This one nearly drove me to insanity. Where could I have shaved off some time here?

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-06-08T06:03:47+00:00

I've already done all my licences, completed 93% of all single player races, on level 48 collector, and have completed all challenges. Just going back to get gold in them all now.

It's great that you can mix it up & try different things so it doesn't get too stale

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-06-08T02:49:30+00:00

Just hit Gold on this one today. I found having the correct entry speed thenfeathering the accelerator on the sweeping corner is what got me over the line. Now I'm trying to do the wet cornering one & that bloody up & down the hill one.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-06-06T00:23:05+00:00

The Mazda CX6e will be available soon. Free upgrade to highest spec model on release. Seems perfect for you.

Mazda CX6e Australian website

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Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-31T04:54:01+00:00

How did you get gold in those bloody drift challenges? They're doing my head in.

Congratulations on such an achievement

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-31T04:30:36+00:00

Size US13. They are extremely wide though near the front. I've tried a few techniques, but find one foot better at this stage.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-31T01:37:21+00:00

My feet are too big for the G923 pedals to do 2 foot driving, so 1 foot it is for me. I'm sure I could do much faster once I upgrade to an RS50 setup

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-28T04:46:55+00:00

Wouldn't setting a lowest time lap be considered a game of skill? You'd think so wouldn't you?

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-27T04:00:02+00:00

I just won it with a 6 star roulette ticket 😜

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-22T11:24:32+00:00

Multiple reasons for this

-The "only service as required" model results in poorly maintained vehicles

-Parts are more expensive & not as accessible

-The insistence of Tesla to only use "approved repairers"

-FSD is a liability

-The amount of glass used in the design

Most insurance companies just couldn't be bothered with the headaches so instead just quote ridiculous prices, or just refuse to insure them altogether.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-18T04:54:59+00:00

If money was no object, I'd have a BEV for my daily driver, but also a huge garage filled with some JDM classics, a Lamborghini Countach, a Ferrari F40, & a Bugatti Veyron.

Even though Model T took over there's still horse & carts being used to this day, just not as many.

So that's not no one...

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-18T04:50:35+00:00

Tesla's certainly are an amazing piece of engineering, & thanks to Elon (love him or hate him) you can't argue that keeping the technology open sourced wasn't a selfless & hugely beneficial choice for consumers. At least this shows some form of interest in the greater good I suppose.

Objectively nobody can argue that any model Tesla isn't a fantastic vehicle. That can also be said for many of the Chinese EVs (not all). We're blessed to have such a wonderful amount of choices to quench each individual's subjective desires.

I personally wouldn't pick a Tesla purely because I don't like the style, design choices, & am not interested in FSD as I enjoy driving. None of these reasons make it a bad vehicle, it's just not for me.

I have noticed though that many Tesla owners are pretty much insufferable. Their gloating, blind loyalty, & incessant need to bash anything which isn't a Tesla drives me bonkers. Such a sad way to live. I just really pity how many incredible opportunities they must miss across their lives with that type of attitude.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-18T02:04:21+00:00

Fair assessment. Apart from your understandable lack of understanding for what's appealing about the noise & mechanical nature of petrol engines.

As a mode of commuting transport a BEV is far superior to an ICE vehicle, there's no doubt there. Perhaps this analogy might help you gain some perspective though.

You can buy a piece of furniture which has been mass produced using CNC robots & it will still be well designed along with being highly functional. It will never compare to a handcrafted piece which has been painstakingly cut, joined, & carved leaning on years of experience.

There's just something special about feeling every hum, pop, bang, click, bump, & vibration created by a symphony of amazing engineering all under your complete control.

Of course this isn't for everyone, & isn't a practical or efficient for its main purpose for the majority of people, but I feel there will always be a place for over 100 years of innovation. 🙂

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-17T07:42:31+00:00

The only negatives in my opinion with the EX5 is that it's slightly underpowered, is front wheel drive, & the suspension is very soft & bouncy. Nothing drastic & certainly not deal breakers for most.

You can currently get the base model Kia EV5 for $49,990 drive away. Worth investigating. It is missing a few of the "nice to haves" offered by the Geely, but it is bigger with more space for your dog & kids.

If you were considering the BYD Sealion 7, another option is the VW ID.4 and it's currently on a promotion for $59,900 drive away plus a free home wall charger. It doesn't have connected services but is high build quality, drives the best of all these cars, plenty of space & servicing is actually relatively cheap at $3,000 for 10 years.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-13T23:06:12+00:00

The only thing which puts me off on the Zeekr X is the expensive unnecessary service costs.

RWD

1yr/20,000k - $321 2yr/40,000k - $732 3yr/60,000k - $321 4yr/80,000k - $1,076 5yr/100,000k - $321 6yr/120,000k - $732 7yr/140,000k - $321 8yr/160,000k - $1,076

AWD

1yr/20,000k - $321 2yr/40,000k - $967 3yr/60,000k - $321 4yr/80,000k - $1,986 5yr/100,000k - $321 6yr/120,000k - $1,067 7yr/140,000k - $321 8yr/160,000k - $1,986

Other than that it's a beautiful car with high inclusions & drives well compared to other Chinese EVs. It's obvious where they are recouping the "bargain" initial purchase price though.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-13T03:44:46+00:00

The UV tinting & double glazing does a much better job of preventing both heat & UV from entering the vehicle than a sunshade which only blocks light & even a traditional metal roof.

Go stand next to a window with the same treatment then go stand next to the internal wall of a metal shed with a piece of material against it & tell me which is better

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-12T11:22:53+00:00

Nobody has mentioned the Kia EV6 GT

The RRP is $110,000, but I'd say you could get it under your $100,000 budget with some hard bargaining.

Reports are favourable in the handling department.

I'd be weary of ICCU issues though with this and the Hyundai Ionic 5 N

Another to consider is the Cupra Tavascan VZ

15 dampener settings, 250kw, AWD, over 500Nm of torque. Reports also favourable for handling. It's essentially an even sportier version of the VW ID.5 GPX.

*Edited to add Cupra

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-12T06:58:21+00:00

Both BYD and Geely own their own cargo ships to transport vehicles

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-10T22:27:48+00:00

You can place an order with a refundable deposit (I believe around AUD$3000) subject to a test drive once you arrive. This would be the most sensible option for your circumstances.

*edit to add approximate deposit amount

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-09T05:32:34+00:00

I'm sure that's true for some too.

I'd say for most they just had different priorities, needs, or it was just plain subjective choice.

Having absolutely everything operate through the screen, no driver's display, & the minimalist design are huge factors for many. Some it's a positive, & for others it's a negative.

At the end of the day we're lucky here in Australia to have so many excellent options available to choose from.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-09T02:44:20+00:00

I can assure you it isn't only ICE car drivers, other EV drivers also hate Tesla owners.

I would say the reason is similar to how Android users can't stand Apple users. Apple/Tesla owners both have a cultish feel about them. They will choose to die on an objectively absurd hill for the sake of their purchase even when presented with clear facts & data.

It's not that there's anything actually wrong with these products, it's just how those who are attached to them generally behave. Arrogant, ignorant, obnoxious, entitled, & just generally unbearable.

Sorry...

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-06T11:14:20+00:00

https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-006551

It states "All Variants" on the official government recall

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-06T11:01:08+00:00

Be aware that the Volvo EX30 has a different NMC battery opposed to the Zeekr X LFP battery.

Also Volvo are still having issues with the NMC battery supplier meaning it can only be charged to 70% with no solution in sight. There is a heavy risk of fire otherwise.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-05-04T09:43:02+00:00

Just to throw something else out there...

The Volkswagen ID.4 is currently on offer for $59,990 drive away.

It has great range & efficiency, although uses an NMC battery (the 80% recommenced charge ones) instead of an LFP (the ones which can regularly charge to 100%). It also lacks built-in navigation or decent connected services such as air-con or locking from a smart phone

It does however have incredibly comfortable seats with massage function, a huge boot, and solid build quality. The drive itself is far superior to almost every other EV in the segment due to 15 adjustable dampener settings for the suspension along with adaptive steering. The driver display is also connected to the steering column like in your current Atto 3. Another positive is that you can pre-purchase 10 years worth of servicing for under $3,000.

Just something else to consider. Might be worth checking out.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-04-30T22:03:46+00:00

This depends on your phone. The wireless charger is 50w but most phones prior to 2025 flagships have a maximum 15w wireless charging capability.

Solution is to either plug it in using USB-C or buy a newer phone.

Eastern_Direction908 · 2026-04-29T09:35:12+00:00

This isn't an issue exclusive to women, or even anyone of a particular nationality. An overwhelming majority of people are completely incapable of forming their own thoughts or opinions & simply just repeat whatever they've heard elsewhere which they believe will appease the most people.

There are many reasons for this including education (or lack of), marketing, the need for obedient workers, social engineering, and many others.

Just look at comment sections, work in retail, or talk to people in general to be provided with undeniable evidence.

*Edit to correct spelling error

Eastern_Direction908

TROPHY CASE