You can’t just say something is significant without showing the math

The primary reason Mazda still cares about ICE is because, without a partner, they simply don’t have the resources necessary to develop an EV platform and supply chain. So they have to lean heavily on the knowledge and resources they have, which in this case is ICE. I love their designs, but if they don’t pivot to…

There’s precedent.

Tons of automatic watches have backs like that. I bought a $60 automatic. All that stuff is pretty cool, but if that’s all you want, spend less money.

At the time, they were treated as separate models and recognized by consumers that way, there were still different trim levels within each series.

The O’Reillys by me has a sale a couple times a year where the Wix XP filters are on sale for the same price as the “standard” Wix Filters, and I load up for my car and my wife’s minivan. If you have the foresight and the means to drop $50 on a bunch of oil filters once a year, its a good way to get the good stuff and…

Are you suggesting that $100 is a bad price for a tow? That’s really amazingly low. The tow truck driver has to be paid, the truck has to be paid for, the fuel to come get your friend, the time and ability to load and unload the car... $100 doesn’t go very far. I don’t even want to imagine the insurance costs that…

Yes, cars really don’t hold up like their counterparts from 30 years ago. Those cars totally held up, didn’t rust away to nothing, and were safe. Good point.

They were light, simple, got good fuel economy, came with manuals, and... were incredibly slow, terrifying deathtraps.

A couple of things make it not totally stupid. Small size and low weight for its power, as you mentioned. That’s actually kind of a big deal for a hybrid. Also, many of the issues inherent in rotaries are reduced when you only need them to spin at a fixed rpm while attached to a generator.

I trust the Mazda engineers more than I trust you on this subject.

Fuck!

Yes, an electric motor can apply force while it isn’t moving, whereas an internal combustion engine can’t. That’s why starter motors are a thing.

Came here to basically post this same sentiment. I think these things have some pretty awesome applications for folks with mobility issues/disabilities/old age that still want to be able to ride. But my experience with this is usually some dudes (and it is almost always a dude) blasting by me on the bike trail at 30…

The entry-level Turbo Vado 2.0 is in the slower 20 mph class of pedal-assisted e-bikes that doesn’t run afoul of too many regs, however, the Turbo Vado 3.0, 5.0 and 6.0 are in the 28 mph class that does. Some states even treat e-bikes more like mopeds, which is a bit overkill.

Sure. Now, let’s talk about people who roll coal. Or F-250 owners who don’t use their turn signals. I can trade in stereotypes too, and have all day.

Having driven a Prius back to back with the Ford C-Max if you remotely care at all about driving while trying to save fuel the C-Max is far more enjoyable to drive as it turned out. It’s also safer in merging into the freeway due to the slightly higher performance envelope and if you want to chirp the tires it will do…

Aren’t most used Saabs in Massachusetts?

This is a system the dealerships created. It’s not the customer’s fault you don’t make much money when they get the best deal. If you don’t want to sell them a car at a certain price you have the choice not to. Just like the customer has the choice to take a better offer elsewhere.

Tom, you have to get outside of your world. You have no fear calling other people’s bullshit and saying it out loud. I know folks who would rather commit ceremonial seppuku than tell an intimidating sales manager he’s lying about what the lowest price is.