I remember lots of other fads that glared up then disappeared. How about Pet Rocks and Cabbage Patch dolls?

News stories suggest better and cheaper Chinese electric cars will soon overtake T.

Polestar is the first Chinese car company banned from selling their EV in the US. Others likely to follow.

Product bans along with tariffs will disappear and free trade will return to US policy when the morons are sent home.

" Not that any car doesn't have problems. But be realistic. "

Exactly: Be realistic. Any car can have problems: Every car has problems. They're still very slightly less likely (<5% less likely) in an ICE vehicle than in an EV. (Really - check the latest stats.) That's such a small amount that it really shouldn't enter into your decision making, IMO. If you're making a decision on whether to buy a gas or electric vehicle based on a 3% reliability difference, you should re-think your priorities. And finances.

" You're after the Tesla for the wrong reasons if you find them reliable. "

That sentence makes no sense. I wager that most EV drivers chose to get an EV for reasons that didn't even include reliability - mostly because the reliability of many EVs is about that of many ICE vehicles.

" News stories suggest better and cheaper Chinese electric cars will soon overtake T. "

Maybe......BYD and Greely are making some pretty amazing EVs, from what I've read, and have been expanding their global reach for years. I doubt there will be the ability to drive a Chinese EV in the US for at least a decade, but since there will be Chinese EVs in both Canada and Mexico within about 18 months, that will probably put pressure on the US government.

" Polestar is the first Chinese car company banned from selling their EV in the US. "

I think of Polestar as a Swedish company, but 2/3 of the company is owned by Chinese (Greely). There was talk of banning any Chinese made EV from even entering the US, but I don't know if they're going to go through with things that far, given the EV growth in Mexico and Canada.

I still enjoy driving my 2004 Honda Civic hybrid, bought brand new for $22K, and the battery has held up admirably ! I still get about 45 mpg in the summer, and its standard transmission makes it fun to drive as the battery gives it some assist to accelerate so I can keep up with the giant SUVs , haha

I've given up driving it in the winter for the most part because of the SUVs having all traction wheels, etc and people don't slow down on the ice and snow anymore like I would need to in my little civic. That's ok, the 2017 Honda CRV works great on ice and snow. Like others, I don't like the computer on the CRV , it is distracting to change the heater venting on the screen as well as the radio, and it has a chronic false warning about tire pressure . We were walked through the computer settings when we bought it, and I'm afraid I didn't bother to deal with customizing that , my bad. Like others, I'm old school - I still look in the mirrors but admit the backup screen is nice. And my husband still has his 1987 Ford F250 for when the guy who plows our driveway gets stuck (just happened once, we were soooo happy to get him pulled out of our tricky narrow driveway with a dropoff)

Our neighbor drives a Tesla truck and looks so silly to me - but people do get used to design elements (the prius looked silly to me at first too, although I appreciated it for what it was introducing ! )

I'm surprised about some of the political commentary, I didn't know we were allowed to do that anymore ? Tesla sure needed that government loan back in the day, and us taxpayers didn't benefit one bit from that .

It's all a matter of trade-offs. Our '48 jeep is very simple to drive, simple to work on mechanically (provided you know what a carburetor is) and no electronic distractions. Heck even the passenger-side windshield wiper is manual! But it has no top, no sides, no roll bar, so seat belts, no padded dash, no power steering, no power brakes and only one brake light. Top speed? 45 mph.

I loved my '99 Acura. I drove it for 20 years. But when the repairs started exceeding it's book value, we replaced it. I figure at my age, I'm not becoming a better driver so opted for the full boat of safety features. Yes it has a *lot* of electronics, but the majority of them are to make driving easier, not harder. I love the back up camera, the blind spot warning lights, the warning and auto braking if you are approaching something too quickly, the automatic speed adjusting on the cruise control (without it, to me it's useless). But DH refuses to drive it. I pushed him just to drive it once so he knows how. But he's afraid of the electronics. So I said, "Do you know how to turn the headlights on?" He said, "No." I said, "You don't -- they come on automatically. Do you know how to turn the wipers on?" He said, "No." I said, "You don't -- they come on automatically. Do you know how to lock the car?" He said, "No." I said, "Just walk away. She locks automatically." So it's actually easier. Many other functions are voice controlled so no fiddling with buttons. Tell her your hot or cold and she adjusts the temperature. Tell her what radio station you want to play and she sets it for you. Tell her where you want to go and she navigates you there. And by your fob, she knows it's you getting in the car and adjusts the seat to your position for you. All nice stuff. And she gets better mileage than the old car too. OTOH, she was at the dealership for a check up so I asked them to replace the wipers -- which they charged me for. $120!!! Crazy!!

Best selling car worldwise is electric.

lat62, Tesla took a $465M loan in 2010 and paid every penny back-with interest AND nine years early. Taxpayers actually made a small profit on it. Not a freebie. Not a bailout. And definitely not “zero benefit.”

Salonva, I wish I could get my 2017 Subaru Forester back. Have a 2024 now and HATE it. I’ve been driving various Subaru models for a very long time, and will be looking for something else.

X

@Annie Deighnaugh - I’d love to see a picture of that Jeep!

" Tesla took a $465M loan in 2010 and paid every penny back-with interest AND nine years early"

That money was disbursed when Obama was President. It was an interest bearing loan.

Tesla was able to repay it early because it did a stock offering to raise money (which is free, doesn't bear interest) and the loan was repaid to reduce expenses. It took the loan when it couldn't raise funds on the stock market, and repaid it after it could.

OllieJane, I'm glad Tesla got a government loan and survived, no argument here. I think the loan could have been structured to be more advantageous to taxpayers but I'm no economist, just reading the news.

Bailout is just slang for a government loan , so isn't that just semantics?

Edit : I didn't mean to say government loans are always bailouts... sorry. My understanding was that Tesla was in pretty big trouble and needed that loan, so hence the term bailout

Keep in mind that facts don’t matter to cult members.

Toronto Vet - just curious, and no, I'm not trying to start an argument. You say your Tesla is nicer to drive. Can you tell me what it is that makes it nicer? I've never driven an electric car and, given my age, probably won't. Heck, I only started driving an automatic two years ago. I am just curious about what the drive is actually like and what you like about it. Speed, acceleration, technology?

BTW, here in Aus there are lots of Teslas but BYD seems to be making a pretty serious challenge. I think they're second after Toyota in total sales here this year. I see a lot of them (and some of the other Chinese EV brands) around.

FOAS, here's the '48 Willys Jeep CJ-2A. Dad bought it new...told Mom he was bringing her home a little red convertible -- not what she had in mind!! We have the original invoice...he had to pay extra for the passenger seat!

" . Can you tell me what it is that makes it nicer? I've never driven an electric car and, given my age, probably won't. "

It's because it's an electric car, not specifically a Tesla - I felt the same about my previous EV (a Nissan): Their acceleration is fast, significantly more than your average ICE vehicle, and it does so without making a big grumbly noise. In fact, my sister is amazed at how quiet the car is inside. They're generally zippier and feel lighter to drive, which is ironic because they're actually heavier than an equivalent ICE car because of the weight of the battery......When I have to drive an ICE car (rental, friend's), they feel heavy and draggy. That's it, I guess: zippier, quieter, better acceleration.

And, at least for both my Nissan and Tesla: One pedal driving. I can speed up or slow down to a full stop by adjusting the pressure I put on the accelerator pedal, which is nice and easy to do. There's a fully functioning brake pedal, of course, to use in emergencies, but I try to use it as little as possible.

" here in Aus there are lots of Teslas but BYD seems to be making a pretty serious challenge. "

We should be getting some BYD and Greely vehicles in Canada within a year or two - they're already setting up here. I'm looking forward to more options in the EV marketplace when I'm ready for my next EV.

@Annie Deighnaugh - That is gorgeous!!! Well before my time my grandmother toodled about in a red Willys. We heard a bunch of stories about it over the years; apparently she and her red Jeep were well known around town. My father always wanted to buy one, any red Jeep actually, but it was never to be. This picture came through on my cousins group text a while back, and my searches are leading me to believe it’s a CJ3A.

Close enough! If you ever decide ”it’s time”, please think of me. I’d likely pay any reasonable amount, and it’d live its next chapter in a small beach community on eastern LI toodling back and forth to the beach. Another dream of my father’s that never happened.

Interesting about Polestar, I hadn’t heard that. Wonder if they’ll ban Volvos, too.

" Wonder if they’ll ban Volvos, too. "

Such actions are uninformed and unilaterally political so anything is possible. They're not logical or sensible or knowledgeable.

" Wonder if they’ll ban Volvos, too. "

No, Volvo got an authorization, but Polestar did not. Particularly weird, since some models are even made in the same US factory.

" “Volvo Cars has been granted a specific authorization from the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services... " https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/05/volvo-gets-us-government-approval-to-bypass-chinese-connected-car-ban/ (May 27/26)

Anything is possible. That's a policy of an Executive Branch agency run by political appointees.. Policies can and are changed by agencies as often as the underwear of the office holders making the policies. Or at least, for most of them.

The linked article mentions that Volvo is a part owner of Polestar.

As I mentioned before, such decisions one way or the other are political.

To address VGKG directly, The best tech free vehicles sold in the USA will be Nissan like the Versa . The one I prefer, and actually one of the top picks for buyers seeking a vehicle with fewer electronic headaches is the Nissan Frontier. I spent time test driving them and was very pleased, so I'll be buying a 2020 or better (3rd generation) at some point. they have all the options you listed and a few more as mandatory, like a rear backup camera. A second generation (2005 to 2019) was a time capsule for 15 years with even fewer electronics if you want to go that old.

When a ABS (automatic braking system) wheel sensor goes bad the ABS is disabled, so the brakes work just like old school brakes. Now these sensors are simple, and prone to failure from metallic dust. I've removed and cleaned the ports of crude many times and they once again worked very well. One problem, a mechanic often breaks them trying to remove them, but what is really odd? Having two sensors malfunction at the same time, I hope you know where I'm going here, things don't add up. I also know if a wheel bearing is going bad it will destroy the sensor at some point. Did the Mechanic check the wheel bearings? Just asking. .

TV,

It's because Ollie said she wanted a dependable Tesla. Which, at this point, is still hit or miss. It was to her I was replying 😉

" that Volvo is a part owner of Polestar. "

Volvo was bought by Geely in 2010 from Ford, and they own 75% of Volvo - and Volvo owns a minority (16%) of Polestar.

Nissan cars are junk. Globally outsold by their country cousins Toyota by a wide margin.

Comparable models of Nissan compared to Toyota's have lower prices. They have to, to appeal to potential buyers. No one wants to pay more to get less.

PS to TV - yes, I know about the history.

Volvo has lost its market position (and reputation) over these years. It used to have a respectable market share. Those days are long gone.

Interesting to hear that Volvo isn't desirable any more. Two different neighbors have new Volvos in their driveways on my street. I don't know anything one way or the other about them though. They are out of my price range.

"Nissan cars are junk"

I referring to the 3rd generation frontier, maybe the cars are junk but the frontier's reliability beats all other midsize trucks, because they don't use a stupid turbo or direct injection fuel. I test drove them all, looked them over top to bottom, read the reviews, the BBB complaints. As far as satisfied owners who would buy the same vehicle again the Ridgeline and Gladiator beat the Frontier, coming in 3rd. NOTE the Tacoma (Toyota) wasn't in the top three and came in 5th place. And reliability the Tacoma came in 4th place, way behind the Frontier.

" Which, at this point, is still hit or miss. "

No, it really isn't.

" Nissan cars are junk "

No, they're not. Nissan has a very respectable - not great, not junk - reliability rating, though some models are better than others.

" Interesting to hear that Volvo isn't desirable any more. "

I think they're holding on with some people who always drive Volvos - just like other brands have loyal followers - but I agree its cache is gone.

zero, I never read all of your posts but you started out praising Nissan and Versa, a car. That was what triggered my response.

I don't consider trucks to be cars, I don't pay any attention at all to trucks. Never owned one, never wanted one. I know few who do. You can have the truck conversations domain as your own.

Nissan products that I hear of and pay attention to are still junk. I can't imagine one line of products stands heads and shoulders over another.

Sales are about half of what they were 10 years ago. That's the story.

”Desirable” is a subjective term that depends on what your criteria are. If you’re looking for top rreliability and low cost of ownership, then you might look beyond European luxury brands altogether. Volvos used to be known for safety because they were built like tanks, today safety isn’t achieved by building tanks and Volvo doesn’t stand alone as safe car builders. Have they lost some prestige? Yeah, maybe, but that’s a statement about fashion not what’s best. I just googled XC90 ratings and see that both Car & Driver and Motor Trend ranked them #1 in their categories.

I've had several Volvos. I'll agree that it was terrible when Ford owned it, and I had the Volvo that proved the point! My current is a XC60, 2013 model; it's been a dream car. I'll get a new car when the wheels fall off this one.

Tesla market share has declined, esp in CA. Hybrids seem to be winning the day. There are businesses that remove the Tesla name/symbol from the car-hahaha! It has no cachet in my area.

This thread was interesting to me as I had never heard Tesla‘s classified as unreliable before. I read an interesting article that put it into perspective for me. Basically model S was invented from scratch and the early teslas being invented/debugged had ’issues’. The newer generation Tesla’s now rank in the top ten.

Article explaining the rankings

The one pedal driving was the hardest for me to get used to when I drove my hubbies EV cars. My cars were gas powered with crazy sound systems and I would tap my foot to the music. Once I got my own EV I just got used to the single pedal and now I prefer it. My VW offers both modes. If I accidentally leave it in normal drive mode it feels like something is wrong. The one pedal driving is so much smoother and I don’t even take advantage of the lane keeping and cruise control options as I like to actually drive the car. The self driving Tesla is next level. The self parking VW Buzz is actually funny to watch.

That red Jeep is Awesome! I am keeping my purple JK so we will always remember how to drive a real car. No backup camera and it even has a key! A very bumpy nostalgic ride for a 2017 car 😂

'' ”Desirable” is a subjective term that depends on what your criteria are "

All adjectives used to refer to anything are subjective.

I can offer another subjective term - lost repuration in the market. Volvos used to have a cachet in the market. A presence, a reputation above others that drove sales sucess. From what I see parked and driving down the road, those days are long gone.

What brands do now? Again, what I see where I am, it's BMW, Land Rover, MBZ, Lexus, Porsche, maybe Audi. And the GM abominations like Cadillac for those who can't break the habit. Market success or failure is also a result of collective subjective decisions.

“I am keeping my purple JK so we will always remember how to drive a real car. No backup camera and it even has a key! A very bumpy nostalgic ride for a 2017 car”

@JoanM - I used to drive a CJ7. I remember the first time I drove a Wrangler around 2000, it felt like a luxury ride to me! I’m sure I’d feel differently today. All day I’ve been daydreaming about Annie coming back with a price. I mean I know it’s not gonna happen but like playing the lottery, it’s good for a short fantasy. 🙂 Annie if you’re reading don’t say no, just don’t answer!

Annie Deighnaugh would you share what replaced your Acura? Another Acura, what model?
One big thing I dislike with my current car is the way the seatbelt fits.

Yeah, that's what I said, Joan Completely unreliable, but supposed to be getting better. Of course, the bar was really low if we're talking Tesla. I hope, WAS, is the operative word here .

ker9, I now have a BMW330xi which I'm very happy with.

FOAS, that photo of the red jeep...white walls??? Oh my!!

With that one-piece windshield, it may be a 1950. I've seen CJ-3A from '49 with the split windshield.

Yes, those white walls are quite the look, huh? The lack of split window is what says 3, but there seem to be some inconsistencies that get AI debating the actual year and sometimes wondering if the windshield was a replacement on an older Jeep. Some day I’ll go down the rabbit hole again but first I need to see if anyone has more pictures. I’ll be seeing family this weekend and will ask.

Hi folks I'm back, almost. Been preoccupied with some home maintenace issues that always seem to hit the fan at once, nothing serious, just time consuming. Eventually I'll have time to address some questions above but too busy right now, it'll have to simmer on the back burner for a while, but do keep adding on, will catch up on the entire thread later............chow fer now...

vgkg can’t get out of his car! The doors are locked.

FOAS, funny story. When DH took the jeep to get it registered, the vehicle inspector was all over it, checking to make sure the frame was sound, etc. Then he went through his rote litany of things...horn, brake lights, etc. When he said, "Left turn signal" DH stuck out his left arm!!

@Annie Deighnaugh - So this weekend is our annual ”cousins weekend.” They’re all over me to pry that Jeep out of your hands one way or another. Ideas that have been tossed about and are visitation rights, including a vacation at a Hamptons waterfront home, a first choice buy-back at reduced price if I ever decide to sell…

I’m really just passing this on for your amusement and to show appreciation for your Jeep again, but they’re all within the realm of possibility! And I’d be open to more creativity, just hit that PM button! 🙂

FOAS, I'm glad you appreciate the Jeep! But you also appreciate that it has sentimental value for us. But there's always hope... when we die, we are leaving it to a friend...he may decide to sell it rather than keep it. But I plan on that being a couple of decades away!!

I dropped off my car at the dealership for the one year maintenance and they gave me hybrid to drive. It's an interesting experience. There is no sound when I start the car and twice I actually turned it off and then back on again to make sure it was running. Even though it is the same model that I'm driving the hybrid has different sounds. At times it sounds like the whirring of a large fan and it seems like it is always ready to accelerate, the AC cools the interior faster than my ICE model.

It also has the HUP which doesn't distract me except for the fact that I had to look up what the symbols mean - there's BOOST and something that resembles a steering wheel. I finally figured out how to keep the posted speed and my actual speed on the windshield.

@Annie Deighnaugh - Of course!!! I would never part with it, either! Long may you live!

marie_cate, just hearing about these newer cars gives me the willies. I am not good with change and even more so if I had to learn all new gadgets on a car. Mine is a normal 2018 Honda HR-V. I hope it is my last car. I have a good shot at it because it only has 45,000 miles on it.

Ok back now.

OPZ stated/asked :

"When a ABS (automatic braking system) wheel sensor goes bad the ABS is disabled, so the brakes work just like old school brakes. "

Yes, that's correct. The Tucson would have failed the state inspection since it's all related even though the brakes would work just fine old school without ABS function.

"Having two sensors malfunction at the same time, I hope you know where I'm going here, things don't add up. I also know if a wheel bearing is going bad it will destroy the sensor at some point. Did the Mechanic check the wheel bearings? Just asking." .

Actually 2 years ago one sensor failed but everything was still working properly (brakes and tire pressure sensors ok). At that time the service guys said that my cruise control may not function, but it was working and had been operating ok so I didn't fix that one sensor. The 2nd sensor failed a few weeks ago and that's when the ABS, tire pressure indicator, and brake warning lights came on.

I called their competitor to ask how much their "fix" would cost and they quoted me at $704 to replace the 2 sensors.

btw, my home maintenance issues were the water heater line leaking and needed replacement (glad I had a leak detector in place, it woke me up at 3am before any damage was done. Another was the kitchen range/over overheated and set off an internal alarm, the clock flashed F-2 which I had to look up. I didn't even know ranges had an alarm built-in. My wife was just warming up some leftovers on bake mode and the broiler cut on by itself and would not shut off until I turned off the circuit breaker, too weird. Apparently, the control panel on this 1998 GE range got fried and malfunctioned. Been looking for a new range lately.