# Now that a Tesla is marked down $15K, would you do it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 14, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239 "2023-01-14T22:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/81 "2023-01-16T21:52:12Z")
Speaking of full nerd, the just-announced RAM Rev full-size truck will offer a range extending ICE option. Just how efficient can you make an emission compliant steady RPM generator putting out 15kw? (That’s about what it seems it would need to keep up with the discharge). Regular home generators are dinosaur tech. I would think a carmaker could make a very very efficient engine like this. Thoughts? Or should this be its own thread? ---
**Author:** ![gre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d78d45/32.png) [@gre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gre)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/82 "2023-01-16T22:32:36Z")
Anything connected to Musk is dead to me. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/83 "2023-01-17T01:12:08Z")
I’ve had my Model 3 for a year now, and I’m totally used to the touchscreen. I’m also getting used to the voice commands, like “warmer”, which will raise cabin temp 3 degrees without moving my eyes off the road, or my hands off the wheel. If the car were stolen or wrecked, would I buy a Tesla again? There are more reasons not to than a year ago. There are more EVs on the market so more choices. The ones from Kia are especially nice. Also, Elon is an even bigger ass now than he was then. OTOH, most or all of the competitors are SUV-ish, so they weigh 500+ pounds more than the 3, which is no lightweight. This is a drag on performance and efficiency, which matters a lot to me. It also burns me that the other manufacturers are so far behind in EVs and charging. With a little more foresight and a small collective investment they could have made a charging network 10x better than Tesla’s. I’d still choose the Model 3. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/84 "2023-01-17T01:39:02Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > You don’t think it’s possible that for every ‘lib’ turned off by Musk there might be a ‘con’ out there who might buy a Tesla because they’ve decided Musk is one of them? Based on this resolution in the Wyoming legislature, I’d say that’s a definite No. [SJ0004 - Phasing out new electric vehicle sales by 2035.](https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2023/SJ0004) [Thanks to @puzzlegal for the link.] ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/85 "2023-01-17T02:00:24Z")
> [@epbrown](#): > > Then there’s the full-nerd option, the solar-powered [Aptera](https://aptera.us/vehicle/). I never understood why they can’t just connect a generator to the rotating wheels to recharge the battery. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/86 "2023-01-17T03:30:54Z")
Musk doesn’t enter into the equation for me. My current lifestyle isn’t compatible with current EVs. Maybe in the future. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/87 "2023-01-17T13:42:56Z")
Re: Touch screens. Woman falls into fountain because she is not paying attention and is looking at her phone. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZXYY_ep5Nh0/maxresdefault.jpg "Texting Fail: Woman Falls in Fountain") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXYY_ep5Nh0) What do pilots say, ‘Sometimes it’s best to look out the window, and fly the plane’. My cousin had a person walk into the side of her car when she was 3 cars back from a stoplight. So not even a cross walk. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/88 "2023-01-17T19:24:50Z")
If I could buy one for just $15 (& had to keep it as opposed to reselling it) I wouldn’t. 1. The touchscreen only controls for everything. 2. I need a large rear opening - hatch/SUV/wagon for what I routinely haul. The x is just butt-ugly (& I don’t think all that much cargo area, either) 3. I do enough long-distance driving, to mostly rural areas, that I’d need to keep my ICE (longer charge times, more charges, & coupled with having to drive out of my way to get to chargers would mean a significantly longer trip time); I’m not getting rid of ‘The Toy’ either & don’t have room for a third car ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/89 "2023-01-17T19:32:22Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I need a large rear opening - hatch/SUV/wagon for what I routinely haul. The x is just butt-ugly (& I don’t think all that much cargo area, either) The X has a surprising large amount of space. Maybe not enough for you, but we have been very happy with the amount of room. The web says 91 cubic feet. Plus, a pretty wide opening. Can’t help you on the uglyness factor. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/90 "2023-01-17T23:14:52Z")
Because I couldn’t get past no (button/knob) controls & butt-ugly (& _waaay_ more than I want to spend for a depreciating asset) I didn’t really look further. I didn’t realize there are 3 rows; with that 3rd row down it’s not so bad, but still a hard NO for me ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/91 "2023-01-18T00:26:25Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I didn’t realize there are 3 rows; with that 3rd row down it’s not so bad, but still a hard NO for me We didn’t get the third row of seats. So it’s huge back there. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/92 "2023-01-18T01:18:45Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Nor would I buy a car that could be altered on the fly (“Oops, software update, your car is possibly going to brake to an abrupt stop. We’ll be working on that, and we hope you’re not going 75 on the freeway.”) That doesn’t happen. You choose when to apply new software updates. Security vulnerabilities are always a threat on any connected car, but that applies to almost all cars these days (like via OnStar). And most manufacturers have been significantly worse than Tesla in that department. Like that time hackers were able to disable the brakes remotely on a Jeep: > **[Hackers Remotely Kill a Jeep on the Highway—With Me in It](https://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-remotely-kill-jeep-highway/)** > > I was driving 70 mph on the edge of downtown St. Louis when the exploit began to take hold. Granted, that is several years old. But if you think not supporting OTA software updates prevents this kind of thing–well, you’re wrong. It’s pretty much as bad as ever: > **[Millions of Vehicles at Risk: API Vulnerabilities Uncovered in 16 Major Car...](https://thehackernews.com/2023/01/millions-of-vehicles-at-risk-api.html)** > > Researchers have uncovered API vulnerabilities in 16 major car brands, putting millions of vehicles at risk of cyberattacks. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/93 "2023-01-18T01:33:15Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I think if we all had as much awareness of the private lives and private thoughts of the other Fortune 500 CEOs, we’d be hard pressed to label Musk the worst of the lot. Or how about the behavior of the company as a whole? Remember that time when a bunch of automakers supported Trump’s lawsuit against California’s ability to set its own emissions standards? > **[Chrysler and Hyundai Among Carmakers Still With Trump in Pollution Fight](https://www.newsweek.com/carmakers-including-ferrari-still-stand-trump-clean-air-standards-1553768)** > > The car-making industry has found itself split amid a legal dispute over air pollution standards between those that support Donald Trump and those that don't. That shit is _way_ worse than any personal leadership foibles. It had direct consequences for the entire planet. Thankfully, the lawsuit failed and California (and allied states) can continue to set their own standards. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/94 "2023-01-18T05:07:24Z")
> [@epbrown](#): > > Then there’s the full-nerd option, the solar-powered [Aptera](https://aptera.us/vehicle/). If I saw one of those on the highway, I’d be disappointed that it never sprouted wings and took off, like it looks it should be able to do. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/95 "2023-01-18T05:44:54Z")
I think you want one of these: > **[SUNSEEKER II - Solar Flight](https://www.solar-flight.com/sunseeker-ii/)** > > Sunseeker II – Europe Tour and First Alps Crossing After successfully crossing the United States in Sunseeker I, a long series of modifications and refinements led to an almost entirely new airplane. New wings were constructed with a different plan... ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2023, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/96 "2023-01-19T14:14:11Z")
With all of the hand-wringing regarding physical controls, and I do agree with it even though I’m used to using the touchscreen now, I wonder if a tasteful set of physical controls could be manufactured that mount onto the bottom of the touchscreen. It could use the same bluetooth comms that the app does to change the HVAC settings / control trunk/glovebox etc / change music/volume. I’m surprised nothing like this exists. Ehh… after a quick google search there does appear to be a market for this. I just didn’t see anything on Amazon before. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/97 "2023-01-19T14:27:52Z")
My objection to the touchscreen controls is both the distraction element and the fact that shit breaks–thinking about the Rivian’s motorized vent directions and louvers in specific here, or motorized glove compartments (WTF?). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2023, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/98 "2023-01-19T21:24:41Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > Rivian’s motorized vent directions and louvers in specific here, or motorized glove compartments (WTF?). OK now this is completely out of control. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/99 "2023-01-19T21:44:27Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > Rivian’s motorized vent directions and louvers in specific here, or motorized glove compartments (WTF?). These things aren’t the preserve of EVs. When I was in South Africa last year, I had the battery die on my SUV. It turned out that there is no way to open the rear hatch without power. No mechanical key-operated release outside, not even a manual release if you crawl back there inside. With a fridge sitting in the back, there was no way to reach the toolkit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239.md?page=4)