MarineQuinn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2018
- Messages
- 5
Hi folks. I'm transitioning to the electric car world and am considering a BMW i3 REX. I've been car shopping for over a year [I will continue to drive my gas guzzling SUV for moving big SUV type stuff] and have considered everything from hybrids, to more conventional sports and luxury sedans.
I began shopping for the i3 when I found out about the PG&E $10,000.00 incentive. Honestly, the i3 wasn't even in my radar until then; my decision was essentially sealed after a test drive, and much research time [including on this forum].
I requested a quote for the following build [San Francisco Bay Area]:
Year: 2018
Model: REX
Trim: Deka World
Color: Black
The only option I selected was the 20 inch wheels.
This car will have to be factory ordered [it will take 1-2 months before it's ready for pickup] at the dealership.
Here's the best quote I got:
MSRP: Apprx. $51,145.00 [including 995 destination]
Sale price: $47,000.00
Minus $10,000.00 PG&E incentive: $37,000.00
After tax, license and registration: apprx. $41,000.00
Minus Fed tax credit [$7,500.00], state rebate [$2,500.00], and PG&E rebate [$500.00]: apprx. $30,500.00.
One way to look at this is I'm getting a brand new $51,000.00 car for about $27,300.00 [this "price" deducts the additional $10,500.00 incentives from the $37,000.00 quote but adds on another approximately $800.00 for taxes I'm paying on the $37,000.00 quote].
As I see it, the i3 as spec'ced:
1. Costs as much, if not less, than a used, lower mileage 2016 BMW i3 REX which I have found in the $26,000.00 to $28,000.00 range [though they may come better equipped] and costs about $10,000.00 less than used 2017 BMW i3 REX [but of course, I get the longer range battery [over the 2016 model] full warranty and 3 years free maintenance].
2. Costs as much as a Chevy Bolt. I drove the Bolt and it just didn't impress me [the materials felt like they were pulled from an entry level Chevy, though with that said, I'm disappoointed the i3 doesn't come with at least "pleather" and power seats].
3. Costs as much as the Prius Prime premium I was considering. But, gosh that car looks UGLY [and it's not all electric].
4. [After all incentives] Costs about $5,000.00 to $6,000.00 more than the Nissan Leaf I test drove. My reaction to the Leaf: meh...like the Bolt, it felt cheap; the i3 is definitely heads and shoulders above in terms of fun to drive, quality, and flexibility.
Your thoughts on this offer?
Does the "net" effective sale price of about $27,300.00 make this a smart deal to buy rather than lease?
FWIW, I want to purchase and not lease, as I've done the research and believe that that the approximately $20,500.00 in total rebates, credits and incentives, will cover the depreciation. Plus, I plan on keeping this car for a while as I do with most of my cars; I don't need to constantly trade up or "have the most current."
Thanks much!
I began shopping for the i3 when I found out about the PG&E $10,000.00 incentive. Honestly, the i3 wasn't even in my radar until then; my decision was essentially sealed after a test drive, and much research time [including on this forum].
I requested a quote for the following build [San Francisco Bay Area]:
Year: 2018
Model: REX
Trim: Deka World
Color: Black
The only option I selected was the 20 inch wheels.
This car will have to be factory ordered [it will take 1-2 months before it's ready for pickup] at the dealership.
Here's the best quote I got:
MSRP: Apprx. $51,145.00 [including 995 destination]
Sale price: $47,000.00
Minus $10,000.00 PG&E incentive: $37,000.00
After tax, license and registration: apprx. $41,000.00
Minus Fed tax credit [$7,500.00], state rebate [$2,500.00], and PG&E rebate [$500.00]: apprx. $30,500.00.
One way to look at this is I'm getting a brand new $51,000.00 car for about $27,300.00 [this "price" deducts the additional $10,500.00 incentives from the $37,000.00 quote but adds on another approximately $800.00 for taxes I'm paying on the $37,000.00 quote].
As I see it, the i3 as spec'ced:
1. Costs as much, if not less, than a used, lower mileage 2016 BMW i3 REX which I have found in the $26,000.00 to $28,000.00 range [though they may come better equipped] and costs about $10,000.00 less than used 2017 BMW i3 REX [but of course, I get the longer range battery [over the 2016 model] full warranty and 3 years free maintenance].
2. Costs as much as a Chevy Bolt. I drove the Bolt and it just didn't impress me [the materials felt like they were pulled from an entry level Chevy, though with that said, I'm disappoointed the i3 doesn't come with at least "pleather" and power seats].
3. Costs as much as the Prius Prime premium I was considering. But, gosh that car looks UGLY [and it's not all electric].
4. [After all incentives] Costs about $5,000.00 to $6,000.00 more than the Nissan Leaf I test drove. My reaction to the Leaf: meh...like the Bolt, it felt cheap; the i3 is definitely heads and shoulders above in terms of fun to drive, quality, and flexibility.
Your thoughts on this offer?
Does the "net" effective sale price of about $27,300.00 make this a smart deal to buy rather than lease?
FWIW, I want to purchase and not lease, as I've done the research and believe that that the approximately $20,500.00 in total rebates, credits and incentives, will cover the depreciation. Plus, I plan on keeping this car for a while as I do with most of my cars; I don't need to constantly trade up or "have the most current."
Thanks much!