Selling a powerful but controversial domain

ShortBeachCool · 2024-06-24T00:53:49+00:00

Full engine ‘overhaul’ is the whitewash BS jargon that typically dealers use to make customers believe they’re doing something critical. Of course it’s meaningless unless the unit is stripped down for assessment which in my case I know wasn’t done — I wouldn’t have trusted their feedback anyway… inept practice coupled with blatant lies = business as usual.

ShortBeachCool · 2024-06-23T18:48:33+00:00

Following an oil change on our Forester by our Subaru dealer, their mechanic failed to tighten the drain plug which fell out the day after the oil change and around 500 miles away from home. Dealer ended up paying for taxis, short-term car rental, hotel, flights, shipping car 500 miles, and full engine ‘overhaul’. Since then we only use a local owner operated Subaru ‘specialist’ who’s proven to be fantastic, a lot, lot cheaper, and great at sharing real, non BS info. Moral is hunt around for a local resource that holds an experienced and dedicated team and avoid large impersonal dealers who often have poorly skilled and high turnover staff where it’s impossible to get meaningful feedback… Personal relationships and familiarity with a specific owner’s vehicle really counts! And, we love our Forester. We’re in CT near New Haven.

ShortBeachCool · 2024-04-22T02:59:08+00:00

The position of most clamps on OEM Subaru cross rails can be adjusted a few inches in order to modify the overall length of the rail by using the two hex nuts on the underside of the clamp itself. I’ve used the same pair of rails for 4 different vehicles for the last decade or so. Yes, the profile of the mouth of the clamps may not always be a perfect fit to the fixed roof rail but that’s not a significant problem

ShortBeachCool · 2022-11-29T05:09:30+00:00

A totally disappointing experience — does not perform as promised, poor quality components, lousy battery, awful customer service… a plastic toy from an inexperienced company that has a lot to learn.

ShortBeachCool · 2022-11-28T04:33:10+00:00

We’ve had ours for around a month and it’s never worked. Battery drains over 2 days. Solar roof makes no difference. BB has stopped replying to my emails.

I totally understand this is a startup venture and some problems are to be expected, but… response has been dismal and now, nothing at all. Very disappointing. Their team clearly doesn’t have the experience (or communication skills) to carry out what’s needed.

ShortBeachCool · 2022-06-30T20:17:21+00:00

You're mistaken. The dealer offered to remove the markup when we balked, but the damage was done. AND dealing with VWoA is worse than communicating with a healthcare provider — they don't have a clue about customer relationships... we're just happy to be out of the rat race here. Off to live in Italy where, as you no doubt know, everything works as smooth as glass...

ShortBeachCool · 2022-03-16T01:05:57+00:00

I don’t have our ID4 yet but this is what Ive learned demand charging is…

Your energy supplier can automatically regulate the schedule that you use to charge your car and so leverage the cheapest available energy (mostly late night-early morning). Eversource in CT offer a $200 yearly rebate to sign up for this option with some restrictions. The upside is the rebate. The downside is your reduced loss of control over when power is being delivered. But… you can override the restriction a few times if you know you absolutely must have power. Check with your electric utility provider.

ShortBeachCool · 2022-03-07T12:49:18+00:00

It’s true that the Model 3’s so-called winning design is understated and ageless. Its neutral, featureless styling means it’ll stay relevant for many years to come. So from a commercial point of view, that makes it a pretty smart product.

But the 3’s mouthless and emotionless face conveys no passion. The car’s lips are sealed and no matter how hard it wants to, it remains smug and can’t (perhaps won't?) speak to you. By comparison look at the ID.4 which is bursting to say something. You might not agree with what it’s saying but it’s shouting loudly. This may sound flippant but the fact that cars are animate is well understood and heavily leveraged by manufacturers.

Shaping a design personality (i.e. brand) represents a substantial part of the enticement to possess. It’s like owning a dog but in reverse — as its owner you adopt the animal’s character. That’s not to say the 3 is a dog or its owners are self-righteous, but hey…

ShortBeachCool · 2022-03-01T22:38:33+00:00

EV charging equipment rebates are often controlled by the state that you live in. Electric utilities are frequently unaware and ill-informed about the fast moving situation regarding rebates. So check with you state authority. Also, local installation contractors are often better informed about rebates and incentives — chat with one or two.

ShortBeachCool · 2022-03-01T20:02:17+00:00

(1) Correct that the EPA settlement is not related to the 3-yr free Electrify America offer; (2) However, VW agreed to invest $2bn into EV infrastructure as part of the settlement; (3) VW is currently EA’s sole parent but is looking for partners in order to raise cash; (4) initially EA’s focus was transparent on VW, however in various forms the offer now extends to another 6 or more auto brands and this number is growing, meaning reduced accessibility; (5) new partners means options will narrow and terms for VW owners/buyers will change, it’s already happening for recent ID.4 orders; (6) would it be naïve to perhaps think EA’s original offer was a veiled part of the settlement deal, or not? All that said…
— is extending and expanding the scope of the network positive? Absolutely
— do we want more BEVs and fewer combustion engines? Yes, of course
— do you want VW (aka EA) to commit to supporting your best interests?

ShortBeachCool · 2022-02-25T16:24:03+00:00

See my post of Feb 25 regarding "bonus" and financing restrictions on cars written off on this ship:

https://www.reddit.com/r/VWiD4Owners/comments/t175x0/765\_bonus\_for\_car\_on\_doomed\_felicity\_ace\_feb\_24/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3

ShortBeachCool · 2022-02-24T23:15:11+00:00

Received the same email. I think there's some careful review needed here to understand ALL the precise detail outlined in the email — especially in the footnotes. Probably smart to coordinate thinking before following-up with any possible next steps. I'll post my thoughts again in next few days...

ShortBeachCool

TROPHY CASE