OK this year is it - New EV - RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE

[UncleDave]

Pablo - there is a time vs distance # 70 mile per hour "tool" at the bottom of the linked page.

Peak charge, 20-80% times, 400 volt 800 volt - all this info gets thrown about and general its not that helpful.

What people are typically interested in is how much range a "X" minute stop will add, and this tool is very helpful.

There are few caveats - 800 volt cars get best performance on 800V networks and in the case of hyundai you'll see the difference is stark if on a 400 v network - everything but the uber expensive gravity takes an "off network" hit.

These times don't take into account handshake time - which can be several minutes or more at 3rd party charger vs a few seconds at the best ones.


https://outofspecstudios.com/charging

 

[burbguy82]

tesla

 

[UncleDave]

Tesla Model Y Long Range.

Would rather have the latest model but pleased with my 2023. Might install the new model's suspension if Tesla offers it as a Tesla Service Center service.

I also hear there is at least one nice aftermarket kit.

Im surprised Bilstein hasn't jumped on it.

 

[GON]

Border crossing no longer convenient and yes more than a stones throw.

Last time going it to Canada they searched our car. And we have Nexus passes.

How much Amsoil did you have loaded in the car?

 

[Pablo]

How much Amsoil did you have loaded in the car?

Only in the full holes

 

[MrkofXcellence]

I second the Equinox. I test drove one and really liked it.

 

[GrumpyCat]

I also hear there is at least one nice aftermarket kit.

Im surprised Bilstein hasn't jumped on it.

I put aftermarket Bilsteins on two cars, 1986 VW Golf and 2009 ML-320. Both stiffened the ride, made it worse. Wish I had used OE Bilstein on the ML-320.

Saw a shop in CA offering about 5 different kits using Ohlins shocks. Believe they used rebuildable/customizable components. Very familiar with that practice on dirtbikes, have an Ohlins on my favorite dirtbike. Having been burned in the past I’m not buying anything I haven’t test driven. The new OE Tesla suspension looks to be the safest bet, but I’m not ready yet.

 

[UncleDave]

I put aftermarket Bilsteins on two cars, 1986 VW Golf and 2009 ML-320. Both stiffened the ride, made it worse. Wish I had used OE Bilstein on the ML-320.

Saw a shop in CA offering about 5 different kits using Ohlins shocks. Believe they used rebuildable/customizable components. Very familiar with that practice on dirtbikes, have an Ohlins on my favorite dirtbike. Having been burned in the past I’m not buying anything I haven’t test driven. The new OE Tesla suspension looks to be the safest bet, but I’m not ready yet.

I know the geometry is slightly different so Im curious to know if the new shocks fit the old car.

I hear you on Bilsteins stiffening things up, the yellow OEM replacements are the way to go in most non towing instances.

Neve met an Ohlins product I didnt like.

 

[02SE]

I know a lot of people who have EV's from a range of manufacturers. The ones who own Tesla's, seem to be the happiest with their vehicles.

We're pretty pleased with our Model S Plaid, although to us it's just a soulless appliance. I could charge it at home, but never do as we get 'Free' Supercharging, and having a record of Supercharger use, makes it easy to show it's used for business purposes. I bought it as a company vehicle for my consulting business.

 

[jghall00]

I second the Equinox. I test drove one and really liked it.

According to Cargurus, there are brand new 2026 Equinoxes for sale for below $25,000 with stacked GM incentives. Crazy! I can't imagine what the prices are going to look like when the 2024 and 2025 leases end. I'm hoping for a cheap Blazer SS.

 

[Torrid]

tesla

It's the easiest to live with for sure. No guesswork in the charging network. I wouldn't bother with the other nonsense when it comes to longer trips.

 

[E365]

As for “easy” road tripping, the current Google-based EVs (GM, Volvo, Polestar, etc.) are downright excellent. Don’t buy into Tesla trips being easier. Live charger status, predicted charger availability upon arrival, charger ratings, live pricing, automatic battery preconditioning, etc. And a step beyond Tesla, you get this data for almost every network out there. Tesla, IONNA, EA, EVGo, etc. Then you can filter and create trips that use just the networks you prefer (if you want to). And many networks now have Plug&Charge / AutoCharge+.

They’re just as much of a “no brainer” as a Tesla road trip. 2 years ago it was a different story. Today? No way - Google has done massive work on this recently.

 

[Pablo]

As for “easy” road tripping, the current Google-based EVs (GM, Volvo, Polestar, etc.) are downright excellent. Don’t buy into Tesla trips being easier. Live charger status, predicted charger availability upon arrival, charger ratings, live pricing, automatic battery preconditioning, etc. And a step beyond Tesla, you get this data for almost every network out there. Tesla, IONNA, EA, EVGo, etc. Then you can filter and create trips that use just the networks you prefer (if you want to). And many networks now have Plug&Charge / AutoCharge+.

They’re just as much of a “no brainer” as a Tesla road trip. 2 years ago it was a different story. Today? No way - Google has done massive work on this recently.

Not thinking this will be a road trip car

We have a easy driving camp van

 

[Torrid]

As for “easy” road tripping, the current Google-based EVs (GM, Volvo, Polestar, etc.) are downright excellent. Don’t buy into Tesla trips being easier. Live charger status, predicted charger availability upon arrival, charger ratings, live pricing, automatic battery preconditioning, etc. And a step beyond Tesla, you get this data for almost every network out there. Tesla, IONNA, EA, EVGo, etc. Then you can filter and create trips that use just the networks you prefer (if you want to). And many networks now have Plug&Charge / AutoCharge+.

They’re just as much of a “no brainer” as a Tesla road trip. 2 years ago it was a different story. Today? No way - Google has done massive work on this recently.

I get what you're saying, but that still leaves out the reliability of the charging network. Tesla allows the usage of outside charging networks natively too. They added that around 6 months ago with an update. Have other options improved? Sure. Don't get me wrong, I'd be open to other options if they interested me, but the only other ones so far that interest me are twice the price of a Model Y Performance unfortunately. Polestar doesn't have a single service center in my state and the GM offerings while solid are about as interesting to me as watching paint dry. About the only other EV that appeals to me under $80k is the Hyundai Ioniq 5N and I don't think the value proposition is there unfortunately. I really considered the 5N but at the end of 2024 when I was buying, fast public charging was sparse for non Teslas and the opening of the Supercharger network hadn't happened yet and even now that's down to whether the charger has the Magic Dock feature.

Really the biggest problem directly for me is how sparse the non Supercharger network is within a few hours of where I live. The only one in town was a Shell Recharge and that closed down months ago. There's not even a Supercharger in town. There's no fast charging option that isn't a Tesla Supercharger within 40 miles. I literally live in the worst case scenario location for any EV, but by default Tesla is more supported.

 

[JeffKeryk]

@Pablo have you driven any of these cars? Your thoughts?

 

[Urshurak776]

I kid you not, I said to someone at work like 6 months ago that when an Amsoil rep gets an electric car, it's a sign of the end of the world.

Holy smokes.....

 

[Pablo]

@Pablo have you driven any of these cars? Your thoughts?

Nope not a one

I kid you not, I said to someone at work like 6 months ago that when an Amsoil rep gets an electric car, it's a sign of the end of the world.

Holy smokes.....

It’s wife’s car. We have 3 other IC cars and pot load of other various engines and devices

 

[Brons2]

Go for a Model Y, and full self driving. You are older. FSD will allow you to keep your car keys for longer. That's what I'm telling my 70 something parents.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Go for a Model Y, and full self driving. You are older. FSD will allow you to keep your car keys for longer. That's what I'm telling my 70 something parents.

The Model 3 is a low car; the Model Y is definitely a more useful vehicle and easy to get in and out of. I would buy one if I were in the market for an SUV. Having said that, wifey prefers her RX by a country mile. Too fancy pants for me.

SUVs are great (and popular), but I am a pickup fan boi.

 

[dogememe]

As for “easy” road tripping, the current Google-based EVs (GM, Volvo, Polestar, etc.) are downright excellent. Don’t buy into Tesla trips being easier. Live charger status, predicted charger availability upon arrival, charger ratings, live pricing, automatic battery preconditioning, etc. And a step beyond Tesla, you get this data for almost every network out there. Tesla, IONNA, EA, EVGo, etc. Then you can filter and create trips that use just the networks you prefer (if you want to). And many networks now have Plug&Charge / AutoCharge+.

They’re just as much of a “no brainer” as a Tesla road trip. 2 years ago it was a different story. Today? No way - Google has done massive work on this recently.

Take it from someone who has both a GM-Google and a Tesla... GM-Google route planning is nowhere near as good as Tesla's. It's way better than other non-Tesla non-Google EVs offer but it still lacks the polish and reliability of what Tesla does. I'm not saying GM EVs are bad - I think they are great, but if hassle-free zero-stress road trips is what you want, Tesla is the clear winner.