BG: What do you drive? (PICS)

[archibaldcrane]

You'd still be left with over $10k on the loan after all that is finished wouldn't you? Doesn't seem like much but idk how part time part time work is

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Wife is the main earner, her "part time" shits on mine at the moment. We're making more than we spend, just by less than before.

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[Ksandra]

Fuck thee careful financial advice


Sell both cars. Buy the Buzz. Post pics so I can cry in jealousy.

[archibaldcrane]

Fuck thee careful financial advice


Sell both cars. Buy the Buzz. Post pics so I can cry in jealousy.

Saw one driving back from San Diego.

Sucks that the EV range is pretty low for the surprising cost. Less aerodynamic on the ID4's drivetrain, feels underbaked.

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[Zetanio]

the Buzz is a real letdown. The range is lame.

I'm actively looking to ditch our etron because the winter range is so so bad.

[Gredival]

I'm on year 11 for my Civic 14 (close to 140k miles). Probably will last at least another five. But I kind of want a new car that has Android Auto integration.

[archibaldcrane]

So, here in California, come January 1st, the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) is going to open to "South Coast Air Quality District" residents a $7500 EV rebate + $2000 EV charging card for households under 300% of the federal poverty line. The federal $7500 EV rebate is still in effect, at least until the Republicans likely kill it in their first budget bill.

Long story short, I can probably get $15000 off a new EV in the next month. To accomplish this we'd likely sell my wife's 2017 Golf Sportwagen for ~$16000.

EV has to be purchased under $45k, and sold by a DCAP authorized dealer - so no Teslas.

Wife is most interested in a VW iD4, and the 2024 version has the updated infotainment (the biggest issue with the old iD4s) in the Pro trim so that's what I've been looking at. After tax/title/etc, an ID4 Pro would be ~44k, or 29k after 15k in rebates.

If I don't strike now, it's entirely possible I'll never qualify for the state rebate again and the fed rebate is probably gone for good.

Should we spend ~13k to upgrade?

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So...the new federal tax credit guidance just came out, and the ID.4 dropped out of the running despite being manufactured in Tennessee - I assume because their battery supply chain is too foreign.

Now the options for the federal credit are:

EVs That Qualify for the $7,500 Credit

Acura ZDX (2024-2025)

Cadillac Lyriq (2024-2025), Luxury and Sport Trims

Cadillac Optiq (2025)

Chevrolet Blazer (2024-2025), LT, RS, & SS Trims

Chevrolet Equinox (2024), LT & RS Trims

Chevrolet Silverado (2025), LT Trim

Ford F-150 Lightning (2022-2024), Flash, Lariat, & XLT Trims

Genesis Electrified GV70 (2025)

Honda Prologue (2024-2025)

Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2025)

Hyundai Ioniq 9 (2025)

Kia EV6 (2026)

Kia EV9 (2026)

Tesla Cybertruck (2025), Dual and Single Motor

Tesla Model 3 (2025), Long Range All-Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, Performance

Tesla Model X (2025), All-Wheel Drive

Tesla Model Y (2025), Long Range All-Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, Performance

PHEVs That Qualify for the $7,500 Credit

Chrysler Pacifica (2024-2025)

Bolded are the ones that are sold by dealers and are obtainable for under 45k (to qualify for the state credit)

pretty fucking scant list. I'd be up for the Kia EV6 but it's only the 2026 model which won't be released for 6+ months, and Trump/Republicans will probably kill the federal credit by then. I hate the way the Ioniq 5 looks, and my wife isn't into the Equinox...

this may not work out. bleh.

[Salodin]

I actually saw the ev Kia while getting maintenance on my ICE Kias the other day, great looking car and seems very comfortable. Didn't drive it, but it matched or exceeded what I enjoy about the two Kias we have now and I've always been taken care of by the brand.

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[archibaldcrane]

It has very good reviews too - but likely not an option at all because of the timing.

[Ksandra]

So I guess I never posted this (I don’t think anyway). But a few weeks back I was rear ended on the way to work. I was stopped at a stop sign and a guy ran into me. He claimed he had “just looked down for a second.” At first I thought maybe he was stopped behind me and didn’t notice I had to wait for the car on my left to go. Watched the dash cam, and nope, he hit me going 45-50 with no slowing down. Aka: idiot was texting while driving.

I got minor whiplash, but overall the Rivian took it like a champ. However, my husband just heard back from the shop where it’s been at, and they made a comment that geico was looking into it due to “extensive damage.” We are now worried they might consider the car totaled. Which is surprising to me. It also terrifies me on what could have happened if I had been in our Bolt. See pics of my car and the other dude’s car:




Note: It’s hard to see, but there is an inside metal part that poked through.

Anyone with more knowledge know if something like seen above could be worth more than the car itself?


Edit: Hubby sent me the email they sent to him:
Hey [husband],

We heard back from the Geico adjuster that works with open shop.

He said the cost of repairs is extensive since the vehicle has rail damage and needs to be replaced.

They will be running the valuation of the vehicle and will let me know how to move forward from that point.

I will keep you updated as soon as I hear back.

[Cyn]

Looks like the dude was doing about 25-30mph when he hit you. The wording of the email makes it sound like there is damage to the frame of the vehicle, which is one of the most expensive repairs to a car because of the difficulty. They need to calculate the value of the car in order to decide whether it's worth fixing or just totaling out. Generally there's a certain percentage of the car's worth that the insurer will pay up to for repairs, and if the estimate goes beyond that, they'll just pay you for the car and possibly offer you a chance to buy it back at a totaled/junk price. If the frame is damaged, it's really not worth buying back, because there's no guarantee that the vehicle will ever be the same even if you get it repaired, because the steel will have been stressed in unknown ways by being bent multiple times.

[Zetanio]

are rivians similar to cybertrucks where if you bend a fender you may as well write the whole thing off?

[Ksandra]

are rivians similar to cybertrucks where if you bend a fender you may as well write the whole thing off?

I don’t think so. A frame is different than a fender. And I’ve seen other posts of Rivian accidents and such.

There’s apparently a lot of internal mechanical parts going on, though. Shops charge more per hour to fix them.

Good to hear he was only going 30. Dash cam felt it went much faster, but that’s a dash cam so I could 100% be wrong there. His car was a 2024, so hopefully his lesson is learned and he won’t do that shit anymore.

I’m rather pissed if it is totaled. They don’t make the yellow anymore.

[archibaldcrane]

Rivian also just lost the federal tax credit, so if you wanted to buy a new one you might just have to take the money and get an ID.Buzz instead

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[archibaldcrane]

(not that the Buzz gets the tax credit either)

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[Ksandra]

Can’t anyway. Need something to tow our rv.

[archibaldcrane]

Cybertruck it is

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[Ksandra]

lol!

[Astylla]

are rivians similar to cybertrucks where if you bend a fender you may as well write the whole thing off?

I worked for Rivian a short time as a service advisor. Their cars are shit. And basically yes once frame is damaged at all , don't even bother. Only Rivian can work on their own cars and we had cars in the shop in south san Francisco over 7 months with no eta due to parts needed and repairs never working right.

I tell everyone I know stay away.

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[Ksandra]

We’ve gotten our Rivian previously fixed at a collision place. You don’t have to go to Rivian specifically. Just Rivian approved shops which is expected for a new vehicle. You want places that know what they are doing.

It’s an amazing truck and we’ve been extremely happy with it.

[Astylla]

Hmm may have changed as well or could be that our store which was a clusterfuck to begin with was lying lol.

Yeah working in dealerships for iver 5 years with Lexus , Acura and Honda before it is very rare for anyone to do body work there and is usually at an accredited shop that has been vetted.

I just saw way too much in my short time there that was electrical issue after another with at least 20-30 making return visits for the same issues. They are fun as hell to drive but maybe a bit jaded based on my experience.
Hopefully it isn't "totaled" for you , not a fun thing to deal with regardless.

I'll take my 10 year old honda civic anyday however

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