EV/Plug-in/Other vehicles

[irvinehomeowner]

Check out Longo Toyota if you haven't already. A little bit of a drive, but they have nearly a dozen bZ XLEs in stock at the moment and plenty of RAV4s. Bought a bZ Limited from them earlier this month and they price matched another dealer's discount in addition to the $3,500 manufacturer's rebate and 0% interest.

I'm loving my bZ so far. EV cars, given the right circumstances (e.g., owning a home with reliable charging and/or solar, non-extreme weather environment, etc.), have so many more benefits than ICE. We've still barely broken the surface for EVs too. They'll will get comparatively cheaper and better as the tech improves.

Yep. Currently not for everyone but eventually will be.

Even without solar, my fuel spend on transportation is still lower than with the pre-war gas prices.

I would add solar but incentives for that were taken away (which makes no sense considering that residential solar will help with grid stability).

 

[irvinehomeowner]

We just shopped the BZ to add to the stable, and found the same.

Then shopped one size up looking at the Toyota Woodland and Subaru Trailseeker brothers, and ended up with the Subaru version due to better discounting.

Good strategy... Subaru EVs get less demand but are the same platform as the Toyota (and Lexus) EVs.

 

[momopi]

What were her issues? Too small?

I find the BZ compares very well to the RAV4 (I regularly ride in both)... and I'm not a small guy.

The BZ made better financial sense. My 2015 ES350 is worth $12k in trade in, combined with Toyota cash inventive and 0% APR, I'd only need to plunk down around $10k cash with $20k loan & monthly payment under $300. With the cash saved I can upgrade my panel and couple outlets.

But the rear seat and cargo space is smaller, and wife has EV range anxiety if we take it on road trips.

2026 RAV4 also has TSS 4. We were originally going to replace the Sienna with newer model but the minivan will not get a refresh with updated TSS until 2028.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

But the rear seat and cargo space is smaller, and wife has EV range anxiety if we take it on road trips.

Hmm... I sat in the back seat of both and seems similar.

Range anxiety shouldn't be a thing because BZ supports NACS and Tesla chargers are EVERYWHERE (except DFW according to someone).

 

[momopi]

Good strategy... Subaru EVs get less demand but are the same platform as the Toyota (and Lexus) EVs.

Subaru also offers 0% APR financing for their EV.