1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Featured Used EVs and Hybrids

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by bwilson4web, Jul 23, 2016.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,068
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Source: Used Car Buyers Charged Up about EVs and Hybrids | TheDetroitBureau.com

    Looking for a good used car? Well, if you find a hybrid or an EV you like, don’t dawdle on buying it because it’ll be off the lot before you know it.

    According to iSeeCars.com, five of the top 10 fastest selling used cars in the U.S. in the first half of this year were hybrids or full electrics, including the top three movers. Perhaps even more astonishing, only one of the top 10 is an American car.

    Bob Wilson
     
    Robert Holt likes this.
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I see this is from Detroit, but really have they not got the message up there about the big-3? Even 1 american car in the top 10 fastest moving used vehicles is surprising...
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    interestingly, we've had a lot of complaints about the high price of used pri from prospective buyers, and the high rate of depreciation from sellers.
     
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,068
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Which is why BMW's leasing scheme is so sweet. The first owner, lease, pays the depreciation to levels that the second owner can afford.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Jul 24, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2016
    mrlebop likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    perfect, in a world where new bev sales are increasing, and buyers think it's smarter to lease than purchase!(y)
     
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,068
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    It is one of those strange eddies in life where the battery-failure-phobia encourages the first-time lease. So the first buyers get a chance to 'try' the EV but with a 'leased' car, the dabbler is unlikely to install the high-capacity EVSE needed to put serious miles on the car. Then when their lease ends, someone with a clue can snatch a nearly new, EV car for an excellent price.

    Bob Wilson
     
    Bluegrassman, mrlebop and bisco like this.
  7. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    The early lease return of the (2006) 1st ever luxury hybrid SUV is exactly how we were able to afford the darn thing. Here we are almost a decade later & it's still running like a top.
     
    bisco likes this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    still waiting for a tesla dabbler to come off lease.:p
     
    mrlebop likes this.
  9. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I've seen a few of the model S returns at the Buena Park CA dealership, but probably it's way too crazy early to think there might be an ex among the mix. Best to find one private party anyways.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    demand is too high for preowned. when tesla can make more than they can sell, things will be different. 2020?
     
    mrlebop likes this.
  11. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    @ Bob - on the i3, is there room for an aux fuel tank? It wouldn't have to be big to double the ice range. I did that on a late 70s Civic, which went from a teeny trunk to nearly none. But boy could I travel. SoCal all the way to Texas on one tank

    .
     
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,068
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    No and yes.

    The only 'free' space is the "Frunk" but it is a pressurized fuel tank. The accuracy of the fuel level indicator suggests it is not driven by the level but 'software.' Some have looked at finding a spare gas can that will fit in the frunk. I'm not in the crowd.

    My primary interest is in reducing aerodynamic drag which appears to be 'low hanging fruit.' Minor improvements in the 0.29 Cd pays big dividends especially on the highway but also in mid-town commutes. It works for both EV and REx mode.

    A secondary approach is feeding cooled, exhaust back into the REx. This reduces the throttle-plate losses and lets the ICE run more efficiently. I also want to take over oil changes because though small, it has an incremental improvement. The problem is I've already gone a week without using the REx.

    With 72 miles of EV range and a 32A EVSE, I'm finding it hard to justify time spent on what is a narrow operational mode. Improving EV and REx operation is a win-win effort.

    Bob Wilson
     
  13. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2007
    2,605
    140
    0
    Location:
    PDX
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I just leased an 2016 Chevy Spark EV. 39 months / $100 per month / $0 Down / 10K miles per year. I could have bought the car outright for $10,500 after the tax credit. I decided to lease because I didn't know how the EV would work for me and there are quite a few cars predicted to come out in the next 1-3 years that are a big leap over the 100 mile range Spark.

    I've had it 5 weeks / 1000 miles and I'm really liking it. My 45 mile commute uses about 40% of the battery and it charges in 3 hours at work. (We have free EV chargers). At home with the 110v charger that came with the car it take about 7-8 hours to charge. It is very peppy, much quicker than the Prius and the quiet is glorious.
     
    hill, Ashlem and mrbigh like this.
  14. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2016
    2,567
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere in Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    I thought the euro i3 had a bigger gas tank
     
  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The US software limits what can be used due to CARB restrictions for an EV.
    Bob has his patched to be able to use the full capacity.
     
  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,068
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Just enabling the REx at 75% SOC. There is patch to allow 2.3-2.4 gallons instead of the 1.9-2.0 but that is not enough. I've got another approach in progress

    Bob Wilson
     
  17. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,068
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    <duplicate>
     
    #17 bwilson4web, Dec 20, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2016
  18. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Looks like it might be a good time to unload the 2006 SUV hybrid AWD Lexus. Only 80, 000 miles. Make me an offer. Any takers?

    .
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sounds like a gas hog.
     
  20. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Name any other mid-size SUV all wheel drive that EPA's ~ 30 mpg (not counting the hihy)
    2006 Lexus RX400h AWD - Long-Term Road Test - Car Reviews - Car and Driver
    My best hypermiling tank was over 48 MPG & and it's designed to run premium regular or mid grade gas. No slouch cars in this family

    .
     
    #20 hill, Dec 20, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2016