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#11
Show and Shine / Re: After a 2.5 year restorati...
Last post by Revelations - Today at 12:35 AMAwesome car and congrats for getting it all finished up. This a keeper?
#12
Electric Vehicles (EVs) / Man Who Hates EVs Buys EV. Wha...
Last post by RRocket - Today at 12:05 AMWell I don't hate EVs, but....
Was looking to upgrade the Prius to another plug in but with AWD. There's a couple of boat ramps that were sketchy this year, covered with moss or slime (or ice!) Plus I'm looking at a slightly bigger boat. And the Prius has 270k on it (but still runs and drives perfectly). So I started kicking tires...
And stopped as quick as I started. The costs for used AWD plug-ins are ridiculous! Rav4 Primes are $35k ($37k with Technology Pkg). Outlander PHEV same ballpark. Considered a new Prius (no AWD though) and prices were similarly bonkers.
On a lark, looked at the prices on some EVs. And they are pretty cheap! Mid $20s fully loaded. Ended up testing one. Like it enough to decide to buy one. So I did. I'm curious to see if I'll regret it.
The much unloved Toyota BZ4X is what I ended up with. The fact they are unloved has depreciated them to borderline "bargain" prices. But only IF you can deal with the shortcomings. And I think I can.
Range is 300km (or so). The most I did in a day last year with work was 118km. The most in a non work day was 136km. And I regularly make my 40km range in the Prius work. So I have no concern there.
Charging time on 110v is 50 hours from dead to full. I only work part time and my time between shifts is 40 hours. So no concern. If it doesn't work out, I'll upgrade to a level 2..which gets it down to about 10 hours. Crappy for an EV but will work for me.
Since this is replacing my Prius, that was the benchmark. Not shocking it's "better" in most regards. Ride and handling are fine. Car feels planted (low CoG?). Better acceleration. Quiet. Nicer interior. Even the sucky JBL sound is better.
The Technology Package here vs the Prius is massively better. Not shocking given the 6 years between vehicles. But I actually was shocked by how fast and polished the self parking feature is vs the Prius which already worked really well.
Even though the Prius ICE engine was a bit grumbly...I think I'll miss that. I just like ICE. But I still have my awesome LS. So all is well!!
Anyways, here's the car. 2023 Toyota BZ4X with Technology. 49k kms. Bulk of factory warranty still intact until 2031. Also a HUGE thank you to Guy!! He checked out the car for me and like my Prius I bought it based on his inspection/test drive. So he's 2 for 2 on selling me Toyotas!
Was looking to upgrade the Prius to another plug in but with AWD. There's a couple of boat ramps that were sketchy this year, covered with moss or slime (or ice!) Plus I'm looking at a slightly bigger boat. And the Prius has 270k on it (but still runs and drives perfectly). So I started kicking tires...
And stopped as quick as I started. The costs for used AWD plug-ins are ridiculous! Rav4 Primes are $35k ($37k with Technology Pkg). Outlander PHEV same ballpark. Considered a new Prius (no AWD though) and prices were similarly bonkers.
On a lark, looked at the prices on some EVs. And they are pretty cheap! Mid $20s fully loaded. Ended up testing one. Like it enough to decide to buy one. So I did. I'm curious to see if I'll regret it.
The much unloved Toyota BZ4X is what I ended up with. The fact they are unloved has depreciated them to borderline "bargain" prices. But only IF you can deal with the shortcomings. And I think I can.
Range is 300km (or so). The most I did in a day last year with work was 118km. The most in a non work day was 136km. And I regularly make my 40km range in the Prius work. So I have no concern there.
Charging time on 110v is 50 hours from dead to full. I only work part time and my time between shifts is 40 hours. So no concern. If it doesn't work out, I'll upgrade to a level 2..which gets it down to about 10 hours. Crappy for an EV but will work for me.
Since this is replacing my Prius, that was the benchmark. Not shocking it's "better" in most regards. Ride and handling are fine. Car feels planted (low CoG?). Better acceleration. Quiet. Nicer interior. Even the sucky JBL sound is better.
The Technology Package here vs the Prius is massively better. Not shocking given the 6 years between vehicles. But I actually was shocked by how fast and polished the self parking feature is vs the Prius which already worked really well.
Even though the Prius ICE engine was a bit grumbly...I think I'll miss that. I just like ICE. But I still have my awesome LS. So all is well!!
Anyways, here's the car. 2023 Toyota BZ4X with Technology. 49k kms. Bulk of factory warranty still intact until 2031. Also a HUGE thank you to Guy!! He checked out the car for me and like my Prius I bought it based on his inspection/test drive. So he's 2 for 2 on selling me Toyotas!
#13
General Car Banter / Re: Montreal Auto Show 2026
Last post by Johnnymac - Jan 13, 2026, 04:58 PMMeh, probably nothing but EVs and boring stuff to look at.
#14
General Car Banter / Montreal Auto Show 2026
Last post by Blueprint - Jan 13, 2026, 04:19 PMWe're at Leg 3 of the Holidays - the Montreal Auto Show!
I'm attending media previews tomorrow night (Toyota, Nissan) but not media day Thursday because of the dayjob. Show opens to the public Friday morning (Jan. 16) and runs up to Sunday Jan. 25th.
I will be there on the 21st at the L'Annuel de l'automobile booth from about 5 pm to closing time, for those local.
A colleague leaked a few pics on fb. Cadillac will have a Celestiq on display and Kia will have the EV4 and its new electric vans. But Mazda won't be there at all.
I'm attending media previews tomorrow night (Toyota, Nissan) but not media day Thursday because of the dayjob. Show opens to the public Friday morning (Jan. 16) and runs up to Sunday Jan. 25th.
I will be there on the 21st at the L'Annuel de l'automobile booth from about 5 pm to closing time, for those local.
A colleague leaked a few pics on fb. Cadillac will have a Celestiq on display and Kia will have the EV4 and its new electric vans. But Mazda won't be there at all.
#15
General Car Banter / Re: Stellantis cancels all of ...
Last post by Blueprint - Jan 13, 2026, 04:02 PMQuote from: Bridgecity on Jan 13, 2026, 11:08 AMI've heard the hurricane engine is reliable thus far, but haven't dove into it much. When buying my Tundra I didn't drive a RAM, couldn't get past the Stellantis stigma. Maybe I should have. Apparently they ride amazing, and interiors are very nice. I don't know anyone that owns a newer RAM, which is odd, because pretty much every family I know has a pickup in the drive.
I loved the one I reviewed - except for the 19 l/100 km on premium gas. And the nearly six figure msrp. Air ride is incredible, interior top notch. The extended range EV should take care of the fuel economy part - msrp, not so much.
#16
Show and Shine / Re: After a 2.5 year restorati...
Last post by Gurgie - Jan 13, 2026, 11:13 AMVery nice!!
#17
General Car Banter / Re: Stellantis cancels all of ...
Last post by Bridgecity - Jan 13, 2026, 11:08 AMI've heard the hurricane engine is reliable thus far, but haven't dove into it much. When buying my Tundra I didn't drive a RAM, couldn't get past the Stellantis stigma. Maybe I should have. Apparently they ride amazing, and interiors are very nice. I don't know anyone that owns a newer RAM, which is odd, because pretty much every family I know has a pickup in the drive.
#18
Show and Shine / Re: After a 2.5 year restorati...
Last post by RRocket - Jan 13, 2026, 09:00 AMMust sound delicious...
#19
Electric Vehicles (EVs) / Re: General EV Discussion
Last post by Blueprint - Jan 13, 2026, 08:24 AMQuote from: Revelations on Dec 16, 2025, 12:39 AMLightning EV truck officially dead. Next Lightning will be a Hybrid with 700 mile range.
https://www.gminsidenews.com/threads/breaking-next-generation-ford-f-150-ev-will-become-extended-range-hybrid-ev-w-700-mile-range.310715/?post_id=7440211&nested_view=1#post-7440211
Cancelling that and the Escape are two very weird moves, with regard to our market. Escape was their No2 volume seller in Canada, with Ford touting "record hybrid sales" for 2025. Unless Bronco Sport gets a price drop and the hybrid + PHEV drivetrains, tough months ahead for Ford stores in QC.
#20
Electric Vehicles (EVs) / Re: General EV Discussion
Last post by Blueprint - Jan 13, 2026, 08:21 AMSpotted two Polestar 3's in 5 minutes yesterday, and a 3rd one a bit later. These things are off to a great start - in QC at least.