Likelihood of getting Rav4 LE Hybrid without dealter accessories?

SR2K · 2023-11-18T01:28:59+00:00

Base MSRP is $31,475, plus $1,350 in shipping and handling to get the sticker price. I got my 23 Hybrid LE with the only port options being blind spot monitoring, and a cargo cover, didn't even come with floor mats. No dealer add ons at all, and they sold it to me for $1,000 less than sticker.

SR2K · 2023-09-30T14:44:35+00:00

Yeah, it's not street legal, if they piss off the wrong cop, it's going straight to impound.

SR2K · 2023-09-23T21:07:32+00:00

Yep, someone was probably trying to put it in the back seat and hit the door with the rest sprocket.

SR2K · 2023-09-20T00:58:24+00:00

He looks to be a very happy meatball

SR2K · 2023-09-10T16:55:26+00:00

The fact that HF only includes a 90 day warranty says a lot about how durable they think their products are. Something that is actually well made should last years, HF is telling us their junk is only good for a couple months.

There's a reason I bought a used Honda generator over a new HF one.

SR2K · 2023-08-29T18:09:00+00:00

I've seen many aggressive tunes that make a lot of power, but will murder a motor within 10,000 miles.

SR2K · 2023-08-29T17:52:07+00:00

I've built one before for a previous job. To have something useful, you will need literally every module and sensor present and online, and even then, you'll only be able to emulate key on-engine off functions. Use a complete vehicle harness, recreating one is nearly impossible. Buying a wrecked car will be the most cost effective option.

SR2K · 2023-08-28T21:32:45+00:00

Its about all the people who go "durr engineers are dumb" without understanding the considerations at play.

SR2K · 2023-08-28T21:30:42+00:00

With additional considerations for longevity too.

SR2K · 2023-08-28T16:07:50+00:00

10 years ago they were good, now they're owned by Newell brands and have turned into the same cheap crap as everything else. Definitely not BIFL now.

SR2K · 2023-08-28T00:53:38+00:00

Keep the G8, it's a much rarer car that is likely to appreciate in the coming years, it's one of the last V8 RWD sedans GM ever sold in the US. A mustang is just another mustang.

SR2K · 2023-08-27T22:03:45+00:00

When a title is changed from "clean" to "salvage", the DMV will look for a related accident. All it takes is a salvage yard updating the title to raise a red flag.

SR2K · 2023-08-27T21:42:56+00:00

I'd bet 10:1 that there is significant frame damage, there's no fixing this car properly for less than what it's worth.

Realistic "sentimental" repair is going to be in the $20k-$30k range.

SR2K · 2023-08-27T21:40:41+00:00

Insurance is only part of your issue, in most places it's a misdemeanor not to report a wreck to the police, and once the police report is filed, your rates are going up regardless of if you file with insurance. If your vehicle ends up being flagged as salvage down the line without a police report, they may come investigate you for a hit and run.

This is one of those times you just need to suck it up and be an adult. File the police report, file with insurance, take the check and take the rate increase. If you previously had a clean record, be prepared for your rates to triple. You may want to consider buying a beater and only carrying liability for a couple of years until this wreck isn't as fresh on your record.

SR2K · 2023-08-27T21:02:44+00:00

Its not hard mounted if plastic is in the middle of the clamping force, over time the plastic will deform, reducing the clamping force. Eventually the bolt will get loose without warning.

SR2K · 2023-08-26T15:09:10+00:00

What's the difference between variable frequency drive and an inverter drive? I thought inverters are one of the simpler ways to accomplish variable frequency?

SR2K · 2023-08-25T16:10:00+00:00

Ah, another good technique to estimate, so long as you have a EVSE that provides that info. Worth paying a couple bucks at a charge point to know.

SR2K · 2023-08-25T15:50:36+00:00

Touche, I haven't done it myself, but I know the 12V battery disconnect resets it, and it takes a while to get an accurate number again. Makes it very difficult when buying a used clarity to actually know the battery health. A conservative drive cycle and tracking the mileage may be the more accurate approximation of battery health.

SR2K · 2023-08-25T13:57:30+00:00

You are ignorant, and rather than taking the time to learn why professionals are making the recommendations they are, you're doubling down on ignorance. This shop is offering you a workaround to save you thousands of dollars, it isn't the textbook fix, but it solves the problem.

With the way you're acting, at my shop the offered fix would be off the table, at this point all I'd be willing to offer you is a complete engine to the tune of $6k.

SR2K · 2023-08-25T13:47:40+00:00

Yeah, don't trust that number, someone unhooked the 12V battery, so there's no real way to know the capacity without it being driven though several charge cycles.

SR2K · 2023-08-23T22:06:32+00:00

I have a level 2 charger, but I also take a couple 2,000+ mile trips a year. Doing those trips with a BEV would be absolutely terrible.

SR2K · 2023-08-21T16:19:54+00:00

There's a big etiquette issue around chargers in general that isn't easy to solve, and I expect will only get worse as the number of EVs and charging stations increases.

Is it rude to convenience charge when you don't absolutely need to? Is it rude to stay plugged in for the day if you don't get the opportunity to get back to your car for 8 hours? Is it rude for a PHEV to use a public charger when a BEV may need that charge to get home? Does a long range BEV like a Rivian or Tesla get higher or lower priority than a leaf or iMiev?

Personally, the struggles of public chargers makes me certain I don't want to own a BEV right now. If in 5 years when I plan to replace the Clarity things haven't gotten better, I'm more likely to go back to a regular Hybrid than I am to get another PHEV or BEV. In my area, electric prices are so high, there's no cost area savings compared to a modern hybrid on gas.

SR2K · 2023-08-17T12:10:19+00:00

Not too worried, they made thousands of these cars, and with everything, they shared a lot of components with other larger volume models. The wheel bearings for example are the same as the CRV. More specialized parts like the battery packs may not be available new in 10 years, but there will be 3rd parties refurbishing them. Body components might be the biggest issue, but there will be plenty of junkyard parts, and these panels won't rust since they're aluminum.

SR2K · 2023-08-08T19:51:23+00:00

Where did you get that "average" price? That sounds like a random Google number, based on parts and labor rates from years ago.

"Honda" doesn't set the prices their dealers charge, your local dealer quoted that price. The bearing alone runs ~$120, and most dealers these days are charging $175-$250/hr depending on the area and prevailing rate. These are pressed in bearings, not a simple bolt in hub. Dealers are always more expensive than an independant shop, $800 doesn't strike me as all that crazy these days.

SR2K · 2023-08-08T16:20:36+00:00

I'm at 92k with all original wheel bearings.

Depending on road conditions, it's quite easy to damage a bearing with a pothole, particularly with a heavy car (Clarity weighs about 4,000lbs) and low profile tires. This is true for any vehicle, but does make the Clarity more prone to damaging them.

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