New car time

[directhex]

Howdy y'all.

I've moved to the US, and my company-provided rental needs to go back in a couple of weeks. Or maybe 4. Who knows.

Anyway, I need my own wheels.

I've narrowed it down to three choices:

• NEW Chevrolet Bolt, ~$42,000 fully loaded
• NEW Tesla Model 3, ~$50,000 in first-run spec (high mileage battery, premium kit)
• USED Tesla Model S, ~$42,000-$50,000 spec as-it-comes depending on exact used vehicle

A Bolt comes with $7,500 off my tax bill for the year and a $2,500 cheque from the state government, bringing the real cost down by $10,000. A Model 3 has the state rebate, but might not have the federal tax break (it's a bit unclear at the moment as there's a cap on how many of those rebates are offered, per-manufacturer). A used car has no rebates or incentives.

A wrinkle is the Model 3 isn't available for me until around April, but I need wheels now - so either I need to rent a car between now & then (about $700 a month), or take over a lease on something like a 3 series or C class (about $400 a month - but I have no credit rating here so might struggle to get this set up).

Thoughts? Do I want a (high end) econobox now, an oversize used luxury car now, or to throw money away until April to get the "right" car for me?

[directhex]

And while I was writing my post, Nissan pre-announced the Mark 2 Leaf for next month. Which will be above my minimum range requirement, and no longer look like a frog

[kalniel]

Used high mileage Mustang GT or equivalent now while you wait for the Model 3, sell it for what you bought it for when you buy the model 3.

[directhex]

Used high mileage Mustang GT or equivalent now while you wait for the Model 3, sell it for what you bought it for when you buy the model 3.

Not great for moving 2 kids around!

[Bagnaj97]

Not great for moving 2 kids around!

Roof bars?

[TeePee]

With no credit, you'll be stuck with paying cash or getting a seriously subprime rate from a buy here, pay here used car place. Don't do that.

Good news is, used cars are cheap and so are gas and insurance. Forget electric cars. They may be of dubious economic value in the UK, but in the US they are for rich people with money to waste.

How much cash do you have to spend?

Also, welcome to the US! You'll love it here! Which State are you in?

[directhex]

With no credit, you'll be stuck with paying cash or getting a seriously subprime rate from a buy here, pay here used car place. Don't do that.

Good news is, used cars are cheap and so are gas and insurance. Forget electric cars. They may be of dubious economic value in the UK, but in the US they are for rich people with money to waste.

How much cash do you have to spend?

Also, welcome to the US! You'll love it here! Which State are you in?

I'm paying cash regardless, only need to worry about credit for an interim lease takeover. And I can afford the vehicles I listed, once my house sale from the UK is finalized (this month, hopefully).

We're in MA.

[directhex]

Oh, forgot. One point in favour of the used S is it includes free access to Tesla's charger network. A Model 3 or Bolt, I'd have to pay for charging when travelling.

[TeePee]

C63 AMG. Enjoy $2/gallon gas.

[Noxvayl]

Get the used Model S and reserve a Model 3 for later

[DanceswithUnix]

Diesel Passat? There, now anything feels like a good choice doesn't it. Sorry, couldn't resist


So you can't get a Model 3 but you can get a Model S, and Elon has said that the S is a better car if you can afford one.

The tax break on the bolt sounds like a lot of money, but deep down which one do you *want*, or are you not that bothered? Is there a problem with getting either serviced where you live, or do both have nearby dealers?

[virtuo]

C63 AMG. Enjoy $2/gallon gas.

And here is the correct answer. your country doesn't care about the environment, why should you?

[Noxvayl]

And here is the correct answer. your country doesn't care about the environment, why should you?

If you don't, then who will?

Go on, be as bad as everyone else. All you need to do is enjoy your life and ignore your responsibilities as an animal born on this planet.

[Gerrard]

If you don't, then who will?

Go on, be as bad as everyone else. All you need to do is enjoy your life and ignore your responsibilities as an animal born on this planet.

Humanity in a nutshell...

Go for the 2nd hand S, if only for a stop-gap for a couple of years; it's what you want anyway. The first 3's will probably have some minor issues that will need sorting out and hopefully the S you get will have had any of the early teething problems sorted. I don't think the larger size over the 3 would be a problem in the US.

[TeePee]

He doesn't care about the environment. If he did, he'd be buying an older used car and keeping it running as long as possible, which in the US is a long time.

He wants to buy a luxury performance car so that he can look down at the poor. It's the American way.

[directhex]

Humanity in a nutshell...

Go for the 2nd hand S, if only for a stop-gap for a couple of years; it's what you want anyway. The first 3's will probably have some minor issues that will need sorting out and hopefully the S you get will have had any of the early teething problems sorted. I don't think the larger size over the 3 would be a problem in the US.

This... might be the right answer anyway. The trade-in value on a used S, vs. the cash price, means there's actually very little reason not to go with this option, compared with renting or taking over a lease.