supposedly it makes better torque and power than its competitors too, but then it's FWD and has a CVT, so all that power probably gets sucked up by that stuff.
Still neat to see a 2 stage piston turning a crankshaft, regardless.
Still neat to see a 2 stage piston turning a crankshaft, regardless.
The Engineering Explained vid that just came out is well worth the look. He points out a few things that indicate possible higher reliability than a standard inline 4.
The two in particular is reduced pressure on the sidewall during combustion, as well as eliminating the balancing shaft.
The two in particular is reduced pressure on the sidewall during combustion, as well as eliminating the balancing shaft.
By Christberg Go To PostSpeaking of fancy new engine tech, the first thing to get Nissan's new VC-T motors is… a compact SUV. Looks to me like the gas mileage gain wasn't worth the complexity, but we'll have to wait and see what the EPA says. Supposedly it makes better torque and power than its competitors too, but then it's FWD and has a CVT, so all that power probably gets sucked up by that stuff.
Still neat to see a 2 stage piston turning a crankshaft, regardless.
Yeah, I don't get it. It's a 2.0L turbo that makes MPGs close to others, with the same horsepower. *shrug*
Plus it's using a CVT, so it'll probably feel like shit.
HP is not equal, plus the torque is available down low. The city MPG seems a few ticks better than everyone else too.
CVT sucks though. I wish Nissan would give up on those already.
This is the first outing though, and not really a high performance/sporty model. It'll be interesting to see this in different configurations.
CVT sucks though. I wish Nissan would give up on those already.
This is the first outing though, and not really a high performance/sporty model. It'll be interesting to see this in different configurations.
Going through the ball ache of looking for a new car. MG fucked a piston and a bunch of valves, pretty much scrapped the engine.
Only 84000 miles on it, too :(
Only 84000 miles on it, too :(
By Facism Go To PostGoing through the ball ache of looking for a new car. MG fucked a piston and a bunch of valves, pretty much scrapped the engine.I feel your pain. Let us know how your search goes.
Only 84000 miles on it, too :(
Yeah, definitely let us know. I have no idea what you'd replace an MG with, pretty special cars. I guess you get a Miata or... something. Sorry your baby died on you, never a fun day.
By zfzmikey Go To PostHP is not equal, plus the torque is available down low. The city MPG seems a few ticks better than everyone else too.
CVT sucks though. I wish Nissan would give up on those already.
This is the first outing though, and not really a high performance/sporty model. It'll be interesting to see this in different configurations.
BMWs 2.0 surely makes about the same horsepower. Just a little underrated. Jaguar's 2.0T Ingenium makes 300HP.
I read Jalopnik's review of the QX50 and they say it launches very sedately without much grunt. But it has very good passing power. I'm just not convinced this is what the ICE needed. Mazda probably has the better tech in that regard.
Just got back from a Cars and Coffee sponsored by the local Porsche Club. Even with the cold weather (35 degrees and cloudy / windy) there was a decent turn-out and a lot of nice and enthusiastic folks. Even though I am still a couple years from the next car going to events like this and meeting fun people with their very cool cars makes me want to go back to Porsche for my next ride. With the Experience Center here in Atlanta (as well as Porsche Cars North America HQ) there's a lot of owners and a lot of enthusiasm for the brand and that was on full display today. I met an older couple who had just bought a 911 GTS Cab in triple black and their son is an instructor down at the Experience Center and they were genuinely some of the nicest folks I have ever had the pleasure of speaking with.
Link to album with photos: https://imgur.com/a/QiCYV
My favorite car was a 75 911 that only had 19k original miles and still had its original paint and was special ordered in Georgia and had been a Georgia car for its entire lifespan. The owner was super chill and had quite a crowd gathered around. The engine was so clean and shiny you could eat off of it (in my photos it has the tag "Porfect") although that was by no means the only great car in attendance.
Shout out to the father and son who drove up towards the end in their bright red Lotus Elise. It definitely deserves and honorable mention!
Link to album with photos: https://imgur.com/a/QiCYV
My favorite car was a 75 911 that only had 19k original miles and still had its original paint and was special ordered in Georgia and had been a Georgia car for its entire lifespan. The owner was super chill and had quite a crowd gathered around. The engine was so clean and shiny you could eat off of it (in my photos it has the tag "Porfect") although that was by no means the only great car in attendance.
Shout out to the father and son who drove up towards the end in their bright red Lotus Elise. It definitely deserves and honorable mention!
Funny... I just got back from Cars and Coffee too. I'm still editing my pics but here's one that completely stole the show:
I saw a blue Chiron in the area the other day passing me. I've come to find out that a lot of the really crazy exotics I see here are owned by one man: Rick Workman. He has a lot of bespoke one-off Ferraris and some rare ones too. This guy is worth $2B and has a car collection just in his home alone of 40 cars, many are Ferraris. He's the founder and CEO of Heartland Dental.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/automobiles/collectibles/a-new-class-of-ferrari-takes-a-bow-at-pebble-beach-unrestored.html?mwrsm=Email&_r=0
https://gearheads.org/ferrari-just-build-a-one-off-sp275-rw-competizione-for-a-man-who-is-not-afraid-of-paying-extra/
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/automobiles/collectibles/a-new-class-of-ferrari-takes-a-bow-at-pebble-beach-unrestored.html?mwrsm=Email&_r=0
https://gearheads.org/ferrari-just-build-a-one-off-sp275-rw-competizione-for-a-man-who-is-not-afraid-of-paying-extra/
...I'm not gonna lie, I couldn't tell if that was a Veyron or Chiron. My brother just told me to get my ass to where the crowd is coz there's some Bugatti lol. In fact, you might've seen my IG post, but I casually left out the hashtag for the model coz I couldn't figure out what it was haha.
Anyway, I finished editing my pics so here's my favorites:
This wing is fucking ridiculous and I normally hate stance but this is soooo well done. It looks like it escaped the world of Need For Speed lol.
The guy who owns this works for or owns the shop that did the conversion of my headlights. Idk what he's done with tbh but that green paint is a stunner.
Speaking of paint, Jesus tap-dancing Christ, the blue paint on this NSX is absolutely gorgeous.
Then there was this little cutie. Idk how it got here but I assume it's finally legal?
Oh and speaking of illegals... good lord. My jaw dropped when I spotted this beauty... the way the front is shaped, with the grille and everything? Lawd have mercy, it's just beautiful through and through.
But to me, this was the true star of today's Cars and Coffee. You'll see in the back that there's a huge crowd of people behind it... that's coz that's where the Bugatti was. I remember my brother telling his wife, that curb behind both cars is the imaginary line between the real car enthusiasts and the people that just want to see the most expensive shit they can see... and I agree one hundred percent... I immediately hauled ass when I saw this car pull up to the spot.
Full album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/27432612@N04/albums/72157663326656377
Anyway, I finished editing my pics so here's my favorites:
This wing is fucking ridiculous and I normally hate stance but this is soooo well done. It looks like it escaped the world of Need For Speed lol.
The guy who owns this works for or owns the shop that did the conversion of my headlights. Idk what he's done with tbh but that green paint is a stunner.
Speaking of paint, Jesus tap-dancing Christ, the blue paint on this NSX is absolutely gorgeous.
Then there was this little cutie. Idk how it got here but I assume it's finally legal?
Oh and speaking of illegals... good lord. My jaw dropped when I spotted this beauty... the way the front is shaped, with the grille and everything? Lawd have mercy, it's just beautiful through and through.
But to me, this was the true star of today's Cars and Coffee. You'll see in the back that there's a huge crowd of people behind it... that's coz that's where the Bugatti was. I remember my brother telling his wife, that curb behind both cars is the imaginary line between the real car enthusiasts and the people that just want to see the most expensive shit they can see... and I agree one hundred percent... I immediately hauled ass when I saw this car pull up to the spot.
Full album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/27432612@N04/albums/72157663326656377
Yeah, that's a Chiron. You can tell because it has the recessed LED lights. Not that it matters- both are pretty ugly and the designs won't age well.
That huge bewinged Z is ridiculous, but hey, pretty sure that's a Biggie Smalls quote. If you're gonna stance your car so low that it has hovercraft wheels and strap a carbon fiber picnic table on the back of your it, that's one way to make me hate it significantly less.
That 911 definitely wins, regardless. Tasteful aftermarket mods, one of the better widebody kits I've seen. That's a Turbo, right? Bet it hauls major ass.
Matman posted some sick rides, too. I think that Elise and the Boxster Spyder are probably way up on the list of coolest stuff posted today as well.
Saw a Nissan GTR at the Perkins today. The guy driving it was a bro^2. I was going to talk shop with him but the whole entire conversation he was having with his buddies was what car to buy to "pick up the honies" which is a discussion that holds about 0 interest for me. Fuck, I'm old.
That huge bewinged Z is ridiculous, but hey, pretty sure that's a Biggie Smalls quote. If you're gonna stance your car so low that it has hovercraft wheels and strap a carbon fiber picnic table on the back of your it, that's one way to make me hate it significantly less.
That 911 definitely wins, regardless. Tasteful aftermarket mods, one of the better widebody kits I've seen. That's a Turbo, right? Bet it hauls major ass.
Matman posted some sick rides, too. I think that Elise and the Boxster Spyder are probably way up on the list of coolest stuff posted today as well.
Saw a Nissan GTR at the Perkins today. The guy driving it was a bro^2. I was going to talk shop with him but the whole entire conversation he was having with his buddies was what car to buy to "pick up the honies" which is a discussion that holds about 0 interest for me. Fuck, I'm old.