Feel free to get my e-mail from Zachary S. and inquire about an update, but action is unlike to happen immediately. While I’ll start discussing it immediately, he takes some time to mull over all of his options. Hopeful we might have a decision by the end of the year though.

From where I sit leasing the FiT makes the most financial sense. Spend less and see what life with an EV is like.

But if I were spending 30,000 miles a year driving I’d be studying my finances to see if I could drive the S and wear a great big smile while I drove.

I’ve had a couple of nice cars and there is something about driving “nice” that is worth the extra if one can afford it.

Thanks Bob.

$11k goes to pay off the Tesla S/whatever.”

My mistake – you are correct. I’ll follow up on this shortly. Thanks for all the feedback!

$11k includes the declining value of the gasmobile he would be driving.

$11k goes to pay off the Tesla S/whatever.

Seems same-same to me.

The Fit EV is currently not for lease in your area; however, its availability could expand as more charging stations are installed and the EV infrastructure grows. We are definitely interested in expanding the availability of the Fit EV, and your responses to this form will help us with identifying potential EV markets.

And you are correct – he would have to go with the upgraded model. Financing isn’t so much of an issue but that 7 year assessment doesn’t account for the car depreciation while the 11k requires depreciation. That’s why my top recommendation was to get a 2-3 year lease to avoid his battery worries and then see what’s on the market. If he did a 3 year lease close to the end of this year, he could be wrapping up that lease just in time to get the newer, more affordable Tesla.

I think the Leaf would be a good car for him as well, but it’s a bit too modern looking for his tastes (just a guess…) I think something like the focus electric would have a better chance, but regardless, neither address his battery concerns and the leases all have maximum mileage quotas worked in. When I talk to them about working something out for 30k miles/year they think I’m kidding… then just tell me no or ask a ridiculous sum.

The 80k battery warranty would cover him for almost three years of driving. Two payoff years and one free one. Replacement battery should be no more than “one year’s savings”. I remember someone saying that they had checked the price for a replacement battery at a dealership and it was around $10k. And that was before Nissan opened their plant in TN and prices dropped.

I see three clear options. Take a road trip and give them all a look.

http://automobiles.honda.com/tools/dealer-locator/

Outside of the FiT, LEAF and S I can’t think of a good option. The FiT and S have the unlimited mileage advantage.

You might check on line to see if there’s a LEAF dealer or a used LEAF around that he could test drive just to get the feel for driving an EV.

And it would be fairly easy to put together a comparison of the interior specs of the cars. Driver headroom, etc.

If he’s now spending $11k plus a year to drive then the S should be very affordable. 200 mile range for $62,400 after fed subsidy. That’s a 5-6 year break even.
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Nope – the low priced one has a 8 year, 125k miles battery warranty. He’d have to go $72,400. 6-7 year break even with 8 years on the battery. That seems like a safe bet to me. Eight years from now replacement batteries should be cheap.

(I didn’t include financing, I now realize.)

And the Honda EV looks great for his situation – my concern is that they don’t sell it in Texas. Where’s the closest place he can get one? And test drive one? Installation of the charger wouldn’t be an issue – He’s got a dedicated 240V line running to his garage for the welder already, just can’t use both at the same time, which isn’t an issue.

And I didn’t think about the size factor – he’s a pretty big guy – 6’1″ @240 lbs with broad shoulders, it might be interesting. The Model S is still a good fall back if everything else falls through though. I’m still pushing that one. Just trying to see some more options.

And yeah, although I think he’d be better off just getting the Tesla right off the bat. Plus, the performance of the Model S is another good selling point (bit of a car enthusiast)

I don’t think range anxiety is an issue – he can always take his wife’s car if they drive far for a trip. All of the other driving is very routine, so unless he forgot to charge it or something, he would be fine.

I think right now I present the Fit EV as the most practical option, and then present the Model S as a luxury alternative. He likes the idea of going the most economical route possible, but I personally think he’ll end up with the Model S on this one simply because he’s such a car enthusiast. But who knows – he’s surprised me before!

Any other good options I should present? And anywhere we could test drive either of these in Texas?

Add in vehicle depreciation. His cars must be pretty much shot in 4-5 years. If he’s driving a $20k/30k car now he’s burning though a few thousand of “worn out car” each year.

“With the Fit EV, Honda is offering a $259 per month lease, down $130 from the initial $389 per month offer when the car went on sale in July of last year. The reduced price starts June 1 and will apply to existing Fit EV leases, Honda said. The three-year lease requires no money down and comes with unlimited mileage, free routine maintenance, collision insurance coverage and a free 240-volt home charging station, the company said Thursday. The charging station normally costs $995. The car buyer must take care of installation.”

Part of the insurance is covered. It’s only a three year commitment. Tires?

The big issue would be comfort, I would guess. If he’s driving 30k a year he’s spending a lot of time in the vehicle. Bunches of time. The finances seem like a no-brainer. When you add opexp and depr and insurance savings he’d be saving a few hundred per month.

Take a test drive. See how it feels to sit inside one. See how it handles, whether driving it feels easier or harder than what he’s driving now.

After leasing for three years it might be time to buy a Tesla if he’s still doing that kind of driving. He should have saved up a sweet down payment if he piggy banks his monthly savings.

Might want to look into charge points and “electric rescue trucks” in his drive zone. If he knows he’s never more than a few miles from a place to grab some extra miles that might help.

And just about every electric car is an economic case for this particular driver – his job just requires so much driving and the pattern is so regular that range is not a significant issue. He just has unfounded concerns about battery issues and (to my knowledge) most companies have a mileage limit on the battery warranty. Regardless, the numbers are still in his favor, but he uses that concern to delay the purchase. The Model S was honestly the closest to passing – it had huge range (just for his peace of mind), made economic sense (even if not the cheapest route) and has the wow factor.

And I know there are closer Tesla sales rooms – but what about the honda fit? I think I’d stand a better chance with a lease as it takes away much of his concerns.

I’m wearing on him… already got him to do a fair amount of home efficiency upgrades. EV and solar panels (with solar water heater) are the next on the list… then change the heater for a heat pump and upgrade to a more efficient AC and this house is set.

(For reference, he’s cut about half of his power usage with a new fridge, washer/dryer, extra insulation and double glazed windows – the fridge has already paid off, the rest is well on it’s way. He’s more than willing to listen. I just have to justify it with either economics or improved standard of living, plus answer his concerns and he follows through.)

Might be interesting to do the math with a LEAF. If he’s spending $3,000 or so a year on fuel (assuming a 40 MPG car and $4/gallon fuel) it might be worth replacing the batteries after four or five years. The LEAF is now $21,300 after the fed kick-in.
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The Tesla unlimited mileage allowance is sweet if one drives a lot.

If he wants to buy one in CA I might be willing to drive it to Texas for him. ;o)

There are closer sales rooms than CA. If TX is blocked they might open the Louisiana one sooner.

http://www.teslamotors.com/findus

Any way I could get one shipped to Texas economically if he bought it in Cali? Anyone know?