Buying an electric car

by Idéfix Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:46 pm

I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?

by rawemotions Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:08 pm

Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?

I do not have any particular recommendation. The TSLA is coming out with a cheaper variant. Not sure when it is out (2015). I believe it is slated to be around 35K.

But I am curious to know, on what aspects do we compare electric cars. For example,
a) Miles on single charge
b) Do any of them have Gas Backup ?
c) Acceleration ability
d) Maximum speed
e) Apart from usual recreational stuff
f) Recently making into regular SUV's (Side camera's , back camera,
automatic obstacle detection, proximity warning etc..)

1) Do the electric cars have these ? The features in (f) are cool features.

2) I am also interested in understanding, why anyone should Lease instead of
buying it outright (with an auto Loan) ?
3) I presume you went for lease predominantly because the technology changes so fast ,
and you want an easy option to go for something better. Is that right ?

4) How does the economics compare for buy Vs Lease ? I always thought buying with auto loan
is better than lease for owning cars. Can you clarify ?

5) If I lease a car, then carpet , seats are all going to have wear and tear.
Won't that be a problem when you sell it back to the dealer ?

by Idéfix Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:53 pm

The primary reason for lease decision is that I expect the car to be obsolete in the next 3 years or so, thanks to rapid technological advances. If I buy the car, I would likely want to upgrade in that 3 year timeframe, at which point the electric cars of today will be severely depreciated.

If the wear and tear is more than usual levels, I expect I will have to pay for it when you return the car at the end of the lease.

The key features I looked into are items a and c. The BMW i3 has a gas option, the others don't. The BMW and the Merc both have a lot of the features in (f). They are similar in 0-60 acceleration, while the Leaf is much slower. They all top out around 100 mph.

I am intrigued by the upcoming Tesla, but I can't wait. I need a car in the next few weeks.

by Propagandhi711 Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:02 pm

why electric car? is primary purpose to save on gas or save the planet? coz way things are going, saving on gas will not be a valid reason much longer...it'll end up being an expensive hobby without much in the way of fun (unless you equate driving an electric in itself to be fun)

by Idéfix Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:57 pm

Propagandhi711 wrote:why electric car? is primary purpose to save on gas or save the planet? coz way things are going, saving on gas will not be a valid reason much longer...it'll end up being an expensive hobby without much in the way of fun (unless you equate driving an electric in itself to be fun)

Save the world + get carpool sticker for doing my part. Mostly the carpool sticker actually. It will make a difference of at least 15 minutes each way.

It's good to see $3/gallon gas, but I wonder if this a blip or a long-term trend.

by Propagandhi711 Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:18 pm

Idéfix wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:why electric car? is primary purpose to save on gas or save the planet? coz way things are going, saving on gas will not be a valid reason much longer...it'll end up being an expensive hobby without much in the way of fun (unless you equate driving an electric in itself to be fun)
Save the world + get carpool sticker for doing my part. Mostly the carpool sticker actually. It will make a difference of at least 15 minutes each way.

It's good to see $3/gallon gas, but I wonder if this a blip or a long-term trend.

I keep reading that oil is going back to 60-70 as long term sustainable price point is somewhere at that level per analysts

by MaxEntropy_Man Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:06 pm

Idéfix wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:why electric car? is primary purpose to save on gas or save the planet? coz way things are going, saving on gas will not be a valid reason much longer...it'll end up being an expensive hobby without much in the way of fun (unless you equate driving an electric in itself to be fun)
Save the world + get carpool sticker for doing my part. Mostly the carpool sticker actually. It will make a difference of at least 15 minutes each way.

It's good to see $3/gallon gas, but I wonder if this a blip or a long-term trend.

with gas prices where they are, why not look into a prius? a compromise between all electric and a regular IC engine. i don't think the gas prices are a blip.

by Obnoxious Thu Nov 20, 2014 12:34 am

Idéfix wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:why electric car? is primary purpose to save on gas or save the planet? coz way things are going, saving on gas will not be a valid reason much longer...it'll end up being an expensive hobby without much in the way of fun (unless you equate driving an electric in itself to be fun)
Save the world + get carpool sticker for doing my part. Mostly the carpool sticker actually. It will make a difference of at least 15 minutes each way.

It's good to see $3/gallon gas, but I wonder if this a blip or a long-term trend.

Prius has a plug-in hybrid now. Mine is giving me 52+ miles/Gal.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:08 am

Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?

Congratulations..... You have now proven your credentials as not only a "green lover", but also a socialism-loving Naxalite, a lover of poor people, and a great "minimalist" and not to mention the lover of Jihadi loving Kashmiri musalman leaders.

I think you should wait for this one or you can make this your third car - The ultima car - to match your Kaliforia status.

by truthbetold Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:55 am

Guy asks for an advice on cars and gets slammed for presumed political leanings. It is his money. Let him spend it.

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:38 am

truthbetold wrote:Guy asks for an advice on cars and gets slammed for presumed political leanings. It is his money. Let him spend it.

Yeah, he is very progressive (unlike people like me). I still drive a 1983 S series Mercedes, waste money on gas and pollute the environment. I am no different from the pieceful who preserve and protect the 7th century book. Shame on me.

by b_A Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:09 pm

Looks like Audi is coming out with fuel cell based cars.

http://news.yahoo.com/audi-announces-mastered-hydrogen-unveils-first-fuel-cell-202346713.html

by Kris Fri Nov 21, 2014 3:41 am

Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?

>>>Not much by way of input on electrical cars, but I am getting a little tired of shelling out dollars on german cars even for routine upkeep. Am thinking of going back to japanese next time around.

by Propagandhi711 Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:12 am

Kris wrote:
Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?
>>>Not much by way of input on electrical cars, but I am getting a little tired of shelling out dollars on german cars even for routine upkeep. Am thinking of going back to japanese next time around.

good idea..I had an audi few years ago and that's enough experience with the krauts' fleecing for parts and service. that said, my dream has always been to own a 911 twin turbo porsche which will remain a dream until I win the lottery

by Kris Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:07 am

Propagandhi711 wrote:
Kris wrote:
Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?
>>>Not much by way of input on electrical cars, but I am getting a little tired of shelling out dollars on german cars even for routine upkeep. Am thinking of going back to japanese next time around.

good idea..I had an audi few years ago and that's enough experience with the krauts' fleecing for parts and service. that said, my dream has always been to own a 911 twin turbo porsche which will remain a dream until I win the lottery

>>>I know the feeling. My neighbor got a HELOC and got a Porsche. My ex-boss's husband refurbishes Italian cars. She would come in a sexed up Maserati once in awhile. The thought has crossed my mind to talk to him.

by confuzzled dude Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:47 am

Kris wrote:
Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?
>>>Not much by way of input on electrical cars, but I am getting a little tired of shelling out dollars on german cars even for routine upkeep. Am thinking of going back to japanese next time around.

That's why you get rid of bimmers, promptly after 4 years.

by confuzzled dude Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:58 am

Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?

A colleague of mine had i3 for a couple of months now, he seems to be happy. Range is around 85 miles, less in pure highway driving. Interesting thing about it is, you don't actually hit the brake, you take your leg off the gas pedal and it uses the energy to charge the battery on the go, in other words helps extending the range.

by Propagandhi711 Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:09 pm

Kris wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:
Kris wrote:
Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?
>>>Not much by way of input on electrical cars, but I am getting a little tired of shelling out dollars on german cars even for routine upkeep. Am thinking of going back to japanese next time around.

good idea..I had an audi few years ago and that's enough experience with the krauts' fleecing for parts and service. that said, my dream has always been to own a 911 twin turbo porsche which will remain a dream until I win the lottery

>>>I know the feeling. My neighbor got a HELOC and got a Porsche. My ex-boss's husband refurbishes Italian cars. She would come in a sexed up Maserati once in awhile. The thought has crossed my mind to talk to him.

that's retarded, to take money out of the house and buy a depreciating asset. italian cars - I wouldn't recommend unless you have money to burn for brakes, clutches and whatnot. much much worse than german vehicles in that aspect. if you want a serious sports car but dont want to burn money on tempermental vehicles with high maintenance costs, you should consider nissan gtr...or the lexus F type or the acura nsx. they dont have the outrageous sex appeal of the italian/german vehicles but are dependable like asian women..slutty in bed but reasonably cheap maintenance and reliable as hell

by truthbetold Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:33 pm

My next door neighbor got rid of BMW and does not have anything good to say about it.

by confuzzled dude Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:48 pm

truthbetold wrote:My next door neighbor got rid of BMW and does not have anything good to say about it.

So did I, that shiny piece of shit broke the day after I took delivery.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Fri Nov 21, 2014 2:02 pm

Why electric? Just go for the Toyota's latest Hydrogen car - @ 60K it is like a bar of chocolate for the BADs (Bay-Area Desis)

by Kris Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:40 pm

Propagandhi711 wrote:
Kris wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:
Kris wrote:
Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?
>>>Not much by way of input on electrical cars, but I am getting a little tired of shelling out dollars on german cars even for routine upkeep. Am thinking of going back to japanese next time around.

good idea..I had an audi few years ago and that's enough experience with the krauts' fleecing for parts and service. that said, my dream has always been to own a 911 twin turbo porsche which will remain a dream until I win the lottery

>>>I know the feeling. My neighbor got a HELOC and got a Porsche. My ex-boss's husband refurbishes Italian cars. She would come in a sexed up Maserati once in awhile. The thought has crossed my mind to talk to him.

that's retarded, to take money out of the house and buy a depreciating asset. italian cars - I wouldn't recommend unless you have money to burn for brakes, clutches and whatnot. much much worse than german vehicles in that aspect. if you want a serious sports car but dont want to burn money on tempermental vehicles with high maintenance costs, you should consider nissan gtr...or the lexus F type or the acura nsx. they dont have the outrageous sex appeal of the italian/german vehicles but are dependable like asian women..slutty in bed but reasonably cheap maintenance and reliable as hell

>>>The Porsche/HELOC story may have a weirder angle. They have a financial advisor from Wells. I was taken aback when she mentioned this. As for my dream, the Italian car was a fleeting thought, unless it comes at a throwaway price. Most likely, I will end going the Lexus route.

by Hellsangel Sat Nov 22, 2014 9:30 am

confuzzled dude wrote:
truthbetold wrote:My next door neighbor got rid of BMW and does not have anything good to say about it.
So did I, that shiny piece of shit broke the day after I took delivery.

Shiny? What color, Comrade?

by confuzzled dude Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:16 am

Kris wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:
Kris wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:
Kris wrote:
>>>Not much by way of input on electrical cars, but I am getting a little tired of shelling out dollars on german cars even for routine upkeep. Am thinking of going back to japanese next time around.

good idea..I had an audi few years ago and that's enough experience with the krauts' fleecing for parts and service. that said, my dream has always been to own a 911 twin turbo porsche which will remain a dream until I win the lottery

>>>I know the feeling. My neighbor got a HELOC and got a Porsche. My ex-boss's husband refurbishes Italian cars. She would come in a sexed up Maserati once in awhile. The thought has crossed my mind to talk to him.

that's retarded, to take money out of the house and buy a depreciating asset. italian cars - I wouldn't recommend unless you have money to burn for brakes, clutches and whatnot. much much worse than german vehicles in that aspect. if you want a serious sports car but dont want to burn money on tempermental vehicles with high maintenance costs, you should consider nissan gtr...or the lexus F type or the acura nsx. they dont have the outrageous sex appeal of the italian/german vehicles but are dependable like asian women..slutty in bed but reasonably cheap maintenance and reliable as hell
>>>The Porsche/HELOC story may have a weirder angle. They have a financial advisor from Wells. I was taken aback when she mentioned this. As for my dream, the Italian car was a fleeting thought, unless it comes at a throwaway price. Most likely, I will end going the Lexus route.

Lexuses as known are rock solid but maintenance isn't cheap. I was looking at maintenance costs a few months ago, in 11 years I shelled out around 11-12 grand including tires & brakes. Of course, these are dealer service charges.

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Sat Nov 22, 2014 12:26 pm

Idéfix wrote:I have decided to lease an electric car. It will be our second car, so not worried too much about the range. I will be using it mostly for commuting to and from the city, which is 15 miles away. I have test-driven the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 and the Mercedes B Class. I am veering towards the last. Anyone here has experience with an electric car? Any recommendations?

May be import a Mia L. It is cute - looks like a mini Westfalia bus.

Seriously, why waste money on i3 or B. The Nissan is as good.

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