Best cheapo EV

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greenjp

Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
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Location
Germantown, MD
Considering an EV for our 3rd vehicle (have a Civic and an Odyssey, eldest daughter about to start driving and wife is about to resume commuting) and am thinking that a used EV might be the way to go. The use cases are driving around town running errands and ~20 mile each way commutes, so something small and with a modest range would seem to be OK. Searching Autotrader brings up a lot of 2018-2023 Nissan Leafs (Leaves?) with 30k-60k miles for $10-15k, and Bolts of the same vintage and mileage going for a bit more, $13-17k. Model 3s in this price range generally have much higher mileage, and then there are a smattering of Ioniqs, Niros, Fusions, Souls etc priced like the Leaf and Bolt.

Definitely prioritizing low purchase price and reliability over performance and features, and range is somewhat irrelevant (I would not be looking at any of those sub-100 mile range things like the 500e) so it would seem a Leaf or Bolt would be a good choice but I don't really know anything about them. Similarly dunno anything about Model 3s so not sure if stretching the budget a bit would be worthwhile. Thoughts?

jeff
 
The Model 3 sells 3x the next place EV in America. There's a reason for it. The Tesla charging network is a big plus, but you can get the NACS adapter for the Bolt, etc. People love their Bolts around here. I would step up to a Model 3.

Go drive them.
 
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used and with a [repaired] crash history for sure lowers trade in, so should certainly get you in it for less

Me: Aside from the yet to be released Slate I would not consider any EV other than Tesla and baring some kind of insane lucky find would go Tesla CPO (Even though there is an associated cost with CPO, 100% I trust them to properly inspect/repair and have an actual useful warranty. They will also offer delivery and financing)
 
Bolts are a great option. From my family's experience, their batteries last longer than a Tesla's.

Leaf batteries have been awful. I guess a Leaf could work if you only need 60 miles of range but I'd spend a bit more to get 250 mile range from a Bolt.
 
Check into insurance rates too. Insurance rates on Teslas are generally quite high compared to non-Tesla EVs. I’d bet a Bolt would be much cheaper to insure than a Model 3.

I’d take a Bolt over a Leaf comparing those two. Older Leaf batteries aren’t liquid cooled, so they’re about the only EV whose batteries don’t last a long time.
 
Even an old Leaf with a dying battery can do 20-30 miles, and they're cheap, like $3000 or less.

The i Miev is another good choice. The Spark EV is good too. Honestly, I actually like the compliance cars more, since they're mostly just regular cars that happen to be electric.
 
An aging Leaf seems pretty useless in that it becomes a car dedicated to short trips only.
What if circumstances call for a longer drive?
Then you won't be taking the Leaf, or you'll need to plan on charging it en route.
A used Model 3 bought from Tesla seems like it may be the best bet. They'll list the car's current range and prices are quite reasonable.
Sometimes spending another 20% ends up being the cheaper option over a longer term.
 
greenjp said:
Considering an EV for our 3rd vehicle (have a Civic and an Odyssey, eldest daughter about to start driving and wife is about to resume commuting) and am thinking that a used EV might be the way to go. The use cases are driving around town running errands and ~20 mile each way commutes, so something small and with a modest range would seem to be OK. Searching Autotrader brings up a lot of 2018-2023 Nissan Leafs (Leaves?) with 30k-60k miles for $10-15k, and Bolts of the same vintage and mileage going for a bit more, $13-17k. Model 3s in this price range generally have much higher mileage, and then there are a smattering of Ioniqs, Niros, Fusions, Souls etc priced like the Leaf and Bolt.

Definitely prioritizing low purchase price and reliability over performance and features, and range is somewhat irrelevant (I would not be looking at any of those sub-100 mile range things like the 500e) so it would seem a Leaf or Bolt would be a good choice but I don't really know anything about them. Similarly dunno anything about Model 3s so not sure if stretching the budget a bit would be worthwhile. Thoughts?

jeff
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I'd skip the Tesla if you're not needing alot of miles from an ev. Nissan leafs are cheap as are Fiat 500e (which are quicker and a hoot and cheap).
 
I've seen ID.4s in the $16K range with low mileage and they are much more roomy inside than other listed options.

Downside for me is they don't have 1 pedal driving, but if you're coming from a gas car you probably don't care.
 
Brons2 said:
I've seen ID.4s in the $16K range with low mileage and they are much more roomy inside than other listed options.

Downside for me is they don't have 1 pedal driving, but if you're coming from a gas car you probably don't care.
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I've tried the one pedal driving and couldn't stand it. A newer model s had it and it acted like a light switch no coasting.
 
Model 3s are a dime a dozen around DC suburbs. These are driven by middle class people of diverse occupations and not necessarily high incomes. You don't see them broken down on the side of the road.
 
JeffKeryk said:
I hear those beautiful Audi e-trons have taken quite a drop....
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True they are a lot cheaper but I haven't seen them under $20K, at least not without high mileage 85K+. I did a nationwide search on Autovantage for electric Audis, keyword -1.4T as to not get hybrids, less than 70K miles, $20,000 or less. I got exactly 6 results in the entire country and they're all 2019s. On these the battery warranty would be done next year.

Which if the OP is looking for a bargain basement EV, is probably not the best choice. The other things mentioned you can get with lower mileage and newer years.
 
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