Automotive

[nacho]

The Nissan's battery died again because I forgot that I had a car down in the garage. I was going to get one of those portable chargers, like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Clore-JNC300XL-Jump-N-Carry-Ultraportable-12-Volt/dp/B000XQ9MGE/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

Mainly because I don't want to push the car out of a tight space, charge it, get mocked relentlessly by the TM, only to park the car and forget about it for another three months. (Though I am under orders by said TM that, once I get it started, I have to take the Nissan out once a week.)

I've seen the professional types use these portable chargers. Like when I use my roadside assistance option from Geico and a guy comes out with one and charges my car in 39 seconds and bills me a zillion dollars. What's the track record on using these, though. Should normal people use one? Are they worth it? Can I just convince RC to come down four times a year and jumpstart my car for me while I sit upstairs and watch Care Bears movies?

 

[RottingCorpse]

I actually don't own jumper cables.

And why don't you just get rid of the car? You drive it, what, four times year now?

http://www.zipcar.com

[nacho]

I actually don't own jumper cables.

And why don't you just get rid of the car? You drive it, what, four times year now?

http://www.zipcar.com

I was one of the first people in the area to sign up for Zipcar!

I hated it. Their fleet cards made getting gas hard, they were full of hidden charges, and it's a scam when you need the car. Like say I want to go see Sirharles, or you... I'm paying by the hour.

Not that I ever get out anyway!

(Yes, I could survive not having a car... But there's a convenience factor. But, even then, I do only drive it four times a year. Maybe I'll just do what the TM tells me to do...)

[nacho]

You know, I don't even need Zipcar... Everywhere I go is on the Metro rail/bus. I really am at the point where a tank of gas lasts me half a year... I can rent a car for WVA trips (which I only do once or twice a year). I can walk to all the shops (and I normally do). On the weekends and at night I have the TM's ladycar...

I feel like I'm letting go of some part of my manhood, though.

[monkey!]

Cars go broooom!

[Reginald McGraw]

The Nissan's battery died again because I forgot that I had a car down in the garage. I was going to get one of those portable chargers, like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Clore-JNC300XL-Jump-N-Carry-Ultraportable-12-Volt/dp/B000XQ9MGE/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

Mainly because I don't want to push the car out of a tight space, charge it, get mocked relentlessly by the TM, only to park the car and forget about it for another three months. (Though I am under orders by said TM that, once I get it started, I have to take the Nissan out once a week.)

I've seen the professional types use these portable chargers. Like when I use my roadside assistance option from Geico and a guy comes out with one and charges my car in 39 seconds and bills me a zillion dollars. What's the track record on using these, though. Should normal people use one? Are they worth it? Can I just convince RC to come down four times a year and jumpstart my car for me while I sit upstairs and watch Care Bears movies?

When I was at UMBC, and driving an unreliable car, I more than once availed myself of the campus police's version of this. They just handed it out in exchange for your license.

I always thought it was weird because once you start your car and are supposed to drive for 30 mins or something to recharge the battery...you don't have your license.

Anyway, they're easy to use if you know how to use jumper cables and if you keep them charged...no problem.

[nacho]

Used various Amazon coupons to get one for $30. Arrived today and, holy shit, it's awesome. Why do people still use jumper cables?

[Reginald McGraw]

Because jumper cables are $7 with no coupons?

[nacho]

But they require people! Interaction! And they're not at all cool and manly. And you don't necessarily always have a highly portable torture device.

The future is paying three times as much for something you'll use once, my friend. Wait and see. Wait...and...see.

[Reginald McGraw]

Touche.

[nacho]

Actually, I consider it a peace-of-mind investment because I can throw it in the trunk and have it handy...because I drive a 20 year old car with over 150k miles on it that I refuse to junk or replace and I only start it up once a month to chase the mice out of the engine.

[Reginald McGraw]

I have a huge man-crush on Elon Musk.

It just got worse: http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/all-our-patent-are-belong-you