Early-retirement wannabe

Marine_life

gadgetmind wrote: »

I used to have a BMW 540i 4.4l V8 petrol, which was wickedly fast. But the Tesla is a rocket ship alongside, and does it with no noise or fuss and the torque is there from a standstill.

I am still not convinced that an electric car replaces the emotion of a decent petrol engine. I used to drive a Mercedes C63 AMG on which you would leave the doors open just to hear the engine. But boot it on the autobahn and you were lucky to get 250 km on a full tank.

Fast-forward and I currently drive an Audi 3.0 ltr diesel. Close to 272 ps and 45-50 mpg. It lacks a little the emotion but in all other respects I can't imagine ever needing another car.

You've piqued my interested in the Tesla though - need to do some research.

Marine_life

gfplux wrote: »

There are plenty of speed limits in Germany now. Be careful.

Yes indeed, its a journey I do regularly - but there are still enough stretches to have fun - particularly from Nurnberg to Munich. The bigger problem now is travelling at a time of day when the traffic is light enough to enjoy it.

gadgetmind

bugslet wrote: »

I can see me moving to electric next time I buy a vehicle, but for long journeys at the moment they are no good.

The chap in a black Model S parked next to me at Warwick was on his way to Aberdeen.

After Warwick (where he was having lunch), he was going to have a 25 minute charge near Liverpool, and then a 40 minute one at Abington.

I was just having a scheduled 25 minute stop, and after nature break and getting a sandwich and drink to enjoy on a picnic bench, the car said it would be good to go in five minutes, but I gave it 10 as I was working out some better tunes for the next stretch.

The adaptive cruise and autosteer made a close on 300 mile trip a breeze.

Yes, these fairly lengthy stops wouldn't work for some people, but they are in parallel with pee and food rather than do one and then the other, so really not that bad. And you don't have to queue to pay!

Terron

blisteringblue wrote: »

I'm hybrid at the moment (Lexus IS300h) and everybody at my works missed the trick. Company Car but as a 2.5l petrol hybrid you get the equivalent petrol rate of 22ppm. However as a hybrid you do 50mpg and not 20mpg a flat petrol would give. Last one I actually made money driving it with work, emmision tax rates are up now so it no longer totally free but its still a very cheap company car

I used to get 20mph when commuting, but that was a 1..5 mile trip that typically took 25-35 minutes. I sometimes walked if it was dry and that could be faster. Before I hurt my knee I would often cycle - a slightly longer route but only 15 minutes.


For normal driving I get 40mph. I bought my last company car at the end of the lease and still have it - a MX 5 with the folding hardtop. I am thinking of replacing it in the next year or two.



I used to have a parking space next to an electrical substation but where I live now there is no where I could charge an electric car at home so I think I will stick with petrol.

kidmugsy

blisteringblue wrote: »

I'm hybrid at the moment (Lexus IS300h)

I've sat in a couple of Lexus cars at the showrooms. Useless ruddy things - no headroom. I've also suffered from lack of headroom recently in a big beamer and, very badly, in a big Merc. What possesses the designers to muck up such a simple matter?

I've seen this complaint before on the internet - I am not alone.

bugslet

gadgetmind wrote: »

The chap in a black Model S parked next to me at Warwick was on his way to Aberdeen.

After Warwick (where he was having lunch), he was going to have a 25 minute charge near Liverpool, and then a 40 minute one at Abington.

I was just having a scheduled 25 minute stop, and after nature break and getting a sandwich and drink to enjoy on a picnic bench, the car said it would be good to go in five minutes, but I gave it 10 as I was working out some better tunes for the next stretch.

The adaptive cruise and autosteer made a close on 300 mile trip a breeze.

Yes, these fairly lengthy stops wouldn't work for some people, but they are in parallel with pee and food rather than do one and then the other, so really not that bad. And you don't have to queue to pay!

Once I give up work, that will be the time to consider an electric vehicle, I'm hoping time will expand then:)

sheslookinhot

I'm looking for the Pensions and Retirement forum, but keep being diverted to the Motoring forum

Deneb

bugslet wrote: »

Once I give up work, that will be the time to consider an electric vehicle, I'm hoping time will expand then:)

Only if you get a DeLorean time machine. In my experience time goes faster with every passing day, retired or not

MallyGirl

kidmugsy wrote: »

I've sat in a couple of Lexus cars at the showrooms. Useless ruddy things - no headroom. I've also suffered from lack of headroom recently in a big beamer and, very badly, in a big Merc. What possesses the designers to muck up such a simple matter?

I've seen this complaint before on the internet - I am not alone.

For me it is leg room - I am tall for girl but not that tall and some cars I just can't get my legs in. I tested a LandRover defender - supposedly aimed at strapping farmers - and it was impossible.
I would love an electric runabout as it would suit 95% of my journeys but I'd never get the dogs in for the other 5%. Once the teen has departed for uni I might switch to something where they get the boot and backseats with a suitable cage constructed.

kidmugsy

MallyGirl wrote: »

I would love an electric runabout as it would suit 95% of my journeys but I'd never get the dogs in for the other 5%.

Buy chihuahuas.