Shopping for our first EV--updated [View all]

Last edited Sun Jul 28, 2019, 04:10 PM - Edit history (1)

2015 Leafy is in the garage, all charged up and ready to go about 80 miles. I think we got a good deal. Now if I can only figure out how to work the XM radio. We must be at the end of the previous owner's subscription. Lots of learning with this car already; probably good exercise for the brain.


Anyone out there already worked through all this, eager to share your own insights?


Where we are after three days:
Tesla: No, thanks. Personal bias against Elon Musk.
Chevy: Need to go try the Bolt, but would prefer a higher seat.
Leaf: Heavy duty lease talk from new car dealer depicted them as becoming obsolete after three years, so he'd be "eating the depreciation for us." Handed us the keys to keep the car for a couple of days and fall in love with it. Yes, I have fallen in love with it, but he totally manipulated us and also insulted our intelligence btw. I think the smartest thing to do would be to buy a 2015-16, including some that just came off a lease. They are available for around $10-12k. Yes, we'd lose all the credits for new cars, but it still comes out to be much less and we don't need a bigger range. (9-year old Prius going strong for longer trips.) My understanding is that batteries were sketchy prior to 2014.
Kia Soul EV: I like the look of the Soul but can't find any near me to check out.
VW e-Golf: Can't find any nearby to check out.

What I have heard from friend with Leaf is that Carvana, CarFax, and CarMax are the ways to go for EVs.