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3 Budget Friendly Electric Cars and What Their Owners Have to Say About Them

October 11, 2019 By Chaya Milchtein Leave a Comment

When electric cars first came to the mass market, customers were often blown away by the cost of buying them. The “expensive” label has stuck, although prices have significantly decreased as more options have been released, and the technology has been rapidly progressing. Here’s the interesting thing with this “new technology”, these vehicles have actually been available in some form since the 1830’s!

Range per charge, long term maintenance and affordability as some of the main reasons people hesitate to invest in this technology. As vehicles have become more available, three options need to be highlighted. A hatchback, sedan and crossover, budget friendly for the cost conscious consumer.

Maintenance costs over all on electric vehicles have trended downward to be lower than traditional fuel powered vehicles. Since some regular maintenance like oil changes are no longer necessary it eliminates some of the most frequent maintenance costs.

Miles per change vary greatly on the vehicle you are planning on purchasing. Some cars like the Nissan Leaf are available with different mileage lengths depending on the sub model you choose to purchase. Overall, electric cars might not yet be the vehicle of choice for long distance drivers, it suits most Americans driving habits just fine.

While many questions are answered by experts, here we will cover what regular electric car owners think of their investment.

Nissan Leaf Review - Budget Friendly Electric Cars

Nissan Leaf and Leaf Plus

For 2019:
Starting at $29,990 MSRP
Leaf Plus starting at $36,550 MSRP

Nissan makes an affordable and widely available electric vehicle called the Leaf. With the introduction of the Nissan Leaf Plus in 2019, this little hatchback is better then ever and perfect for a budget conscious buyer. One Leaf owner had this to say this about their purchasing decision, “(it) was the most cost effective EV at the time”

Janet owes a 2017 Nissan Leaf SL. “I love the zero maintenance and zero gas. I love that the weight of the vehicle is spread evenly thru car, so handles incredibly well in the winter. I love the handling, instant heat, the fact I can leave car ‘running’ in the hot and cold seasons, love the zero emissions.”

Nissan Leaf Budget Electric Car

While the standard Nissan Leaf has a range per charge of 150 miles, and the Plus allows you to go even further. With a range of 226 miles on one charge, it has the ability to go as far as a vehicle with a small gas tank.

Shauna MacDonald bought her Nissan Leaf because of her concern for the environment and a love of technology. Shauna raves about the comfortable seat, upscale interior and good price point.

As for downsides? Shauna says, “None yet. Although I anticipate a loss of range this winter; it will still be more than I need in a day, so I won’t have range anxiety.” And Janet? She says this, “Battery degradation of the Leaf. I will still own it for (likely) 6-8 years before the battery no longer suits my needs.”

Review Hyundai Ioniq EV

Hyundai Ioniq EV

For 2020:
Starting at $31,235 MSRP

The Hyundai Ioniq EV is a sleek sedan available for sales in a select number of states. The car came out in the USA in 2017 and it’s owners have nothing but the most glowing recommendations.

Rachael A Eldred is a Canadian Ioniq owner of a 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Ultimate. Her thoughts about the sedan make it pretty clear that she’s a huge fan. “I love how easy this car is to own and drive. I’ve had it for 5 months now and have never once regretted buying it. It’s quiet, quick, convenient, user-friendly, and pretty good looking if I might say so. Being the most efficient EV helped in the decision, along with government rebates that came into effect here in May.”

Hyundai offers the best electric battery warranty on the market at this time, what they call a “standard Lifetime Hybrid/Electric Battery Warranty.” Consumer Reports clearly doesn’t mince words when it comes to some of the vehicles downsides: handling and battery life in the cold and snow.

Rachael told us about some of the downsides to the Ioniq. “I wish it was a bit roomier (especially since we came from a huge 7-passenger car), but for four adults it’s more than adequate. And the trunk is spacious. The paint quality isn’t fabulous but that’s down to Hyundai, nothing to do with the EV.” Guy, another Ioniq owner has only one downside to offer, he says “you have to plan for long road trips”.

On the bright side, charging the car might have some upside. Nathan Russell-Meharry shares this insight: “I enjoy taking the car on longer road trips (300km+), I found stopping to charge makes the trips more enjoyable. You get use to the 20min rest stops and visit areas you might not traditionally, because of the charging station.”

Review Hyundai Kona EVHyundai Kona EV

For 2019:
Starting at $36,950 MSRP

Consumer Reports raves about this budget friendly SUV, “The Kona Electric is one of the best electric vehicles (EV) under $50,000 that we’ve tested.” This SUV was well loved as a fuel powered SUV but the electric version is even better.

While so many electric cars are made small or compact, this crossover stands above the rest not just in price point but also by the space and agility. The Kona has an impressive 258 mile range on a charge and it boasts an impressive 45.8 cu. ft. of cargo space.

Benoit LeBlanc owns a 2019 Kona Electric Ultimate and had this to share: “I like that it’s quiet and it doesn’t smell gas! I charge from home 99% of the time. Acceleration on EVs is just fantastic compared to ICE [Internal Combustion Engine] vehicles. Heated and ventilated seats, great sounds system, as well as the Heads Up Display, make it for a very comfortable ride.” Benoit says that they bought the Kona for “desire to cut back on gas prices, environmental concern, love of technology.”

When asked about the Kona’s drawbacks, Benoit had a few concerns, one being the location of the charging port at the front of the vehicle. In case of an accident, Benoit worries about damage to the port.

Shelley Kowalchuk from Women Drive Electric, mentions that in Canada there aren’t many charging stations which can hamper the ease of long road trips. Shelley doesn’t normally do any long distance driving so this isn’t a concern to her specifically.

When Shelley was asked why she decided to buy an electric car, her answer is clear: “I’ve always felt that Big Oil manipulates prices and I love that we aren’t reliant on them anymore. To me, it’s a political statement, owning an electric car. With the increasing evidence of climate change, I’m glad we can do our bit to reduce our impact on it.”

Conclusion

Electric cars now go further and the options are vast. The Leaf, IonIQ and Kona are great budget friendly options in different styles to fit your lifestyle, not just your pocketbook. When you consider your next car purchase, test drive and research an electric car option. You may be surprised with the ease of ownership, features and fuel savings.

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Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Hyundai, Nissan

4 Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

May 23, 2019 By Chaya Milchtein Leave a Comment

Automotive BloggerFinding a car big enough to fit your family – that’s also a high-quality reliable car – can be tough, no bones about it. Folks are asking me all the time about which cars are best for families so I am pumped to write about this. Helping people navigate car purchases is something I do on a regular basis and is a passion of mine.

My name is Chaya Milchtein and I’m the automotive educator behind Mechanic Shop Femme. My platform is all about empowerment for women and LGBT folks when it comes to car education (among other things). The car world is rough and pretty unaccepting to folks like me and you, so I’m here to break things down into easy-to-understand segments that are accessible to a broader audience. I’m going to cover my top four choices, most of them being minivans and SUVs, as well as slightly smaller, yet family-friendly, options. Though car quality can be subjective, I’m going to share my favorite vehicles in the family-friendly class.

When families are looking for a car and I’m talking with them, one of the most important things on their list, besides safety, is space. Children play baseball or dance or hockey, and the equipment needs to be transported easily. Even for small families, SUVs and minivans are at the top of my list of recommendations.

2011 Toyota Sienna

With the optional four-wheel-drive available in some models, this is the epitome of a car built for a family. The Sienna comes standard with seating for seven to eight people and loads of cargo space! I love that this vehicle is a Toyota, known for durability and longevity; you often see Toyotas running well past 200,000 miles. The back seats do fold down, too, allowing even more cargo space for trucking things around. This car is going to get your family and everything they travel with safely to their destination.

PDF – 2011 Toyota Sienna Detailed Product Specs

Best Family Friendly Cars Under 10K

2011 Toyota Sienna – Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

2012 Subaru Forester

While some of the models on this list come with optional four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, meaning you have to look for the model with the option, Subarus all come standard with one of the best four-wheel-drive options in the industry. Always receiving high marks for safety, the Subaru Forester is roomy, built for family and travel. The all-wheel-drive option does cost you a little in fuel economy, but I think it’s a worthwhile tradeoff to easily drive in snowy conditions, especially if you live in an area with long winters. The Forester seats 5 comfortably and still has a lot of cargo space. This car is also a great fit for families with dogs – Subaru prides itself on pet-friendly cargo spaces.

PDF – 2012 Forester Detailed Product Specs

Top Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

2012 Subaru Forester – 4 Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

2010 Toyota Venza

This is the ideal ride for a small family that is paying attention to cargo space, reliability, and fuel economy. It’s a simple crossover that looks almost like a station wagon, and seats 5 people comfortably. Sitting a bit lower than the traditional SUV, it’s a great option for folks with some mobility concerns that have a harder time climbing into taller SUVs on the market. I love that it’s available in four-wheel-drive which is such a necessity for safe driving in Midwestern winters. Although many cars in 2010 didn’t come standard with fancy tech, this car has built in Bluetooth, which is a huge plus for anyone that spends a lot of time in their car. With 18-21 mpg in the city and 25-29 mpg highway, it’s pretty economical on the pocket when it comes to fuel cost. As with the Sienna, Toyotas are known for their reliability and longevity, so you can’t go wrong with this car.

PDF – 2010 Toyota Venza Detailed Product Specs

Toyota Family Friendly Cars Under 10K

2010 Toyota Venza – Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

2012 Chevy Traverse

Chevy doesn’t often make a showing in my favorites, but the Traverse is one of the lowest cost vehicles in its class with unparalleled cargo space, so it earns a spot! With standard three-row seating, this is a family-friendly car that, depending on the model, you’ll find fits seven to eight people. This large SUV has a comfortable ride and is the perfect car for a parent that wants space without driving a minivan. Even if you don’t need all the seating, but do need loads of cargo space, the back seats fold down, creating even more room for lugging things around. It would be an awesome choice for parents that also have a side business that requires the cargo space.

Link – 2012 Chevy Traverse Detailed Product Product Specs

Chevy - Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

Cars are complicated things to buy, especially used. The key to getting the best deal for the best car is a lot of patience. If possible, leave lots of time when making a car buying decision. When rushed and pressed to make a choice, things that we’d normally catch can fall through the cracks. This list is a baseline – a good place to start when looking for a family-friendly car. Test drive the options and see if you even like the car! Look at comparable models that may have not made your first list, as they may be a better choice for your family.

Thinking about buying a used car, but overwhelmed with the options out there? My automotive education classes have been featured in places like the Chicago Tribune and Ask Patty – Certified Female Friendly. I offer one on one coaching and consulting and small group, online automotive classes to help you make the best choices AND save you money.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Chevrolet, Subaru, Toyota

Why Volkswagen e-Golf, Is Considered as One for the Best EVs in the Market

April 10, 2017 By 1 Comment

Volkswagen e-Golf

Volkswagen e-Golf 2017 – VW e-Golf Range 83 miles

Volkswagen e-Golf is one of the best all electric vehicles in the US market, and you will love all its features, looks and the economy of not having to spend on costly gas to drive your car. This e-car is known for its zero tailpipe emissions, and is the best way to enjoy the versatility of an electric hatchback vehicle. The e-Golf range of electric cars is built with the customer in mind with highly innovative and modern features so that you are able to enjoy each mile of your journey in your car.

This car comes with a range of 83 miles that is enough for most of us on most of the days. Thus, the Volkswagen e-Golf with its long range is able to give the convenience of all electric performance to save your money as well as give the convenience of charging your car overnight through your house power wall outlet.

The Volkswagen e- golf is powered by a powerful electric motor pack that is designed to give an impressive power output of 115 HP. This is capable of churning out 199 pound foot of torque for equally impressive performance.  The VW e-Golf range of cars are known for their fast pick up and the high amount torque made available to the driver  helps him get the best performance by way of easy pick up, instant response and high quality drivability. These VW e- golf offer three modes of driving and you have the option of driving at Normal or Eco or Eco+ modes and each one can give impressive performance in different situations.

When you are driving your Volkswagen e-Golf range of cars you can feel the convenience of having three modes of regenerative braking that add more to the range of the car by extending the distance it can travel between recharges. The e-Golf are simple to use and maintain as they are built for easy plug and play operation and charging your e-golf is very easy as they can be easily powered back at  your home through your 240 volt power outlet, or you get it charged at a public charging point or at selected VW dealerships.

For faster recharges you can go for a Bosch home kit that comes with your car. Volkswagen has made the charging of your e-Golf an easy and effective with their vast network of more than 22000 charging points where you can use the available card to get your car charged.  Volkswagen is known for its premium features with perfect fit and finish for exemplary performance and you will love to have one of the members of the golf family from Volkswagen.

Apart from good looks the Volkswagen e-Golf offers vital driver assistance features like the Forward collision warning system that constantly monitors front side traffic and warns you in advance of hazards ahead. If the system detects that there is danger of imminent collision it automatically applies the brakes and stops the vehicle. This system is very unique in the Volkswagen e- golf range and it protects you and your family from the dangers of a frontal collision.

The Park Assist and Park Pilot are also some of the features that help you to save you from dangers of inadvertent parking hazards. The Volkswagen e-Golf is available in two trims namely the SE and SE Premium to suit your convenience and comfort and you will be really amazed at the cost of the e-Golf as it is attractively priced to make it affordable for everyone. The Volkswagen e-Golf range is available only in certain states of the US and in all these places it has attracted overwhelming interest among the electric and hybrid cars.

VW e-Golf Touch Dashboard

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Volkswagen

Revero from Karma Automotive the Best Looking Hybrid Sedan

April 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Karama Automative Revero Coronoa Del Sol

Karama Automative Revero – Exterior Color, Coronoa Del Sol

The Revero is the flagship electric hybrid sedan from Karma Automotive based in the Costa Mesa region of California. This unconventional and untraditional US automaker is owned by Chinese Auto parts maker Wanxiang Group. They created the Karma Automotive out of the assets they took on auction of those belonged to the Fisker Automotive who designed the Revero. This Auto maker came into being in the year 2014 and introduced the ultra luxury electric hybrid Sedan maintaining much of the design elements of the original Revero introduced by the Fisker team way back in 2011. The present edition of the Revero was launched during the first week of September 2016.

Unlike other car manufacturers Karma Automotive does not believe that your car is a commodity for mass production as it is only a way of conveyance from Point A to Point B during your daily chores. But, this popular auto maker totally believes that your car is an expression of your style and personality so that it is as unique as you are. The design looks and performance of the Karma Revero are totally unexpected and unconventional as well as they are wholly unquestionably breathtaking.

The Karma Automotive Revero is primal in beauty and is designed and built with unique processes that are timely and modern. The Revero not only looks good but also commands a feel of voluptuousness and great sense of sensuality. This is created in such a way for an emotional response and mental attachment. The Karma Automotive has created its Revero for just the feel of it and they are not for sheer numbers. This unique car comes with extraordinary and impressive technical specifications.

Karma Revero - Interior Color, Palisades Sport

Karma Automotive, Revero, Interior Color Palisades Sport

The Revero car is a symbol of excellence in every respect and it moves you in all the ways in utmost comfort and gives great deal of convenience. This hybrid sedan is well known for its exhilarating performance and much of this is due to the use of aluminum space frame based construction that is very sturdy to give complete protection to you, yet very light and shiny to look at. It is powered by twin electric motors that are capable of giving limitless torque for linear, as well as swift and smooth acceleration.

Karma Automotive has taken exceptional care in giving the best possible drivability to its Revero and you will be totally mesmerized by its responsiveness on the road. A very low center of gravity has been achieved by placing the battery pack as a centrally mounted unit and this in turn gives a supreme sense of drivability. This is complimented by the auto- leveling suspension system that goes on adjusting the stance of the car in whatever road condition you are driving it.

The Revero that comes from Karma Automotive is built for longer range and higher economy as it is powered by a pack of Lithium Ion batteries that power your car to travel it up to 50 miles. As this is built as an electric hybrid car, you can easily switch on the internal combustion engine at the end of the electric power range and continue on without any break. The Revero runs for  more than  300 miles  and at this point you can either stop for a recharge of your Lithium Ion batteries or pull on to a gas station fill it with gasoline and be on your way.

Karma Revero Anza Desert

Karma Automotive, Revero – Exterior Color Anza Desert

Karma automotive has built the Revero in such a way that it has the best braking efficiency and its  monobloc 6 piston calipers work in tandem, by putting the classic regenerative braking technology to give a class leading and safe deceleration boosting the performance of the car many times. Revero being a completely hand built beauty, comes with wood trim with wood that comes straight from nature which are reclaimed ones that have never been farmed or felled. The Revero also excels in the usage of natural materials and the leather used in it are selected after careful examination and are never subjected to embossing for getting the uniform leather texture.

Above all Karma Automotive has placed high efficiency solar panels on the roof that recharge the power pack so that you drive a Revero that uses the clean and green energy to move on with your daily chores in style and comfort that you cannot find elsewhere.

Karma Revero

Karma Auto, Revero – Exterior Color. Mar Pacifico

Interior Karma Revero

Kara Automotive. Revero – Interior Color, Salt Creek

Karma, Revero Solar Panel Roof

Karma, Revero Solar Panel Roof

Karma Automotive

Karma Revero – Exterior Color Coronoa Del Sol

Karma Automotive White

Karma Automotive, Revero – Exterior Color Pacific Fog

Karma Auto Tail Lights

Karma, Revero Tail Lights

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Karma Automotive

BMW i6 the Best Concept Electric Car

March 30, 2017 By 2 Comments

BMW i6 Specs

BMW i6 is one of the most ambitious electric cars that are going to arrive in the market somewhere during 2020. BMW is actively following its development as a part of its i20 program and is sure to excel in many ways than the BMW i5 and i8.  The BMW i6 is going to be the third “i”model from BMW which is showing much interest in the Electric cars and is taking all possible steps to stay ahead of its competitors in launching the best electric model.  The i6 is going to be a crossover model with a borrowed classic monospace with an extended roofline accentuated by a streamlined frontal area. As an electric car has to be very power efficient they are trying to reduce as much drag as possible so that the car can go with a maximum range.

Being one of the most hyped developments inside the stables of the BMW the i6 design and building team is trying to squeeze as much latest and greatest technology available now. This includes the BMW’s innovative iDrive generation 6, coupled with high efficient batteries. This BMW i6 is going to have the third generation architecture that will become the future standard for the electric vehicles. This new architecture aims at complying with the latest FSAR architecture based platform featuring a flat floor that is carved out of a sandwich section that is specifically earmarked for the battery pack. This area will be a concept space in the basic design that can be shrinked or expanded as per the necessity.

Having been decided that the new BMW i6 is going to be a crossover electric vehicle, the drive train that is going to power this electric car is drawing more attention. It is still to be decided whether the BMW i6 is going to be an all batter electric vehicle or it is going to be hybrid vehicle or powered by a fuel cell. With BMW planning to produce over 60,000 units a year it is eyeing on many of the composite materials for building the BMW i6 and it is likely to have more carbon fiber in its materials mix.

BMW is now focusing more attention on deciding the type of battery pack that is going to power the drive train of the i6. It is more or less certain that the BMW is going for a new type of special Lithium- Polymer battery which is built for higher capabilities. This special battery pack is designed to give three times the energy capacity to deliver powers in the range of 500kWh. The greatest advantage of this battery is the reduction of the cost of the power pack in addition to the increased power output.

Moreover this type of battery is to be sourced from established suppliers like Bosch and this battery also comes with a reduction of weight by at least three times from 600 kg to 200kg. This is likely to increase the chance of the car having a range of up to 300 miles per full charge of the batteries. The BMW i6 is likely to have at least 2 or 4 electric motors to deliver the power to the drive wheels of this full electric car.

Though BMW has earlier planned to launch the BMW i6 during the year 2020 there is every chance that you can have these wonder electric cars much earlier than that. The Concept BMW i6 is also going to have the most advanced autonomous capability with the use of hybrid aluminum/ steel core structure as is used in the presently available BMW cars. The BMW i6 is also going to have an increased amount of carbon fiber components.

Thus, the expected BMW i6 is going to be a forerunner for all the future electric cars and hence BMW is not leaving any stone unturned to make it the base concept for its future foray into the development of more efficient electric cars.

BMW i6 Review Concept Car

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: BMW

Tool Boxes: Better Storage and Organization Help You Accomplish More

March 31, 2016 By Richard Reina 1 Comment

Tool Box Buyers GuideA good friend of mine recently invited me over to help him perform a few basic maintenance tasks on the nice, classic car he had just purchased. I asked: “Do you need me to bring any tools?” to which he responded, “No worries, I’ve got everything I need”. So I went over empty handed.

We had a pleasant day working together on his convertible, and accomplished what we had set out to do. True to his word, the tools we needed were in his garage. However, all of them were piled up, on top of one another, on a metal utility shelf. My buddy had a small metal portable toolbox, but instead of tools, it was full of old parts from previous projects. The tools were out in the open, and each time we needed one, we first had to wade through the pile to find what we were looking for. The repetitive tool hunt was an exercise in futility, and caused us to spend that much more time on the tasks at hand.

Tool Box Buyers Guide

Canvas Carryalls

Whether you are in the classic car hobby, or are performing some DIY maintenance on your daily driver, or even are expanding the tool collection in order to take care of all your household projects, good tool storage and organization become a necessity for your home workshop. You will likely find that as your skills and confidence grow, so does your tool collection. But stacking the tools in one open location (or worse, several locations) doesn’t get the job done, literally.

 Buyers Guide Tool Carts

Tool Carts

We divide the different choices in tool storage like this: there are the portable solutions, traditionally metal, but now also made of plastic or canvas, which hold few tools, but can easily be carried to the job site. Next are tool carts, which we think are better suited for production or remote service environments, where needed tools are loaded onto a wheeled cart, rolled to the job, then brought back to a central location. Stationary lockers and cabinets have their advantages, but more as storage for supplies and consumables. Finally, the tool

Buyers Guide Tool Storage

Tool Storage Cabinets

chest/cabinet combination has long been held as the mechanic’s “standard”, offering significant capacity and organization. These are the large, metal, multi-drawer tool boxes you’ll find inside automotive service departments, and they are the ones we recommend for the serious DIYer.

Certainly, the attraction of the smaller portable carriers is cost, and at the same time, the larger initial outlay for a tool chest or cabinet can be a detriment. The cliché “you get what you pay for” comes to mind here. If you’re serious about tool storage, and are thinking long-term with the expectation that your tool collection will grow, then this is not an area in which to skimp. Quality steel construction, with lockable drawers that can open and close while holding up to 100 pounds

Tool Chest Buyers Guide

4-drawer tool chest, or top box. Note that 3 of the 4 drawers are full-width

each, are features which give you the assurance that these boxes will last for decades. (I’m still using my first tool chest that was purchased in 1978.) Think of a high-quality toolbox as a life-long investment.

When shopping for tool boxes, you’ll see terms you may not be familiar with. Here are the industry-accepted definitions of the different kinds of tool boxes:

Buyers Guide Tool Chest

A large roller cabinet, or bottom box. Note the 6 casters, wide top drawer, and rubber-mat work surface.)

A “tool chest”, also called a “top box”, is a multi-drawer tool cabinet with a hinged lid. It can be used either on its own, or on top of a roller cabinet (see that definition below). Tool chests do not come with wheels, and are not intended to be placed on the floor; rather, they are designed to sit at waist height. If used by themselves, they are best placed on a sturdy table or bench.

A roller cabinet, also called a bottom box, is a multi-drawer tool cabinet, usually supplied with caster wheels (hence the name “roller”). It is intended to be used either by itself, or, as the base for a tool chest/top box. If used on its own, the top

Tool Box Buyers Guide

A combination box. Note the struts on the top lid, the side handle, and the large number of shallow drawers.

surface can be used as a work area, and might offer the option of rubber or wooden work surfaces.

A combination box (also known as a combo box or combo unit) is simply the combination of a top box and bottom box (tool chest and roller cabinet). Frequently,

manufacturers will offer these for sale together. The advantages are a better price along with the guarantee that the two pieces will fit together.

Tool Box Buyers Guide

This side cabinet has both drawers and shelves.

A middle cabinet, or intermediate box, allows you to expand your tool capacity without replacing your existing set-up. Middle cabinets neatly fit between top and bottom boxes. Just make sure that the width of the components match.

Buyers Guide Tool Boxes

A 3-drawer middle cabinet. Note the separate lock, as each section of your combo box should have.

A side cabinet is a small tool box not intended to be used on its own. Rather, it mounts onto one side of a roller cabinet, to provide incremental additional storage.

A pit box at first glance can be mistaken for a roller cabinet. However, the design

concept is different, as a pit box is more intended to travel from location to location. A pit box uses significantly larger caster wheels, as well as an extended handle, allowing it to roll manually, or even be pulled at low speed by a motorized vehicle.

Are you now closer to making a decision to purchase? These are the factors you must take into consideration:

Tool Box Buyers Guide - Fathers Day

A pit box. Note that the pull handle also steers the wheels. The top serves as a work surfaceAre you now closer to making a decision to purchase? These are the factors you must take into consideration:

  1. How much storage do you need today, and how much will you need down the road? You don’t need to buy everything at once, but think about how your initial purchase can be expanded in the future. Inventory your current tools, and consider near-term and long-term future purchases.
  2. Where will the tool boxes reside? In the garage? Basement? Perhaps you have a set-up which will allow you to roll the box from one location to another. Think this through before you make the purchase. A critical measurement to know is the WIDTH of the available space. You may want a 72” wide bottom box, but may only have the room for one that’s 41” wide. Typically, you have room to go up, but measure that too!
  3. You may first be attracted to boxes with deep drawers, as they give the impression that they hold a lot. However, remember that the vast majority of hand tools take up little space (screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, pliers, etc.). For this reason, we recommend tool boxes with a greater number of shallow drawers instead of a fewer number of deeper drawers. The greater drawer count allows you better organization, as more drawers can be dedicated to specific tools.
  4. If the initial purchase is limited to just one tool box, the choice will be between a tool chest (top box) or a roller cabinet (bottom box). Our recommendation: if you have room on a work bench, get the tool chest (remember that once it’s loaded, you will not be able to lift it). If you have room on the floor, say, next to a work bench, get the roller cabinet.
Tool Box - Buyers Guide

This is our workshop tool box. A label maker handily helps us know which tools are in which drawers

Our best advice is to purchase the highest quality tool box you can afford. Once you have it in place and loaded, you will be amazed at how much easier it will be to find the right tool in the shortest time. Your ability to get jobs done will happen even faster, and you’ll enjoy the work more. (Don’t be shy about labeling the drawers as we did; there’s no shame in reminding yourself where you put the 1/2” drive sockets.)  The investment in a mechanic’s quality tool box will pay itself back many times over, and will last a lifetime.

 

Filed Under: Reviews

Real World Feedback from a Real Tesla S Owner

February 27, 2015 By Joanna Laznicka Leave a Comment

Tesla Reviews from OwnersI recently asked my friends about their Tesla S’s.  My goal was to hear Tesla S owners’ real world experiences to help us make a purchasing decision.  My husband was all ready to purchase the Tesla S with the 60 kWh battery but I, being happy with our Volt and Prius, was reluctant about the purchase.  After reading the below email from an old boss (Robert B.) from Silicon Valley, I not only said “let’s purchase a Tesla S”, but also insisted it be with an 85 kWh battery.  I greatly respect Robert on the this matter.  Not only is he a car enthusiast, but he also has a very strong mechanical and electrical engineering background.  If you or your spouse are on the fence about buying one, I suggest that you read his email below.

—-His Letter—-

Hi Joanna!  It’s been sooo long…  P….. told me you guys are considering a Tesla and asked that I write to you about our experience.

We got one of the earliest “S” cars, the same as the ones they are shipping now, although the ones available now are even more advanced.  I have to tell you that a Tesla S is not a car, it is a portal to another dimension.  What sets it apart are two basically transformed experiences, both the Driving Experience as well as the Ownership Experience.

Driving it is like owning a Star Trek Space Shuttle.  Instant and yet silent torque just sweeping you away at rates you cannot fathom.  Instead of having an “Accelerator” pedal, you have a “Velocitator” pedal.  What ever angle you have the pedal, you are going that speed, instantaneously.  It is crazy-fun.

The Ownership experience is just as groundbreaking.  Owning a Tesla is like belonging to a country-club.  The dealership falls all over themselves to take care of you.  I had a couple of major things go wrong and this is what happened:

  1.  I was backing out of our driveway and didn’t see that the adjacent car had its front wheels turned-out.  Going pretty fast, I caught the inside edge of the front bumper assembly on the tire of P…..’s car and stripped off, basically, the whole front-end.  I stuck it back on the best I could and brought it in expecting them to tell me how many thousands of dollars in damage I did.  They took a quick look at it and said “All you did is bust a bunch of penny-fasteners.  We will have it put back together in 10 minutes – no charge”.  They just want to delight.
  2. I spilled battery acid on the back carpet.  I have wrecked car carpet before and it costs thousands to repair.  They quoted me something like $600.  I said “fine” and when I went to pick it up, the bill was $125.  I asked them why and they said they figured out a cheaper way to do it!

Now compare that to the dealership experience of any of our other gas cars.  We never leave the dealership without feeling totally raped.  I believe the difference is that the Tesla dealer is not independent.  They are just an office of the factory and want most to make their customers so happy they tell all their friends (…as you can see – it is working)

I know you have a family now so it also has to be pointed out that the Tesla got the highest safety-rating of any car, basically perfect scores in all categories.  Then there is the unprecedented roominess.  The back seats fold down and reveal a space plenty big enough to put a mountain-bike, without even taking off the wheels.  Then there is a compartment below that, and a full “Fronk” – a front trunk with a ton more space – amazing.

Finally, one has to consider what would make an “S” lose value?  It has no engine to count the miles on.  It will never lose compression.  The interior with its 17″ monitor and exterior design are basically 10 years ahead of everybody else, so what is going to age?  Even the body can’t rust out from under you because it is all Aluminum!  The battery can be replaced in 2 minutes and they will probably have an even more amazing one you’d want to buy before the original one wears out.  Ilon Musk is creating a market for used Tesla batteries also.  Remember, a “warn-out” Lithium Ion battery is still extremely valuable for stationary power applications.  I expect we will get some trade-in value when that day finally comes.  So what is the true cost of a car that doesn’t age?

If you decide to get one, be absolutely sure to get the “big” battery, the 85kW.  That opens you up to cross-country driving and the use of Tesla’s free network of SuperChargers.  It is a blast to use the SuperChargers as they are located in great places with lots of stuff to do/eat/shop, and it only takes 20 minutes to finish and drive another couple hundred miles.

There are three models with the 85kW battery, the low-end, with just weak 2-wheel drive, the middle, with two more wheels of (weak) drive, together making it super-fast, and then the crazy-fast one where the rear wheels have the upgraded motor.  This one has a button called “Insane Mode”.  I hope to trade up to that some day.

I recommend you get the smaller wheels, less wheel-more tire.  The big wheels with the super low-profile tires are just expensive and I believe may be a harder ride.

A Tesla S transforms every trip into enjoying the journey as much or more than the destination.  I sincerely hope you make the leap and can absolutely guarantee NO buyer’s remorse.  You will shutter to think you almost didn’t get it.

The other end of the spectrum is a used Leaf for ~$14k if you just want to commute to work electric.  I wouldn’t pay a penny more for any other electric car because the true value is strangled by the severely limited range and absence of a super-charger network.  A used Leaf or an 85kW Tesla are the only rational EV choices.

I believe there are rebates on a new EV, but don’t have current status of those.

Sorry for the Novel.  I just get so excited!  I sincerely hope you take the plunge.

Take Care!  -Robert B

 
Tesla Reviews from Owners
Tesla Reviews from Owners
Car Advice

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Tesla

Porsche Carrera 6

November 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment

The Porsche 906, sometimes referred to as the Carrera 6, was the last street-legal race car Porsche produced.

Porsche strayed away from previous racing design types and created a new fiberglass body supported by a tubular frame.  The astonishing result was a car that weighed an impressive 249 pounds lighter than its predecessor, the Porsche 904, which weighed approximately 1443 pounds.

Porsche 906 ( Carrera 6, ) photo courtesy of Chuck Weber, Los Gatos, California

Porsche 906 ( Carrera 6, ) photo courtesy of Chuck Weber, Los Gatos, California

Ferrari drove Porsche to create the 906 when their 206 Dino almost instantly turned Porsche’s 904 obsolete. Porsche had little choice but to create a better era of racing cars.

Porsche engineers designed a sleek new fiberglass body shell. The 906’s space frame dictated a pair of top-hinged, gull wing type of doors. Another body feature change was the distinctive yellow-tinted clear plastic engine cover. There was a large air intake on top of the nose for the oil cooler, and split air intakes were ahead of the rear wheels, which were ducted to cool both the rear brakes and the transaxle.
The 906 racing model was Porsche’s first car to be tested inside a wind tunnel. Leading to top speeds of approximately 280 km/h or 170 mph, this car was a fast, powerful piece of equipment

The impressive lighter weight allowed the car to not only remain nimble but to keep a strong, rigid body for cornering and handling.

Regularly equipped with the 901/20 6-cylinder lightweight racing engine, it produced a stable output of 220 horsepower providing a very impressive power to weight 1 : 5.8 ratio.

The Carrera 6 had a few downfalls, however. The wheels were larger and heavier – 15-inches even though the design engineers originally wanted 13-inch wheels. The wheels were also bolted in the same fashion as a standard road car, with 5 nuts. This cost precious time in the pit and added time to the clock.

The Carrera 6 was integrated into FIA racing in January 1966 as a Group 4 Sports Car. Each of the production cars was individually tested at the Hockenheim racing circuit in the Rhine valley, Germany before shipping to their new owners.

Nearly a month after the first 906 was deemed ready to race, it was at the 1966 Rolex 24 at Daytona where factory drivers Hans Hermann and Herbert Linge shared driving. The dark blue Coupe finished 6th overall and won its class. There was little doubt that the Carrera 6 was going to be a formidable racing machine.

Porsche made approximately 65 Type 906s – 52 standard models, 9 fuel injection models, and four 8-cylinder models.

Automotive History Porsche Carrera 6

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Porsche

Toyota RAV4 EV The Dependable Electric Car For Your Family

March 30, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Toyota RAV4 EV - Electric Vehicles ReviewsToyota is one of the manufacturers of the all-electric cars. The electric car series of which the present day Toyota RAV4 EV evolved from came in the year 1997. This car is considered to be one of the legends among the electrically powered cars. The present day RAV4 EV is the result of constant improvements and advancements. Powered by Tesla’s Power train it offers more carrying capacity and longest range among similar electric vehicles that are available in the market today.

Toyota RAV4 EV is one of the tough electric cars that were built on a solid foundation. It offered good range for that type of power train and it made its riders happy and proud of having the opportunity to ride most green and clean vehicle. The design of the car is so unique that the battery compartment did not intrude with the passengers space hence offered the maximum space for the passengers. The use of the car in its sports mode offers many entertaining features and with the ability to check on the battery charging status with the full integration of the Smartphone with the core software that is running the car. This car is a successful combination of the Japanese automaker with the Silicon Valley based Tesla, and it is powered by the AC induction motor that you find in the Tesla Model S with modified set of internal gears.

The Toyota RAV4 EV has been styled to look sportier, capable family vehicle and a fun to drive crossover that has caught the fancy of many of the car lovers. It is a pleasant looking and well proportioned car. This is an all electric crossover available only in a selected few cities of Californian state. On the performance front, this electric car is powered by the Tesla drive train. The electric RAV goes from 0 to 60 in just seven seconds and is capable of running at 100 mph. The Sports mode gives a 154 horsepower with 273 pound feet of torque while it gives a torque of 218 pound feet in its normal mode. The braking system comes from the Toyota’s Prius hybrid.

The efficiency and range of Toyota RAV4 EV is very good compared to other vehicles as it is powered by Tesla’s battery pack with a capacity of 41.8 kilowatt hours. This means an assured range of more than 100 to 130 miles between charges even when you are driving your Toyota RAV4 EV in a rough and rash manner. When you are charging your RAV4, through the on board 10 kW Tesla charger it is able to charge faster. When you charge the batteries through your 30 amps 240 volt home power it may not show much improvement, but when you do the charging with a 40 amps power outlet you will be able to add 30 to 35 miles of range for every hour of charging.

The Toyota RAV4 EV is a comfortable electric car with sufficient space for all the passengers with more head and leg room. This car can seat 5 persons with adjustable front passenger and driver seats with a tilting and telescopic steering column. The cargo area is large enough and measures 38.4 cubic feet and no space has been wasted for accommodating the battery power pack.

The Toyota RAV4 EV comes with many of the standard features like a backup camera, six-speaker stereo with a touch-screen display, Bluetooth and a USB port. You can also get the following upgrades like climate control, push-button start, dual-zone automatic navigation, a premium audio system, lane departure alert, blind spot monitoring, a power lift gate etc.

The Toyota RAV4 EV has the following

Pros

  • Good build quality
  • Larger space
  • Ability to check of charge status through your smart phone
  • Offers full integration of the smart phone

Cons

  • Very costly
  • Available only in California
  • Limited range of 80 t0 100 miles
  • Messy controls for the music system

Thus, the Toyota RAV4 EV is one of the popular choices for your clean and green electric vehicle and no doubt that the giant Toyota motors will add more to their future Electric cars that are to be launched soon.

Electirc vehicles Reviews - Toyota RAV4 EV

Toyota RAV4 EV Pros and Cons



Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Toyota

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