BG: What do you drive? (PICS)

[Ksandra]

Wtf happened

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I was stopped at a stop sign and someone ran into me because they were texting while driving and didn’t even slow down before hitting me.


Scroll back to see the photos.

[Salodin]

When I ask wtf happened, I dont actually mean wtf happened. It's more an expression of dismay. At least you're saving $1400 a month!

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[Ksandra]

lol until we find the replacement!

Going to look at some r1s’s tomorrow to see how we like them.

[Zetanio]

I'm glad you got a good valuation and the depreciation curve had caught up for you. I have no idea what the used market is like for EVs but I'm assuming you'll be able to find a pretty good deal from folks like me who couldn't make the logistics work where we live (without spending a buttload).

[Yabby]

Really lucky with that depreciation.

This is why gap coverage is so damn important when you’re buying a brand-new car. Crash that bitch in the first year and total it, and you’re completely fucking yourself. It’s one of the few extras I made sure to get with my car. That, and unlimited windshield replacement.

These days, there’s so much tech packed into your windshield, and those replacement shops don’t calibrate anything—they just slap in new glass. For the next eight years, I’m covered with no deductible, which is a lifesaver since I commute to Detroit twice a week. I end up replacing my windshield almost every year because once construction season hits, rocks are flying everywhere. And don’t even get me started on those damn 18-wheelers that never cover their loads—just fucking everyone behind them over.

[Zetanio]

Really lucky with that depreciation.

This is why gap coverage is so damn important when you’re buying a brand-new car. Crash that bitch in the first year and total it, and you’re completely fucking yourself. It’s one of the few extras I made sure to get with my car. That, and unlimited windshield replacement.

These days, there’s so much tech packed into your windshield, and those replacement shops don’t calibrate anything—they just slap in new glass. For the next eight years, I’m covered with no deductible, which is a lifesaver since I commute to Detroit twice a week. I end up replacing my windshield almost every year because once construction season hits, rocks are flying everywhere. And don’t even get me started on those damn 18-wheelers that never cover their loads—just fucking everyone behind them over.

good advice here, i also do 100% coverage on windshields because we have sand/rocks flying at me literally every time we drive. i had one full replace on my old tacoma and expecting this one at least once during the lease.

[Ksandra]

We didn’t get gap insurance. I know, I know, but what saved us imo is we got the preorder rate when we purchased the vehicle, so got it for less.

Also, I THINK the color may have helped us. Idk. I am surprised we got the value we got as there are many similar R1Ts for $55k.

However it looks like there are all of two yellow ones currently being sold in the whole country.


I have no other idea why we got what we got, but I ain’t going to argue for more.

We are about to check out a used r1s to see if we like that better, so wish us luck! I don’t like the idea of losing some of the space (gear tunnel/bed), but for sure would be nicer for the dogs who currently get stuck in the bed with our gunner kennels. Also means we can sell the kennels as they take up a lot of space and are heavy.

[Ksandra]

Welp….we bought a compass yellow R1S. Lol! Guess we’ll in out if we like it more or less than the R1T

[Zetanio]

Welp….we bought a compass yellow R1S. Lol! Guess we’ll in out if we like it more or less than the R1T

nice!

[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, I'm still in the process of getting the DCAP $7500 credit (it's a months-long process...I think I'm almost there...) but I've shifted focus from stacking it with the federal $7500 credit for a new EV, and now I'm looking at stacking with the $4000 federal tax credit for a used EV. (DCAP is $7500 for new or used) However, the federal tax credit for used EVs has a purchase price cap of $25k - so I was looking at a 2023 VW iD4 Pro, which you can find for 25k with like 25-30k miles on it - still a great upgrade from the 2017 Golf Sportwagen with 60k miles.

But I test-drove the ID4 and I was pretty underwhelmed - it's just...kinda plasticky and feels like a toy. But my wife isn't interested in a Kia (EV6) or a Mustang Mach-e, and she likes the VW brand, so I've been kinda resigned to doing the ID4.

Until...I discovered that there are 2021 Audi etrons available with like 45k miles for $25k. Older, more miles, less range (EPA like 212 or whatever) - but I test drove one today and fuck it's so much nicer. Great seats (including AC ventilated), tech, quiet drive, feels really solidly built, I'm in love. We never drive long ranges with the VW as it is, it's exclusively a "second car", and while there are coolant-leak issues that can wreck the motor, Audi has extended the motor warranty to 10 years/120k miles to compensate. So yeah, that's the current plan...whenever this DCAP credit finally gets approved (applied at the end of March, still waiting...)

So basically it would be 25k+2500 tax+~300 title+licensing - $27800. Minus $7500 DCAP, minus $4000 fed = $16,300. The VW Golf Sportwagen should sell for ~15,000, so $1300 to upgrade from a 2017 VW to a 2021 Audi EV with ~15k fewer miles.

Something like this: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9...-0b6e9fe157df/

[Meresgi]

So, I'm still in the process of getting the DCAP $7500 credit (it's a months-long process...I think I'm almost there...) but I've shifted focus from stacking it with the federal $7500 credit for a new EV, and now I'm looking at stacking with the $4000 federal tax credit for a used EV. (DCAP is $7500 for new or used) However, the federal tax credit for used EVs has a purchase price cap of $25k - so I was looking at a 2023 VW iD4 Pro, which you can find for 25k with like 25-30k miles on it - still a great upgrade from the 2017 Golf Sportwagen with 60k miles.

But I test-drove the ID4 and I was pretty underwhelmed - it's just...kinda plasticky and feels like a toy. But my wife isn't interested in a Kia (EV6) or a Mustang Mach-e, and she likes the VW brand, so I've been kinda resigned to doing the ID4.

Until...I discovered that there are 2021 Audi etrons available with like 45k miles for $25k. Older, more miles, less range (EPA like 212 or whatever) - but I test drove one today and fuck it's so much nicer. Great seats (including AC ventilated), tech, quiet drive, feels really solidly built, I'm in love. We never drive long ranges with the VW as it is, it's exclusively a "second car", and while there are coolant-leak issues that can wreck the motor, Audi has extended the motor warranty to 10 years/120k miles to compensate. So yeah, that's the current plan...whenever this DCAP credit finally gets approved (applied at the end of March, still waiting...)

So basically it would be 25k+2500 tax+~300 title+licensing - $27800. Minus $7500 DCAP, minus $4000 fed = $16,300. The VW Golf Sportwagen should sell for ~15,000, so $1300 to upgrade from a 2017 VW to a 2021 Audi EV with ~15k fewer miles.

Something like this: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9...-0b6e9fe157df/

Thought about leasing the EV? With the crazy deals for leases right now for EVs I would definitely lean that way over purchasing, depending on how long you'll want it. I regretted buying my Ioniq5 outright, great car but depreciated crazy fast and still never got my damn email about the NCAS charger. Charging from home wasn't too bad given how little I drive but I ended up selling it to Carvana and getting a new Mazda3 instead.

I like not having the stress during road trips or "shit I forgot to charge last night" and then if a short trip turns into a medium trip cuz "oh lets go here too" and stressing on finding a charger that actually works and doesn't suck dick. Tesla's are pieces of shit but their charging infrastructure at least is solid, all the rest are very hit or miss.

The ID4 was pretty 'ok' like you said, when I test drove it I didn't feel a wow factor. Mach-e does look pretty sick and the EV6 is amazing. The new Nissan Leaf coming out also looks really good.

Steer clear of Hyundai though because the dealerships just suck ass and there's still the ICCU issue which I don't believe has been resolved so could brick your entire car :D

Subarru Solterra's right now have an insane lease deal too.

https://www.reddit.com/r/carincentiv...2025/#lightbox

[archibaldcrane]

I've considered leasing but was never overwhelmed with the ID4 Pro deals out there. Now that I've driven the etron I'm basically all-in on it, it was really nice.

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[Meresgi]

Audi's are pretty damn nice, never test drove the E Tron, just drove a few as rentals and coworker loved his Audis. Expensive as fuck to maintain but classy as hell. Loving my new Mazda3, got the carbon edition AWD and the interior is amazing given the price point of the car was 27k OTD.

[archibaldcrane]

I'm hoping that with the extended motor warranty and the fact that it is an EV will keep maintenence issues to a minimum - my LEAF only needed wipers, tires and 12v batteries for the entire 7 years I drove it

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[Zetanio]

If you go on Leasehackr you can get VERY cheap (relative) leasing deals on etrons.

That said, I don't recommend them. The older ones have absolute shit range, especially below 40 degrees. They did away with free charging for new leases.

Just not worth it vs buying a VW with incentives or a PHEV.

etrons and VW ID4 are the exact same platform and Audi's finishes aren't even much nicer. The windshield wipers (esp the front) are fucking garbage.

[archibaldcrane]

Can't lease a new Audi with the DCAP money, they're all well above the $45k price cap.

I've heard the Q4 etron isn't much nicer than the ID4 it is based on, but after test driving the OG etron (2018-2023 edition - now called the "Q8 etron" the naming conventions are a mess) vs the ID4 it is way nicer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_Q8_e-tron

I know the ~190 mi range is short, but it just doesn't matter for our use case as a second car, and its ~never 40 degrees here.


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[archibaldcrane]

Clock is now ticking, the used EV $4000 federal tax credit (as well as the new EV $7500 federal tax credit) expire September 30th with the Republican budget bill passing today.

Hope my DCAP incentive is approved soon...

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[archibaldcrane]

god I hate car salesmen so much

the laziest most ignorant motherfuckers on the entire planet

[archibaldcrane]

Clock is now ticking, the used EV $4000 federal tax credit (as well as the new EV $7500 federal tax credit) expire September 30th with the Republican budget bill passing today.

Hope my DCAP incentive is approved soon...

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Just got approval let's fucking go....

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[archibaldcrane]

Just got approval let's fucking go....

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After an awful experience at a sleazy used car dealership trying to get an Audi etron, decided to return to the initial plan and picked up a 2022 VW ID4 Pro S. 25k miles, out the door all in for $17,500 after the DCAP and used EV credit. I drove an ID4 Pro before and it felt plasticky, but the S-line has the leatherette seats and premium leather-wrapped trim stuff that really helps.

https://www.cardinalewaymazdacorona....ource=cars.com


Should be able to sell our 2017 Golf Sportwagen for ~15.5k, so a cheap significant upgrade.

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