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0 pointsmikeash9y ago0 comments

There's a pretty decent market for used Model Ss out there. It's not huge, since Model Ss of sufficient age don't exist in great numbers, but it's not too bad.

I've been looking at cheaper used EVs for a second car. There are lots of used LEAFs out there, some Smart EDs, and a couple of Focus Electrics, which look really nice if you don't mind the short range, but aren't very popular at all. These cars seem to drop in value a lot for the used market. I saw several that were not all that old going for under $10,000.

Teslas seem to retain their value better. I'd guess it's partly because the car is more desirable, and partly because Tesla treats their batteries a lot better, so they can be expected to last longer. The LEAF in particular was known for a while for losing quite a bit of range in just a few years.

As far as how they'll retain their value in the long term, it's hard to say. EVs should lose less value due to things like drivetrain wear, since you don't have a bazillion moving parts in an engine and transmission to go wrong. But they'll lose more value to battery degradation. Much will hinge on how well the batteries age and how much they cost to replace in 10+ years.

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vkou9y ago

One of the reasons for why there are so many used LEAFs on the market, is that a lot of EV early adopters sold their Leaf to buy a Tesla. If you wanted an EV, and could afford it, the specs on the Model S are much better.

This is not really great news for the low-end EV market, though - if the average person isn't interested in a midly used <$10,000 EV, how well will a $35,000 (With no frills - the average vehicle will probably be closer to $40,000) EV sell for?

Keep in mind that after years of making cars, Tesla is still struggling with quality control, supply chains, and repairs.

If we took a time machine, and traveled back to the early 00s, would you have dropped $40,000 on a vehicle made by Kia?

That's roughly where Tesla is today, in terms of maturity. I'm sure it will get better - but it may take a decade.

mikeashOP9y ago

> This is not really great news for the low-end EV market, though - if the average person isn't interested in a midly used <$10,000 EV, how well will a $35,000 (With no frills - the average vehicle will probably be closer to $40,000) EV sell for?

I don't understand this. The <$10,000 EV in question has a range of maybe 80 miles, probably less at this point. The $35,000+ EV will have a 200+ mile range and access to an extensive fast-charging network for trips beyond that.

Personally, I've stopped looking at the <$10,000 EVs in favor of waiting for a Model 3, because even though it's far more expensive, it's also far superior.

Tesla has no trouble selling Model Ss and Xs today even though they start at $68,000 and go up well into the 100s. They have a metaphorical line out the door for the Model 3. Tesla is struggling with quality control and such, and it could come back to bite them down the road, but it's not making it hard for them to find customers now.

VintageCool9y ago

Used LEAFs are super cheap because they have short range, and new LEAFs have a 50% larger range. The tech keeps getting better and making old electric cars less desirable to the market of buyers looking for an electric car.

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