Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk

[cyb3rdud3]

With respect, I disagree as far as the UK is concerned. I have never had range anxiety precisely because of the Super Charger network, which many of my non-Tesla colleagues do still suffer with as it is still a real problem. Maybe Europe is better. As for not wanting car manufacturers to have their own charging infrastructure, I agree. But what is the alternative? BP charging 90p a kW/hr? Tesla is pretty cheap in general compared to the alternative.

I live in the UK I pay 30p at Ionity as an example through plugsurfing. Electroverse from Octopus Energy is another very good card to have with you for much better rates. And failing that just use the Tesla network

Naturally, I can only speak from my experience, charging has simply never been a problem.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Don't know the tire pressures of the demo M3 but it was a rough ride - worse than my Ford Mustang Mach E.

Yes, the pricing is very good - $39K before tax, title, license or federal IRA tax credit.

The new Highland is actually priced the same as the outgoing '23 M4.

Unfortunately, the Highland will be half the tax credit ($3750) in 2024, so that's why my wife is asking if getting the older '23 is better with a full $7500 tax credit.

Honest question, as an owner of 2 Teslas... How do you know the Highland will be available in 2024 in the US? I think it is a good assumption, but at this point, I don't think anyone has any idea. It can take months to retool a factory, and Tesla may not want to do that with the given momentum of sales, and the available tax credit.

Just like, we haven't gotten the LFP battery that is available out of the China factory (because of the tax credit).

For me, at $7,500 tax credit vs. possibly only half that and ending up with the same non-Higland in 24 is a gamble. If I knew for sure that the Highland was coming out in 24, I would wait, but at this point I haven't heard anything yet that proves it 1 will be produced in the US by 2024, and 2 if it is, that you would be able to actually get your hands on one before the end of the year to get the 1/2 tax credit.

You have to remember a TM3 is a sports sedan, it has a sporty suspension. Also, the most important question is what were the wheel and tire combination that your wife tested? If it is the larger wheels, it will ride harder. My wife has the standard areo wheels, and it rides like any 3 series BMW, minimal body role, and immediate return to ride height (stiff, non-bouncy suspension). It won't ride like an S class MB. I came from having a 3 series and an A4, my 2019 TM3 rides just as good as they did, being sporty sedans.

This is my TM3 with areo wheels, set to 40 psi:

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

With respect, I disagree as far as the UK is concerned. I have never had range anxiety precisely because of the Super Charger network, which many of my non-Tesla colleagues do still suffer with as it is still a real problem. Maybe Europe is better. As for not wanting car manufacturers to have their own charging infrastructure, I agree. But what is the alternative? BP charging 90p a kW/hr? Tesla is pretty cheap in general compared to the alternative.

You don't need to worry about buying non-Tesla EV's in the UK just because of the Tesla charging network. There are enough chargers out there to get by and I have never used a Tesla charger. I will be at Christmas for the first time when I go back home to Banbury, but there are still plenty of alternatives. It can always get better and is all the time. Most of my charging is done at home. No doubt Tesla offer a more affordable EV experience which is one of the reasons they are so popular here, but I will happily forfeit that for a more luxurious feeling EV from a European marque.

 

[bunnspecial]

What's the reasoning for this hatred of Tesla, genuinely? Seems like you can't stand those that blindly defend them, but here you are doing the same thing in reverse. I have one, it has its faults but in the UK they are the only ones who have made any serious attempt at a charging network which alone puts them above many other manufacturers. The cars are reasonably put together, I have 50k miles on mine and not once have I had to take it in for any kind of issue. They are certainly not the last car I'd buy.

You're replying to an old post, but my now nearly decade long dislike of the person in charge has grown into sheer disdain for the horrible human being that is, unfortunately inseparable from the brand.

Unforunately too, the man-child's obsession with doing it his way or else means that they continue to deliver half-baked products like the awful Cybertruck that just continues to get even worse as real examples actually ship.

Maybe their other stuff is good-I really don't care because I find the entire business around the company and the hero worship cult of personality around this man-child so offputting that I have zero interest in ever being associated with the brand.

As to why this specific dislike-first of all most CEOs don't go around running their mouths, picking fights with people, and throwing temper tantrums when people disagree with them. Second, the Tesla cultists are as insufferable, if not more so, than ever. If the company ever did the right thing and got rid of the man-child, maybe I'd consider them, but probably not.

In the time since I've made that post, if I were in the market since an EV, multiple viable options from companies that actually know how to build cars have become available. There really is no reason I can see, both practical or ethical, for supporting the company that this horrible excuse for a human is associated with(note too that it's not the company he founded-he went to court to be credited as a "founder" but he was not there when the company started).

 

[Apple fanboy]

My guess is people don't like the CEO so they choose not to buy from them.

In a way I get it, most people cannot name the CEO of the vehicle brand they drive. Which is how it is supposed to be. Elon has always been an outspoken "celebrity" in that respect.

Nope. That’s not why I dislike Tesla. It’s the design I don’t like. Or lack of.

 

[4sallypat]

Honest question, as an owner of 2 Teslas... How do you know the Highland will be available in 2024 in the US? I think it is a good assumption, but at this point, I don't think anyone has any idea. It can take months to retool a factory, and Tesla may not want to do that with the given momentum of sales, and the available tax credit.

Just like, we haven't gotten the LFP battery that is available out of the China factory (because of the tax credit).

For me, at $7,500 tax credit vs. possibly only half that and ending up with the same non-Higland in 24 is a gamble. If I knew for sure that the Highland was coming out in 24, I would wait, but at this point I haven't heard anything yet that proves it 1 will be produced in the US by 2024, and 2 if it is, that you would be able to actually get your hands on one before the end of the year to get the 1/2 tax credit.

You have to remember a TM3 is a sports sedan, it has a sporty suspension. Also, the most important question is what were the wheel and tire combination that your wife tested? If it is the larger wheels, it will ride harder. My wife has the standard areo wheels, and it rides like any 3 series BMW, minimal body role, and immediate return to ride height (stiff, non-bouncy suspension). It won't ride like an S class MB. I came from having a 3 series and an A4, my 2019 TM3 rides just as good as they did, being sporty sedans.

This is my TM3 with areo wheels, set to 40 psi:

Yes very aware of tire / wheel sizes equating to ride comfort.
Yes very much accustomed to harsh rides (BMW E53 & E90) and my current ride: Ford Mach E w/ 19" wheels.

2024 Tesla Highland were seen in some US Tesla stores so they are not very far away.

I think based on the website, Tesla is trying to dump/unload all their existing '23 M3 before putting the '24 on due to the same price point.

'24 TM3 demos seen with dealer demo plates on them in California - here's a video from MotorTrend on their comparison:

https://www.motortrend.com/videos/3...odel-3-highland-review-has-tesla-done-enough/

 

[jz0309]

Yes very aware of tire / wheel sizes equating to ride comfort.
Yes very much accustomed to harsh rides (BMW E53 & E90) and my current ride: Ford Mach E w/ 19" wheels.

2024 Tesla Highland were seen in some US Tesla stores so they are not very far away.

I think based on the website, Tesla is trying to dump/unload all their existing '23 M3 before putting the '24 on due to the same price point.

'24 TM3 demos seen with dealer demo plates on them in California - here's a video from MotorTrend on their comparison:

https://www.motortrend.com/videos/3...odel-3-highland-review-has-tesla-done-enough/

it sounds you have your (and/or your wife's) mind sets on the new Tesla, which is of course totally fine. The only other component from a financial perspective is the trade-in value of your wife's current car.
Good luck on your "hunt" and keep us posted

 

[4sallypat]

...... The only other component from a financial perspective is the trade-in value of your wife's current car.
Good luck on your "hunt" and keep us posted

Oh that's another story - trade in value vs selling prices.

My wife's PHEV is trading in around $16-$18K while the dealers are selling the same model year & mileage for $25K.

Probably will sell privately....

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Nope. That’s not why I dislike Tesla. It’s the design I don’t like. Or lack of.

From what I have seen the new Model 3 has improved, whether or not it competes with German quality remains to be seen. It does start at £39k though so is competing against Hyundai and Kia.

Interesting the new Model 3 is only available in Europe right now though and not the US? It’s got a lot more competition here.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Yes very aware of tire / wheel sizes equating to ride comfort.
Yes very much accustomed to harsh rides (BMW E53 & E90) and my current ride: Ford Mach E w/ 19" wheels.

2024 Tesla Highland were seen in some US Tesla stores so they are not very far away.

I think based on the website, Tesla is trying to dump/unload all their existing '23 M3 before putting the '24 on due to the same price point.

'24 TM3 demos seen with dealer demo plates on them in California - here's a video from MotorTrend on their comparison:

https://www.motortrend.com/videos/3...odel-3-highland-review-has-tesla-done-enough/

Just be careful. Telsa has been dumping TM3/TMY for a year now. They are riding the Tax Credit wave, and even lowered prices to make trim lines fall within the credit. They even lowered the S/X. It really does take time to retool a factory.

The sign that the highland was coming was they shut down the China factory. This has yet to happen in the US.

 

[Apple fanboy]

From what I have seen the new Model 3 has improved, whether or not it competes with German quality remains to be seen. It does start at £39k though so is competing against Hyundai and Kia.

Interesting the new Model 3 is only available in Europe right now though and not the US? It’s got a lot more competition here.

The design doesn’t work for me more than the build quality (which I believe has improved).
They are too big for my needs. 99% of my journeys are just me. No need for a huge 5 seater heavy saloon car.

 

[Tagbert]

The design doesn’t work for me more than the build quality (which I believe has improved).
They are too big for my needs. 99% of my journeys are just me. No need for a huge 5 seater heavy saloon car.

M3 doesn't seem that big compared to most other EVs that I've seen. It's about the same size as a Honda Civic. I wouldn't put 3 in the back seat for more than a very short drive.

I guess it is larger than the BMW i3, though.

 

[Apple fanboy]

M3 doesn't seem that big compared to most other EVs that I've seen. It's about the same size as a Honda Civic. I wouldn't put 3 in the back seat for more than a very short drive.

I guess it is larger than the BMW i3, though.

Exactly. Large saloons or SUV’s don’t do it for me. I prefer my little i3. Feels nice and big on the inside. Plenty of room in the boot when I need it, just drop the seats. The rest of the time I’m not lugging around a load of space I don’t need.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

The design doesn’t work for me more than the build quality (which I believe has improved).
They are too big for my needs. 99% of my journeys are just me. No need for a huge 5 seater heavy saloon car.

It’s not huge, and it’s not really a five seater either. Just about the same space as your i3 just in a saloon package.

I mean if you think a TM3 is huge what is an EQE let alone EQS.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I bought a Bolt EUV a few months ago. Other than its slower charging speeds (I'm not planning on any roadtrips anytime soon with it anyway), I think it's probably one of the best purchases I've ever made. The ghost gray color even matches all of my space gray apple stuff.

I just hope it handles well in the northeast winters.

 

[yoak]

I went from an Ioniq (the original one) to a TM3, and the Tesla is significantly bigger I would say. My wife is not happy parking it in underground garages etc. Other than that I'm really happy with the Tesla and their service so far. I have the 2019 model, would like to have the better sound proofing in the new one, but it's not worth the extra cost (to me) in these times.
EDIT: You are sitting quite low in the Tesla, so that makes the outside of the car feel big to smaller drivers I think

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Exactly. Large saloons or SUV’s don’t do it for me. I prefer my little i3. Feels nice and big on the inside. Plenty of room in the boot when I need it, just drop the seats. The rest of the time I’m not lugging around a load of space I don’t need.

That certainly suits your style of driving. I like a bigger car due to carrying passengers but also because we do a lot of motorway and dual carriageway driving, so I prefer the safety aspect a larger car gives. SUV’s are apparently 50% safer than lower saloon vehicles based on survival stats which I found interesting. The BMW i3 has a 4 star euro ncap rating though which is pretty good, but the Audi Q4 e-tron is a 5.

The sad thing is BMW have shifted focus towards larger and longer range EV's, so the small i3 is discontinued. I have no idea what small options exist at this point. The Chevrolet Bolt looks like a small EV but not sure if it is sold here in Europe? I know it gets a lot of praise on here from US posters. Would you go bigger in the distant future if you had to?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

The Honda and mini are small EV cars. As is a Renault Zoe.

 

[4sallypat]

I bought a Bolt EUV a few months ago. Other than its slower charging speeds (I'm not planning on any roadtrips anytime soon with it anyway), I think it's probably one of the best purchases I've ever made. The ghost gray color even matches all of my space gray apple stuff.

I just hope it handles well in the northeast winters.

The Chevy Bolt EUV is a great value for the money for sure.

I am still waiting for the Chevy Silverado EV truck for $40K.
Put in a reservation deposit 2 years ago and nothing but crickets...

That base EV truck price point may never happen sadly...

 

[diamond.g]

The Chevy Bolt EUV is a great value for the money for sure.

I am still waiting for the Chevy Silverado EV truck for $40K.
Put in a reservation deposit 2 years ago and nothing but crickets...

That base EV truck price point may never happen sadly...

The big battery version can tow quite far. I think TFLTruck was able to extrapolate something like 350 miles with a 9k trailer up (and down) a mountain...

 

[culo77]

Exactly. Large saloons or SUV’s don’t do it for me. I prefer my little i3. Feels nice and big on the inside. Plenty of room in the boot when I need it, just drop the seats. The rest of the time I’m not lugging around a load of space I don’t need.

Same here. The i3 size is perfect for my family. The only reason I have not replaced it yet is in the US we do not have any similar sized (and as versatile) new EV's for sale. It seems it's now just SUV and pickup trucks are the new EV's coming out.

I really wanted the Hyundai Ioniq 5 when I saw the pictures, when I went to test drive in person it was a big boy. I thought it was going to be a chunky VW Golf and was super stoked when it was announced. The bolt is nice, a bit of a step down in feel/interior than my i3 but chevy is getting rid of the bolt. The new Hyundai Kona looks promising but I haven't looked into the pricing and specs yet. Sadly thats it for a functional small EV car, not much choice.

Prius Prime would be the only new thing out there I may consider, but I drive 3 high schoolers to basketball and school, none of them will fit in the back of the Prius.

Actually come to think of it, if they made a new Kia Soul EV I would probably swap that for the i3.

 

[4sallypat]

The big battery version can tow quite far. I think TFLTruck was able to extrapolate something like 350 miles with a 9k trailer up (and down) a mountain...

Yes, I know that the extended range battery (200kW Ultium) that the Hummer EV uses gets that range but it is pricey - $100,000+.

I wanted to the standard range, base, Silverado EV for $42K that has a smaller 100kW battery.

 

[jz0309]

Yes, I know that the extended range battery (200kW Ultium) that the Hummer EV uses gets that range but it is pricey - $100,000+.

I wanted to the standard range, base, Silverado EV for $42K that has a smaller 100kW battery.

You’ll be waiting for a looong time for that truck at 42k, personally, I don’t see it happening. As the market (us, the consumers) are happily paying in excess if 50k for EV or ICE truck, why would they offer a “cheap” version? Look where GM is placing the Blazer and the other EV SUV (name escapes me), and Ford is no better.
RAM seems to be going PHEV with 100+ mile range and Toyota is stuck on hybrids…

 

[Apple fanboy]

Same here. The i3 size is perfect for my family. The only reason I have not replaced it yet is in the US we do not have any similar sized (and as versatile) new EV's for sale. It seems it's now just SUV and pickup trucks are the new EV's coming out.

I really wanted the Hyundai Ioniq 5 when I saw the pictures, when I went to test drive in person it was a big boy. I thought it was going to be a chunky VW Golf and was super stoked when it was announced. The bolt is nice, a bit of a step down in feel/interior than my i3 but chevy is getting rid of the bolt. The new Hyundai Kona looks promising but I haven't looked into the pricing and specs yet. Sadly thats it for a functional small EV car, not much choice.

Prius Prime would be the only new thing out there I may consider, but I drive 3 high schoolers to basketball and school, none of them will fit in the back of the Prius.

Actually come to think of it, if they made a new Kia Soul EV I would probably swap that for the i3.

Do they have the VW iD3 or Copra born over there? They are other options. But agree it’s a shame BMW stopped making a smaller efficient EV.

 

[jz0309]

Do they have the VW iD3 or Copra born over there? They are other options. But agree it’s a shame BMW stopped making a smaller efficient EV.

Nope, the only “small” ones we have in the US are Bolt EV/EUV and Nissan Leaf… and with the Bolt being discontinued soon, nothing “smallish” left.