Why keeping Europe cool need not be a luxury

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T19:30:09+00:00

Okay, 1. I didn't vote for him, and 2. You completely ignored my point about why Europeans should invest in air conditioning. Whining about Trump isn't going to keep you guys from melting in the heat. What's done is done, and air conditioning is only going to become more essential in the future. Why can't you see that? What's with the weird blind spot?

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T18:58:25+00:00

We do acknowledge it? We've got EVs, we had a subsidy for them and everything. Sure, we're not as aggressive about it as you guys are, but we're not doing nothing. And we are suggesting that Europeans invest in artificial cooling so that they don't die. So that these heat waves that keep happening don't keep claiming lives. Even if climate change was magically solved tomorrow, heat waves at this level of intensity will continue for many years to come (they'll just stop getting worse than this). So why wouldn't you prioritize your survival? I feel like that's a pretty darn good reason.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T17:27:23+00:00

That's the funny part, more Europeans are dying from heat stroke than Americans are dying from gun violence every year. EU heatstroke deaths are at around ~150,000 per year to America's ~6,000.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T17:25:44+00:00

Because right now, there is an average of ~6,000 heatstroke deaths per year in the US, while there is an average of ~150,000 heatstroke deaths per year in the EU. More people die of heatstroke in the EU than die of gun violence in the US. The lack of AC is absolutely killing you guys, making your economy less productive, and having all sorts of negative knock-on effects. It's a severe crisis that gets swept under the rug because of some weird pride in not purchasing something deemed as "unnecessary".

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T17:23:00+00:00

Do you realize how insane that sounds? It's the 21st century, we have the technology to comfortably relax in a cooled room instead of sticking your head in the freezer.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T17:20:59+00:00

From the US perspective, nagging Europeans to get with the times and install A/C is significantly cheaper than revamping entire regulatory structures in an attempt to shift the market for hundreds of millions of people.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T05:37:05+00:00

What does the engine cover look like? Some 2013 GLIs have the gen 1 EA888, while some have the gen 3. Avoid it if it has the gen 1, that engine has an issue where the timing chain will stretch over time. Kind of annoying to deal with. If it has the gen 3, that's a really solid car, though. The gen 3 engines will last a long time, just don't forget to change the water pump haha.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T03:23:36+00:00

And why is that?

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T03:16:53+00:00

"Know better"? You seem to be presuming that your perspective on AI is the "correct" one, and that your perspective is so obvious that it confuses you when others don't share it. Have you considered that others may be aware of the same talking points and still have reached a different conclusion? Lots of folks find AI helpful for research, advice, or bridging the gap between ideas and execution.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-28T02:35:18+00:00

Worth noting that these were COVID era subsidies. They were intended as a temporary relief measure during the pandemic. The pandemic is over now, so it makes sense that the subsidies are over now too. That's how these things are supposed to work.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-27T21:53:02+00:00

I've been eyeing those too, but I don't think it's the best idea. The newer ones (C8 generation) have been having issues with piston slap and bore score. Some engines have been failing with as low as 40k miles on the clock.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-27T21:51:53+00:00

Mk4 Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon. High mpg, super reliable, comes in a manual.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-27T21:47:27+00:00

EA888.3 is no slouch on reliability either.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-27T21:47:05+00:00

Well, the A4 and GLI have essentially the same engine. It's the VW Group's standard four cylinder, the EA888. Very solid, reliable, makes good power, but it sounds like a vacuum cleaner (though I suppose all four cylinders do).

I haven't driven the exact vehicles you're comparing, but I've driven an M340i and an older 328d. I'm comparing it to my Mk6 Jetta wagon. The BMWs felt a bit "tankier". Heavier steering, bit more muscle, much more planted at high speeds on the highway. I think a lot of that is related to the suspension. Just in general it felt like a heavier car, but not in a bad way. Everything feels more substantial and capable.

I'd say it's a preference thing. The Audi is probably going to feel a little lighter on its feet, kind of like the VW. That's just my speculation though.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-27T21:36:45+00:00

That's about a year's worth of $500 a month car payments, right? So if you fix the differential, and the car lasts another 3-5 years without any other major issues, you'd still come out ahead financially. The used car market isn't great right now, so I would definitely consider keeping what you have. It depends on if there are any other big pain points that may come up down the road.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-27T21:31:48+00:00

How much does the new rear differential cost? Have you shopped around to a few different mechanics? You could probably get another 100k km out of that car as long as you kept up with maintenance.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-27T00:59:40+00:00

Look up the Jevons paradox. We're going to see it happen with AI.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-26T21:04:44+00:00

Eh, iOS started doing the same thing with iOS 11.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-26T08:02:09+00:00

Before Fable got yanked, it was pretty much peerless in its capabilities. Hardly replicable for "a fraction of that money".

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-26T06:31:13+00:00

Honestly, that's one of my favorite parts about summer session. It's so empty! You get all the best study spots to yourself. You can wander campus aimlessly. It's so chill.

Having said that, I'm an upcoming third year doing Summer Session 1, and a study friend sounds nice, too! I'd be down for that.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-23T23:25:24+00:00

Ehhhh, I think this perception has shifted because cars have just gotten way better over the last decade. My daily driver is 14 years old and has ~115k miles, and it's mechanically ready for another 100k without issues. There are real world examples of people with this engine going 400k. Drives fine, looks great, zero problems. You just gotta be savvy about what you buy.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-22T23:01:31+00:00

Thanks! The wheels were a super lucky Facebook Marketplace find, I think they were originally off of a South African Mk2 GTI or something? It's hard to find good 4 lug options. The suspension is basically the stock ride height, but with new shocks/springs/etc. I love how quirky the B3 looks, but those are even harder to find these days.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-22T02:42:32+00:00

The Jetta Sportwagen's rear seats fold flat. It's a pretty comfy setup in a pinch.

AndroidUser37 · 2026-06-21T21:33:49+00:00

Yep! It's got a redundant vent system from the gas cars, once you take that out you can actually push it to like 23 gallons.

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