phaduman
Member
For those on the fence of buying/leasing vs waiting out, here is something to consider (at least for California bay-area commuters with a avg 30-55mile RT commute a day) - I would think this is a very slam-dunk case of going with lease ASAP on 2012 model (because of rebates available now vs waiting for 2013).
* 36-month total cost: $8770.
------ lease $11270 (I got 36month/12K/yr miles, 0-down lease for $322 all-inclusive OTD (35months, 1st month taken out of rebates) - $2500 California rebate (arriving in less than 60days typically).
* savings/month switching from gas to electric: $145 ($215 for gas at $4.5/g with 21MPG car - ~$70 for PG&E cost)
* total fuel-cost savings in 36months: $5220
Total monthly cost after state rebate and savings: $3550 ($8770-$5220) (divide by 36) $98/month (+ insurance cost).
What you get with this:
* HOV lane sticker for use until Jan 1, 2015
* new car with 36-month factory warranty (only pay for maintenance - on electric cars which don't even have oil changes)
* govt funded 240v free (Blink) charger + $1200 worth of installation free - I paid $300 out of pocket (as install was $1500)
* option to buy the car at lease-end for $17600(+tax) or walk-away with a small fee ($300)
Agree for some, the lease/month could be $350-$370, but that is still very much within an effective $150/month cost.
I would scream out loud - just go for it! There is really nothing to lose here (or is it something I am missing?). Yes, the cost of this is that we are being the official-testers for Govt & auto-makers in adopting a revolutionary technology. Those waiting out for so long should have noticed that things haven't been bad actually in adopting this new way of life. Risks seem very low.
cheers
PN, San Jose, CA
* 36-month total cost: $8770.
------ lease $11270 (I got 36month/12K/yr miles, 0-down lease for $322 all-inclusive OTD (35months, 1st month taken out of rebates) - $2500 California rebate (arriving in less than 60days typically).
* savings/month switching from gas to electric: $145 ($215 for gas at $4.5/g with 21MPG car - ~$70 for PG&E cost)
* total fuel-cost savings in 36months: $5220
Total monthly cost after state rebate and savings: $3550 ($8770-$5220) (divide by 36) $98/month (+ insurance cost).
What you get with this:
* HOV lane sticker for use until Jan 1, 2015
* new car with 36-month factory warranty (only pay for maintenance - on electric cars which don't even have oil changes)
* govt funded 240v free (Blink) charger + $1200 worth of installation free - I paid $300 out of pocket (as install was $1500)
* option to buy the car at lease-end for $17600(+tax) or walk-away with a small fee ($300)
Agree for some, the lease/month could be $350-$370, but that is still very much within an effective $150/month cost.
I would scream out loud - just go for it! There is really nothing to lose here (or is it something I am missing?). Yes, the cost of this is that we are being the official-testers for Govt & auto-makers in adopting a revolutionary technology. Those waiting out for so long should have noticed that things haven't been bad actually in adopting this new way of life. Risks seem very low.
cheers
PN, San Jose, CA