Considering a 2020 Ioniq EV

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Prius has the most usuable interior volume amongst cars.

Many CUV’s and SUVs don’t have as much room as a Prius

Yeah, the company CX-5 doesn't seem to be any better utility-wise, and actually seems worse than the Prius despite getting a middling 29 MPG in my hands.

[NeilBlanchard]

Another option would be a used Chevy Bolt EV - 238 mile range, hatchback, taller with excellent entry / exit, and what GM now says they over-designed the battery heating and cooling.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Another option would be a used Chevy Bolt EV - 238 mile range, hatchback, taller with excellent entry / exit, and what GM now says they over-designed the battery heating and cooling.

I took an hour test drive of one and liked it well enough. The power is nice, but not a high priority considering nothing is fun compared to a sport bike.

Used isn't a good value proposition right now because they still go for ~$24k. That's about what I can get a new one for after all discounts\incentives. My other concern is the small size.

I've pretty well eliminated the Leaf from my list unless there are some crazy good discounts.

The Bolt and Ioniq seem to be highest on my list to buy new. Used I'd probably go with a 2013+ Leaf or Spark EV.

[Flakbadger]

For what it's worth, I just purchased a used '17 Leaf SV and I absolutely love it. The range isn't an issue for me, nor is space. I saw you mentioned taking kids camping, I don't have kids so our needs might be different... But I am thrilled with this car.

I average around 4.2 mi/KWh (first week of ownership), and trickle charge every night. Has worked like a dream. I bought it used with 29k miles on the clock, and paid just a shade over $15,000. Once Oregon's government gets their **** together, I'll get a $2,500 charge ahead rebate too. I'm also selling my trusty old Yaris, which means grand total cost for me will be around $11,000, for something with about 120 miles of range. If we need to drive to Eastern OR to visit family, we'll just take my wife's Fit.

Just something to think about I guess. Best of luck to you.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I took an hour test drive of one and liked it well enough. The power is nice, but not a high priority considering nothing is fun compared to a sport bike.

Used isn't a good value proposition right now because they still go for ~$24k. That's about what I can get a new one for after all discounts\incentives. My other concern is the small size.

The Bolt and Ioniq seem to be highest on my list to buy new. Used I'd probably go with a 2013+ Leaf or Spark EV.

6 months ago before the tax credit died
used Bolts could be had around $14,000

Now they are $20k which is strange.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3768/overview/

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

6 months ago before the tax credit died
used Bolts could be had around $14,000

Now they are $20k which is strange.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3768/overview/

I haven't been keeping a very close eye, but I haven't heard of any going for less than about $20. I'd have picked one up anywhere in the country for $14k.

Looking at Cargurus, it looks like the market tanked for the Bolt and hit bottom in October, then rebounded. That price dip may have represented the steep discounting the manufacturer was offering as the 2020 model was set to be released, which got a small boost in range.

Don't know if Cargurus pricing reflects dealer pricing, or private party, but I assume it's dealer.

The most interesting thing is that the 2019 dipped below the value of the 2018 model in August and is just about on par with it now. Don't know how that happened because the models are identical.

Maybe I should be scouring the Bay Area ads for private party vehicles with expired HOV access. I'd love to make an arbitrage business that shuffles CAs undesirable EVs to the hot PDX market.

EDIT: Just found a 2016 spark with 16,000 miles on it advertised for $8,800. The dealer claims to be eligible for the state $2,500 rebate for low income people, so if I could talk them down $300 I might be able to get it for $6k. Seems like a heck of a deal.

EDIT2: Just had another idea; scoop up a used Model S where the owner purchased full self drive and hope Tesla delivers on it someday.

[Flakbadger]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

EDIT2: Just had another idea; scoop up a used Model S where the owner purchased full self drive and hope Tesla delivers on it someday.

One of the dudes at Platt Auto in Milwaukie (where I bought my car from) bought a Model S with a bunch of body damage and a fair amount of miles. He (through working at the dealership) bought it at cost, got the damage repaired, and has a ~200 mile car for, it sounds like, mid 30k range total. I understand that's a bit of a unicorn and maybe unlikely to happen for one of us "civilians" that's not in the business, but it's possible.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

One of the dudes at Platt Auto in Milwaukie (where I bought my car from) bought a Model S with a bunch of body damage and a fair amount of miles. He (through working at the dealership) bought it at cost, got the damage repaired, and has a ~200 mile car for, it sounds like, mid 30k range total. I understand that's a bit of a unicorn and maybe unlikely to happen for one of us "civilians" that's not in the business, but it's possible.

I see Platt in a lot of ads. Any idea how they are to work with? Normally I'd buy private party, but the Oregon rebates require purchases to be through an approved dealer (which seems silly considering if someone is low income, they are probably purchasing private party to save money).

Anyhow, there's a '13 S on OfferUp with a $30k asking that has been there for months. Financing a $30k vehicle with a reconstructed title is more difficult. I might be interested at a price closer to $25k... just checked and it looks like it finally sold. I'd probably rather have a new Model 3 for $35k though if spending that kind of money.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

EDIT2: Just had another idea; scoop up a used Model S where the owner purchased full self drive and hope Tesla delivers on it someday.

I saw a couple articles yesterday about a dealer that purchased a lemon-law buyback Model S from Tesla with FSD, sold it to a customer, and three days later Tesla updated the software to remove FSD, with the excuse that the buyer (who purchased it from the dealer) had not paid for it. Something to be careful of looking at used Teslas, apparently.

[Flakbadger]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I see Platt in a lot of ads. Any idea how they are to work with?

Can't recommend them highly enough. Greg (owner) and Ray are fantastic to work with, absolutely no pressure. They have a huge selection and fair pricing. Expect to pay market value, but they also inspect every vehicle, make repairs as needed, only sell the good quality ones, and offer a 7-day no-questions-asked return, and I think a 30-day repair warranty.
They paid to have the tint fixed on my window when I noticed it peeling on the 2nd day of ownership.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

[...] The Oregon rebates require purchases to be through an approved dealer (which seems silly considering if someone is low income, they are probably purchasing private party to save money).

I think this is to make sure you don't sell a car back and forth to your friends and all get rebates from one vehicle over and over. Also I'm sure there's SOME way to make money for the OR government, considering how greedy OR is with things like upping the registration fees for EV's because "yOu ArEn'T pAyInG gAs TaX, hOw ArE wE gOiNg To FiX tHe RoAd," even though most of the road damage isn't done by passenger vehicles. But I digress...