Opinions on the best value in a used EV

[Hersbird]

I have to believe at some point the aftermarket will see a value in making upgraded battery packs and software hacks or programming to use them. Even just gutting the factory controls and going full custom it would seem a once electric car is a better starting point then say a Metro or a Mirage. It seems the compliance cars fall sort of into the problem of say a C5 Corvette. Too new to be collectible, too old to be desirable. The EVs are too new to have aftermarket, but too old already compared to the new models to be desirable. That makes them both a great value in my book.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by JSH

I currently lease a 2016 Spark

There is a used car lot down the road from me that specialized in used Spark EVs. He said the wholesale market for them is so bad that Chevy will only auction Spark EVs in batches of 5 cars at a time.

Yet the cheapest Spark EV is still $5500 for an out of warranty 2014

It’s too bad the wholesale and retail have diverged so far.

[redpoint5]

The Gen I EVs were sold in such low volume that I don't expect an aftermarket battery solution to pop up. I consider those EVs to be disposable, and probably many others do as well, which would reflect in the poor resale value.

[NeilBlanchard]

I've owned five EV's over nearly six years - a 2015 Leaf S, 2015 e-Golf SEL, 2017 Bolt EV, 2017 e-Golf SE, 2018 Smart EQ. My extended family has had twelve EV's - 2 i MiEV's, 3 other Leafs, another Bolt EV, and i3 REx, in addition to ours.

The e-Golf's are the best car, and the best EV. They are close to ideal on both fronts. They coast by default - and they coast incredibly well, with the right tires. They have a unique feature - a direct heating windshield defroster, which helps them maintain more range in the winter.

The Bolt EV is the best range, and has the best performance, and the best dash information. It also fits my tall family of four better than any car we have ever owned.

Used Smart ED's are the lowest cost EV's most of the time. If you can live with the 2 seats and short range, they can be great.

Leaf is the most common, and are larger than the e-Golf. They are decent cars, and have several good features as EV's. Where I am in the northeast, the batteries do not seem to have very much capacity loss, at all.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I've owned five EV'

The e-Golf's are the best car, and the best EV. They are close to ideal on both fronts. They coast by default - and they coast incredibly well, with the right tires. They have a unique feature - a direct heating windshield defroster, which helps them maintain more range in the winter.

Where I am in the northeast, the batteries do not seem to have very much capacity loss, at all.

E-Golf is also about twice the price as a Leaf

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

E-Golf is also about twice the price as a Leaf

Not if you compare same year and mileage, but yes buying an older Leaf can be quite a bit less. I'm starting to see for $10,000 I can have my choice of anything 2016 or older besides a Tesla. I'm hoping given another 10 months that holds true for 2017s as well as there seems to be some nice upgrades in 2017. Except the Bolt, I don't think it will get there that soon. If a nice 2016 anything FWD EV comes across the block for around $5000 I'll probably just take it, they all seem close enough to take a bargain.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Yet the cheapest Spark EV is still $5500 for an out of warranty 2014

It’s too bad the wholesale and retail have diverged so far.

That means that car has lost 80% of it's value in 5 years. Pretty cheap if you ask me.

Right now the auctions are liquidating 2016 Spark EVs that are coming off their 3 year leases. Those are the cars selling in batches of 5. They go for about $9-10K retail

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The Gen I EVs were sold in such low volume that I don't expect an aftermarket battery solution to pop up. I consider those EVs to be disposable, and probably many others do as well, which would reflect in the poor resale value.

I agree with the exception of the Nissan Leaf. All the rest are sold in such low volumes that it makes no sense economically for someone to develop an aftermarket battery. Take my Spark. Chevy only sold 6,600 Spark EVs total from 2014 - 2016 and they changed the battery and motor in 2015.

[Snax]

I think the best people can hope for with respect to battery upgrades is OEM such as with the i3.

Supposedly the 90AH battery is a direct fit for the older 60AH i3 battery, but any other option would require a complete system rehab or software hack that nobody has come close to making work. But i3s are hardly a 'best value' from a utilitarian view. I love mine, but it is getting significant style points in it's favor from me.

[Snax]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Tesla destination chargers are AC. AC charging goes through the charging circuit on the car, so it's limited to 3.3 kW.

Most destination chargers are at least 7.7kW, with some being 15.4 kW. (Though for some reason Tesla has chosen to round the latter number up to 16kW. Go figure.)

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Snax

Most destination chargers are at least 7.7kW, with some being 15.4 kW. (Though for some reason Tesla has chosen to round the latter number up to 16kW. Go figure.)

That comment was in the context of the Spark, which I should have made more clear.