The eerie waft through traffic
Discussion
It's odd but lightish London traffic has stopped bothering me since the C350e. Ok I time it right so I'm not completely gridlocked but I think the angst I used to feel was caused by in the 911, clutching and changing gear every 30 seconds for another 50 feet, and both in the 911 and auto Jaag it was the fact you've got that huge engine getting hot, idling, wearing, probably coking up a bit, just not anywhere near its ideal running conditions, and making my mechanical empathy twitch.
Now, I'm listening to a cool sound system, I'm watching folks walking by, and everything's off until I move that 50 feet, and with no vibration, engine noise or real concentration needed at all. The time just seems to pass by to the point it doesn't even seem like it's taking me as long to get out of town.
It's immensely relaxing. Love it
And at a cost of around 3 quid a day for my 50 mile commute compared with 15 quid on that poxy train, there's even more win.
Now, I'm listening to a cool sound system, I'm watching folks walking by, and everything's off until I move that 50 feet, and with no vibration, engine noise or real concentration needed at all. The time just seems to pass by to the point it doesn't even seem like it's taking me as long to get out of town.
It's immensely relaxing. Love it
And at a cost of around 3 quid a day for my 50 mile commute compared with 15 quid on that poxy train, there's even more win.
supermono said:
It's immensely relaxing. Love it
And at a cost of around 3 quid a day for my 50 mile commute compared with 15 quid on that poxy train, there's even more win.
It's good isn't it!! Even better is been able to walk out to a warm-pre heated, de-iced car at 7am, get in, unplug and just drive away, whilst everyone else is busy scrapping windscreens, pouring hotwater on windscreens, all to the noise of a rattly internal combustion engine trying to get it self up to temperature And at a cost of around 3 quid a day for my 50 mile commute compared with 15 quid on that poxy train, there's even more win.
.Yes yes and more yes including the heater that actually works within a few yards rather than halfway to work. And then there's the hidden secret. These are THE FASTEST way to hooligan around. Nothing beats it in the 0-30mph traffic light rally. Squirt into that gap? Instantly. And Boone car hear you accelerate like a hoonigan.
Terrific.
Terrific.
Yes yes and more yes including the heater that actually works within a few yards rather than halfway to work. And then there's the hidden secret. These are THE FASTEST way to hooligan around. Nothing beats it in the 0-30mph traffic light rally. Squirt into that gap? Instantly. And Boone car hear you accelerate like a hoonigan.
Terrific.
Terrific.
I've had my Zoe for one week today. I've kept my Jag and Porsche but this really is a revelation.
I find I'm not constantly tuning into the mechanical noises to ensure everything is as it should be, I'm not checking the temperature, oil pressure or rev counter as part of my driving habit as they are not there! I've been listening to Classic FM as I can appreciate the music more. I am more relaxed as I "drive" (a big feeling of automation is present which I was not aware of with any previous cars - it just seems more 'managed' for want of a better word).
I have to connect it when I get home. This is different and I wonder what my neighbours think about seeing my car roped to a control box come rain or shine? I love the functionality of pre-heating your car. I am genuinely excited because the drive to work is so different. I've been flat out at an indicated 87 but there's little wind noise and as this thread implies, it wafts along. I'm in the throws of changing my energy supplier to Ecotricity. I will then have (in the summer) 100 miles for £1. (costing me around £2.75 at the moment) and work has agreed to a 22kw rapid charger meaning my commute will be free
I'm not ready to give up my Petrol Head status yet but I am fortunate to be able to take part in the future. The future is here and now but later generations will bring the range and performance and reduce the charging time.
To anyone sitting on the fence; take a test drive and welcome to the Waft Club
I find I'm not constantly tuning into the mechanical noises to ensure everything is as it should be, I'm not checking the temperature, oil pressure or rev counter as part of my driving habit as they are not there! I've been listening to Classic FM as I can appreciate the music more. I am more relaxed as I "drive" (a big feeling of automation is present which I was not aware of with any previous cars - it just seems more 'managed' for want of a better word).
I have to connect it when I get home. This is different and I wonder what my neighbours think about seeing my car roped to a control box come rain or shine? I love the functionality of pre-heating your car. I am genuinely excited because the drive to work is so different. I've been flat out at an indicated 87 but there's little wind noise and as this thread implies, it wafts along. I'm in the throws of changing my energy supplier to Ecotricity. I will then have (in the summer) 100 miles for £1. (costing me around £2.75 at the moment) and work has agreed to a 22kw rapid charger meaning my commute will be free
I'm not ready to give up my Petrol Head status yet but I am fortunate to be able to take part in the future. The future is here and now but later generations will bring the range and performance and reduce the charging time.
To anyone sitting on the fence; take a test drive and welcome to the Waft Club
supermono said:
If you'd turned up in a tesla yes but really you're looking at two different markets here. Those are seriously good cars you're trying to compete with, space luxury and speed or just speed in case of 911, a leaf is a quirky bit of fun to these players
Hmm, yes. I know which of those I'd choose for a journey of any distance.(I do wonder what sort of junk some of you have been driving, going off the above posts? Vibration in traffic, worrying about oil pressure, temperature etc. Dear me.)
Are we sure we're not just trying to convince ourselves about our latest purchases, chaps?
supermono said:
If you'd turned up in a tesla yes but really you're looking at two different markets here. Those are seriously good cars you're trying to compete with, space luxury and speed or just speed in case of 911, a leaf is a quirky bit of fun to these players
50 miles round trip to the house, I wouldn't any of those other cars to have on my driveway. Infact I felt sorry for their drivers when I was leaving in the morning. <20mpg whilst the internal combustion engine shudders into life, whilst we pulled away in silence + pre warmed cabin. Oh and two RAC repair vans than appeared presumably to help persuade some of the other internal combustion engines to come to life I'll be dropping £50K+ on a Model S this Xmas, your have to pay me that much to get me to drive one of those museum pieces any where
/The Tesla is simple astonishingly good, and if I had a mixed commute...fast and slow traffic, i would be very tempted. Everything outside seems frantic as you calmly survey it in silence, and when it opens up you are gone like a rocket. I was ready to hate the car before I drove it.
Wrong.
It is well worth the drive.
Spent a couple of days with it....
Wrong.
It is well worth the drive.
Spent a couple of days with it....
REALIST123 said:
Hmm, yes. I know which of those I'd choose for a journey of any distance.
(I do wonder what sort of junk some of you have been driving, going off the above posts? Vibration in traffic, worrying about oil pressure, temperature etc. Dear me.)
Are we sure we're not just trying to convince ourselves about our latest purchases, chaps?
Not in my case, the GT2 happily sits besides the milkfloat at chez supermono. The merc excels by not having to keep working the clutch or waste petrol in traffic, and whilst the 911 is happy to idle all day long (who mentioned oil pressure? not me) it was my mechanical empathy causing me issues if I ever drove it into London. But out on the roads, man I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but in the 911, enthusiastically issuing that beautiful plant food from its red hot exhaust tips.(I do wonder what sort of junk some of you have been driving, going off the above posts? Vibration in traffic, worrying about oil pressure, temperature etc. Dear me.)
Are we sure we're not just trying to convince ourselves about our latest purchases, chaps?
supermono said:
REALIST123 said:
Hmm, yes. I know which of those I'd choose for a journey of any distance.
(I do wonder what sort of junk some of you have been driving, going off the above posts? Vibration in traffic, worrying about oil pressure, temperature etc. Dear me.)
Are we sure we're not just trying to convince ourselves about our latest purchases, chaps?
Not in my case, the GT2 happily sits besides the milkfloat at chez supermono. The merc excels by not having to keep working the clutch or waste petrol in traffic, and whilst the 911 is happy to idle all day long (who mentioned oil pressure? not me) it was my mechanical empathy causing me issues if I ever drove it into London. But out on the roads, man I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but in the 911, enthusiastically issuing that beautiful plant food from its red hot exhaust tips.(I do wonder what sort of junk some of you have been driving, going off the above posts? Vibration in traffic, worrying about oil pressure, temperature etc. Dear me.)
Are we sure we're not just trying to convince ourselves about our latest purchases, chaps?
Fair enough.
I do understand the benefits of a decent EV but the truth is that they are still limited to the relatively short commute.
The Tesla S is a very good effort but it's range is limited, not only by distance but by where you can go due to the lack of charger coverage. It's party trick of silent acceleration is impressive but it's interior noise levels at cruising speeds are easily matched by eg a 5 series or E class.
And you can't get away from its total cost. Even the most blinkered supporter of EVs accepts that the S is more expensive to own than its traditional equivalents.
gangzoom said:
supermono said:
If you'd turned up in a tesla yes but really you're looking at two different markets here. Those are seriously good cars you're trying to compete with, space luxury and speed or just speed in case of 911, a leaf is a quirky bit of fun to these players
50 miles round trip to the house, I wouldn't any of those other cars to have on my driveway. Infact I felt sorry for their drivers when I was leaving in the morning. <20mpg whilst the internal combustion engine shudders into life, whilst we pulled away in silence + pre warmed cabin. Oh and two RAC repair vans than appeared presumably to help persuade some of the other internal combustion engines to come to life I'll be dropping £50K+ on a Model S this Xmas, your have to pay me that much to get me to drive one of those museum pieces any where
/REALIST123 said:
You still sound desperate to convince yourself......
I don't need convincing, though seeing Santander give me £100+/month for having a few full 1-2-3 accounts will make it harder to part with that amount of cash on a depreciating asset. Who knows, when it comes to signing on the dotted line I may decided I rather keep the Leaf + £60K earning 3% interest rather than waste it on a car - Even something as good as a Model S
REALIST123 said:
The Tesla S is a very good effort but it's range is limited, not only by distance but by where you can go due to the lack of charger coverage. It's party trick of silent acceleration is impressive but it's interior noise levels at cruising speeds are easily matched by eg a 5 series or E class.
And you can't get away from its total cost. Even the most blinkered supporter of EVs accepts that the S is more expensive to own than its traditional equivalents.
I don't consider 200+ miles range to be limiting. Factor in a supercharger which adds 170 miles in 30mins and it's a non-issue.And you can't get away from its total cost. Even the most blinkered supporter of EVs accepts that the S is more expensive to own than its traditional equivalents.
As for cost, looking at leaseplan rates, a 70D (4WD) is similar money to a 535d, a 550i is 30% more (but similar list). Once you factor in free fuel, your assumption is way off! Who's blinkered?
modeller said:
I don't consider 200+ miles range to be limiting
The 70D is so tempting but range is still the issue right now for many of us. Range anxiety is the number one concern with all the EV's. And it's a shame the manufacturers have not put more into the charging network which is still so limited where a lot of us live and travel. I've spoken to a few Leaf owners now in our area and they've all admitted that it's a second car. Edited by MuscleSaloon on Monday 11th January 22:26
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff