I'm going to waste a bunch of salesmen's time today after work and test drive a bunch of electric cars today. After looking at my upcoming fuel cost, if the range/chargine features are good enough, there might be an electric car in my future 
So, am I missing any?
Mitsubishi iMiev
Nissan Leaf
Chevrolet Volt
Tesla (A man can dream...)
Also, I realize that Smart, Fiat, Ford, etc. have all electric cars available, but I've never seen them and suspect they aren't available near me.
Chevy Spark EV (IIRC only sold in California?)
Fiat 500e (supposed to be available this year)
Smart EV
Focus Electric (again, supposed to be available this year)
Honda Fit EV
BMW i3
Lousy mostly.
How about a used Corbin Sparrow?
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140331/CARNEWS01/140339985
If you are ready for an electric car, I suggest one of these. The retirement communities in Florida are full of them.
mtn wrote: I'm going to waste a bunch of salesmen's time today after work and test drive a bunch of electric cars today. After looking at my upcoming fuel cost, if the range/chargine features are good enough, there might be an electric car in my future
If you drive a Volt, make sure that it's charged up (many aren't). Drive it in D and "Normal" mode for a bit, then switch to L and "Sport" for a bit feel the difference in throttle mapping and drop throttle deceleration (and the commesurate increase in battery regen) and grin a bunch. Take it to about 10-15 mph and punch it.
Chris_V wrote:mtn wrote: I'm going to waste a bunch of salesmen's time today after work and test drive a bunch of electric cars today. After looking at my upcoming fuel cost, if the range/chargine features are good enough, there might be an electric car in my futureIf you drive a Volt, make sure that it's charged up (many aren't). Drive it in D and "Normal" mode for a bit, then switch to L and "Sport" for a bit feel the difference in throttle mapping and drop throttle deceleration (and the commesurate increase in battery regen) and grin a bunch. Take it to about 10-15 mph and punch it.
Probably won't even drive a Volt. I'll go into the dealer and ask what kind of a lease they can get me, and when they can't come close to what I will afford, I'll walk away.
GameboyRMH wrote: Chevy Spark EV (IIRC only sold in California?)
I had a neighbor in TN that had an electric Spark. I don't think he went to Cali to get it?
mtn wrote: Also, I realize that Smart, Fiat, Ford, etc. have all electric cars available, but I've never seen them and suspect they aren't available near me.
Are you purchasing or leasing? What is your target price? Are you willing to transport a vehicle in from another location (like a coastal state) for the right car/price/features? Do you have any requirements besides this (number of seatbelts, minimum range, etc.)?
Answers to these questions will significantly affect what a list of potential vehicles would look like.
Bryce
A fly and drive isn't really in the cards with an electric 
Nashco wrote:mtn wrote: Also, I realize that Smart, Fiat, Ford, etc. have all electric cars available, but I've never seen them and suspect they aren't available near me.Are you purchasing or leasing? What is your target price? Are you willing to transport a vehicle in from another location (like a coastal state) for the right car/price/features? Do you have any requirements besides this (number of seatbelts, minimum range, etc.)? Answers to these questions will significantly affect what a list of potential vehicles would look like. Bryce
Leasing. Unless purchasing results in a payment significantly less. Target price? Less than $1500 down payment/due at signing, and less than $250 monthly payment. Not willing to transport. I need 1 seatbelt. Round trip for work is 85 miles, but there is a charging station at work.
I think that, unfortunately, the range+price restrictions will rule everything out. The iMiev is likely the only one I can afford, and that won't go far enough (and charge fast enough once at work).
Chris_V wrote:mtn wrote: I'm going to waste a bunch of salesmen's time today after work and test drive a bunch of electric cars today. After looking at my upcoming fuel cost, if the range/chargine features are good enough, there might be an electric car in my futureIf you drive a Volt, make sure that it's charged up (many aren't). Drive it in D and "Normal" mode for a bit, then switch to L and "Sport" for a bit feel the difference in throttle mapping and drop throttle deceleration (and the commesurate increase in battery regen) and grin a bunch. Take it to about 10-15 mph and punch it.
I drove one of these a while back. I loved it! You're right: hammer on it and get a big grin. It's not an economy car: it's an electric sedan (with a gas range extender). I mean, it's not a BMW 335i, but it does get your daily commute done almost for free.
Now I want one too. And what's with this Ford you all keep speaking of...
mtn wrote: Leasing. Unless purchasing results in a payment significantly less. Target price? Less than $1500 down payment/due at signing, and less than $250 monthly payment. Not willing to transport. I need 1 seatbelt. Round trip for work is 85 miles, but there is a charging station at work. I think that, unfortunately, the range+price restrictions will rule everything out. The iMiev is likely the only one I can afford, and that won't go far enough (and charge fast enough once at work).
In that case, I'd say these are your options:
Nissan Leaf
2014 Mitsubishi iMiev
smart Electric Drive coupe
The only other nationwide available option is the Ford, which is too expensive. If you don't care about performance, looks, options, etc. and your only criteria is electric and cheap, I'd suggest the smart and iMiev are right up your alley. Having driven both, I prefer the smart and it sounds like a better fit for what you want, but they've both got pros and cons. If your local dealers haven't got either of these cars yet, they should very soon...keep bugging them. The Leaf is much easier to track down.
Bryce
What about Ford's Energi line? Aren't they just like the Volt, what with all their supplemental gas engines that only work to extend range? They are more affordible than 100% electrics.
Nashco wrote:mtn wrote: Leasing. Unless purchasing results in a payment significantly less. Target price? Less than $1500 down payment/due at signing, and less than $250 monthly payment. Not willing to transport. I need 1 seatbelt. Round trip for work is 85 miles, but there is a charging station at work. I think that, unfortunately, the range+price restrictions will rule everything out. The iMiev is likely the only one I can afford, and that won't go far enough (and charge fast enough once at work).In that case, I'd say these are your options: Nissan Leaf 2014 Mitsubishi iMiev smart Electric Drive coupe The only other nationwide available option is the Ford, which is too expensive. If you don't care about performance, looks, options, etc. and your only criteria is electric and cheap, I'd suggest the smart and iMiev are right up your alley. Having driven both, I prefer the smart and it sounds like a better fit for what you want, but they've both got pros and cons. If your local dealers haven't got either of these cars yet, they should very soon...keep bugging them. The Leaf is much easier to track down. Bryce
Ford says their 36 month lease is $166 per month. That's... about what it costs in fuel to drive the Viper each month...
confuZion3 wrote: Ford says their 36 month lease is $166 per month. That's... about what it costs in fuel to drive the Viper each month...
Give me a linky (to the Ford Lease, not the Viper stuff)
BTW, just figured this out. Our local Chevy dealer has 2013 Volt's marked down to 29.9k. Tax incentives bring that down to below 20k. There may well be a Volt in my future. If there is one with leather seats, there definitely is.
mtn wrote:confuZion3 wrote: Ford says their 36 month lease is $166 per month. That's... about what it costs in fuel to drive the Viper each month...Give me a linky (to the Ford Lease, not the Viper stuff)
Here you go: http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/trim/electric/
Ford only sells about 100 focus electrics a month. Good luck finding one, much less a good deal. If you can find a deal, the Volt and the Leaf are the only options worth considering outside of "compliance car" states.
confuZion3 wrote:mtn wrote:Here you go: http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/trim/electric/confuZion3 wrote: Ford says their 36 month lease is $166 per month. That's... about what it costs in fuel to drive the Viper each month...Give me a linky (to the Ford Lease, not the Viper stuff)
$4,4xx due at signing. No thanks, that buys a lot of (insert whatever econobox and/or gasoline figures here).
mtn wrote:confuZion3 wrote:$4,4xx due at signing. No thanks, that buys a lot of (insert whatever econobox and/or gasoline figures here).mtn wrote:Here you go: http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/trim/electric/confuZion3 wrote: Ford says their 36 month lease is $166 per month. That's... about what it costs in fuel to drive the Viper each month...Give me a linky (to the Ford Lease, not the Viper stuff)
I saw that too. I thought figures like that were just part of business when getting a new car.
I got my Leaf 8 months ago, so not sure if pricing is still the same. However, I got mine for $1999 down and something like $275/month. I have the SL trim, which is the highest trim level. I could have gotten an S for $199/month or SV for about $235/month. That was for a 24 month lease with 15k miles per year. If I went with the standard 12k miles per year the prices would have been a bit lower.
84 miles round trip would require a charge station. You could do without one in the summer, but you'd be cutting it close. In winter, no way.
bastomatic wrote: Ford only sells about 100 focus electrics a month. Good luck finding one, much less a good deal. If you can find a deal, the Volt and the Leaf are the only options worth considering outside of "compliance car" states.
Yes, this. I contacted an awfully large number of Ford dealers by phone and by E-mail, and the best response I got was "We'll call you back" which proved to be fruitless. I have never even seen one.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the new Kia Soul at the Atlanta Auto Show last weekend, and an EV version hits sales floors in coastal markets this fall. If Soul lease rates are priced anywhere what Nissan is asking for the Leaf, I think the Soul EV could be a real contender: http://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicle/soul-ev/2015/experience
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