My car was recently totaled, so I'm thinking about replacements.
One idea is that of an electric car. I am thinking about a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt. Many of these have had batteries recently replaced under recall. I am seeing prices around the $10,000 range at the lowest end.
Let's assume I can get one for $12,000 minus a 30% tax rebate makes it $8400.
I'll compare it with a couple of other options... a 3rd-gen Prius, which would probably be about the same price as the Bolt, and a BMW 3-series. There's a 2001 convertible 330ci on Marketplace for $5500, let's say I talk him down to $5000. These will represent a fun-to-drive gas car and a sensible hybrid.
I have a daily commute of about 50 miles round trip, let's say 15,000 miles a year.
Assuming 8.8 cents per kwh and 3 miles per kwh, that's $440 of electricity per year for the Bolt.
A 3rd-gen Prius at 45 mpg and 15,000 miles, assuming regular at $2.90 per gal: $967 of gas per year
Assume 23 mpg and $3.38 premium on the BMW: $2204 gas per year ... in a couple of years, that's the difference in price between it and the Bolt.
I guess I should also think about insurance and taxes...
Seems to me like the Bolt might be the smart move, if I can deal with the hassle (?) of charging a couple of times a week. I would expect low maintenance and repair costs. I think I'm a good EV candidate - I have other vehicles to use for longer trips so the range issue isn't a big one. I like the Prius and if I could get a cheaper one it might have a lower overall price. But more expected costs AND TIME in repair and maintenance. The fun-to-drive gas car would end up costing me quite a bit more over the long term, I think. But it might be my last chance to enjoy a car like that. I wanted to include the numbers to think about whether the fun would be worth it. Mid-life crisis question, I suppose.
I also thought about a Chevrolet Volt - I think they are pretty cool. But they seem to have a lot of problems, some expensive or difficult to repair.
One idea is that of an electric car. I am thinking about a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt. Many of these have had batteries recently replaced under recall. I am seeing prices around the $10,000 range at the lowest end.
Let's assume I can get one for $12,000 minus a 30% tax rebate makes it $8400.
I'll compare it with a couple of other options... a 3rd-gen Prius, which would probably be about the same price as the Bolt, and a BMW 3-series. There's a 2001 convertible 330ci on Marketplace for $5500, let's say I talk him down to $5000. These will represent a fun-to-drive gas car and a sensible hybrid.
I have a daily commute of about 50 miles round trip, let's say 15,000 miles a year.
Assuming 8.8 cents per kwh and 3 miles per kwh, that's $440 of electricity per year for the Bolt.
A 3rd-gen Prius at 45 mpg and 15,000 miles, assuming regular at $2.90 per gal: $967 of gas per year
Assume 23 mpg and $3.38 premium on the BMW: $2204 gas per year ... in a couple of years, that's the difference in price between it and the Bolt.
I guess I should also think about insurance and taxes...
Seems to me like the Bolt might be the smart move, if I can deal with the hassle (?) of charging a couple of times a week. I would expect low maintenance and repair costs. I think I'm a good EV candidate - I have other vehicles to use for longer trips so the range issue isn't a big one. I like the Prius and if I could get a cheaper one it might have a lower overall price. But more expected costs AND TIME in repair and maintenance. The fun-to-drive gas car would end up costing me quite a bit more over the long term, I think. But it might be my last chance to enjoy a car like that. I wanted to include the numbers to think about whether the fun would be worth it. Mid-life crisis question, I suppose.
I also thought about a Chevrolet Volt - I think they are pretty cool. But they seem to have a lot of problems, some expensive or difficult to repair.
