einar writes:
"New Jersey's governor Christie has decided that all new motor vehicles must be sold through middlemen. This blocks Tesla from directly selling cars, without traditional car sellers. Although, New Jersey decided so this week, they are in good company: 48 states in the US ban or restrict direct car sales."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday March 14 2014, @10:05PM
I would like to point out that you're completely free (At least in the USA, which is the area we're discussing) to build your OWN car. Forget just engine/radio/tires - you can have the chassis designed the way you want, in materials you want (Space frame aluminum? carbonfiber monocoque? classic steel H-frame?), engine/transmission combination (Turbo Hayabusa setup? Ford ecoboost with an 8speed auto? 6 speed manual?) engine configuration, differential configuration and gearing, suspension setup, interior options and lighting, etc. (you get the point.)
Normally this is a process that takes an individual years to complete, however it IS completable. Often times in the past Kit-Cars were more popular, however there are still a few manufacturers that are in business (Factory5 racing comes to mind.)
You can even PAY someone to build it FOR you, However you want it. Simply because you refuse to look beyond the major manufacturers does not mean that other options do not exist.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday March 14 2014, @10:08PM
Same A/C here, there is also an open-source alternative to the engine management systems that are used, called Megasquirt/Microsquirt.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Common Joe on Saturday March 15 2014, @03:41AM
Not really true. If you want a car to be street legal (which is the kind of car we're talking about), then that car needs to have certain things and those requirements vary from state to state: emissions, seat belts, etc. Also, if you build a car, get into an accident, and its found to be lacking certain features (like brakes), you'll be held liable for the accident. Also based on my experiences with auto insurance, insurance would be impossible to get which is also required for driving around on the streets.
I suppose if you have billions of dollars and lots of time, then yes, you can have a car designed, engineered, and built just for you. We're talking about common consumers, though.
(Score: 2) by etherscythe on Saturday March 15 2014, @06:30PM
Err, what? I guess you're not familiar with the kit car you can buy and assemble in your backyard (see example) [factoryfive.com]. They're not exactly dune buggies with shantytown body paneling and lights.
"Fake News: anything reported outside of my own personally chosen echo chamber"