Electric Vehicles
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Second hand car market is interesting right now - a bloke at work bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee private sale 3 years ago and could recover his money today in a private sale (obviously not the repair costs
because Jeep).I'm eyeing off whether I just take the plunge and spend $80K on a Volvo XC40 Recharge or wait. The X-Trail isn't going to change much in value between now and then...
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@nta said in Electric Vehicles:
Second hand car market is interesting right now - a bloke at work bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee private sale 3 years ago and could recover his money today in a private sale (obviously not the repair costs
because Jeep).I'm eyeing off whether I just take the plunge and spend $80K on a Volvo XC40 Recharge or wait. The X-Trail isn't going to change much in value between now and then...
I looked at that last night, it's a nice looking ride. Have you driven it?
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@voodoo nah - nearest Volvo is Parramatta.
Realistically, I'd have to convince Mrs TA to drop $80K on a vehicle that doesn't have the range or offroad cred of my X-Trail. She would love the interior tho.
My fallback plan is to wait until her Mum's dementia finally closes that chapter, then go into Nissan and try to score a discount on a Leaf ($55k) + Ariya ($75k).
It would be good to go all-EV at the same time, but we've still got a mortgage apparently and should be paying that off faster
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@nta said in Electric Vehicles:
Second hand car market is interesting right now - a bloke at work bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee private sale 3 years ago and could recover his money today in a private sale (obviously not the repair costs
because Jeep).I'm eyeing off whether I just take the plunge and spend $80K on a Volvo XC40 Recharge or wait. The X-Trail isn't going to change much in value between now and then...
I’m guessing you haven’t driven one yet. It’s just a little bit nicer than a Leaf. Even at 80k you’re getting a lot of car for your money IMO.
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@nta said in Electric Vehicles:
@voodoo nah - nearest Volvo is Parramatta.
Realistically, I'd have to convince Mrs TA to drop $80K on a vehicle that doesn't have the range or offroad cred of my X-Trail. She would love the interior tho.
All joking aside, does the X-Trail have any off road cred? Not the first thing that jumps in my head when thinking of an x-trail.
My fallback plan is to wait until her Mum's dementia finally closes that chapter, then go into Nissan and try to score a discount on a Leaf ($55k) + Ariya ($75k).
Discounts on electric cars .... optimistic! To be straight with you though mate, a fallback plan of awaiting a parents passing is never a good idea.
It would be good to go all-EV at the same time, but we've still got a mortgage apparently and should be paying that off faster
Nah ... money's cheap!!
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@majorrage said in Electric Vehicles:
All joking aside, does the X-Trail have any off road cred? Not the first thing that jumps in my head when thinking of an x-trail.
Nah probably not, but it depends what you're after and how good a driver you are
Mine is the last of the boxy ones - though I understand the powertrain and transmission is largely unchanged since 2012.
It won't crawl rocks in part because it doesn't have low range. Fitting winches and recovery gear isn't generally on the cards because it doesn't have a full chassis - would just weight it down, anyway. Deep ruts are an issue due to relatively low clearance, but that is true of any stock 4WD at a point.
On the plus side, it is lighter and a bit smaller than the "big" 4WDs, so the power/weight ratio is good as a result and you can sit out of the ruts created by a Land Cruiser or Patrol. I gave mine a bit of a lift (50mm to take it to 300mm) with new springs and shocks - besides that and the nudge bar with LED lights it is otherwise stock - and have navigated water over the axles as well as decent mud and some of the rough dirt roads we get here. That was on highway tyres. I've had AT and hybrid rubber on it which were good, but couldn't really justify it for the amount of dirt I drive - they wear out quickly in the 'burbs.
Next week is beach driving but it'll all be on the flat, not dunes so much. Just let the tyres down to ~20psi and don't make too many sharp turns.
I know guys who have modified their X-Trails and drive almost everywhere the big boys go, relying on lighter weight to get them through.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that it has pretty good angles of approach and departure so you can get yourself into trouble quite easily in either direction. Adding the nudge bar actually reduced that a bit, and I've whacked it on river stones a few times but probably saved the radiator a bit of damage as a result.
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@majorrage said in Electric Vehicles:
a fallback plan of awaiting a parents passing is never a good idea.
Now saying it'll be this year, but it's about as good a plan as anything else.
Quite frankly after years of watching the dementia progress, to the point where there is no speech or movement and limited awareness, we're coming due.
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@jc said in Electric Vehicles:
@nta said in Electric Vehicles:
Second hand car market is interesting right now - a bloke at work bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee private sale 3 years ago and could recover his money today in a private sale (obviously not the repair costs
because Jeep).I'm eyeing off whether I just take the plunge and spend $80K on a Volvo XC40 Recharge or wait. The X-Trail isn't going to change much in value between now and then...
I’m guessing you haven’t driven one yet. It’s just a little bit nicer than a Leaf. Even at 80k you’re getting a lot of car for your money IMO.
You've driven the Volvo? Thoughts?
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@voodoo Yep. I took out an XC60 and an XC40 and much preferred the smaller one. I also took out a petrol XC40 T5 for comparison and despite the higher price I’d still have chosen the hybrid.
Pros were: Really nice interior. Really nice. Incredibly comfortable seats and high quality materials. The leather on the seats was lovely. Good handling. Looked brilliant in metallic black with black interior and privacy glass.
Cons: Not that quick, but OK. It was only the front wheel drive version, I don’t think the AWD version is out here yet but the dealer said at the time it was very fast. All Volvos are apparently limited to 160km/h top speed now for what that’s worth. Pretty pricy, nearly $100k here in NZ with the various packages, bearing in mind the demonstrator was loaded up with everything. That’s it really, no more cons.
In the end I went a bit further upmarket but if I was going for a PHEV in that range that’s the one I’d have I think.
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@voodoo said in Electric Vehicles:
@nta what's polestar?
Their other only-electric brand.
Polestar 2 - Electric performance fastback | Polestar US
Even more engaging. Experience what the newest Polestar 2 has to offer, including a bespoke Bowers & Wilkins sound system and new interior options.
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@voodoo Polestar started as Volvo's electric-only arm relying more heavily on the Chinese parent, Geely. Better range than the XC40, tho perhaps a bit more minimalist inside. I've heard the infotainment/settings are easier to negotiate as well.
Can get into one of these from about $65k - still qualifies for the NSW State Govt rebate depending on which model/package you get. Prices below are NSW excl grants.
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there is already a large waiting list for these.. @NTA surely the only option is the dual motor unless you're driving miss daisy?
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@bayimports said in Electric Vehicles:
@NTA surely the only option is the dual motor unless you're driving miss daisy?
Dual motor would be nice but think it then goes over the grant limit. Not that anyone buy a $75k motor gives a shit about $3k I guess...
There are also the packs that add between $5k and $8k. You could easily get north of $100k fully loaded.
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@nta said in Electric Vehicles:
@bayimports said in Electric Vehicles:
@NTA surely the only option is the dual motor unless you're driving miss daisy?
Dual motor would be nice but think it then goes over the grant limit. Not that anyone buy a $75k motor gives a shit about $3k I guess...
There are also the packs that add between $5k and $8k. You could easily get north of $100k fully loaded.
Think I costed a fully loaded one at about 90k, I see your point though. 90k unlocks a lot of alternatives
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@bayimports said in Electric Vehicles:
@nta said in Electric Vehicles:
@bayimports said in Electric Vehicles:
@NTA surely the only option is the dual motor unless you're driving miss daisy?
Dual motor would be nice but think it then goes over the grant limit. Not that anyone buy a $75k motor gives a shit about $3k I guess...
There are also the packs that add between $5k and $8k. You could easily get north of $100k fully loaded.
Think I costed a fully loaded one at about 90k, I see your point though. 90k unlocks a lot of alternatives
I didn't realise some packs included elements of others - $85,300 before on-roads, so about that $90K mark.
Would like to test one as well as teh XC40 tho. The Mercedes EQA is in the same ballpark but just doesn't appeal to me at all. Mercs never have.
