In which I ponder a pointless consumer decision - Page 2

Moonliner · 01-15-2014, 12:07 PM

At $200/Month it sounds hard to resist. I know when I was looking at a new car I just missed a similar deal I might have jumped on. Of course then I would have ended up in suburban snoozeville rather than driving a land rocket that makes me smile every day.

3894 · 01-16-2014, 08:08 AM

There are sources of information regarding what kilowatts of electricity would cost, and long ago when I thought of getting a a Volt or Prius, I checked with Consumer's Report and found out that the savings with a plug-in over gas-powered is enormous unless you live in an area where the cost of electricity is high.

If you almost never drive the Volt more than 40 miles per day, and plug it in every night for six hours with the more expensive charger, you will save money for sure. If you take a 150 mile trip, the extra mileage beyond the 40, say 110 or so, gets 38 mpgallon, which is also a good savings.

I'd get the Volt, or at least try it for a couple of months as a rental, and see how you like it and if the savings is that great.Remember you CAN find out what the cost of the charge every night is going to be, and I recall that it is very little, so don't let that dissuade you

cirquelover · 01-16-2014, 08:36 AM

Also make sure the deal is real because they always advertise a great rate but usually there is more to it. We just got a Honda because they were advertising 199 a month lease. It ended up being quite a bit more and to buy it was only 30 more for two years, we bought it instead of leasing.

Have you driven one yet? That would be my first suggestion, take a test drive.

Ghoulish Delight · 01-16-2014, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3894

unless you live in an area where the cost of electricity is high.

*raises hand*

Electricity rates are high here. Not outrageous, but high. By default, the cost to charge the thing would just barely eek out the cost of running it on its hybrid motor alone (~$3/40mi. vs. ~#3.70/40mi).

By doing a little shuffling of our rate plan, I MIGHT be able to cut that charging cost in half. But I'm not sure until I sit and do the rather complex math, because it has to do with how much electricity I'm using, what times of day, and different tiers based on going over baseline thresholds. I don't even know if I have access to the time-of-day breakdown of our current usage, so it may not actually be possible to calculate what our bill would look like on one of the alternate plans.

Of course, even the default with no extra savings is around twice as efficient as my current 20mpg option.

Quote:

Have you driven one yet? That would be my first suggestion, take a test drive.

Yes, that's a given.

Moonliner · 01-17-2014, 06:11 AM

Any charging stations at/near work?
How much do they charge?

Ghoulish Delight · 01-17-2014, 09:54 AM

Well, work is home. So....yes?

Strangler Lewis · 01-17-2014, 10:51 AM

The offers in my neighborhood are 3 years at 269/mo for 36000 miles with a 2700 buy down. That's $13,000 out of pocket over three years--more, potentially, if you exceed the mileage. Then, after three years, you get to do it again or buy your used Volt.

I don't think you can factor in savings, because the law of nature says that all such savings will get eaten up on something you don't really need. The Car Talk guys always said that most old cars are cheaper to fix than replace. I've had repairs on our ten year-old Passat wagon from time to time, but it hasn't come close to what I'd be spending on a new car that would eventually also need repairs.

Pass. Wistfully, perhaps, but pass.

Strangler Lewis · 01-17-2014, 10:59 AM

I did also note that you can lease a Camaro for $229/mo. So, I mean, if that's what's really going on here . . .

Snowflake · 01-17-2014, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

I did also note that you can lease a Camaro for $229/mo. So, I mean, if that's what's really going on here . . .

Theo would love a fully tricked out Camero, I am sure!

Promo-Man · 01-22-2014, 02:27 PM

I own a Ford C-Max Energy and love it.
I have been attending the AltCar Expo in Santa Monica for several years now and have driven most of the plug in cars.
None of them get the mileage they say they will get.
The big things for me was finding a vehicle that I fit in with the Volt my shoulder was against the doorjamb other than that it was a nice car.
On the charging station it will run you just under $2000 to have one installed with permits in Anaheim they offer a $1500 rebate so check what your power company will do for you.

01-15-2014, 12:07 PM	#11
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	At $200/Month it sounds hard to resist. I know when I was looking at a new car I just missed a similar deal I might have jumped on. Of course then I would have ended up in suburban snoozeville rather than driving a land rocket that makes me smile every day. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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01-16-2014, 08:08 AM	#12
3894 Next Stop: Funkytown! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheeselandia Posts: 1,907	There are sources of information regarding what kilowatts of electricity would cost, and long ago when I thought of getting a a Volt or Prius, I checked with Consumer's Report and found out that the savings with a plug-in over gas-powered is enormous unless you live in an area where the cost of electricity is high. If you almost never drive the Volt more than 40 miles per day, and plug it in every night for six hours with the more expensive charger, you will save money for sure. If you take a 150 mile trip, the extra mileage beyond the 40, say 110 or so, gets 38 mpgallon, which is also a good savings. I'd get the Volt, or at least try it for a couple of months as a rental, and see how you like it and if the savings is that great.Remember you CAN find out what the cost of the charge every night is going to be, and I recall that it is very little, so don't let that dissuade you __________________ "I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes the smolder." - Flynn Rider, "Tangled"
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01-16-2014, 08:36 AM	#13
cirquelover Cruising around in my automobile... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,617	Also make sure the deal is real because they always advertise a great rate but usually there is more to it. We just got a Honda because they were advertising 199 a month lease. It ended up being quite a bit more and to buy it was only 30 more for two years, we bought it instead of leasing. Have you driven one yet? That would be my first suggestion, take a test drive. __________________ Waiting for Summer to arrive!
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01-17-2014, 06:11 AM	#15
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Any charging stations at/near work? How much do they charge? __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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01-17-2014, 09:54 AM	#16
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Well, work is home. So....yes? __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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01-17-2014, 10:51 AM	#17
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	The offers in my neighborhood are 3 years at 269/mo for 36000 miles with a 2700 buy down. That's $13,000 out of pocket over three years--more, potentially, if you exceed the mileage. Then, after three years, you get to do it again or buy your used Volt. I don't think you can factor in savings, because the law of nature says that all such savings will get eaten up on something you don't really need. The Car Talk guys always said that most old cars are cheaper to fix than replace. I've had repairs on our ten year-old Passat wagon from time to time, but it hasn't come close to what I'd be spending on a new car that would eventually also need repairs. Pass. Wistfully, perhaps, but pass. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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01-17-2014, 10:59 AM	#18
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I did also note that you can lease a Camaro for $229/mo. So, I mean, if that's what's really going on here . . . __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
	Submit to Quotes

01-22-2014, 02:27 PM	#20
Promo-Man Actor / Comedian / Santa Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The North Pole of Anaheim Posts: 131	I own a Ford C-Max Energy and love it. I have been attending the AltCar Expo in Santa Monica for several years now and have driven most of the plug in cars. None of them get the mileage they say they will get. The big things for me was finding a vehicle that I fit in with the Volt my shoulder was against the doorjamb other than that it was a nice car. On the charging station it will run you just under $2000 to have one installed with permits in Anaheim they offer a $1500 rebate so check what your power company will do for you.
	Submit to Quotes