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[–] 92 points 2 weeks ago (18 children)

Neither capitalism or communism gives you reliable cars. What helps is good regulation for minimum warranty periods, mandatory maintenance and spare parts availability for 15+ years, interdictions of dark patterns (e.g: end user should be able to replace the headlamps, oil filter and such easily with basic tools). And also, industry standards, ODB2 for diagnostics for instance. And now, Cybersecurity and data privacy is super relevant, you don't want OEMs or bad actors to be able to disable your car remotely.

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  • [–] 36 points 2 weeks ago (15 children)

    I need respectable 90s Japanese cars that are competing to destroy the American automotive industry. But with electronic vehicles.

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  • [–] 11 points 2 weeks ago (11 children)

    Yeah. Electric vehicles with no computers (beyond microcontrollers for batter chargers and stuff).

    There was a period about 15 years ago where you going get a not stupidly expensive electric refit kit for a bunch of cars - someone I know did it with a 90s Rav4 for like $10k. Unfortunately they seem to be stupid expensive now.

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  • [–] 11 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

    Conversions for most cars are pretty lame. Battery placement is rough and mechanical losses from attaching an electric motor to a transmission for an ICE are significant. Conversions are cool but mostly a novelty.

    I'd rather see some real bare-bones electrics, like the first Leafs, with the best battery tech we can toss in them.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

    First person to make the hatchback 90s Honda Civic of EVs is going to print money. I'd fucking do it, but I don't have the capital required to start it.

    Seriously. 200 miles of range for the entry model. Compact, make it a little rowdy, make it cheap, make documentation free and widely available. Let people modify it and break it, make a surplus of replacement parts so they can be put back together. Wait 6 months and then release a performance version.

    You would print so much fucking money.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago*

    Seems like what Slate is trying to do (probably others yoo). But no idea if it's vaporware or not.

    I lucked the fuck out and got a 12 year old Leaf for 700 bucks (a tree fell on it a little). Only 60 mile range, but it's JUST enough for the commute.

    I wonder if there's a 10k for 100 mile range, 15k for 200 mile range possibility.

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  • [–] 9 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    In Europe we have Renault offering something in this segment with their new Twingo. Barebone simple EV for city driving and daily commute. It's priced around 13k€ new.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    Yeah, the digital dash and stuff is still a pretty huge turn-off. Dunno if it has things like electric door handles and non-mechanical brakes, but those are also disturbing.

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