Depends on what you want to get out of the car —
Since you have 4 cars, I’m making the assumption that the EV is strictly a commute car — and With a RT commute of 75mi, the EV selection is quite vast and not limited to the Bolt and Model 3 either.
The KEY reason for the Tesla Model 3 for us is the enhanced Autopilot features; if not for that, the Bolt would have a very viable option as well as the upcoming Leaf 2.0 being announced in Sept. We’re still going to look at the Leaf is they are reported having a decent ProPilot — but need to see that in action first.
Our current EVs are dirt cheap leases –essentially free when factoring in gas savings. So wouldn’t Rule out a lease with Fiat 500e either if it’s a commuter car.
AP2 just got an update a few weeks ago and we test drove it (on S 75D) yesterday in traffic and it’s a lot better than early January. The summon worked well too — so hopefully near parity to AP1 as the reviews say it is . One thing I’m disappointed is no active alarm for backup alert (nor emergency backup brake) or blind side warning when NOT in AP2.
We’re Day 1 reservation holders and believe Tesla is timing the production to cross early Qtr 1 (Jan 2018) to maximize the phaseout which would then mean $7500 out on June 2018. Our delivery time luckily is Jan-Mar 2018 for the smaller battery. We’re adding the AP2 just to make sure we’re a little up on in the line and not butting that $7500 cut off mark. — If the rampup doesn’t make it, we’ll squeeze into the larger battery just because of that cutoff, but anticipate not an issue. (since you’re talking HOV — that’s Cali talk, and we have the $2500 Cali rebate too).
That’s why for those looking at strictly a commute car without AP2, Fiat Lease is essentially a free car in California. The Model 3 is going to be nice ride with AP2 for $30,000 post rebates .
Day 1 Model 3 reservation holder and lease of both the Spark EV and Fiat500 EV on crazy cheap leases ($100/mo) that are up Spring 2018, so timing for our $35k base model is good. 100 mi commuter does most of the job, but we still have ICE cars as backup for long local day trips.
We’re upgrading it for one reason only — Autopilot — so costs anticipated: $35 + $5 enhanced AP – $7.5 fed tax – $2.5 CA tax credit =
$30,000 Tesla 3 with Enhanced AutoPilot.
That’s not a bad deal as the closest comps are Leaf 2.0 and Bolt and neither of those too have shown any progress toward Autopilot inroads and we want that experience and luxury.
For our daily local family hauler, we have our sites on the Niro EV to replace the Odyssey+CRV. We need space to haul 2+2+dog.
Nope. Nissan Leaf instead. Got some amazing discounts.
I love the car so much, I’m seriously considering purchasing a second one (used of course)
I am also a day 1 reservation holder (x2, 1 of them is going to my father) and current Model S AP1 owner. My delivery window for the standard battery is Dec-Feb and Jan-Mar for each of my reservations. Tesla should reach 200,000 US deliveries around Q1 2018, meaning the $7500 tax credit is available for that quarter and also the following Q2 2018. Which would probably allow us to claim the full credit up until mid-2018, at which point it goes down to $3750.
I love the car so much, I’m seriously considering purchasing a second one (used of course)
With all of the federal, state, local, and dealer discounts, we paid $7,500 (plus taxes and title and registration) for a brand new one. Saves $1000+ a year in gas, even if we pay for all electric costs. Came with 2 years of free charging, so we’re really saving!
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