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I drive another manufacturer's equivalent of the Hyundai you mention, their lowest end car that they actually quit manufacturing, and I am sure the Hyundai is in the same ballpark.

I change the oil about twice a year. Over the past eight years, that has cost me about $480.

I have changed the transmission fluid three times. That has cost me about $140.

I've changed the air filter a couple times...not very often. Let's be generous and call it $40.

Around 120k I replaced the spark plugs. They were weirdly expensive, costing about $100.

I have performed no other maintenance.

I have filled it with gas about once a week. It's a pretty small tank. I'd estimate about $6000-$8000.

Add all that up, pretend electricity is free, and I have still come out way, way, way ahead versus buying a Model 3. I've still spent less than half of what I would have on a Model 3.



I hate to sound like I'm advocating for Sunk Cost, but this helps put numbers to a feeling I've had:

The current cost-over-time of my (and apparently your) ICE car is not meaningfully high enough to want to 'upgrade' to an all-electric. Plus, when mechanical problems eventually arise, there's already a somewhat-independent parts and labor infrastructure to lean on to get it back on the road.

On a personal level, I'm also opposed to giving Elon more money, and opposed to the idea that my car may brick itself with an auto-update. I also got a promotional 0% loan on my car, have zero intention of paying that off early, and can see this car lasting until 2028 or 2030. Unless I have kids, this car should be fine for my needs until then.


Thank you for the counterpoint. I concede that my idea of what a modern motor vehicle is is outdated. I'm actually happy to see that things have improved so much.




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