Scout EV debuted today!

[JHZR2]

What do you suggest, a bus?

I don’t need to suggest anything. It’s simple reality.

The cargo space of a model 3 is ok, but not for a full car of adults, or when car seats and kids stuff come into play.

The pickup truck trend blows my mind for as much as I like pickups. Sure a crew cab for two parents and two kids might have a little interior space… but let’s face it, most crew cab pickups don’t have a tonneau or lockable cap, so go anyplace with any real amount of stuff and it’s a hard fit.

This is why we’ve seen the variations in the theme forever - station wagons, minivans, car-based SUVs.

Each one just picking up on the vanity of the buyer. First it was that someone couldn’t drive a station wagon because their parents had one. Then it was the same with minivans.

But the reality is that vehicles with an enclosed cargo space just make sense. Minivans, SUVs, etc. cars with bigger trunks can make sense depending upon how much you carry.

None of this is rocket science or earth shattering regards logistics of family travel.

 

[JHZR2]

Worst minus of each, only one, only ONE allowed.

Add a SINGLE worst trait of each vehicle type. Single means ONE (1):

EV:
IC:

Go!

Not one person here will put only one negative for each. Bet you a coffee.

You’re right, it’s super easy to come up with lots of cons for each.

I’ll play:

EV: unstoppable intrinsic battery degradation affecting safety and range

IC: rapidly variable fuel pricing

 

[Torrid]

I don’t need to suggest anything. It’s simple reality.

The cargo space of a model 3 is ok, but not for a full car of adults, or when car seats and kids stuff come into play.

The pickup truck trend blows my mind for as much as I like pickups. Sure a crew cab for two parents and two kids might have a little interior space… but let’s face it, most crew cab pickups don’t have a tonneau or lockable cap, so go anyplace with any real amount of stuff and it’s a hard fit.

This is why we’ve seen the variations in the theme forever - station wagons, minivans, car-based SUVs.

Each one just picking up on the vanity of the buyer. First it was that someone couldn’t drive a station wagon because their parents had one. Then it was the same with minivans.

But the reality is that vehicles with an enclosed cargo space just make sense. Minivans, SUVs, etc. cars with bigger trunks can make sense depending upon how much you carry.

None of this is rocket science or earth shattering regards logistics of family travel.

I was just joking. I guess we're just used to using small cars, though the natural progression would be a crossover or SUV if I needed more space. I prefer hatches for this reason. If I'm going to have a smaller vehicle I want that space to be as useable as possible.

 

[fsdork]

...I don't understand why the F150 is necessary as a family car. It's laughable at best and definitely an ego stroke. People aren't taking a full camping kit and trailer to the Piggly Wiggly. It still has the same amount of seats as a base Golf or Jetta.

I can't quite track your logic on this point. While I'm sure some people have never put anything in the bed of their pickup, many others (myself included) have a truck because a car can't tow their travel trailer. Most of my trips with the truck could be done in a smaller vehicle, but it's what I have available to me in that moment. If my wife isn't out with the VW and I need to run to the store, I take that.

 

[JHZR2]

I was just joking. I guess we're just used to using small cars, though the natural progression would be a crossover or SUV if I needed more space. I prefer hatches for this reason. If I'm going to have a smaller vehicle I want that space to be as useable as possible.

We had a golf/rabbit. Was ok with one child, but didn’t work when we had our second, given modern requirements for car seats and everything else. And it was a very utilitarian vehicle.

It just doesn’t make sense for an active modern family that wants to travel, imo.

 

[Torrid]

We had a golf/rabbit. Was ok with one child, but didn’t work when we had our second, given modern requirements for car seats and everything else. And it was a very utilitarian vehicle.

It just doesn’t make sense for an active modern family that wants to travel, imo.

We're a family of four but no longer in car seats. Packing for a couple of days with 4 doesn't fit in the GTI. The trunk is massive on on the Model 3 and is great it that scenario. Where the Tesla defeats me is the trunk opening itself. I can fold the seats in either car, but larger items are easier in the GTI because of the hatch opening. Of course that isn't traveling with 4 people though.

As much as I hate to say it if I was going to buy another Tesla I'd probably go for the Y Performance even though I don't really like crossovers. I just don't think it makes sense having two Model 3s.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Your point is practically irrelevant because you have how many other vehicles? So if you wanted to drive across country tomorrow, woukd you drive the eV, or something else?

Same with your claims on fuel cost, once the actual fair share of taxes and whatnot get paid. While it’s great that you have solar or whatever, that’s not everybody in the country.

Your comments are akin to a “let them eat cake” mindset.

Sure, scooting around town it can work, and you can charge from home. But that’s a common, but small fraction of use cases.

Most family units have one or two cars, want maximum utility for minimum cost. Not a subcompact sedan thst can’t go any practical distance.

Respectfully, you miss my point and are assuming a lot...
Yes I have other vehicles. The only one I would really keep right now is the Tundra. The EV is that good. In my use case, I would not drive across country, I would fly. Now, if I were to drive, I would take a hard look at the Tesla trip planner to see which car makes sense, for me. I am not sure which car I would take.

Fuel costs? I bought the solar for my home because of the high electricity costs here. My deal was the biggest no-brainer in the world due to NEM2. The EV came later and serves to get more return on the asset. Taxes? If you are referring to road use, that is built into annual registration. And It ain't cheap.

"Eat cake"? No, I have said many times EVs are not for everyone. I am not an eat cake person; I would ask that you do not call me that; you've pegged me wrong.

Scooting around town has to be the most use of a vehicle. The average daily use is like 35 miles or something like that. Stop and go is where EVs shine.

You are assuming what "most family units" want; that's a big assumption. Use case refers to a specific situation in which a product or service could potentially be used.

 

[Torrid]

I can't quite track your logic on this point. While I'm sure some people have never put anything in the bed of their pickup, many others (myself included) have a truck because a car can't tow their travel trailer. Most of my trips with the truck could be done in a smaller vehicle, but it's what I have available to me in that moment. If my wife isn't out with the VW and I need to run to the store, I take that.

I just meant that I'm surprised how many choose a larger less efficient vehicle if they happen to be a person that only uses it as a car. I also did this for a number of years which wasn't much of an issue when I had a 14 mile round trip commute. It did have it's conveniences not waiting for delivery of furniture especially since we like finding unique vintage stuff in small shops. It's a 70 mile commute now which is why I decided it wasn't a fit once my needs changed. I've also been surprised by the amount of smaller furniture items I've been able to fit in a GTI.

Even if I was towing regularly I probably would have bought a cheap old car to save on gas going back and forth to work. If I had decided I still wanted the truck I would have went this route. My wife didn't like the truck, didn't feel comfortable driving it so swapping with her for the commute was out, and the whole family thought it rode horribly. As far as a family vehicle I thought it would have been a better option than it turned out. There might have been a better truck option, likely a smaller one that would have been a better fit, but to be honest I'm not really a truck guy so I went back to the smaller cars I've normally preferred.

When you mention taking the VW instead of the truck when it's available, I do that with short trips around town with the Tesla. I do that mostly to keep from short tripping a gas vehicle, but it is cheaper to operate as well. I didn't do this back then only because our other vehicle at the time was a Ford Edge Sport and it didn't really get any better fuel economy around town than the truck.

 

[Pablo]

You’re right, it’s super easy to come up with lots of cons for each.

I’ll play:

EV: unstoppable intrinsic battery degradation affecting safety and range

IC: rapidly variable fuel pricing

EV: Not a road trip car

IC: Going to (tied to) the gas station