Quote:
Originally Posted by Rampage
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The automotive apocalypse may not quite be upon us just yet, but it can be seen down the road.
I know the future is electric, etc. etc. etc. BUT.... I can still lament the passing of fun to drive, shift-for-yourself, great sounding (except maybe for the stock BRZ) internal combustion powered sports cars. So far, solely in my personal opinion, the battery electric car has yet to be built that is 1) fun to drive, and 2) has any soul.
I don't care about 'maximum torque at zero rpm'. My washing machine does the same thing, but I don't get too excited about it. For me this also includes the original Tesla Roadster. Unless a car has a manual transmission, I just can't get thrilled about it. While it's technically possible to put a manual in a BEV (Ford did it with a prototype Mustang), the power output characteristics of an electric motor make it a moot point. It's still an appliance.
I also find it ironic that Massachusetts is doing this. Yes, I know they're looking to the 'future' and projecting what will be in 2035. But at least right now, Massachusetts consumes 12 times more power than it produces. The electricity it produces in-state is 2/3 natural gas - a fossil fuel.
Presumably Massachusetts is expecting (hoping?) things will be very different in 2035. Because if they're not, it seems to be more than a little hypocritical to mandate the sale of only BEVs when the state buys most of its electricity from others, and most of what it produces on its own is from fossil fuel. It's the ultimate long tailpipe - charging electric cars with electricity produced by fossil fuels. The state is trying to develop offshore wind power, so hopefully 2035 will bring a different state of affairs.
For me personally, this just means one of 1) I'll stock up on whatever cars I like best before 2035 and make sure the inventory lasts for the rest of my life, 2) I'll move, or 3) at my age, by 2035, I may well no longer be among the living. Fun things to think about.
Regardless, we should enjoy our BRZ's while we can. The days of the traditional, shift-for-yourself, scintillating sounding, inexpensive, passionate sports cars are coming to an end.