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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2016 13:15:15 GMT
TeslaFrom the scale of Elton Musk's vision to the quality of his product, Tesla are such an impressive company that I wish I could wind back the clock and buy shares in them. Who in their right mind would start a car company from scratch? Then make it electric, so that you have all the resistance in buyers that it entails. Then built it and the factory on a scale that is quite breath-taking? Now he's building a new factory, a battery plant. Not just any old plant, but the 2nd biggest building in the world, one that will generate all the energy it needs on-site. You have to admire the man for having such single-minded belief and being able to get the investment he needs. The cars are a tour de force, quite superbly built (and bloody fast, as I discovered when following one) and reminiscent of a Jaguar. The Model 30 is going to be a very interesting launch indeed. 
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 9, 2016 13:19:09 GMT
Seconded.
Everything I've seen from Tesla is impressive.
After the first car I thought they would disappear, but no, strength to strength.
They lead the way for others to give a damn about efficient supply of electricity
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myles
Rank: Trio
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Post by myles on Feb 9, 2016 13:53:58 GMT
Agreed. I am a dyed in the wool petrolhead and I am pretty impressed with their product. I just hope they retain some of the romance of the petrol driven automobile, and not just turn them into a method of travel. With what I see of their saloon range I am sure they will get it right.
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 9, 2016 14:16:22 GMT
Who cares about petrol when they go that fast ?  |
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myles
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Post by myles on Feb 9, 2016 14:21:16 GMT
Who cares about petrol when they go that fast ? I suppose that is the same as saying why play vinyl when streaming is so good?  |
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Post by zippy on Feb 9, 2016 14:41:32 GMT
Who cares about petrol when they go that fast ? I'm not a fan of electric cars. Although I agree they save on emissions from the actual car, I'm far from convinced that when you take into account the energy that goes into making them (especially the batteries) and associated pollution, they'e really any better than petrol. Also the guys who can afford a Tesla probably buy them for the 'green' image more than anything. I'd put my money on hydrogen power like Toyota is doing.. link |
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Post by pre65 on Feb 9, 2016 14:45:05 GMT
Is hydrogen power the same as a fuel cell ? If so, I thought Honda were the leaders so far. I can see the fuel cell as being (eventually) the way forward. |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2016 15:02:59 GMT
Musk is right in a way, it takes a lot of energy to create the hydrogen fuel and then it becomes an energy transfer medium. Batteries may have more potential (!) in the long run if their energy density can be improved.
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Post by pre65 on Feb 9, 2016 15:45:36 GMT
The person (or company) that can make batteries (or another sort of energy storage system) much more efficient will be the savior of electric vehicles.
If I had the time and facilities I'd like to build a refined (and safe ) vehicle similar to the lash up that Top Gear built.
Probably a huge V8 diesel generator set and traction motors from a diesel electric railway locomotive. Might need a small lorry chassis. 
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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2016 17:38:55 GMT
Probably a huge V8 diesel generator set and traction motors from a diesel electric railway locomotive. Might need a small lorry chassis. You could call it a Deltic! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 9, 2016 18:10:19 GMT
Who cares about petrol when they go that fast ? I suppose that is the same as saying why play vinyl when streaming is so good? I'll go for the best sound. The only thing stopping me streaming is ripping all the CDs and the time I don't currently have |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 9, 2016 18:13:07 GMT
Who cares about petrol when they go that fast ? I'm not a fan of electric cars. Although I agree they save on emissions from the actual car, I'm far from convinced that when you take into account the energy that goes into making them (especially the batteries) and associated pollution, they'e really any better than petrol. Also the guys who can afford a Tesla probably buy them for the 'green' image more than anything. I'd put my money on hydrogen power like Toyota is doing.. linkFrom what I've heard of Tesla they are the very leading edge of electric. Can't remember seeing an overall comparison, but I do know the current Prius has batteries that will go and to replace is a very big cost |
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myles
Rank: Trio
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Post by myles on Feb 9, 2016 18:25:16 GMT
I suppose that is the same as saying why play vinyl when streaming is so good? I'll go for the best sound. The only thing stopping me streaming is ripping all the CDs and the time I don't currently have Well, going back to your original point there is more to a car than how ridiculously fast it is. The i3 is meant to be pretty nippy on the move but everything else about it is just 'naff'. |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2016 19:09:56 GMT
the current Prius has batteries that will go and to replace is a very big cost The warranty on the battery in my CR-Z (hybrid) seems to be unlimited, in that Honda have replaced a few and without any quibble whatsoever regardless of age. |
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Post by pre65 on Feb 9, 2016 20:32:47 GMT
Probably a huge V8 diesel generator set and traction motors from a diesel electric railway locomotive. Might need a small lorry chassis. You could call it a Deltic! Blimey, for an 18 cyl deltic engine I'd need a BIG lorry chassis, and a set of almighty spanners. |
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Post by Chris on Feb 17, 2016 20:07:31 GMT
Seen their "Summon" function in some of the cars? Call the car,it the comes to you charging on the way. Incredible.
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Post by John on Feb 17, 2016 20:21:45 GMT
Marshall after sales services is awesome
A friend had a vintage Marshall combo amp. It had a lovely sound
It developed a fault and took it to Chandler who gave us a address of their local repair guy. HE tried to fix it charged my friend £75 and it sounded worse than what it came in. He showed us the scopes that said it proved it sounded right and we just could not believe the sound it was like a F--t (not pleasant)
I drove my friend up to Milton Keynes They saw us on the day, gave us a tour of the factory we got to meet Jim brother as he was away. We were treated like rock stars. They repaired the fault a dry joint and charged my friend £15
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Post by MartinT on Feb 17, 2016 20:44:13 GMT
It's great when companies do that.
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Post by Chris on Feb 17, 2016 22:54:35 GMT
It's also a good way to judge them - AFTER they've got your money.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 18, 2016 6:46:22 GMT
Many years ago my SME arm developed a fault in the damped cueing. It was well out of warranty but I sent it to them for repair. They not only repaired it, they brought it up to the latest spec and charged me a royal £1 for the work. I was well pleased.
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