Finally taking the EV dive but having trouble deciding

danrjones · Mar 9, 2022

All of these replies are showing something that is nice, CHOICE. Sure, its not as much nor as low a cost as we need, but look at the choices available now that weren't a few years back.

Tesla 3/Y/S/X
Chevy Bolt/ Euv (when in production... soon?)
Hyundai Kona-E, Ioniq 5
Kia ENiro, EV6
Nissan Leaf, Leaf+, Ariya
Toyota BZ4X
Subaru Solterra
Audi Etron, Etron Q4
Polstar 2
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Ford Mache, F150 Lightning
VW ID4
Rivian R1T, R1S

And more...

Tallerbill · Mar 9, 2022

Robert Brown said: ↑

Finally committing to buying my first EV in the next month or two for various reasons. Really open to possibilities, but there are 2 things I require. I have 4 kids and on occasion I take them all to school, so I need to have 5 seat capacity, tight in the back is fine, but 3 kids have to fit in the rear seat. Second, the only option I really really have come to rely on and want is adaptive cruise. Used is definitely an option. I have a roughly 1 hour commute to work 1 way, about 100 miles/day, so I feel like having 200 mile range or more is sufficient (extra for age/weather/etc...)Was wanting to stay in mid $35K after any tax rebate, but seem to be drifting up to $40K in my shopping...

I'm in NC, so the new Hyundai/Kias are not even sold here. The chevy bolt EV has no adaptive, so its eliminated. The Bolt EUV only has it on the top trim, can find those new on occasion for ~$39K. The Mustang Mach -E base model seems great after rebate... but that lead time, and finding one on a lot here seems impossible. The VW ID4, again seems promising, but terrible lead time. I can find them on lots new in the ~$46K range, ordering has terrible lead time, used are as expensive as new, but lack the rebate making them too expensive. Tesla Model 3's new are unavailable and again, terrible lead time to order. Used 3's start around $41K for 3 year old models 50K plus miles.
So my last option, and the one I'm almost leaning towards is an older used Tesla Model S. Would that be a huge mistake maintenance/expense and reliability wise? They have room, the features I want, and start in the mid $35K-40K range it seems and I would hope I would be getting a great experience in one?
To make a long story short my options seem to boil down to:
Older Tesla Model S with the AP1 at least for adaptive cruise $35-40K
Chevy Bolt EUV premier with adaptive for ~$39K
VW ID4 in the $46K range but with the $7500 tax incentive
Get lucky finding a Mach-E base some day for around $45K?
Maybe possibly find a Tesla Model 3 used in the sub $40K range with some luck and patience?

Any options I'm missing? Am I asking for trouble with an older Model S?
Click to expand...

Robert Brown said: ↑

Finally committing to buying my first EV in the next month or two for various reasons. Really open to possibilities, but there are 2 things I require. I have 4 kids and on occasion I take them all to school, so I need to have 5 seat capacity, tight in the back is fine, but 3 kids have to fit in the rear seat. Second, the only option I really really have come to rely on and want is adaptive cruise. Used is definitely an option. I have a roughly 1 hour commute to work 1 way, about 100 miles/day, so I feel like having 200 mile range or more is sufficient (extra for age/weather/etc...)Was wanting to stay in mid $35K after any tax rebate, but seem to be drifting up to $40K in my shopping...

I'm in NC, so the new Hyundai/Kias are not even sold here. The chevy bolt EV has no adaptive, so its eliminated. The Bolt EUV only has it on the top trim, can find those new on occasion for ~$39K. The Mustang Mach -E base model seems great after rebate... but that lead time, and finding one on a lot here seems impossible. The VW ID4, again seems promising, but terrible lead time. I can find them on lots new in the ~$46K range, ordering has terrible lead time, used are as expensive as new, but lack the rebate making them too expensive. Tesla Model 3's new are unavailable and again, terrible lead time to order. Used 3's start around $41K for 3 year old models 50K plus miles.
So my last option, and the one I'm almost leaning towards is an older used Tesla Model S. Would that be a huge mistake maintenance/expense and reliability wise? They have room, the features I want, and start in the mid $35K-40K range it seems and I would hope I would be getting a great experience in one?
To make a long story short my options seem to boil down to:
Older Tesla Model S with the AP1 at least for adaptive cruise $35-40K
Chevy Bolt EUV premier with adaptive for ~$39K
VW ID4 in the $46K range but with the $7500 tax incentive
Get lucky finding a Mach-E base some day for around $45K?
Maybe possibly find a Tesla Model 3 used in the sub $40K range with some luck and patience?

Any options I'm missing? Am I asking for trouble with an older Model S?
Click to expand...

It might sound insane to you, but (especially if you can charge at work) consider buying a used Honda Clarity Touring. Check the Clarity forum for info on the car, extended Honda warranty deals, and used Claritys for sale. You'll probably have to fly somewhere to pick it up, but plane tickets are cheap.

Rob Kaulfuss · Mar 9, 2022

I got the Kona EV Ultimate in September after trying the ID.4 and Mach-E, Neuro EV, and Chevy EUV. The car is great, super fast and more efficient than all of them. It has slightly higher ground clearance than all of them except the AWD Id.4 by a hair. It has adaptive cruise control although I haven't tried it. The car is very short, but not that narrow and surprising roomy. You may be able to find some in your price range.

Rick Cormier · Mar 9, 2022

Robert Brown said: ↑

Finally committing to buying my first EV in the next month or two for various reasons. Really open to possibilities, but there are 2 things I require. I have 4 kids and on occasion I take them all to school, so I need to have 5 seat capacity, tight in the back is fine, but 3 kids have to fit in the rear seat. Second, the only option I really really have come to rely on and want is adaptive cruise. Used is definitely an option. I have a roughly 1 hour commute to work 1 way, about 100 miles/day, so I feel like having 200 mile range or more is sufficient (extra for age/weather/etc...)Was wanting to stay in mid $35K after any tax rebate, but seem to be drifting up to $40K in my shopping...

I'm in NC, so the new Hyundai/Kias are not even sold here. The chevy bolt EV has no adaptive, so its eliminated. The Bolt EUV only has it on the top trim, can find those new on occasion for ~$39K. The Mustang Mach -E base model seems great after rebate... but that lead time, and finding one on a lot here seems impossible. The VW ID4, again seems promising, but terrible lead time. I can find them on lots new in the ~$46K range, ordering has terrible lead time, used are as expensive as new, but lack the rebate making them too expensive. Tesla Model 3's new are unavailable and again, terrible lead time to order. Used 3's start around $41K for 3 year old models 50K plus miles.
So my last option, and the one I'm almost leaning towards is an older used Tesla Model S. Would that be a huge mistake maintenance/expense and reliability wise? They have room, the features I want, and start in the mid $35K-40K range it seems and I would hope I would be getting a great experience in one?
To make a long story short my options seem to boil down to:
Older Tesla Model S with the AP1 at least for adaptive cruise $35-40K
Chevy Bolt EUV premier with adaptive for ~$39K
VW ID4 in the $46K range but with the $7500 tax incentive
Get lucky finding a Mach-E base some day for around $45K?
Maybe possibly find a Tesla Model 3 used in the sub $40K range with some luck and patience?

Any options I'm missing? Am I asking for trouble with an older Model S?
Click to expand...

The salesman who sold us our Niro EV told us to expect 230+ miles per level 2 charge. Today, we got 276 miles out of it! Why? Because I have learned to drive in it's "Economy" range. That's a good thing. I tend to be heavy-footed when driving my Camry Hybrid. My wife's Niro EV has taught me to slow down. We use the Niro EV for trips to and from the city (90% of our driving). Even its 2022 basic EX model has most of the features that were previously only offerered in the 2021 premium model.

Robert Brown · Mar 14, 2022

Ok, thanks all for the input. I think I've settled on a Model 3. One last question if anyone happens to know. I've found a couple on dealer lots with Full Self Driving packages. I've researched with mixed results on how transferrable that is. Has anyone successfully bought used and preserved or lost the Full Self Driving abilities?

bwilson4web · Mar 14, 2022

Robert Brown said: ↑

Ok, thanks all for the input. I think I've settled on a Model 3. One last question if anyone happens to know. I've found a couple on dealer lots with Full Self Driving packages. I've researched with mixed results on how transferrable that is. Has anyone successfully bought used and preserved or lost the Full Self Driving abilities?
Click to expand...

A Full Self Driving beta tester, I turned it off on the next to last 'hands on' warning. Having reverted to AutoPilot, it has all that I need for Huntsville driving. If you get FSD, good but don't set your hair on fire if no luck.

Bob Wilson

Robert Brown · Mar 15, 2022

bwilson4web said: ↑

A Full Self Driving beta tester, I turned it off on the next to last 'hands on' warning. Having reverted to AutoPilot, it has all that I need for Huntsville driving. If you get FSD, good but don't set your hair on fire if no luck.

Bob Wilson
Click to expand...

For the full self driving, I'm hoping for future improvements. Planning to keep this car long term, was hoping that it would keep being improved/added to until its significantly better than todays FSD. Am I being foolish there? Really have not kept up with that a ton, but I love the idea.

bwilson4web · Mar 15, 2022

Autopilot is enough. FSD adds lane definition for streets without center lane marking. I like FSD but Tesla is being an *ss about taking it away.

Bob Wilson

berchman · Apr 11, 2022

Calliope said: ↑

If you intend to ever take it on any kind of medium distance trip, I really recommend a Tesla - the Supercharger network is so much better than using DCFC. Not just about speed of charge, but for the reliability: I used to pull up to a fast charger to find them out of service far too often, but Superchargers are much more reliable (yes, there may be some out of service, but because they are in clusters, 1 or 2 out of service units doesn't mean I suddenly have to drive to a whole new location - I just move to the next available unit). Teslas are also among the most efficient EVs, and it's really nice to buy directly from the manufacturer and not have to deal with a dealership.
Click to expand...

During the recent unveiling of BMW's iX and i4, the spokesman said that they would come with two years of free charging with Electrify America. When I pointed out that there are many reports of EA chargers out of order, he replied that if one calls the telephone number on the charger, someone will repair it remotely. Is this true?

bwilson4web · Apr 11, 2022

berchman said: ↑

… calls the telephone number on the charger, someone will repair it remotely. Is this true?
Click to expand...

They can remotely restart the station software that often gets it working again. But I always tried the other stalls first.

Bob Wilson

cwerdna · Apr 12, 2022

berchman said: ↑

During the recent unveiling of BMW's iX and i4, the spokesman said that they would come with two years of free charging with Electrify America. When I pointed out that there are many reports of EA chargers out of order, he replied that if one calls the telephone number on the charger, someone will repair it remotely. Is this true?
Click to expand...

Although I can't say I'm a fan of EA, virtually every single time I've gone to an EA site with the intent to either pay for juice or take advantage of announced or unannounced free juice (https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/), if there's a problem w/a charger or handle, almost always can I find another one at that site that works.

I of course check Plugshare before going there though.

https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/arobs-spring-2022-cross-country-bolt-trip-thread.42624/page-3#post-708244 did an over 7K mile road trip in his Bolt using EA many times and reported on his experiences.

Yes on what Bob said.

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Finally taking the EV dive but having trouble deciding

danrjones Active Member

Tallerbill New Member

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Robert Brown New Member

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