Used Tesla or new Bolt/Leaf?

[nemo]

What consideration is being given as to the age of the Tesla battery?

[redpoint5]

Well I've done no research on Teslas yet... time to sign up on a forum if I'm going to get serious about this. In general the Tesla batteries are holding up very well.

[Hersbird]

I think the Bolt is better if you can get all the tax breaks. If not, a used Bolt is better than a used Tesla at 1/2 the cost. Teslas are nice, but they are not $29k wrecked/used nice or $50k new nice. That short lived $35k price was the right price IMO and even then only makes sense financially if you also get the full tax breaks which were gone by the time the $35k Tesla popped up for a month.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I think the Bolt is better if you can get all the tax breaks. If not, a used Bolt is better than a used Tesla at 1/2 the cost. Teslas are nice, but they are not $29k wrecked/used nice or $50k new nice. That short lived $35k price was the right price IMO and even then only makes sense financially if you also get the full tax breaks which were gone by the time the $35k Tesla popped up for a month.

Used Bolts are going for ~$20k, so not half the price... I wouldn't purchase the reconstructed Tesla unless I could get it nearer to $23k. The guy isn't getting back to me though, so he seems uninterested in selling, or has already sold it and just didn't remove the ad.

The $35k Model 3 still exists, though it's now $35,400 (plus delivery) and has to be ordered by phone. Tesla is in the lowest federal tax credit ($1,875) before it expires entirely. Chevy is right behind. Nissan probably has another year or so before it triggers the tax credit phase out, so maybe holding out until then makes sense.

[vskid3]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Based on Rich Rebuilds videos, repairing a Tesla as an owner sounds like a PITA. Then again, I expect any manufacturing defects should have shaken out by now.

This would be my biggest ding against the Tesla. Your main maintenance item, tires, will be more expensive than the Bolt.

While the S would be quicker and nicer, I would go with the Bolt for its smaller size and probably cheaper maintenance and repair costs. Supercharger access would make the S easier to road trip in, but it sounds like you don't plan on doing that.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Used Bolts are going for ~$20k, so not half the price... I wouldn't purchase the reconstructed Tesla unless I could get it nearer to $23k. The guy isn't getting back to me though, so he seems uninterested in selling, or has already sold it and just didn't remove the ad.

The $35k Model 3 still exists, though it's now $35,400 (plus delivery) and has to be ordered by phone. Tesla is in the lowest federal tax credit ($1,875) before it expires entirely. Chevy is right behind. Nissan probably has another year or so before it triggers the tax credit phase out, so maybe holding out until then makes sense.

Everyone was claiming on here they could get new Bolts for a bit over $20k after all incentives. There were lease deals in California for under $99/mo zero money down. I guess those days are gone, or the people who paid $22k for a Bolt think it will still bring them $20k 2 years and 40,000 miles later. I agree though $20k used is what I found as well, but 40k used is what I see Teslas.

[oil pan 4]

Looks like the 40kwh leaf are hitting 90% capacity after 20,000 miles and not even in hot climates.

[oil pan 4]

Looks like 40kwh leafs are hitting 90% before 25,000 miles even in cool climates.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Looks like 40kwh leafs are hitting 90% before 25,000 miles even in cool climates.

That's not good. The Bolt loses 1% every 8,000 miles, so losing 1% every 2,500 is really bad.

If the trend held, the battery would be near 50% in 10 years. I wonder if the new Leaf will have a lot of battery warranty claims like the old one?

[Piotrsko]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

That's not good. The Bolt loses 1% every 8,000 miles, so losing 1% every 2,500 is really bad.

Really? Crap, my pack should be near death then. WAIT, it's so low that I can't actually accurately measure how far it has degraded and I technically abuse it.

There HAS to be yahoos out there doing some really stupid things to batteries.