[dt34]

Went to the dealer last night so my wife could test drive a 235 xdrive. We are planning on doing a European delivery in the spring. While there the dealer had 4 i3's sitting on the lot. I am also in the market for a car to use to haul dogs and drive in the winter. I used an m3 last winter but sold that last month.

Anyway, while at the dealer I figured what the heck let me take an i3 for a spin. Gotta say I loved it. To me it's not the most attractive car from the outside but the driving experience exceeded my expectations. My wife was very skeptical but had a smile on her face at the end of the drive.

So this morning I set off poking around on autotrader for i3's. I noticed there are quite a few sitting on dealer lots but my dealer indicated that they aren't really giving any discounts right now. Do you guys see this changing in the next month or 2?

[Boatguy]

Nonsense, there are deals all over California.

First, find an Un4gettable Driving Experience demo and test drive a 4-series. You'll get a $1,000 voucher you can apply to an i3.

I pretty easily got $2,400 off my Giga BEV, plus the $1,000 voucher.

[dt34]

I'm in NYC this weekend, gonna hit the dealer on 57th and check out what they have. I hope they have a Laurel Gray so I can see that combo in person.

[Vintage]

BMW emailed me and said take an i3 for a few days. Me and the Mrs. did and . . . did not care for it the first day, the second day we were intrigued as it grew on us, and by the third day we wanted to keep it.

Quick observations: 1) we prefer the all electric over the REX as the REX gains almost 300 lbs. and thus loses 10-15 miles of range on pure electric due to toting around a lot of extra weight (so real world range on REX only using electric mode was 60-65 miles, 80+ with Electric only vehicle); 2) fun car as it is silent at speed and accelerates instantly - kind of peaceful in a way; 3) steering is too twitchy or quick and takes some getting use to; 4) regenerative braking takes adjustment b/c as soon as you lift off it slows dramatically (easy to control as you adjust to it and then it is great as you rarely need the brake pedal); 5) you will be gawked at a ton; and 6) amazing visibility around the vehicle as the glass is virtually unobstructed.

We are ordering one as Texas now has a $2,500 credit for electric vehicle purchase. So, with dealer discount (6%), Federal credit, and Texas credit the car as we option it will be $32,800. I think a deal at that price.

[ultraturtle]

Originally Posted by Vintage

... we prefer the all electric over the REX as the REX gains almost 300 lbs. and thus loses 10-15 miles of range on pure electric due to toting around a lot of extra weight (so real world range on REX only using electric mode was 60-65 miles, 80+ with Electric only vehicle)

For an objective measurement of the loss of efficiency due to the extra 265lbs of the REx system, the EPA measures the difference in range to be 6%, (less than 5 miles), and BMW measures it to be less than 5% (~ 4 miles).

[JasH]

Originally Posted by Vintage

3) steering is too twitchy or quick and takes some getting use to

I have to disagree there. I loved the highly geared steering. Just perfect, and how I like a car to steer

I hated the low geared Prius' steering by comparison.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by ultraturtle

For an objective measurement of the loss of efficiency due to the extra 265lbs of the REx system, the EPA measures the difference in range to be 6%, (less than 5 miles), and BMW measures it to be less than 5% (~ 4 miles).

I hope you are correct in that you only lose 4-5 miles although that seems optimistic. However, you probably lose more if you do not tint the windows with ceramic tint and thus run the AC on high all of the time, which would be required here in Texas. So, our first efficiency upgrade will be ceramic tint all around with clear tint on the front windshield. I ordered the car yesterday so I will give you my range report in a couple of months.

Does 265 lbs. include the 18-20 lbs. of fuel?

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by JasH

I have to disagree there. I loved the highly geared steering. Just perfect, and how I like a car to steer

I hated the low geared Prius' steering by comparison.

I will adjust and love it in time!

[JasH]

I am sure you will grow to prefer it too It's a "sports car thing", having highly geared steering. So I am used to it, and prefer it.

It results in a far more responsive car

Sluggish, inert cars like the Leaf and Prius have very low geared steering. This makes them easy to drive in one sense, not requiring such a high degree of precision from the driver in terms of steering input. I hate their steering with a vengeance

[Vintage]

I have my production number and it will be completed by October 1 with a delivery date likely in the first week of November! We are very excited.

[Imola.ZHP]

Great info in this thread, we did the i3 event test drive and loved the car, have been invited back for an extended test drive. I don't think we would want or need the REX, and that $32,800 mentioned above is nearly affordable. Wow.

[jadnashuanh]

Most people considering an i3 won't have a problem with using the full $7500 tax credit, but if, for some reason, your tax bill this year ends up less, your credit can not be more than what you've already paid or owe.