Technically Geeking: Carlectric Boogaloo
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a blogumn by Justin Time
Tesla Model S
It used to be Ferraris, Jags and Porsches. Now it’s Teslas, Volts and Priuses. I come from a long line of car-obsessed men. My grandfather would buy a new car even when he had 3 others and could barely drive. My father can’t drive on the expressway without pointing out every car that is the slightest bit uncommon. He passed the sickness onto me, by both nature and nurture, taking me to car shows, subscribing to car magazines, and buying me diecast collector cars. Growing up, I had a poster of a white Testa Rossa over my bed. It was the 80s, ok?
Now that my boyhood frivolity has all but vanished, I have moved on from Ferraris to things I could maybe afford and that wouldn’t make me feel like a complete jackass driving around. And then there is the environmental heroism appeal of hybrids and EVs. But at the root of this passion for cars and interest in fuel-saving technology is a big geeky revelation…
Cars are the ultimate gadgets! You climb inside and become a high-speed machine with gears, dials, sensors, and of course computers. And you can add more geek crap – GPS, audio systems, CBs, radar detectors, jammers, and LoJack.
So here is a list of my favorite geek cars available now or coming soon:
1. Tesla Model S – Hot EV sedan – now taking 2011 orders – $49,999
2. Chevy Volt – Please please please survive to finish this, GM. $35,000?
3. Optima Joule – Funky electric 6-seater with leased batteries (South Africa).
4. Bee One – British EV on the cheap – $17,700
5. 2010 Toyota Prius – Had to be mentioned. The 800 pound gorilla just got better.
6. Tata Nano – Who doesn’t love Tatas? Especially when they mean $2000 EV cars in India.
I want the Tesla.
I want the Tesla.
You can reserve one right now for 2011 if you are willing to put $5000 on a credit card (online). You can always get a refund if you decide to back out. I think there is just a $50 processing fee you would forfeit.
I'm seriously thinking about it. We are in the market soon, but I am not sure about being a guinea pig for a brand new auto maker. At least we have a dealership right here in LA!
I'm down with it but I think I need to talk to etc first.
Just surprise her! That's what I'm planning on doing.
Hahaha, it's sort of hard to surprise me, since I have access to the comments.
I love the idea of Tesla, but I find the company a little shady and wouldn't want to give them any money until they've proven themselves. Check this out: http://gawker.com/5301355/tesla-gets-465-million-…
Being a cheap early adopter, I'm more interested in the British EV and the Tata Nano. Too bad, American car companies can't seem to figure out how to get a reasonably priced EV on the road. Annoying…
But the Tesla looks so cool. How about the Volt?
Now that I've been laid off, I can finally say that I don't trust GM enough to early adopt any of their products, save for Cadillac — which is still an awesome line. I wonder how much it would cost to import the British EV…
I didn't know you got laid off. That's just cold to do to a new mom. Or was it a blessing in disguise cause now the Governator can pay you to stay at home on maternity leave? (But with what money?)
It wasn't a bad parting of ways and though I can't discuss the details, I wasn't the only one who got culled, so it wasn't personal, just a sign of the times. But I am wondering if I'll get an IOU instead of maternity and unemployment now…
Oh, and Cadillacs are garish, unless you are talking about something before 1980. I'm just saying.
Garish, maybe. But they're also well-designed (outside of gas mileage): smooth ride, lots of horse power, lush interior, etc. There aren't many cars out there that make you feel like a smooth power player just by driving one, and the Cadillac is one of those cars yesterday and today.Bored? Check out http://www.fierceandnerdy.com
You can reserve one right now for 2011 if you are willing to put $5000 on a credit card (online). You can always get a refund if you decide to back out. I think there is just a $50 processing fee you would forfeit.
I'm seriously thinking about it. We are in the market soon, but I am not sure about being a guinea pig for a brand new auto maker. At least we have a dealership right here in LA!
I'm down with it but I think I need to talk to etc first.
Just surprise her! That's what I'm planning on doing.
Hahaha, it's sort of hard to surprise me, since I have access to the comments.
I love the idea of Tesla, but I find the company a little shady and wouldn't want to give them any money until they've proven themselves. Check this out: http://gawker.com/5301355/tesla-gets-465-million-…
Being a cheap early adopter, I'm more interested in the British EV and the Tata Nano. Too bad, American car companies can't seem to figure out how to get a reasonably priced EV on the road. Annoying…
But the Tesla looks so cool. How about the Volt?
Now that I've been laid off, I can finally say that I don't trust GM enough to early adopt any of their products, save for Cadillac — which is still an awesome line. I wonder how much it would cost to import the British EV…
I didn't know you got laid off. That's just cold to do to a new mom. Or was it a blessing in disguise cause now the Governator can pay you to stay at home on maternity leave? (But with what money?)
It wasn't a bad parting of ways and though I can't discuss the details, I wasn't the only one who got culled, so it wasn't personal, just a sign of the times. But I am wondering if I'll get an IOU instead of maternity and unemployment now…
Oh, and Cadillacs are garish, unless you are talking about something before 1980. I'm just saying.
Garish, maybe. But they're also well-designed (outside of gas mileage): smooth ride, lots of horse power, lush interior, etc. There aren't many cars out there that make you feel like a smooth power player just by driving one, and the Cadillac is one of those cars yesterday and today.
Bored? Check out http://www.fierceandnerdy.com
I just got an email from Tesla letting me know about the availability of the reservation system for the Model S. It is $5000 down, but you can cancel for a 1% penalty. They seem to also be selling 1000 collectors editions of the S in 2011 that will have finer interiors. They also have video about the car here:
http://www.oncars.com/video/494/2011-Tesla-Model-…
Another interesting detail from the email was that the Tesla Roadster is now only available with 75% financing from Bank of America, so you only have to come up with $25,000 up front, with $10,000 down. Still nothing to sneeze at, especially for a 2-seater. Great news if you can afford it – they are delivering them in just 3 months now. I wish I could.
I just got an email from Tesla letting me know about the availability of the reservation system for the Model S. It is $5000 down, but you can cancel for a 1% penalty. They seem to also be selling 1000 collectors editions of the S in 2011 that will have finer interiors. They also have video about the car here:
http://www.oncars.com/video/494/2011-Tesla-Model-…
Another interesting detail from the email was that the Tesla Roadster is now only available with 75% financing from Bank of America, so you only have to come up with $25,000 up front, with $10,000 down. Still nothing to sneeze at, especially for a 2-seater. Great news if you can afford it – they are delivering them in just 3 months now. I wish I could.