One idea that crossed my mind is that CAN bus controllers might be looking for that indicator and throw a pissy fit if it isn’t there. So it would be one thing to just include it but ziptie it off in some dark corner.

Jason,

I’ve read a couple of swap stories where Gen II Leaf batts were retrofitted into Gen I Leafs, picked up all the range of the new Leaf for minimal outlay. The rest of the car with all its wins and losses goes on unchanged.

I’m guessing SBC fans.

The range will be all over the map because the criteria by which each respondent judges “best” will be different, and differently weighted. There may be a “best” on a purely objective scale, but that scale will have to be very clearly defined and cannot apply to everything.

It’s a tough call. If the kid has the wherewithal, both mentally and fiscally, to make it happen then cosigning with them for the sake of their credit is a good springboard for them. But you have to know the kid.

I’d be far more interested in the Singer treatment - maybe from some organization more affordable - on the 912E. The lighter drivetrain appeals to me and the handling upgrades would make it easier to retain what speed the more modest powerplant did develop, making for a much more rewarding car.

It certainly makes no sense to purchase an early adopter-market vehicle, not when second- and third-gen are so much more effective and entering the used market. Low buy-in notwithstanding, this car would be too frustrating to put up with.

There are other electrics, younger, with fewer miles or both, available for less. Granted they’re Leafs, but the point stands. Essentially the same performance and range, seating capacity and arguably no worse looks, less money, less wear, less upkeep cost because Mercedes.

Missed an opportunity, could’ve called it a ScareB’n’B

I didn’t try to buy a car as a kid, my parents were happy enough to lend me theirs, as I was happy enough to lend my kids my cars. At one point we had four cars for four drivers, but they were all in adults’ names with adults covering insurance, kids kept up with gas and oil and asked before taking the any car…

I’m really concerned about your opinion of me and will go have a good cry followed by an appropriately extended period of soul searching.

Pretty sure they don’t, not anymore. I was delivering for The Washington Star when it folded, I still have the carrier’s bag somewhere. Thought about taking up delivering the Post but I thought they were kind of pretentious at the time so I didn’t.

That’s why they’re so cheap now.

I remember some organization or company holding a contest in which the grand prize was a Heli Home vacation. The whole idea struck me as just a tad ridiculous.

I have above my desk a clock with a built-in surveillance camera. I know it’s a surveillance clock because I bought it. KNOWING it has a camera, I still had to take it down just now and LOOK at it carefully before finally spotting the camera’s lens. It’s in the 1 of the 10, but I still had to go around and look at all…

Very practical.  It even allows them, if their daily driving is quite modest, to build up a bit of range for a little more freedom on weekends.  Not a lot, but some.

You’ll cry.  You’ll cry because your kid bent up somebody else’s car and you’re gonna get hit with the insurance bill.

Whatever the kid can afford. Mow lawns, deliver papers, whatever - I’m not buying you a car outright, kid. You’re going in at least halfsies on this thing. If I buy the whole thing, you ask me every single time you want to take it somewhere. If you want to have a say, you better pony up at least half.

From Ambassador to Ambassadon’t.