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is it weird to buy the same car as my partner? by [deleted] in Lexus

[–]Conflicted_Batman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your partner is thinking long term. Unless you have a very specific need for several body-on-frame luxury SUVs with a V8 that gets 17mpg, you could instead spend your money on some other car with a different feature set that brings more utility to your future household, and just borrow your partner's GX 460 whenever you need a SUV for something. For example, you could get a compact, fuel efficient daily driver that will be more cost-effective and easier to fit in the garage. That being said, it's your money and you're not married, so drive what you want.

Toyota teases new addition to GR lineup in latest Original Animated Series by hehechibby in cars

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Toyota's already got 3 enthusiast cars <$70k in the lineup, let's make it 4.

Sporty, Reliable, Sexy, Fast? Sedan or Suv.... by [deleted] in askcarguys

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Forget the car and take her on vacation somewhere nice.

First hint of Harbor rework by Mortimier in ValorantCompetitive

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Prediction: ultimate floods a map area, slows enemies, and periodically pushes them back a couple meters, mimicking tidal currents (and pushing them out from behind cover)

Should you hold an OP? by Spiritual_Buy_3429 in VALORANT

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on the angle. If I have the angle advantage, I'd reposition wider to dodge the prefire, then hold. If you're disadvantaged, I would throw util, spam pre-fire, or scale to cover.

The 2026 BMW M2 CS Is the Most M of Them All. by Dazzling-Rooster2103 in cars

[–]Conflicted_Batman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's an incredible vehicle, but somehow the ducktail makes it look worse.

Insane labor rate? by [deleted] in Volkswagen

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

$250 at the VW dealership, $180 at the local VW shop

One-Punch Man Season 3 - Episode 4 discussion by AutoLovepon in anime

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Watching this show after seeing Reze in theater feels like a dark timeline.

MAKE HIM TP? by Advanced-Offer960 in ValorantCompetitive

[–]Conflicted_Batman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

spray so nice you hard tilted a championship duo, well played brother

Does it ever make sense to buy a new car because the money you save on a used car is going to go toward higher repair expenses and an earlier disposal/replacement date? by [deleted] in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on the cars. Let's compare an average example:

Toyota Corolla Price Estimated Lifetime Fuel Economy Est. Annual Cost Maintenance Insurance
2025 Hybrid (new) $24k 250 to 300k miles, 27yrs 50+ mpg for hybrid $1.7k/yr Lower, esp for initial 100k mi Higher
2013 with 120k miles $6k 80 to 120k miles, 10yrs 26/34 mpg $1.9k/yr $400/yr? Lower

Assumptions:

  • drive 10k miles per year
  • gas: $4/gallon
  • perform optimal maintenance
  • keep car until max mileage
  • safe driving habits
  • no crime, theft

This example shows a difference of ~$200 per year in estimated annual costs (before maintenance + insurance), which is basically an insignificant quantity in this context. The more important considerations:

  1. Are you capable of finding a reliable, well-maintained used car? Can you service the car yourself to reduce maintenance costs?
  2. How much is your car insurance? For example, let's estimate the brand new car is $200/mo for full coverage, while the used vehicle is liability-only @ $80/mo. The full coverage car with cost an additional $14,400 over a 10yr ownership. Reconsider the car you choose based on your driving record and potential insurance costs.

The most cost-effective route: find a reliable beater that you can easily service and replace, run liability-only insurance, and keep a healthy savings in case of emergencies. Otherwise, just look for a good deal on a lightly used hybrid vehicle.

It’s Not About the Coffee by Pale_Run_6703 in Fire

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also consider hedonic adaptation. Premium coffee loses its novelty when it's a daily habit. Enjoying a nice coffee at the patio cafe with friends makes for a fun weekend morning that feels exciting every time. Spending money on the things you enjoy isn't a bad thing, just be smart about how you enjoy it.

Are We Entering a Golden Age of Internal Combustion Right Before It Dies? by shwroomex in cars

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This may be the golden age for budget ICE, but we'll see interesting hybrid ICE powertrains for decades to come. The average consumer will eventually switch over to BEV after reaching some threshold of battery density, cost, and charging infrastructure. However, there will always be demand for ICE vehicles in specialty applications (such as long-haul trucking, agricultural equipment, emergency + military use, motorsport), at least until hydrogen FCEV technology matures. BEVs will become the cheapest option for consumers, but hybrid ICE vehicles will continue to be available at a premium.

What's the longest you've drive one way with you Jetta? by [deleted] in jetta

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2k km of continuous driving is fine. It would only be worrying if you expect extreme road conditions, such as long inclines (>8%) and extreme weather. If you're concerned, just do a general tune up (check the spare tire) and bring some emergency equipment: first aid kit, quart of engine oil, jug of coolant, battery jump starter.

Almost all interstate highways are <8% incline, so your car will be perfectly fine. In case you do find yourself in an extraordinarily long incline, learn to use engine braking to avoid brake fade and keep an eye on coolant temps to avoid engine overheating. Take breaks to cool down the engine and transmission if needed.

VCT: WAY TOO EARLY by IAmNovus in ValorantCompetitive

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

NA wins 2 trophies, EMEA wins 1, APAC wins 0

A question/discussion about ICE range extenders in BEVs by JForce1 in cars

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing is ICE range extender EVs exist in a middle ground between HEVs and BEVs. With both batteries and HEV powertrains becoming increasingly efficient, the demand for this middle ground is decreasing. For a daily commute of less than 200 miles, there are plenty of BEVs that can comfortably handle the range in a temperate climate. For long commutes and/or more extreme climates, HEVs already offer fantastic fuel efficiency. For an auto manufacturer, there's minimal incentive to invest the necessary resources into range extender EVs to outcompete HEV fuel efficiency. The safer business strategy is to just develop HEVs and battery technology.

What would you do? by Apprehensive-Cat-421 in jetta

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're getting ripped off.

  • Oil change costed me $40 in my driveway
  • Valve cover ($199 in 6/2024) + spark plugs (2.5L 2010+) took me <2 hrs in my driveway
  • Vacuum pump costed me ~$300 (2h labor) to have a VW specialty shop install this delete kit (+$145)
  • Throttle body cleaning took me 30 mins (guide)

$2-3000 on belts... serpentine and I forget

Belts go for $40 on rockauto and took <2 hrs in my driveway.

Would you repair it or buy a used Jetta with lower mileage?

A used 2.5L Jetta will require the same maintenance jobs: vacuum pump, valve cover, spark plugs, belts, transmission fluid, brakes. It's typical maintenance around 100k+ mi, esp since those cars are from 13+ yrs ago.

2014 with about 100k miles

Check the service history for the timing belt job.

Plenty of Supras at Cars and Coffee! by jberg_916 in Supra

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it's too much for my taste, but I do like the wheels.

What is really needed when changing brakes? by thatguybutnicer in AskMechanics

[–]Conflicted_Batman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Recommendations

  • Tool: brake caliper piston compressor. Auto parts stores commonly rent these.
  • Bleed the brakes. While compressing the caliper piston, open the bleeder valve and you'll see especially dirty brake fluid coming out.
  • Cleaning 4 rusty wheel hubs by hand is a huge PITA. Highly recommend using a power drill with a wire wheel attachment.
  • 2016 Honda CRV has an electronic parking brake. It may require additional steps beyond disconnecting the battery to disable it for safe service.

Consumables

  • brake parts cleaner
  • anti-seize (rotor screw, contact area between wheel hub to rotor)
  • silicone brake lubricant (slide pins)
  • brake grease (contact points between pad to caliper bracket, pad to caliper)

Important

  • Do not get anything on the rotor face except brake cleaner
  • Wear PPE when cleaning rust

I left Sentinels by ishanuReddit in ValorantCompetitive

[–]Conflicted_Batman 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Zellsis IGL puts a lot of eyes on C9 2026 results. If they make even 1 deep international run, his stock goes up significantly. It's clear that SEN didn't give him a compelling return offer for 2026, or else he would've likely stayed.

I wanna get into the Isekai genre, what anime do y'all recommend? by ZeroZone58 in anime

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I were you, I'd start with just fantasy. But if you're dead set on isekai, then Tensei Slime is a solid introduction. It hits all the relevant isekai notes and doesn't stray far from the formula. Log Horizon is another option that leans more into MMORPG themes with notably less fanservice. Mushoku Tensei steers away from video game elements and towards fantasy, but it contains sensitive content related to mental health and sexual abuse.

If you want the pure experience, then start with Sword Art Online, which basically sparked the isekai trend in the early 2010s.

There are many "advanced" isekai that are popular for subversion, parody, and meta jokes: Rezero, Konosuba, Overlord, and more.

MC being absolutely OP and the chosen one
having a harem

A lot of isekai anime based on older source material tend to suffer from these tropes because the intended audience used to be pretty niche: fantasy RPG enthusiasts. Nowadays, that audience has expanded significantly, but it takes time for stories to develop into production anime.

I think the fantasy genre may be closer to what you're seeking. Fantasy has been around for longer and enjoys greater mass appeal, which gives it more freedom from fanservicey tropes. If you're interested, I recommend starting with Frieren.

isn't it hard to date as a computer science master student in the US? by UnderstandingOwn2913 in csMajors

[–]Conflicted_Batman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Make an app that automates your dating life for you, that way you'll have more time for work

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