Cheap used electric cars (OEM & other EV's) you've seen for sale

[MetroMPG]

I know a number of long time members have been salivating in the last year or so as used EV prices have plummeted.

Why are prices so low? Blame ...

(1) The tax rebates/incentives that immediately knock $7500+ off the resale value,
(2) steadily improving battery tech / capacity making the older models look less viable,
(3) normal battery degradation reducing capacity/range in older EV's,
(4) FUD about battery failure / replacement,
(5) ???

EG: stories about used Leafs available for well under $10k have become pretty common. Mitsubishi iMievs occasionally pop up in the $6k range (right, Daox??).

The Smart pictured above takes the cake, though! If you don't need cargo space, it'd be hard to beat. Plus, they were described as fun to drive (much more so than their ICE bretheren, like the diesel cabrio I tried out last summer).

So let's use this thread to post notable examples of EV's you've seen advertised. Post a pic & link!

Used 2013 smart fortwo electric drive Coupe


Auto Max USA
Yakima, WA 98901

Mileage 16,417
Drive Type 2 wheel drive - rear
Stock # 19428
VIN WMEEJ9AA5DK726236
ATC Car ID AT-1B4774BE

Seller Comments

ANY QUESTIONS ASK FOR OR CALL JIMMY INTERNET MANAGER !! THANKS !! 509-930-5449 !!

LOW MILES !! JUST UN PLUG AND GO !! NEEDS NO GAS !! HAS 78 MILE RANGE !!

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=457667774

I will admit I have occasionally been browsing for used PHEV's. A Volt, plug-in Prius or something similar is on my long-range radar. Though they're still quite a few years out of my price range.

[Daox]

Haha, yes I've seriously thought about pulling the trigger on an imiev several times now. I just haven't been able to do it since the fuel savings (vs my Metro or Insight) are so tiny. The day will come though..

[rmay635703]

I've seen lemon law Fiat 500e s fixed up and running in the low $3's

Good time to buy a simple runabout, I paid about as much for my c-car a decade ago.

Ah well

[redpoint5]

2014 Spark EV $8,800


There was a 2014 BMW i3 on CL for $17,500 a couple weeks ago.

I'm seeing 2013 Leafs on CL every week for $7,500.

The bottom of the market has to be near, and that's when I'll snatch something.

I'm also guessing that some people are selling their EV because one time last year they needed to travel further than the range of their vehicle, and now that the cool factor of EV has worn off, they never want to be range limited again.

The Bolt and "cheap" Tesla are also big factors for plummeting EV prices.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The bottom of the market has to be near, and that's when I'll snatch something.

Bottom? Of used Leaf prices?

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Bottom? Of used Leaf prices?

Bottom of these gen I EVs (Leaf, i3, Spark, Golf, Focus, etc), and by bottom, I mean when the vehicles return to normal vehicle depreciation rates.

There is a good chance that used EVs could appreciate in value in the near future when tax credits begin to expire. Suddenly new EVs will cost $7,500 more than before which will devastate demand for new ones. This should raise used car values, at least momentarily.

What is the price you would jump in, Metro?

I'll be taking a Bolt out for a test drive in a couple weeks, and then I'll see if my company allows it for my work vehicle. I'm driving a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan that was handed down to me when I started this new job.

[vskid3]

Great thread to start just as I'm coming down from really wanting an EV again (happens every couple months). :P

My "dream" (possibly affordable to me in the near future) EV is a Bolt, it could pretty easily replace the Prius. Any other Prius replacement would have to be a PHEV/range extender. I've considered just getting the Prius a buddy and having 2 cars. I'm leaning towards a Spark EV, but the cheaper ones don't seem to have fast charging (a must if I want to go outside of my city), so a Leaf may be a better fit for my wallet. Would have to be a 2013+ with heat pump, I've read too much about 2011's and 2012's battery issues.

There's several Smarts near me for $4500-6000, a couple i-MiEVs for $5500 and $6k, Leafs from $6500, Fiat 500e for $8k-8500, Spark EV for $9.5-10k, C-Max Energi for $12k, i3 as low as $18k. Prices are from local news site's classifieds, www.ksl.com/auto/ , much higher use than Craigslist in Utah.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by vskid3

My "dream" (possibly affordable to me in the near future) EV is a Bolt, it could pretty easily replace the Prius. Any other Prius replacement would have to be a PHEV/range extender. I've considered just getting the Prius a buddy and having 2 cars.

EVs aren't a great option for single car families unless you have friends or family that would like to trade vehicles when you need to travel further than the range allows.

Perhaps the i3 REX would be a good fit for you. It has a tiny gas generator for those extended trips. Those prices have already fallen drastically, and should continue to do so for the next year.

[Daox]

Here is a 2011 Leaf for $5k in Seattle. Hard to beat that.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...5298/overview/

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

There is a good chance that used EVs could appreciate in value in the near future when tax credits begin to expire. Suddenly new EVs will cost $7,500 more than before which will devastate demand for new ones. This should raise used car values, at least momentarily.

Interesting!

What is the price you would jump in, Metro?

Well, considering the last 3 cars I've bought were $1k or less...

A PH/EV would just be a toy to try out for a while, then sell. Given how little I drive, I'd probably use more energy topping up self-discharging batteries than from actual driving.