Would like to get thoughts on electric cars from this sf

1 - are the gas savings overhyped?
2 - what's the typical wear/tear/maintenance costs compared to normal cars?
3 - any hidden costs not mentioned in the ads/reviews i'm seeing online?

what are the best ones on the market right now in terms of providing performance comparable to regular cars?

1. Apparently they get great mileage so I don't see how it would be over hyped.
2. No idea on wear/maintenance.
3. I'm sure it takes a toll on your electric bill but I don't own one so can't say for sure. I do know there are some chargers around here somewhere.

Performance? It's an electric car I wouldn't buy one with any type of concern for performance....I would looking for what fits my family, keeps us safe, and of course mileage.

Electric is going to be the hybrid solution until hydrogen technology is implemented, in my opinion.

Pros to electric motors:

-Zero emmisions
-INSTANT hella torque (electric cars actually make fantastic race cars, just not the daily driver electrics offered to the mainstream)
-Fueling is the cost of electricity

Cons:

-Batteries (at least for now) will need routine replacement, and are quite expensive.
-Range of travel, if dedicated electric
-Technology is still in its infancy so it's prone to some developmental delays.
-no exhaust noise (con for me)


They typically are more expensive to maintain than conventional vehicles, mainly because, as I mentioned before, it's a relatively new technology.

Hm. I haven't searched for one yet, but I'd be interested in seeing a cost-analysis for owning an electric vs. a regular gas-powered car (or electric vs. hybrid vs. gas-powered.)

It's definitely the type of car to fit a specific need (commuting to/from work, or around town,) but if that's all you need a car for, I think it's a good answer to the problem.

Electric cars are fast as shit....you should see the torque some of those motors put out, it's beyond insane....Once the tech reaches it's apex I highly doubt an i.c.e will be able to compete.

ill still down shift when ever im next to one so they can smell my catless.

make sure you have video of when you pull up by a tesla roadster revving your motor and he smokes your ass lol

lol, hopefully there would be a lot of corners so i can beat him.

A Tesla roadster maybe...but not when newer electrics have independent motors for each wheel and each independently adjusts power output accordingly for handling....That's when your brobaru will look better in your front yard with a "for sale" sign on it.

But in all seriousness I'd take the STi any day. There will always be superior technology on the horizon, that's factual...But there's a BIG difference between "better" and "awesome". Kinda like auto vs manual in today's standards, sure auto does everything better, but is it as awesome? NOPE. Same goes for gas engines, you'll never be able to beat the feel and the sound, nor will you be able to beat the kick when you hit full boost/peak torque/....vtec....(sorry, had to).

This post was edited by Malevolent on Mar 26 2013 05:26pm

ima just hope it's gonna be a rich white hippie with no experience behind the wheel haha