I am looking to purchase an EV, and have narrowed it down to the Tesla Model Y or Audi e-tron. I can get into the reasons for choosing between those two vehicles but it’s not necessarily relevant to this post, so I’ll refrain unless requested.
My dilemma is this: I am in need of a car sooner than later (currently renting). I have three options, and I’m curious what you all would do if in my shoes. I should also mention that leasing is not really an option because I drive approx. 20K miles per year.
Option 1: Buy the e-tron and take the tax credit now. While I am hesitant to commit to the e-tron due to its low (but admittedly adequate) range, it is still a nice car and I would probably learn to live with the range. There are rumors that a newer version is coming in the next year or two with a greater range, but nothing confirmed so far. I’m aware I could always trade in.
Option 2: Buy a used Model Y. Not a big fan of this given that used prices are higher than new MSRP in my region, but it is an option nonetheless.
Option 3: Buy a Subaru Outback using a VIP discount and wait to see how things shake out with the new EV tax credit legislation, future e-tron improvements, etc. I only bring this option up because I can easily get a discount on a new one and resale value is great. Plus, they’re pretty good cars and I wouldn’t mind driving it for a little while.
Yep. Within my area, there are over 50 in-stock Outback Touring XT’s available. My local dealer is also pretty great and happy to honor it for local customers.
Theoretically the Y’s range isn’t that much better than the etron, the etron also has an incredibly flat charge curve which has you ready to move on to the next charger in about half hour. (0-80% in half hour)
If you’re willing to drive a non-luxury car for a few years, get a cheaper EV or PHEV that won’t depreciate as horribly as an Audi or Tesla that you put 20k miles a year on. Like a Kona or Niro.
In this market my priority is minimizing depreciation and interest expense.
We’re wayyy OT here but I’ll add: there are at least 2 CVTs in the Outback, mine is the more robust one. The “shifting” is software, in less than 1000 miles it learned me and “shifts” where I want to, actually doesn’t bother me. The CVT tolerance is allegedly why we still don’t have a tune available for it.
The suspension (as I mentioned when I got it) might seem stiff to other Japanese brands, I find it on the soft side, I’m not willing to invest in tires and a rear sway bar and strut replacements like some others. It’s fine.
The Outback is everything OP wants (and I did), a safe, capable, wagon with some tech, that holds its value, at a discount. Though often I feel like I’m driving the fanciest riding lawn mower ever made (which would get better gas mileage).
But at $3k under sticker, it’s a great holding pattern until something better comes along ( Polestar 3)
Polestar 3)