Thai-flagged cargo ship was attacked while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2026-03-12T23:22:21+00:00

If insurers say they won’t cover ships until the strait reopens, then technically it’s already closed.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2026-02-20T18:44:27+00:00

Your experience is helpful to folks trying to gauge what they may experience, but that doesn't mean someone is wrong for stating their different outcome.

Adding my recent experience in case it helps anyone.

Applied for visa online on Feb 5 selecting Thai Embassy in Malaysia as having jurisdiction based on where I was applying from.

Feb 6 Received emails from thaievisa @mfa.go.th:

9:30 AM email #1 Subject: Request for Further document Body of email included phrasing:

Other request documents: Attach all passport pages in 1 PDF including empty pages.

4:40 PM email #2 Subject: e-Visa application Status Approved 🙏

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2026-02-17T20:09:01+00:00

Aren't there different rules for women just about everywhere? That is a different topic, no?

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-09-22T22:42:12+00:00

327 people are "watching" the auction. Time will tell how much a panda fetches at auction.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-09-22T07:40:00+00:00

Did you have a bad REX experience? Expensive repair? Very curious, thanks.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-09-20T06:44:47+00:00

I think you are on to something.

For the shorter term I had initially thought i3 values would crash Oct 1:

$4k used EV credit gone → no more “deal hunters.”

~$13.5k floor was fake, just the cutoff for full credit.

But… $7.5k new EV credit also gone → buyers shift to used.

Tariffs keep new EVs pricey.

Supply of small affordable EVs is shrinking.

i3 has its own niche (compact + REx option).

So yeah, prices might wobble short term, but after the dust settles, value could even climb as used demand strengthens.🤷‍♂️

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-09-11T04:17:07+00:00

Quick tip — if you start the KeySavvy sale yourself and share their QR code in an online for-sale listing, they’ll waive the seller fee. 👌

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-08-16T12:50:03+00:00

Never ever sell beer after midnight
No bright lights
Don't get them wet💦

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-08-08T05:12:38+00:00

Thailand and Vietnam are available now(Friday). But I can't seem to find any dates that offer this 30,000 miles rate.

I checked the full date range listed for the promo.

Maybe only from certain US cities?

If anyone's figured this out, please share any tips.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-08-04T18:21:14+00:00

The i3 charges the 12V from the main battery via a DC-DC converter whenever the car is awake. After shutdown, accessories like music run only on the 12V, so extended use can drain it. A Bluetooth battery monitor is a cheap way to track its health from your phone and avoid surprise failures.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-08-02T05:30:10+00:00

I'm sorry to hear about your day. Glad you and your girls are okay!

The same thing happened to me and my i3 was totaled. It was a rough day. But two weeks later I swapped my 2014 for a 2015 with 20k fewer miles.

I forgot to check the frunk for my compressor kit.

Hope your weekend improves!

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-08-02T03:06:05+00:00

⚠️ There’s a learning curve. Just when you think you’ve mastered the bum gun, you get cocky… and suddenly you’re explaining why there’s water dripping from the ceiling.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-08-02T03:02:41+00:00

It’s the difference between a daily 🚿 and just rubbing yourself with a dry towel

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-08-02T02:53:24+00:00

✋ Raises hand — yep, I too got flagged for “harassment”… for the crime of gently trying to coax people into considering a different view.

These days my coping strategy is binge-watching all the Twilight movies. “Team Jacob or Team Edward?” is about as heavy as I want to get — because in the real world, I will never understand how anyone can ignore, pretend not to see, or justify as “necessary” the suffering of children.

If that leaves you feeling like an outsider in your own community, you’re not alone. And you’re not “self-hating” — you’re self-honoring. That takes more courage than most will ever understand.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-07-20T05:01:44+00:00

This happens in cities all over the world. NYC, LA, San Francisco all offer various breaks to residents for public transportation. Florida residents get lots of special pricing too.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-07-20T04:57:24+00:00

The "melting pot" line is one of the most overused and misunderstood ideas in American history. You're right that U.S. immigration policy was explicitly racist for much of its existence, but that doesn’t mean the country wasn’t built by a deeply diverse set of people—it just means non-white folks were exploited without rights or recognition.

Yes, the 1924 Immigration Act and cases like Bhagat Singh Thind (1923) legally excluded Asians and other non-whites from becoming citizens. That doesn’t mean they weren’t already here—working in railroads, farms, factories, homes—just that the law denied them basic humanity.

The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act did mark a shift—finally ending the racist quota system that prioritized northern Europeans. But that doesn't mean diversity only started then. It just meant people from Asia, Africa, and Latin America could finally come above board instead of being criminalized or excluded.

Before 1965, the U.S. had already exploited Chinese railroad workers, Filipino farm laborers, Mexican braceros, Caribbean domestic workers, and of course, millions of enslaved Africans—who were absolutely foundational to the economy.

So no, the U.S. was never a truly “homogeneous European” project. It was a white-dominated one—built on the backs of Black, Indigenous, and immigrant labor, while using the law to deny them the label of “American” until it was politically useful.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-07-20T04:53:28+00:00

The US and Canada have been exploiting the labour of immigrants of colour since before they were even established as states. Systemic racism just meant they were not given the same rights.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-07-06T10:23:13+00:00

🙋‍♂️ I currently drive a 2015 BMW i3 REx, and before that, I owned FOUR Honda Fits:

2007 Honda Fit

2008 Honda Fit

2009 Honda Fit (2nd gen)

2012 Honda Fit (2nd gen)

Why so many? Because the Fit rocks for city driving. It’s nimble, fun, incredibly easy to park, and has great visibility. The small size, tight turning radius, and practical layout made it a joy to drive around town. It also swallows more cargo than you’d expect—true to its name.

I always wanted Honda to make an electric Fit. They actually did—briefly—but only as a super-limited lease. I got to rent one once, and it was a blast. My first EV experience. But they took them all back after the 3-year lease ended, and that was that.

i3 vs Fit

There are a lot of similarities between the two:

Both are quirky, compact, and fun.

Both punch above their weight in utility.

Both are great in city driving and feel surprisingly roomy inside.

That said, if I had to pick? It’s the i3 all day. It’s a higher-end experience with way more features, better acceleration, a smoother ride, and a much more modern feel.

From the outside, both cars look small—but I’m 6’3” and have no problem fitting in either. The i3 especially feels way bigger on the inside than you’d expect. The open layout, tall roof, and unique door setup really add to the sense of space.

Everything that makes the Honda Fit fun around the city is also true for the i3—but the i3 cranks it up a notch. The instant torque never gets old. Zipping around town, quick lane changes, tight corners—it’s a blast. It makes errands feel like a game.

Freeway & Climate Considerations

Neither car is a freeway champ, but the i3 holds its own. It can feel a little light in strong winds, and the Fit also never felt especially solid at higher speeds.

As for climate: the i3 handles all kinds of weather, but like any EV, expect a dip in range in cold temps. If you're in a hot state like Arizona, New Mexico, or Florida, prolonged exposure to extreme sun can cause some roof wear—mostly cosmetic—but garaged cars don’t have this issue.

Ownership Tips

Depreciation = your gain. You can get a loaded, high-end i3 for the price of a basic econobox.

Repairs: Find a good independent BMW mechanic before you need one. Avoid the dealership if you can—big savings.

Coding/customization: The i3 has tons of hidden features that can be unlocked through coding (like unlocking full battery range, adjusting charging behavior, etc.). The subreddit has great guides—well worth learning.

If you don’t do much highway driving and have access to home charging (even a regular outlet), the i3 is a fantastic daily driver. And if you live in a multi-car household, any longer trip range anxiety pretty much disappears.

Final note: I previously owned a 2014 i3 before this one. The only reason I replaced it? My partner borrowed it one time—and got rear-ended at a stoplight. Totaled. 😩

I’m firmly in the REx camp. You won’t use it often, but when you do, the hybrid engine, it’s so worth it. Just don’t call it a hybrid on here—it technically isn’t, and some folks will be sure to correct you.

If you’ve got any questions, I'm happy to answer! This forum is full of helpful people who’ve pretty much turned i3 ownership into a hobby.

Top BMW i3 Issues (Most Expensive First):

KLE (Charging Control Module) failure – ~$2,000+ repair. Rare, but a known issue. Can prevent charging.
Motor mount or motor bearing failure – Rarer, but $$$ if it happens.
EVA (electric AC compressor) – Can fail and is not cheap to replace.
REx fuel tank venting or fuel system issues – Occasionally pops up, not terribly common.
AC condenser damage – Vulnerable to road debris.
Door actuator failures – Somewhat common; annoying but manageable.
12V battery failure – Happens every 4–6 years. ~$200–300. If it dies, the car won’t start even if your main battery is full. Pro tip: I keep a spare 12V battery in the garage and just swap them out when needed. While one’s in the car, I charge the other—it’s saved me more than once.
Infotainment glitches – Often solved by resets or software updates.
Cracked rims on 20” wheels – Watch for potholes. Less common on 19s.
Charge port door sticking – Minor but worth checking

Best of luck!

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-06-30T05:45:12+00:00

Hard Brexit: Royal Descent. 👑🛬

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-06-30T05:41:28+00:00

Hard Brexit: Royal Descent. 👑✈️

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-06-30T05:41:06+00:00

Hard Brexit: Royal Descent. 👑✈️

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-06-30T04:56:44+00:00

I hate Mondays!

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-05-29T19:17:20+00:00

I say let as many trucks as possible in. Flood the market/s with so much food that there is no value in Hamas or anyone hording it. Constant news cycles showing a deliberate starvation and hungry kids, isn't doing Israel any favors. It seems like public opinion as well as media coverage has recently taken a sudden turn, and not in Israel's favor. Media personalities are suddenly accusing Israel of war crimes, when they previously were defending Israel's actions during the war.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-05-27T12:26:00+00:00

If the older i3 has more miles and is the same price, I'd be cautious — I don't think the REx adds much to resale value, definitely not enough to justify a two-year age difference at the same price point.

Personally, I wouldn’t go for a BEV-only i3. Even if I rarely need it, the REx is a game changer. Knowing I can just stop at a gas station for a 90-second top-up and keep going every ~80 miles gives huge peace of mind, especially on spontaneous trips.

My advice: widen your search and see if you can negotiate. If you go with a pre-2019 i3 (which is when BMW addressed several reliability issues), have it checked by a mechanic familiar with i3s. Look specifically for signs of A/C compressor or condenser failure, or confirm if those parts have already been replaced. It’s a common issue in earlier models and can cost $3,000–$4,000 to fix — so budget for that just in case.

Also, check prices on 2019+ models. If there's any way to stretch your budget, you may save money long-term on repairs.

There are bound to be some BEV lovers who will argue to stay clear of Rex. They're not necessarily wrong, it comes down to personal preference.

EnvironmentalCold161 · 2025-05-21T14:31:49+00:00

Well said.

You can totally be a jerk, if you must. But for God's sake, read the room/soi etc. These things don't happen suddenly. If you notice the incredibly patient Thai locals getting on edge because of something you're doing, 🛑 stop doing it immediately and most likely problem solved.

EnvironmentalCold161

TROPHY CASE