That was a great great find! Thanks! There are still some GM Engineers out there no longer working with GM necessarily that helped restore several S10 EVs which were the same guts as the ev1. I hope they can call them cull together for this project.
From what I understand the EV1s were all leased, but when they were taken off market a certain number were sold for preservation reasons under the condition that they couldn't be driven on the roads legally. In other words these were for museums and perhaps collectors with big pockets.
No but logged a ton of miles in the S10 ev. great thing is old GM company died via bankruptcy. Contracts w/ bankrupt companies, unless specifically stated otherwise go away. That allowed for at least a couple of the ev1s to be made roadworthy & registered. Lots of junk was removed by GM to try to keep them from being resurrected, but you know people. They love a good challenge
There's a website for those inquiring about all things ev1. The illegal owners, University owners, private owners, Etc https://www.hemmings.com/stories/how-many-gm-ev1s-remain/ .
My Dad thought in the 1960s that a couple of Model A Fords would help us learn auto mechanic skills. Instead it taught, "DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!!!" Inefficient, low compression, overweight, 40 hp engine Dash was the gas tank Cold in winter, hot in summer, and damp in rain Mechanical rod operated brakes were marginally able to stop Vacuum operated wiper slowed and sometimes stopped when accelerating No seat belts and chest aimed, steering rod Loud all the time from marginal muffler Carbon monoxide rich exhaust without any emissions control Maximum continuous speed ~55-65 mph or radiator over heated Spring seats were 'unpleasant' Bob Wilson
Perhaps. I guess I'm experiencing that with my 2006 Prius that needs nearly every single part replaced. In reality, I'll just keep driving my Avalon for as long as possible. If it does die a death not worth resurrecting, I'll figure out then what I'm going to do for a car. Older cars are what I'd like, but (as you pointed out) usually need more work than they are worth. But newer cars also are expensive and often seem to be less practical all while feeling very much like an appliance on wheels. I do wish I could do things more like you, Bob. It seems you've figured out how to minimize car expenses even when you have an EV that needs a major battery repair.
My rule of thumb is to compare the cost of repair to replacement. I could not find an acceptable EV for the $9 k battery replacement: Used NCA battery (same as failed and replacement) running ~$20-22 k Full self driving +$8 k ... the battery replacement preserved this asset Expected replacement battery life ~3-4 years I am shopping for a replacement for my 2017 BMW i3-REx that IS NOT BROKE ... YET! I may have identified a "sweet spot", 2024 Model 3. Currently at ~$28 k, my expectation is the price should fall below $25 k by January/February. Bob Wilson
I try to do the same. I'm not sure what my sweet spot would be. My 5-year-old, 50k-mile Toyota Avalon Hybrid for $15,000 seemed like a sweet spot at the time. But since then prices of everything have gone up, rent, car costs, etc. but wages haven't. I think I'll shoot for a sub $5,000 car next time. I saw a 2013 Mazda3 for $2,000 but haven't gotten a response back.
That "$28 k" is today's inflated price. As the trade-in ones come in and end of lease, the supply should reduce prices to something more reasonable. Fortunately, I can live with just the default AutoPilot and use FSD for the 'town car.' Bob Wilson
