[V0ltastic]

I'm sure this has been asked plenty of times by now, but I'm curious if anyone has traded up to a Telsa? If so, any regrets/caveats/etc? Unfortunately, even their pre-owned/lease trade-ins are still expensive. $50K+

https://www.tesla.com/preowned

Can you use the tax credit on a pre-owned vehicle or is it only applicable to a new purchase? Any feedback is welcome.

Thanks!

 

[cab]

I guess you could say I did, but it was from a gen 1 vs a gen 2 (which incidentally, I would have optioned IDENTICALLY to the one you have as an aside). No tax credit on pre-owned vehicles I am afraid.

I think you need to really examine "why" before doing so. I mean, honestly, most folks get such a high percentage of their time driving on electric with a gen 2 Volt there is rarely a "gas cost" savings. The Volt is still better at long distance travel than any Tesla in terms of refueling time/flexibility - probably comes down to your exact use-case.

The Tesla is certainly larger and it a lot faster. Indeed, it was the "high performance" aspect that drive me to switch. In all honesty, I test drove the BMW i3 rex, Audi A3 E-tron and gen 2 Volt. I would be driving the Audi right now if it even had 30 miles of EV range as it drove realy well compared to teh others, but it didn't and at 16 miles of range was sort of a "why bother going PHEV".

I still like the Tesla (mines a P85+), but would really prefer something physically smaller and a bit cheaper. I look forward to the coming waves of both electrics and PHEVs where we won't have to compromise on one thing to get another nearly as much.

 

[llninja]

To answer your tax credit question, the tax credit only applies to new cars that you purchase. If you lease the car, the leasing company gets the tax credit, and it's up to them whether you get any discount or not. early volt buyers might have gotten maybe $2-3K off because of the tax credit.

I plan to upgrade from my volt to something really nice soon, but I'm still wavering about what the next vehicle will be. A lot will do with the timing. If I need a car sooner, it will probably be a used ELR. If I get the car in 2-3 years, then it might be a model S or CT6 PHEV or whatever else hits the marketplace and touches my fancy.

One last note, trading in a 2016 will mean you will take a shellacking on depreciation. Seriously consider driving this vehicle into the ground and upgrading when the volt is on its last legs. Your pocketbook will thank you. Of course, if you are already filthy rich, then do whatever floats your boat.

When choosing a Tesla, I'm on the two extremes. Part of me would order the S60D to get the cheapest car that has AWD and no other options (maybe adding autopilot later). It would be fine for my commute, but might be a stretch to take out of town. The other part of me wants to S100D (without Performance) so I have the longest battery life and don't regret shortchanging myself. But then I'd be tempted to add Autopilot, dual chargers, adjustable shocks, and all of the sudden this just under 6 digit car hits 6 digits. I don't want Ludicrous mode as that's a formula for disaster (too much temptation to do something stupid and hurt myself or someone). If there's an option for grandpa mode, I want it. Maybe by the time I need to decide, they'll have an S110D or S120D. Better yet, how about an S200D.

 

[mbsmd]

Not yet, but after a month with the 2017 Volt, I don't think I'm ever going back to an ICE car.

 

[GSP]

I purchased a "pre-owned" Model S last year. It did not replace my Volt, it replaced my second (ICE) car that I use for long vacation trips.

It is a wonderful car and I am so happy to own and drive it.

GSP

 

[V0ltastic]

I lurched a "pre-owned" Model S last year. It did not replace my Volt, it replaced my second (ICE) car that I use for long vacation trips.

It is a wonderful car and I am so happy to own and drive it.

GSP

Bummer on the tax incentive but I sort of expected that given it would be a used car. The wife primarily drives the G2 Volt we currently have to/from work and weekend running around. Similarly, I currently have a 12 year old pickup truck that doesn't get the best gas mileage so I was contemplating parking it and picking up another PHEV. I still need the pickup truck for yard work, Home Depot/Lowes trips/etc. The entry level used Tesla model S are not much of a stretch from a new Volt but the tax incentives would have been nice. That aside, the biggest benefit of the Tesla is the added room for our family of 4 given the back seats in the Volt are a bit cramp as the kids get bigger and the significantly longer ranger. Yeah, I'm not filthy rich so picking up one of the new 100Ds with all the bells and whistles @ $150K+ isn't going to happen. However, there are plenty of P85+ models in the $50-$60K range with 30K or less miles on them on their certified preowned page. We are still happy with our Volt and even after 6K miles we have only manage to use about 10 gallons of gas since June of 2016 so it certainly meets our needs as a commuter car. It's just too bad Chevy doesn't offer a full size sedan with the Volt tech in it to compete with the likes of Tesla. I did look over the Bolt as well but it's a bit funky in the looks department and still smaller than we like to have for our family. There is no immediate need to run out a buy another vehicle right now so I'm just kicking the proverbial tires for now.

 

[P_L]

I actually have owned a Tesla Model S85D for two years now and I love the car. But to replace my wife's "ice" vehicle I convinced her to get a 2017 Volt in December. I have been driving the Volt more than she has, and I must say I am very impressed with it. Use the Tesla for long distance driving so the Volt is almost totally used in ev mode.

 

[firehawk72]

Interesting what is a long trip for some and not for others. Where I live, it is 35 miles to go to Krogers (ONE WAY).

70 or 80 miles is still considered a short trip. Hundreds of miles, now that is along trip

 

[RoRo]

I seriously considered a CPO Tesla back in November. I worked with a salesman at the West Palm Beach service center, where they also keep the CPO vehicles. I test drove a P85+ and a S85 and had my desired list of required and nice to haves along with pricing. I had my financing lined up. I was ready.

Then I drove one. Other than being fast, the "wow" factor was not there for me. I've had lots of fast cars, and now I'm just over it. LOL

I've had a Voltec vehicle for nearly 5 years now. Driving electric is nothing new to me, it is normal. I expect the quiet, the smooth, the not going to gas stations.

When I considered the price (62-68k) for a used Tesla and thought about if I really needed the additional cost and range, I changed my mind. I picked up a 17' Volt earlier this month and now I'm a happy camper once again.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[llninja]

Interesting what is a long trip for some and not for others. Where I live, it is 35 miles to go to Krogers (ONE WAY).

70 or 80 miles is still considered a short trip. Hundreds of miles, now that is along trip

Interestingly enough, the nearest Krogers to me is also about 30 miles away, but luckily there is a County Market 3 miles from my home.

 

[llninja]

Then I drove one. Other than being fast, the "wow" factor was not there for me. I've had lots of fast cars, and now I'm just over it. LOL
.

I was lucky enough to drive a CTS-V around a race track once, and man was that a blast. But it had the opposite effect on me that the Cadillac marketing folks probably didn't expect. It convinced me to never own one as the temptation is too great to do something stupid. I love my volt, only wish it had more space.

 

[RoRo]

I was lucky enough to drive a CTS-V around a race track once, and man was that a blast. But it had the opposite effect on me that the Cadillac marketing folks probably didn't expect. It convinced me to never own one as the temptation is too great to do something stupid. I love my volt, only wish it had more space.

Ha! I can see how this could happen!

 

[VoltDan]

If you need a VERY expensive LOCAL driver... then you buy a Tesla. If you want a car, then you buy a Volt! easy peasy!

 

[BAZINGA]

After reading threads on how expensive it is to repair a Tesla (after a minor accident) or out of warranty, insurance costs and parts unavailability rendering a MS inoperable for weeks, my LUST for a Tesla is waning. And the more I think about I really want a Chevy/GM EV. My guess is it won't be so "finicky" to operate or repair.

 

[RoRo]

After reading threads on how expensive it is to repair a Tesla (after a minor accident) or out of warranty, insurance costs and parts unavailability rendering a MS inoperable for weeks, my LUST for a Tesla is waning. And the more I think about I really want a Chevy/GM EV. My guess is it won't be so "finicky" to operate or repair.

If you buy a CPO Tesla that should not be an issue. They basically give the car a new 4 year warranty, which is why their CPOs are so pricey.

 

[P_L]

A really important advantage that Tesla has in regards to distance driving i.e. Hundreds of kms, has to be their ability to charge quickly. This is why the Bolt is not really a competitor to Tesla. As to being "finicky " to drive.... just not true; and definitely no more so than the Volt, and, of course, the performance is very, very good. Your point about the the repair problems however is spot on from what I gather. Luckily I have not had to repair either my Tesla or Volt yet. My experience is that the Tesla Model S and the Volt are both just very good vehicles in their own ways, and totally make any return by me to an "ice" vehicle the last thing I would ever consider, God willing and the creek don't rise. I try to get anyone who will listen to consider these cars. Have so far had one family get a Tesla and one seriously looking at the Volt.

 

[Billtphotoman]

I have toyed with the idea of suggesting a CPO model S to replace my wife's ICE RAV 4. But, I think I will wait and see:
a) how much out of warranty (we keep our cars 10+ years) costs run
b) how expensive parts like the door handles hold up over long periods of time (in conjuction with a)
c) whether at some point they require payment for a data plan to get over the air SW and Nav updates

 

[saghost]

There are quite a few Tesla owners here; some still have the Volt and some don't.

Tesla is making amazing cars, for a crazy price. No regrets - it absolutely is an amazing car (and absolutely is a crazy price. The value for money is probably there, I think...)

The massive instant torque and slick "just works" integration and magic self driving safety and astounding windshield make it an experience on a whole other level from the Volt (and mine's the slow Tesla - 5.5/6 seconds to 60 with/without rollout, among the slowest they've ever sold.)

I haven't had any problems with mine so far, so I can't tell you how the service situation is. What I've read is that they mostly bend over backwards to get malfunctions that strand the car resolved immediately, but that for driveable problems or routine service they are booked several weeks out. Parts for crash repair seem to be hard to get by most accounts, too.

 

[V0ltastic]

I actually have owned a Tesla Model S85D for two years now and I love the car. But to replace my wife's "ice" vehicle I convinced her to get a 2017 Volt in December. I have been driving the Volt more than she has, and I must say I am very impressed with it. Use the Tesla for long distance driving so the Volt is almost totally used in ev mode.

We are in the same exact situation except we bought our Volt first.

 

[V0ltastic]

Interesting what is a long trip for some and not for others. Where I live, it is 35 miles to go to Krogers (ONE WAY).

70 or 80 miles is still considered a short trip. Hundreds of miles, now that is along trip

For us it would be 200+ miles round trip when we visit family about a dozen times a year. Right now, we just take the Volt as it makes economical sense given 44+ mpg we have been averaging when on the highway. We certainly deplete the battery on those trips and have to L1 charge at family homes. However, I have been trying to convince some family members to install a 240V outlet for us as L1 charging is painfully slow. We are more than willing to take our charger with us if someone could accommodate us with a 240V outlet.