My dad wants to sell his 2000 Automatic transmission Avalon with 130k miles. it has a bunch of dents and the front bumper got hit by a deer so it has a little black outline where the car got hit. Bunch of black things stuck in the paint. He also wants to buy a tesla, because no catalytic converter able to be stolen. I don't want him to buy a tesla. Should he or should he not sell the Avolon and buy the tesla, and why? Reasons to not buy a tesla.
he still thinks a battery is less likely to get on fire than gasoline. What should I tell him?
It's actually more likely, and the fire is much more difficult to put out. Based on the number that are on the road, Teslas are much more prone to catching fire than gasoline powered cars. Those batteries pack a lot of electrical energy and when something goes wrong and it's released the result is catastrophic.
They are also overpriced, poor build quality, and less practical than the cheapest gasoline powered vehicle. If he plans to keep a car for a long time the batteries will be a problem down the road, and repairs cost a fortune because Tesla doesn't share repair info with anyone - you have to go to them. Long trips can be an agonizing experience due to having to find charging stations and waiting for charging.
However in the end it's his money and his decision.
Tesla’s are not well built and have reliability issues relating to their electronics and materials. Also, Tesla does not make repair information known to independent mechanics, so any future repairs your dad will need for his Tesla has to be done with them only. Out of warranty and full of high tech (that have not been fully tested and proofed out) it will be very expensive. Also, EVs are in their infancy and will continue to get better over time (just look at evolution of computers and phones over time).
My recommendation to your dad is to just lease one and return before the warranty expires. I think of EVs as disposable, short term purchase similar to computers and smartphones (although I usually try to hold onto my computers and phones for as long as possible, but even then we’re talking <7 years).
I told him he should wait until toyota buys a EV, idk if he agrees with me or not.
If he's determined to go electric that would actually be the best thing, wait for a Toyota or Lexus EV. Or, go halfway and buy a hybrid. (I'm not big on those myself but Toyota makes an excellent hybrid system.)
Tesla may well not survive the onslaught of traditional manufacturers producing electric cars en masse, which could leave Tesla owners in the position of owning big, expensive driveway decorations several years down the road.
If your Dad wants a Tesla, let him get a Tesla. But don’t use selling the Avalon as an excuse to get one. Keep the Avalon for when your Tesla leaves you stranded.
Here's a thought. Tell your Dad that if enjoys a full time job participating in class action lawsuits instead of driving his car, get a Tesla.
If the engine was replaced 16 years ago and the car is still running well and not burning oil I would be in no hurry to get rid of it.
Sounds like your dad is looking for an excuse to spend >$50,000 on Teslas..
Why else would somebody consider buying a new EV all for a ~$2000 cat? (If it even does get stolen)
he also thinks teslas are safer.
If he believes that I have a bridge in Brooklyn I can give him a good deal on. Hey, it's a great investment. I'll throw in a big statue standing in NY Harbor to sweeten the deal.
Seriously, if he's bound and determined to buy the stupid thing, let him. Who knows it might even work out OK for him depending on how he uses it and what his expectations are.
LOL
Some people just have to learn the hard way - and some won't even recognize they've been taken after being connived into pouring huge $$$$ into a boondoggle. Buying a Tesla is like joining a cult.
Couldn’t agree more.
@chucktobias but is it an electric bridge?
@MountainManJoe, if he buys the bridge bundled with the statue within the next 24 hours I'll throw in some electric lights free! (He'll have to pay for the electricity though!) 😆
@chucktobias slap some Solyndra solar panels on that bad boy, and and you've got yourself a deal! 😆
There are covers that can be installed over your catalytic converter, so no one will spend the time necessary to steal it.
Others have pointed out the trouble with Teslas. He should go for another Avalon, or a Lexus, if he is into nicer cars. And he should buy used, of course—unless you guys have money to burn.
That aside, how did Chuck manage to post images?
does this work?
edit: yes it did. I typed "https://www.babysleepsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Free-White-Noise-MP3s.jpg"
@Breakdown, just find the image you're interested in online and include the URL for the pic in your post. The forum software will automatically insert the image.
Chuck is a very smart guy!
Thanks @Doc, but there are quite a times in life that I've managed to do something just because I was too stupid to know that it couldn't be done!
If your dad is ready to spend that much $$$ on a Tesla, why not steer him to a gently used Lexus LS? If he has an environmental conservation itch to scratch, they also make hybrid versions.
I'm pretty sure he doesn't wanna pay rising gas prices and worry about emissions.
Instead he can worry about rising electricity prices and the spectre of rolling blackouts, as well as the emissions produced in generating the electricity. (Not to mention that the price of a Tesla will buy a lot of gas!) TANSTAFFL.
don't forget the enviro damage of mining and refining the minerals+chemicals that go into the batteries. I really don't think people really care about emissions as much as they say they do. At least, not enough to look into it thoroughly and honestly. It's got the Tesla badge on it and that's that. They're heroes. Planet saved. Now they can look at you smugly out of the window of their death trap.
I meant emissions testing.
I would sell that Avalon. That engine is not the best engine from Toyota. I would buy anything else but a Tesla.
http://www.toyotaproblems.com/oil-sludge/
what's so bad about it? Does the fact that he got the engine replaced with a 2005 one in a recall change anything?