So hubby and I want to decide by next week which car to get rid of. We are getting a Rivian Truck delivered on Friday, which would leave us with three cars (don't want). So we are going to get rid of one of our current cars. The other one will be mine. But I can't decide which to keep! Note: I plan on getting the VW ID Buzz when it finally comes out, so this is a 2-3 year bridge and whichever car I keep would get traded in then. Here's the breakdown:
2014 Nissan Rogue SV: Has a third row so can seat 7. Fully paid off. I teach in LA, and I am paying about $200 a month in gas a month (less during summer). Dealership valued it at $9500.
2019 Chevy Bolt LT: Currently a Lease. All electric vehicle and we have solar panels. Dealership Valued it at $21,000. For us to purchase due to lease agreement it would be about $20,000 (Includes the rest of the lease payments.) Dealership is giving no breaking lease penalties.
We have a Credit Union and based on the rate we got for the Rivian, if we traded in the Rogue to use as a down payment and finance the rest for the Bolt, we would end up paying about $171 (this includes estimates for the taxes/fees).
Pros for the Rogue: Has more seating. Rarely used, but nice when I have it We are a family of 4, but nice when we have in-laws or kids' friends. Note: New truck fits 5 comfortably, we got to test that already. More other trunk space for bringing things to work. No payments is nice. If gas ever goes down (LOL) will end up spending less. Less hassle in keeping since no paperwork needed.
Pros for Bolt: Newer. Nicer features (touch screen). I am one of those people that wait until my car is at - - - before I finally get the gas (not because of finances, but because I just suck), so never having to go to a gas station sounds glorious. It's cuter, and more fun to drive. Less Maint needed overall.
I wanted to also mention the dealer kept saying that she thought the Bolts were going to tank in value soon because of the recalls (ours did get the replacement battery already). But I don't know if she said that because she thinks it's true, or she said that because it's better for the dealership to have us return the Bolt vs. sell them the Rogue. Any thoughts on that tidbit?
Also, feel free to give any input on these values and whether it's worth searching for other buyers. I love my husband, but he's not the haggler, I am. And I wanted to defenestrate him during our talk because he kept doing things I know you aren't supposed to do at a dealership (ie. Dealer asked what we were looking for, and I started giving numbers, and my husband piped up with, "WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE ABOUT THE NUMBERS." I love him. I really do. I should have left him home.) Also, since I am a female, I know they can often try to walk all over me. I am going to get a second offer sometime this week at least on the Nissan and show them what Chevy offered.