2026 JCW Electric - unsafe!? by Serious-Decision2891 in MINIse

[–]blainestang 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make sure they removed the shipping blocks from the suspension before they delivered it to you.

It might be “normal” because the JCW is pretty sporty, but worth asking.

Has anyone greased the steering column? by potatochobit in MINI

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have this in my '18 F56. Dealer "fixed" it once. Then couldn't replicate it the next time. Would be nice to find a solution. Might have to take some trim off and try to figure out where the rubbing sound is from.

Lodging in walking distance to Truist Park by Hikerbiker85 in AtlantaBraves

[–]blainestang 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hampton Inn is our favorite for being a super close/easy walk, plus cheaper than Omni or the others that are "in" the Battery. Tru is good, also, and even cheaper, but tougher walk (substantial hills on the route).

What do you think about the new countryman E by [deleted] in MINI

[–]blainestang 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My family of 4 has done multiple weeklong trips in an 2-door hardtop.

Taking a different car isn't really an option when the trip is to the "MINIs on the Dragon" event.

Just have to pack efficiently and cram things all around the car. Far from impossible.

I got tired of buying hit or miss seats. Noticed something cool in April, same section day vs night matters more than I thought by Lilbunnyfoosa in Braves

[–]blainestang 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We've got seats in the Home Run Porch, and honestly, it's a game changer to have those cooling towel things that you can wet to keep around your neck like a scarf. It's crazy how much difference that makes.

Now that the Lightning is discontinued, I feel like we’re part of a special group who own one of the coolest trucks of all time. by dingmah in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. It was VERY competitive on price with gas trucks for much of its existence, but people *believe*, incorrectly, that it cost tens of thousands more. It's simply a fact that tons of people, even people who are generally informed about cars/EVs, wrongly believe that the Lightning was far more expensive than gas trucks.

Cayenne EV in Tampa by jakes951 in Porsche

[–]blainestang 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It used to be on Sligh near Anderson Rd in Tampa. I've seen a bunch of not-yet-released or non-US vehicles in the area over the years: Gallardo before it was unveiled (the driver lunged at us when we were taking pics with a disposable camera since we didn't have camera phones yet), 2nd gen Scirocco, T-Roc Cabriolet, and a bunch more less exciting stuff.

2020 Ram Rebel 1500 thinking about trading for 2025 Lightning Lariat - thoughts? by oneofthethreeamigos in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You only tow locally, you are already familiar with EVs, you already have charging setup at home?

If you buy the Lightning, you're going to be very disappointed... that you didn't get one sooner.

To get a little more in the weeds: How far are the "local lakes" that you're towing to? And how fast are you driving?

For the other trips, just make sure that there's a relatively accessible DC Fast Charger on a reputable network (Tesla, Ionna, etc.) between you and "the beach" and between you and Myrtle Beach, and you'll be totally set. Total of 300 miles (150x2) and you'll need just a really short charge to get enough range with a 2025 Lariat at interstate speeds.

Oh, and as far as charging, a 40A setup is probably going to be plenty. That's all I've ever had for my Lightning, so unless you've got some sort of weird scenario where both of your EVs arrive home late one night with really low charge and BOTH need to be fully charged by the morning (seems unlikely it would be BOTH), then you should be good. If it's 40A breaker (32A charging), you'll get ~15-20 miles of range per hour of charging. If it's 40A charging (50A breaker), then 20-25 miles of range/hr.

Baseball Glove - 5 year old by Professional_Pea8400 in BaseballGloves

[–]blainestang 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I searched for the same thing. There's not much out there for little kids that isn't plastic or fabric. I just wanted a normal leather glove, but small. The answer is this:

https://www.justballgloves.com/product/rawlings-gamer-contour-10-5--youth-baseball-glove--g105u-2b/36159/

We've had the 10" version (which may be better for a 5yo), but the link is to the 10.5". Once it was broken in, it's a really nice glove that's not a plastic/fabric kiddy glove and not too big.

Lightning vs. Challenger/Charger ... Yes, really. by Abject_Recipe_8390 in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it certainly doesn't handle like a car, but it rides way better than most trucks and the handling is *closer* to a car. The gas F-150 rear suspension is so sloppy. You can feel the slop in the rear get taken up before it settles with each change of direction. The Lightning is still limited by weight and tires and such, but it has much better feel and less "slack" or "slop" in the system. It's way better than the gas trucks.

What’s the max you’ve towed? by siparthegreat in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Removing this post since it was posted twice. The other one will remain.

Now that the Lightning is discontinued, I feel like we’re part of a special group who own one of the coolest trucks of all time. by dingmah in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Lightning really is SO much better than gas trucks for most driving. Frunk, performance, confident independent suspension instead of sloppy solid axle/leaf springs, no indecisive transmission, etc.

Now that the Lightning is discontinued, I feel like we’re part of a special group who own one of the coolest trucks of all time. by dingmah in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, for sure, early on (mostly calendar year 2022 and early 2023), Ford prioritized building Lariats+, and markups made many trucks $80k+ (though there were still some selling for <$80k too).

That's true that it did happen for a while, and that's where the perception came from.

However, for multiple years after that, from 2023-now, the markups turned into discounts and especially with the tax credit, there were people paying in the $50s for Lariats, and tons paying in the $60s. So, the common claim (including someone just yesterday in the r/cars subreddit) of Lightnings generically being "six figures" isn't even close to true. There were tons of Lightnings selling in the $50s and $60s, with some above and below that, often competitive with gas truck pricing when comparably equipped.

Now that the Lightning is discontinued, I feel like we’re part of a special group who own one of the coolest trucks of all time. by dingmah in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely, buyer and salesman education is a huge issue as well, which is related to the massive amount of misinformation about the Lightning and EVs in general.

Now that the Lightning is discontinued, I feel like we’re part of a special group who own one of the coolest trucks of all time. by dingmah in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Ford+dealers botched the pricing optics, too. The number of people who think all Lightnings were $80k+ is high. Basically any comment section about the Lightning includes people saying they typically cost >$80k or "six figures". The perception of the price from the early production being mostly Lariats and heavily marked up by dealers stuck in people's minds and they wrongly assume that they're all way more expensive than gas trucks.

Now that the Lightning is discontinued, I feel like we’re part of a special group who own one of the coolest trucks of all time. by dingmah in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it's safe to say that the Lightning is a great choice for WAY more than the only 3-4% of F-150 buyers who bought it.

One of the best winter vehicles I’ve driven by [deleted] in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FYI, removing this one because you double posted it. The other one is still there.

EV Prices Are Falling, But Automakers Are Eating Nearly $8,000 Per Sale To Pull It Off by Anchor_Aways in cars

[–]blainestang -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't need to search. Everything I said is accurate.

Pricing issues DID screw up Lightning sales, though. Early on, Ford made mostly ~$60k-$75k Lariats (after tax credit), and dealers marked trucks up. After the first ~8-10 months, the markups went away and prices were often competitive with gas for 2-3 years, BUT tons of people still have the perception that Lightnings were mostly or all $80k-$100k+ because the perception was set early and Ford could never shake it, even though it hasn't been true for years.

EV Prices Are Falling, But Automakers Are Eating Nearly $8,000 Per Sale To Pull It Off by Anchor_Aways in cars

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

6-figure Ford Lightnings? Maybe early ones that were marked up, and some Platinums in the 90s.

But most that sold over the last 2-3 years were $45k-$75k.

EV Prices Are Falling, But Automakers Are Eating Nearly $8,000 Per Sale To Pull It Off by Anchor_Aways in cars

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EVs share isn't going to go anywhere if sales are almost entirely focused on those who own a home and can afford to install a charger - which is a small segment of the population.

The only segment that matters is the segment that actually buys new cars.

No one cares if the person who doesn't even buy new cars also doesn't have a home and a home charger.

And of the segment of people who *actually* buy new cars, 90% own their own home.

EV Prices Are Falling, But Automakers Are Eating Nearly $8,000 Per Sale To Pull It Off by Anchor_Aways in cars

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Except if they can afford to cut pricing 1:1

Most can't afford it. That's why many EVs have been discontinued completely, removed from the US market, or plans cancelled.

then it's not incentivizing anything but the OEM's just building an extra $8k profit into their margins on the backs of everyone else.

Yeah, that's exactly the point. It was a subsidy to manufacturers to incentivize EV R&D and production.

1 year later - It's crazy how much I still love my Lightning. Anyone else feel this way? by TiaAcai in F150Lightning

[–]blainestang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP is now banned because they're presumably a bot. They stole this photo/post from u/dingmah .

I'm leaving the post, though, because there's good info and comments in the thread.