I’m not sure the theft issue applies to the Kia EVs and they may yet be insurable. Having owned an EV for almost a year I don’t have range anxiety anymore, it does take longer than fueling up but the charging infrastructure is pretty solid now.
At any rate, I did the Volt first, I get it. The plug in hybrids are a very workable solution.
Do you need both vehicles when you do road trips? On the EV front, I believe Chevy Bolt is a great city car and will even do road trips, although the charge speed is one of the slowest (so add a couple of hours a day). They will be replacing it with a faster charging car (I think it will be the new Equinox) but that won’t happen for a while.
We have a VW ID.4 and it’s been great for road trips. It’s actually too big for what we need but they wouldn’t sell the VW ID.3 in the US.
Yeah, the theft issue doesn’t apply, but break-ins do (the thieves aren’t bright enough to know whether or not the Kia/Hyundai they’re trying to steal is stealable). I know a lot of people with non-impacted models and their auto rates are insane right now, and many are being dropped completely.
I do drive a fair amount alone, like visiting friends a few hours away, and no I wouldn’t NEED to take my own car, but I don’t care for the minivan so I want something that works for me for everything I use my own car for. It’s a privileged statement, I know. We COULD do EV and be fine, yes. But I’d dislike having our nicer car be the one that we don’t use as much, too.
I am.
Unless it’s a Ford or something, definitely hold on to it.
Trade-in value will suck cuz dealers suck. Sell it some other way if possible.
We don’t plan on selling our van, it’s going to be the car our kids get if it’s still functional then. We’ll be driving it into the ground.
My understanding was that was related to theft risk on older model years. Is that a current thing?
ETA - wow. Haven’t noticed big changes on the Hyundai we own. I will keep an eye out.
I missed the memo. What’s the issue with Kia and Hyundai?
Hyundai/Kia were late to the game on some electronic theft deterrence and as a result of social media “how to steal” videos they are experiencing higher theft rates. Or so I think I heard.
Another option is to lease and get the full federal $7500 rebate. According to this article you can get the VW ID.4 between $388 and $479 (depending on model) a month for 3 years. I’m assuming that will include free Electrify America charging for those 3 years, so fuel/energy charges will be very low.
They were easily stolen. It was then shown how to do it on TikTok, which made people with no morals realize they could steal cars.
https://www.motortrend.com/news/hyundai-fixing-kia-boys-theft-security-vulnerability-free/
Why The Kia Boys Thefts Work
The major problem with vulnerable Hyundai and Kia models isn’t just that the ignition’s lock cylinder is easily removable, or that a male USB end is the correct shape to turn the switch in the steering column. The main issue is that the car starts at all when this happens—because it lacks an immobilizer that prevents either the engine ignition and fuel pump or starter from activating without a special key.
The reason you don’t hear about similar issues outside the U.S. is because, despite the mundane requirements governed by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, immobilizers aren’t required by law like they are in countries like Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia.
(my bolding)
Point more is: don’t buy cars from companies that don’t care about the buyer (you) of the car.
Also, cars with keyless fobs and a push-button are easier to steal, and the automakers know it.
Make this reason #119 why I still have my 22-year old car.
The motoring lawyer Nick Freeman said: “The motoring industry has been negligent because they were warned when this new technology was beginning to emerge. It’s a catastrophic situation where people cannot insure their cars or face ridiculously high premiums.”
Mason said: “There has been insouciance and ignorance by the motoring industry, not wanting to pay the price for proper security. We now have modern cars with the latest technology and the owners have to put on old-fashioned steering locks to protect them from being stolen.”
I mean, if a fob is sending a signal, what prevents a device from being created that sends all possible signals in nanoseconds?
You actually got me to take a second look at the RAV4. It’s not a model I would usually prefer, but I like the idea of Toyota for hybrid. The price point is comparable, but the RAV4 has AWD. No heated steering wheel, and no 360 camera, but it has everything else I like, plus a moon roof. I’m going to go on a test drive tomorrow.
I’m glad to be of service!
Looking for new air vents for the house. We have a two-story, and of course the second floor is always hotter.
So, looking for vents we can control (no, not for some AI or some engineer who’s never been to my house to control) air flow in certain parts of the house.
Anyone using Flair or Keen or Smart Vent? At least three of our vents require ladders or foot stools to open and shut, so eliminating that hazard (old people) is a plus. Don’t need an extra fan to boost. HVAC does a good enough job for that.
I’d rather it did not HAVE to be connected to the internet and that simple “open/shut” controls on a remote should do it.
Another thing you might consider is whether you might replace your plenum with one with adjustable dampers. It is my understanding it’s preferable to balance air flow at the plenum rather than at the registers.
Derrr, um, plenum??
OK, google est mon ami.
I don’t see how that will help, unless I get a plenum that will distribute cold air to the upstairs in the summer and distribute warm air downstairs in the winter?
I figure shutting, or at least lowering the flow of, air at the registers will do this. After all, that is what I’m doing now, manually. twice or thrice a year.
Also, I believe my HVAC is 40+ years old. But still working great. Getting new plenums might involve getting a new HVAC. And if I do that I may as well get a dual-zone system
Yes, a plenum with adjustable dampers will allow you to adjust the airflow to ducts at the source. If your system is that old I’m sure they will try to upsell you on a new system, but the plenum is a relatively inexpensive part compared to a new HVAC.
I’d have to see what they would have to do with my ducts. Not sure if all my upstairs ducts are in a row. (Ha!) If all the upstairs ducts are fed from one split duct, while all the downstairs ducts are fed from another split duct, a plenum with flow adjuster would work fantastically. Now, if the main split is for the left side versus the right side, well, that will not do.
Learning about stuff here:
Wondering what the cost would be to add a small second HVAC set up for the upstairs while current one runs the downstairs. Would still involve some duct work. Honestly, the second floor needs only AC, and we use a “portable” window unit for uncomfortably warm nights.
Just thinking about things as we have refurbing being done.
:rimshot: