Blasphemy

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CuriousGeorge

Well-Known Member
My SE is the first EV I have owned, and I didn't really know how well it would fit my lifestyle. I therefore hung onto my Mazda 3 until I figured things out. Fast-forward 3+ years, and I love my SE to the point that I don't drive it the winter, or even when it might rain, just to keep it clean. Unfortunately, the Mazda now has 165k miles, needs a lot of work (shocks, clutch, exhaust), and is starting to rust. So, what to do? The cheapest option is to just get some winter wheels for the SE and not have two cars. OTOH, I could replace the Mazda with something a bit newer/more reliable. If so, what? Possibilities I have considered so far are 1) an ICE MINI, 2) a Chevy Bolt, 3) a newer Mazda 3, and 4) a Honda Fit (see the theme here?). Any other suggestions? Budget is $20k or less.
 
CuriousGeorge said:
My SE is the first EV I have owned, and I didn't really know how well it would fit my lifestyle. I therefore hung onto my Mazda 3 until I figured things out. Fast-forward 3+ years, and I love my SE to the point that I don't drive it the winter, or even when it might rain, just to keep it clean. Unfortunately, the Mazda now has 165k miles, needs a lot of work (shocks, clutch, exhaust), and is starting to rust. So, what to do? The cheapest option is to just get some winter wheels for the SE and not have two cars. OTOH, I could replace the Mazda with something a bit newer/more reliable. If so, what? Possibilities I have considered so far are 1) an ICE MINI, 2) a Chevy Bolt, 3) a newer Mazda 3, and 4) a Honda Fit (see the theme here?). Any other suggestions? Budget is $20k or less.
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I admire your protective instincts. To keep my first new car, a 1973 Porsche 914 2.0, out of the salt, I rode my bicycle 7 miles to work every winter (I couldn't afford a 2nd car with my Porsche payments). I piled the logs for the fireplace behind my 914 in the garage to ensure I wouldn't go soft on the nastiest, icy days.

No manufacturers are hinting that they will be bringing anything like our MINI Cooper SEs to the US. You're on the right track with your sacrificial candidates.

Now I'm feeling a little guilty for enjoying my SE all year round.
 
What could be better than one MINI SE? Two MINI SEs. Cars.com has a few of them available for $20k (though used prices seem to have gone up about 20% over the last few months).
 
Qisl said:
What could be better than one MINI SE? Two MINI SEs. Cars.com has a few of them available for $20k (though used prices seem to have gone up about 20% over the last few months).
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I've thought about it! But, it seems like more of an indulgence than I am up for. $20k on a 2nd car is one thing, but $20k on another short-range EV exactly like the first is another.
 
Our 2023 SE has full coverage Xpel PPF and ceramic coating. It goes in once a year for a complete detail and ceramic refresh. The black parts are so easy to scratch that it bothered me. The car was paint corrected before the Xpel was applied and now it is so easy to wash the car. I'm not concerned with swirl marks anymore as the Xpel is "supposed to be self-healing" (it actually is, there was a scuff on our Taycan Cross Turismo and the scuff dissapeared after leaving the car in the sun per instructions).

I realize PPF is not for everyone, but the exterior is so much easier to keep clean now.
 
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