Category: Tesla & Automotive

  • So Close, Yet So Far: The Telo MT1 and the Small or Mini EV Pickup I’ve Been Waiting For

    So Close, Yet So Far: The Telo MT1 and the Small or Mini EV Pickup I’ve Been Waiting For

    Let me set the scene. We’ve got a 2016 Audi Allroad that my wife loves — genuinely loves — and it’s somewhere north of 100,000 miles at this point, probably pushing 125k by the time we actually get around to replacing it. Comfortable, capable, goes anywhere, hauls everything. The problem is it’s aging out, and…

  • Tesla Finally Fixed the Auto Headlight Issue, Sort of…

    Tesla Finally Fixed the Auto Headlight Issue, Sort of…

    Tesla Finally Fixed the Auto Headlight Issue, Sort of… In which I discover that even smart cars can have stupid issues – both with their drivers and their own dashboard. The Mysterious Case of the Missing Green Light Somewhere around March (I think), I noticed something odd with my Tesla’s high beam indicator. The blue…

  • What’s Old is New: My Dad Was Basically Elon Musk (Just 40 Years Too Early)

    What’s Old is New: My Dad Was Basically Elon Musk (Just 40 Years Too Early)

    The Original Energy Crisis Dad You know how every family has that relative who hoards plastic bags “just in case”? Well, my dad was the energy crisis version of that guy. The 1970s oil shortage hit him like a religious awakening, except instead of finding Jesus, he found electricity. And boy, did he commit to the bit.…

  • What’s the Future of EVs/ICE? Why Aren’t We Talking About Onboard Generators?

    What’s the Future of EVs/ICE? Why Aren’t We Talking About Onboard Generators?

    Is this just me, or does going entirely EV seem short-sighted? (coming from an EV owner) And I’m not talking about the usual ICE vs. EV debate here. I’d say “can’t we all just get along,” but with the complexity of internal combustion engines and everything that comes with that complexity, ICE just feels very…

  • My C and D Pillar Design Rules: Why Car Pillars Can Drive Me Crazy

    My C and D Pillar Design Rules: Why Car Pillars Can Drive Me Crazy

    This post started with my long, odd obsession (for an American, anyway) with station wagons. Why they got such a bad rap in the US, I’m not really sure. I don’t think they were ever considered cool, even before National Lampoon’s Family Vacation sealed their fate as the ultimate uncool family hauler. The Europeans figured…

  • Tesla Confusion: An Honest Review

    Tesla Confusion: An Honest Review

    I’m a little confused by the over-exuberant Tesla love and all the raves about the technology. I. just. don’t. get. it. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve had my 2023 7-seat Long Range Model Y for about seven months now, and there are definitely some good things about it. Some are even great! But my list of…

  • Wildlife 1, Mobile Connector 0: Something decided my charging cable was a snack

    Wildlife 1, Mobile Connector 0: Something decided my charging cable was a snack

    Just discovered this lovely surprise today – something decided my mobile connector cable looked like a tasty treat. Woke up to find it chewed through with the wires exposed. Not sure if it was a squirrel, rat, rabbit, or some other critter with a taste for expensive EV accessories. Anyone else had wildlife go after…

  • 2023 Tesla Model Y: What I’ve Added So Far (a.k.a. The Tesla Tax)

    2023 Tesla Model Y: What I’ve Added So Far (a.k.a. The Tesla Tax)

      After bringing home my Tesla Model Y 7-seater, I quickly realized something every Tesla owner discovers: this is just the beginning of your spending journey. Unlike traditional vehicles that come fully equipped, Teslas seem to require a slew of aftermarket accessories to reach their full potential. Here’s my experience with the “Tesla tax” –…

  • Did Tesla’s “Fixes” Break My Lights?

    Did Tesla’s “Fixes” Break My Lights?

    Tesla’s latest update supposedly fixed the automatic light adjustment… except now mine seems completely broken? The release notes claimed this was fixed?  It wouldn’t be so frustrating if they put actual physical controls in the vehicle for when something breaks, but everything is engineered with the assumption things will “just work” – which happens few…

  • Tesla Model Y LR 7-Seat: The Four-Month Reality Check

    Tesla Model Y LR 7-Seat: The Four-Month Reality Check

    Tesla Model Y LR 7-Seat: The Four-Month Reality Check After four months and about 6,000 miles with my first EV—a used 2023 7-seat Model Y Long Range with acceleration boost—I’m ready to share my unfiltered thoughts. Surprisingly, despite the cons I’m about to list, I’d probably still make the same decision today—though not without some…

  • How We Came To Purchase A Tesla Model Y LR 7-Seater

    How We Came To Purchase A Tesla Model Y LR 7-Seater

    The Search Begins I had a 2019 Honda Ridgeline which I really liked, but we decided we needed something with a 3rd row so we could transport occasional extra kids or take one vehicle when going out with the grandparents. With two boys (12 and 11), we started looking at hybrid models as our first…

  • Protect Your Tesla with Elongplant Stickers: A Humorous Defense Strategy

    Protect Your Tesla with Elongplant Stickers: A Humorous Defense Strategy

    In recent months, Tesla owners across the country have reported an unfortunate trend: vehicles being vandalized seemingly based on opinions about the company’s controversial CEO. These incidents have left many Tesla drivers looking for ways to protect their investments while maintaining their sense of humor. The Tesla Owner’s Dilemma Let’s be honest—most Tesla owners didn’t…

  • Better Late Than Never: 2019 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition Review

    Better Late Than Never: 2019 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition Review

    When I purchased my Ridgeline in 2019, Honda sent me a few surveys. Since I did a pretty detailed job on the first one, they ended up sending me a second, more comprehensive survey. I think I gave them a thorough review, but it was in their format, so I never had a copy. I…