Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[spike021]

I've been stressed over this Japan trip, which is odd to me because for the previous ones I don't remember being anxious at all.

I think a big chunk is due to leaving Haru with my folks for the time I'll be gone. He likes them and they like him, but Shibas are so difficult at times and I know he'll be a handful for my parents. And I worry a bit they'll leave a door open accidentally and he'll run out... He's microchipped, has an Apple AirTag, AND a Fi GPS/cellular collar though, so lots of ways to find him if needed lol....god forbid.

And then also usually I just have a checklist of what I need to pack for my trip but now I have a whole second one for him and all his needs and stuff I need to make sure I bring with when I drop him off.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by spike021

I'm... "young", and I can't even handle that toxic bell.

Those aren't taco bell. Those are the delicious mystery meat, fake cheese filled deep fried tacos from the clown in the box. They are best while drunk at 3am, so I haven't had one in decades.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

My wife got a new job & that put more responsibility on my end. Which means, more driving time for me, which is fine… only con is the current gas price. It’s not fun filling Toyota Highlander about once a week ($55~$70 per fill up).

Not sure there's an EV that will replace the Highlander. unless you just don't need the space. Also, be careful about the math around trading a car for better "gas mileage", it almost always doesn't work out, or the ROI is years.

Even if charging is "free" it would take 285 weeks to break even on $70 per week at the $20,000 downpayment.

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Subaru is doing 0% APR for finance or $399/month for leasing (3hrs) on their Solterra (base model only). But I’m kinda scared buying Subaru’s first model. There’s always a weird issues. Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an interesting as well.

The practical range on the Solterra is under 200 miles. Probably OK if you'll never leave town, but I wouldn't want to road trip it. Most people think about stated range (in this case 222 miles) but likely you'll only use down to more than about 20% of that on the road which puts you at 178 miles.

Also, the base version is missing several convenience and safety features of the next model up.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

My wife got a new job & that put more responsibility on my end. Which means, more driving time for me, which is fine… only con is the current gas price. It’s not fun filling Toyota Highlander about once a week ($55~$70 per fill up). Thinking about trading for an EV. My work has free charging station for all the employees, so while working I can charge it. KBB claims HL is worth $41k~$45k trade-in & I still own like $20k, so putting $21k~$25k for DP isn’t bad. Not planning to drive anywhere long or drive to vacation for minimum of 2 yrs (due to wife’s work). Even if I did, I can use my wife’s WRX.

Subaru is doing 0% APR for finance or $399/month for leasing (3hrs) on their Solterra (base model only). But I’m kinda scared buying Subaru’s first model. There’s always a weird issues. Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an interesting as well.

Any 2 cents?

+1 for Hyundai Ioniq. I have a few friends that own it and they have nothing but good things to say. There's also the Kia EV6.



The one thing one of my friends ran into with an Ionic is the placement of the intake for your AC ventilation. Is in the hood trunk, and it doesn't necessarily have a mesh that would prevent, say, a foreign body, like a mouse that decided to nest inside said intake, and that once the vehicle was turned on, the intake fan sucked the mouse and decided to effectively eviscerate it. Of course, this set of event was triggered by the fact that he lives in the middle of nowhere in a heavily wooded area.

[spike021]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Those aren't taco bell. Those are the delicious mystery meat, fake cheese filled deep fried tacos from the clown in the box. They are best while drunk at 3am, so I haven't had one in decades.

oh whoops. Well... I feel like my digestive system would feel similarly. I haven't had Jack in the Crack in probably... 15 years?

[cjd]

Until charge ports are fixed on cars now that the Tesla one is effectively the standard... I'd only look at Tesla. But the model Y is pretty darn nice anyway.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by cjd

Until charge ports are fixed on cars now that the Tesla one is effectively the standard... I'd only look at Tesla. But the model Y is pretty darn nice anyway.

All the manufacturers will provide an adapter so no real reason to do that. In fact, Tesla has started putting out charging stations with the "magic dock" and c and even a "pay at the pump" option.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by spike021

I've been stressed over this Japan trip, which is odd to me because for the previous ones I don't remember being anxious at all.

I think a big chunk is due to leaving Haru with my folks for the time I'll be gone. He likes them and they like him, but Shibas are so difficult at times and I know he'll be a handful for my parents. And I worry a bit they'll leave a door open accidentally and he'll run out... He's microchipped, has an Apple AirTag, AND a Fi GPS/cellular collar though, so lots of ways to find him if needed lol....god forbid.

And then also usually I just have a checklist of what I need to pack for my trip but now I have a whole second one for him and all his needs and stuff I need to make sure I bring with when I drop him off.

i know the feeling!

welcome to having a 'kid'! i can't even take the car camping anymore like i used to. need to take the truck, and it' usually filled to the point where there's really only 2 seats left, 1 for me, and 1 for the dog. i keep wondering where all the space goes, but a large crate, sleeping bag, 3 blankets, pillows, and a duffle bag of clothes as well as a backpack of dog stuff tends to take up a ton of space!

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

My wife got a new job & that put more responsibility on my end. Which means, more driving time for me, which is fine… only con is the current gas price. It’s not fun filling Toyota Highlander about once a week ($55~$70 per fill up). Thinking about trading for an EV. My work has free charging station for all the employees, so while working I can charge it. KBB claims HL is worth $41k~$45k trade-in & I still own like $20k, so putting $21k~$25k for DP isn’t bad. Not planning to drive anywhere long or drive to vacation for minimum of 2 yrs (due to wife’s work). Even if I did, I can use my wife’s WRX.

Subaru is doing 0% APR for finance or $399/month for leasing (3hrs) on their Solterra (base model only). But I’m kinda scared buying Subaru’s first model. There’s always a weird issues. Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an interesting as well.

Any 2 cents?

wow, that's what it takes to fill my truck, in about the same time span. it's why i'm mostly driving the car to work these days, though i'll probably end up using the truck more once snow starts falling.

i really expected that a highlander would get better mileage than my truck does...

i still think hybrids are where to be until some of the volatility of the electric stuff works itself out. the highlander hybrid would give you some ease at the pump, but also suit your current needs as well.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Anyone else at risk of getting their YouTube account getting banned for using ad blockers???

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Alternatively, pick up something used that's reliable, and cheap, then spend the leftover on a new BRZ

Haha I would… but recently anime (MF Ghost) & pandemic, twin’s price is keep going up!

With that said, def wanna buy the twin again or at least Supra.

Originally Posted by humfrz

Here ya go -

Um… not sure I wanna take a chance riding that while holding a 2yo in the snow storm & drive 10 miles (round trip).

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Not sure there's an EV that will replace the Highlander. unless you just don't need the space. Also, be careful about the math around trading a car for better "gas mileage", it almost always doesn't work out, or the ROI is years.

Even if charging is "free" it would take 285 weeks to break even on $70 per week at the $20,000 downpayment.

The practical range on the Solterra is under 200 miles. Probably OK if you'll never leave town, but I wouldn't want to road trip it. Most people think about stated range (in this case 222 miles) but likely you'll only use down to moer than bout 20% of that on the road which puts you at 178 miles.

Also, the base version is missing several convenience and safety features of the next model up.

Not need to exactly replace Highlander. Few main thing I’m looking for:
-better space than BRZ or WRX
-better mpg than Highlander
-don’t need mid or premium grade gas
-AWD drivetrain

I just happen to remember my work have a free charging station for all the employee. If I charge it at work most of the time, I can save some gas money ($1625 average annually).

If I do their 4yr finance (0% APR), I was looking about the same amount of monthly payment as HL w 1 extra yr of payment.

Road trip is def out of question. At least not a family trip. My wife started work & she need to get PTO saved up… but she want to save it up for another trip to Japan (in 3yrs).

Yeah… I saw that base model is missing a lot off features… which is why I’m a bit hesitant to pull the trigger.

Originally Posted by spcmafia

+1 for Hyundai Ioniq. I have a few friends that own it and they have nothing but good things to say. There's also the Kia EV6.

…Of course, this set of event was triggered by the fact that he lives in the middle of nowhere in a heavily wooded area.

Odd part is EV6 cost more than Ioniq 5, even though they’re same damn thing (well same platform). Also I like the I5 design more than EV6.

I do live in middle of nowhere as well, but I live in desert instead of wood area.

Only issue I’ve heard is 12v battery randomly dying. If you jump start it, it starts back up & there’s no solution that Hyundai put out other than replace the 12v battery.

Originally Posted by soundman98

wow, that's what it takes to fill my truck, in about the same time span. it's why i'm mostly driving the car to work these days, though i'll probably end up using the truck more once snow starts falling.

i really expected that a highlander would get better mileage than my truck does...

i still think hybrids are where to be until some of the volatility of the electric stuff works itself out. the highlander hybrid would give you some ease at the pump, but also suit your current needs as well.

Issue is, I travel +40 miles per day everyday for dropping the kiddo at in-law’s house on the weekday & visiting sis-in-law on the weekend. Averaging 200~250 miles a week. HL gets about 21~24 mpg average. So it’s fair imo

Yeah hybrid or plug-in hybrid would be another option.

Originally Posted by spike021

I've been stressed over this Japan trip, which is odd to me because for the previous ones I don't remember being anxious at all.

I think a big chunk is due to leaving Haru with my folks for the time I'll be gone. He likes them and they like him, but Shibas are so difficult at times and I know he'll be a handful for my parents. And I worry a bit they'll leave a door open accidentally and he'll run out... He's microchipped, has an Apple AirTag, AND a Fi GPS/cellular collar though, so lots of ways to find him if needed lol....god forbid.

And then also usually I just have a checklist of what I need to pack for my trip but now I have a whole second one for him and all his needs and stuff I need to make sure I bring with when I drop him off.

Damn… clearly, I got a wrong Shiba. She’s a very introvert, so we could leave the front door open & she will not run away. She rather sleep on the couch than go outside.

Recommend get your Shiba a kotatsu… if your Shiba is like mine, I’ll guarantee he will not leave the kotatsu. Only time get out from kotatsu will just to cool off. lol

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Anyone else at risk of getting their YouTube account getting banned for using ad blockers???

Who did you piss off in GT7? lol

I do have an ad blocker, but haven’t got banned yet

[spike021]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Damn… clearly, I got a wrong Shiba. She’s a very introvert, so we could leave the front door open & she will not run away. She rather sleep on the couch than go outside.

Recommend get your Shiba a kotatsu… if your Shiba is like mine, I’ll guarantee he will not leave the kotatsu. Only time get out from kotatsu will just to cool off. lol

Honestly I think Haru is like that too. He's never run away before. But it's more like it only takes once and if it happens once I'd rather that not be at my parents since I don't trust them to be able to find him, and even though he "knows" the neighborhood it'd be easy for him to wander too far off.

Haru literally just sleeps all day as it is. Sometimes these days he won't even walk in the morning he'll just wait for our afternoon walk so he can keep sleeping (or go back and forth to the sunny balcony and sleep there and then inside).

[spike021]

Honestly the only time I'd be worried he'll run off is if he's having a fear attack. Like when the dishwasher is running or other stuff really bother him he gets totally freaked out and will try climbing the door to get the door knob, or like to the top of the balcony rail (he's never fully climbed it cuz I stop him when that happens but he'll start climbing it like a ladder).

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by spike021

Honestly I think Haru is like that too. He's never run away before. But it's more like it only takes once and if it happens once I'd rather that not be at my parents since I don't trust them to be able to find him, and even though he "knows" the neighborhood it'd be easy for him to wander too far off.

Haru literally just sleeps all day as it is. Sometimes these days he won't even walk in the morning he'll just wait for our afternoon walk so he can keep sleeping (or go back and forth to the sunny balcony and sleep there and then inside).

In the beginning, I’ve put GPS system jic… but in the end, we never used it, plus made her look fat lol


So in the end, we took it off. I know one of my buddy has iwatch (w cellar) on his Dalmatian, cuz that doggo has escape few times & it’s cheaper to do iwatch cellar ($10/month) than other brands w big ass GPS on the collar.

Not trying to scare you & honestly my doggo was at sis-in-law when we went back to Japan for almost a month. She didn’t run away & she was chilling on the couch majority of the time (other time was playing w their kids)