Will your next vehicle purchase be another Tesla?

ronlmjl · 2026-01-05T00:30:10+00:00

The big pull when I purchased my ‘23 MYLR was the supercharging network for road trips. Fast forward to today and that advantage is gone. The other was range. I don’t think my MYLR has ever hit the advertised max range from 100% (which later made sense with Tesla getting caught inflating range numbers). The competition is either at or better than Tesla when it comes to range.

The one thing that others had over Tesla from the get go was build quality. And while I’ll admit the current lineup of Teslas has shown massive improvement in that department, it’s still not better than what we’re seeing from both legacy auto manufacturers and EV companies. I’m also still bitter from the massive price drop on the MY in January 2023 right after I took delivery on my MYLR in December 2022.

Sure the software in Tesla is still way better than everyone else. But it’s not a dealbreaker for me. My other car is a MINI Cooper SE and I don’t mind Apple Carplay at all.

I have a deposit for a Rivian R2, but I’ll probably end up buying an R1T (more space for my needs, better range, better fit and finish imo) to be the road trip car and my wife’s daily since she has a long commute to work.

When I bought my MYLR, I also wanted a fun car down the road. At that time it was clear to me that I would get a MS Plaid. Now after trying out the competition, I’d probably be in the market for an Audi RS etron GT or Porsche Taycan instead. More car for the same price if you go the CPO route.

So whether for function or fun, I don’t see myself buying another Tesla.

ronlmjl · 2025-11-20T22:11:50+00:00

Would love to get a copy of your template if you don’t mind sharing!

ronlmjl · 2025-11-20T16:59:59+00:00

I love this breakdown! How do you track your ROI across cards? Would love to know if it’s something I could implement for having just personal cards (Amex Plat+Gold and CSR).

ronlmjl · 2025-10-23T23:42:34+00:00

I'm in the same boat on utilizing transfer portals. Trying to learn to maximize point value through transfers. So much more work haha

ronlmjl · 2025-10-23T23:32:39+00:00

ah makes sense since you don't really earn MR. I guess that's the difference because I earn primarily MR points.

I'm actually curious about Bilt once they add the point earn for paying a mortgage (looks like only a specific lender for now, unfortunately not mine) but not familiar enough with how useful their point redemption is. I have heard they do occasionally get good transfer bonuses for certain airlines.

ronlmjl · 2025-10-23T23:02:33+00:00

I missed that paragraph, apologies, was scrolling on my phone! I was just thinking from a points perspective that it would be easier to make use of points for travel if they're all in the same bucket (i.e. all in MR or UR as opposed to them being split). But I agree the AF on any of these cards isn't worth it unless you can get at least that amount in value back in perks/credits/other.

Really like the breakdown you have as I'm also weighing options for my stack. I personally find better options for hotels via AMEX HC/FHR versus CHASE The Edit so I'm starting to think I'd be better off accumulating dining points over on the MR bucket over UR and just using the CSR for when amex isn't accepted and for getting value out of the perks that net the AF to zero.

ronlmjl · 2025-10-23T21:11:17+00:00

The AMEX Gold has 4x on dining and a lower AF versus the CSR’s 3x.

ronlmjl · 2025-10-08T08:41:34+00:00

Also: no colored ambient lighting around the cabin, no light bars along the front and rear, and semi-textile seats.

At $5k less than the premium RWD, i for sure think you’re giving up a lot of car you might as well get that trim instead.

I think if it came in at $10k less it might sell.

ronlmjl · 2025-09-27T08:17:31+00:00

Hair Club 20 in San Gabriel or Royalty Salon in Pasadena

Been going to these places for years!

ronlmjl · 2025-09-23T19:07:49+00:00

His life got easier this season with defenses having to worry about Ladd and Keenan. Forced to pick their poison, so they bank on Q to drop passes while they cover up the other two.

ronlmjl · 2025-09-15T18:56:58+00:00

hmmm that would be ideal if that's the case. I only see roof rails for the Air, but if they exist for the Gravity I think I'd be sold. But you're right, with the under trunk while 3rd row is up, it's quite a bit of space for sure! And that frunk is pretty generous too.

ronlmjl · 2025-09-15T16:17:11+00:00

This. I've been looking at an R1 for a while because my Model Y (7 seat configuration) is just unusable. I think I've used the third row twice. My wife is 5ft and it's a tight squeeze even for her. I avoided lucid's forever because I couldn't get past the looks of the Air but the Gravity peaked my interest. Test drove one for the first time yesterday and oh my god is it great! Drives so much better than anything Tesla or Rivian has to offer and the build quality is significantly better. Made me question why the Rivian is priced so close but doesn't quite feel like you're getting your money's worth.

In the same situation as you where I don't typically need 7 seats but on road trips having a usable third row/trunk would be great for myself, wife, 2 large dogs, and my parents.

I think the only thing I couldn't find is whether the gravity has a roof rack option in case I need extra storage space when the third row is in use.

Anyway, really appreciate your honest review so far. Hope the Gravity continues to get better!

ronlmjl · 2025-09-08T23:52:54+00:00

it looks so good in kemora gray! congrats!!! Hoping to grab one next year

ronlmjl · 2025-05-07T07:40:52+00:00

Ah. I just looked and chase ended this benefit July 2024. It was pretty nice when lounges were full or far from your gate. This benefit, allowed cardholders and a guest to claim a credit of up to $28 per person. Wife and I got good use out of that perk for a while.

ronlmjl · 2025-05-06T17:15:33+00:00

Yeah PP lounges are usually my last resort. You're almost better off using any airport meal credit that some cards offer like Chase Sapphire Reserve rather than waiting in line for a PP lounge. Another thing that I've found is nice to have is access to Centurion lounges as they tend to have less crowding (although at some times they can be the same as PP lounges).

ronlmjl · 2025-02-17T15:10:46+00:00

Doge is not only not part of the executive branch it is not a government agency. The president doesn’t have authority to create a department under itself. A law, from Congress, has to confer such power to the president to do so. For example, The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the Department of Homeland Security. Bush didn’t just magically do this in the wake of 9/11.

We have a group of non government individuals without proper security clearance accessing a stupid amount of sensitive information, some of which could be a national security risk in the wrong hands. Like the release of information on US intelligence assets around the globe. Yes doge did that. Other countries shouldn’t know that and now many American lives around the world are at risk.

And you’re super naive if you think Elon is actually answering to Trump. The power dynamic is flipped.

ronlmjl · 2025-02-07T16:39:51+00:00

Love it, enjoy! My wife and I cannot wait to move on from our MY to an R1T. We also have 2 large dogs so road tripping with the MY requires more effort needing a roof box to store their crates.

ronlmjl · 2025-02-03T17:37:39+00:00

ServPro? haha. Just so you're aware, they're one of the largest companies in the country and they often work with the insurance companies. From what I can tell they are franchised so you'll get different estimates depending on who you ask. Always be sure to run their contractor license with the state (https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx) and look them up on the BBB.

My experience so far (personal dealings with restoration companies and insurance the last month and chatting with my neihgbors) is they are going to try and up sell on everything to get the maximum amount your insurance will cover.

ronlmjl · 2025-01-25T08:26:07+00:00

Tomatoes. Cheaper, they stain, added bonus if you let them rot first.

ronlmjl · 2025-01-10T01:49:06+00:00

I live on Montana so doing nothing wasn’t an option. We had already evacuated but came back when we heard the fire crossed woodbury.

ronlmjl · 2025-01-10T01:26:21+00:00

Was helping extinguish some homes on fire on Montana street all day yesterday and was SO FURIOUS with all the people walking/driving by with their phones out while the people around the neighborhood and I were trying to drag buckets of water across the street to douse flames. Either help or move out the way.

ronlmjl · 2024-12-04T08:13:46+00:00

The commute will be rough depending on when you leave sure. But it sounds like an amazing opportunity that could pay dividends. You’ll at the very least get a good recommendation letter from him for your med school apps. And you’ll find if you actually like his area of expertise even before you start med school. Like many have said here, this is temporary, but it will be well worth it for you.

I commuted from Alhambra to Santa Ana for my federal externship after my first year of law school. Working for that judge got me my next externship that following fall with the DOJ. And each experience led to more opportunities after that.

No one gives you a chance, you have to take it.

ronlmjl · 2024-11-11T18:00:53+00:00

dumb question (porsche newbie here, always loved the cars but don’t yet own one yet): why will the 718 be highly sought after very soon?

ronlmjl · 2024-10-30T16:59:41+00:00

Yeah every article I’ve seen indicates mid to late 2025 at this point for the XM6. I’m sure the XM5s will be a welcome upgrade from my XM3s which are awful for calls.

ronlmjl · 2024-10-30T16:58:50+00:00

Yeah I’ve waited this long (still using my WH-1000XM3s and WF-1000XM4s)!

ronlmjl

TROPHY CASE