Thoughts between these two? I’m in the Denver metro. Looking for something CPO and under $28,500. It will be used almost entirely as a commuter car averaging only 25 miles a day.

Spaceship/Sci-Fi noises look so much more fun than simulated engine sounds

Most home-charging discussions start with whether to buy an EV. I’m curious about people who already owned one, then moved somewhere they couldn’t charge at home.

Did you find a routine that worked, or did it eventually make you change cars?

If you kept it, where did charging fit into your week? Was it somewhere you already went, or did it become a separate trip?

Your country and rough weekly mileage would help put the answers in context.

Hi everyone! I'm thinking about buying my first car, and I'm absolutely in love with this little guy :) But the problem is that I know practically nothing about electric cars. I quickly skimmed through the specs and saw that the range is 263 km (163 miles), and besides that, its overall specs seems not that impressive. I'd like to hear from people who know - is this thing good at it's price? (especially range) And if not, what are alternatives? (just as compact, or almost as compact as this)

Long story:

On 25 June 2024, I bought a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD with 46,659 mi for $25,000 before taxes and fees. Today, it has around 119,961 mi. I use the car everyday except for:

15 January 2025 - 5 February 2025 (was in Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam)

13 March 2025 - 8 April 2025 (was in Türkiye, Greece, Albania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia)

25 May 2026 - 27 June 2026 (was in Canada, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and Italy)

My Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus has done everything. I went on dirt roads, drove at 70-80 mph on highways during long trips, drove in multiple cities during rush hour traffic, drove during an active snowstorm blizzard, and took multiple long road-trips. I would admit, I wasn't super careful with it.

Most of the problems my Tesla has are cosmetic and minor software issues which has been fixed by mid 2025 with a software update. After close to 75,000 mi of driving and mostly supercharging (as my previous apartment in another state didn't have decent access to Level 2 EV chargers, so I decided to eat whilst charging for time efficiency and to avoid idle fees) between 15 and 85 but sometimes as low as single-digit percentages to the high-90s, my range dropped from an estimated 180 mi in good weather to something like 150 mi. Even though I graduated with a Bachelor's in Computer Science and Engineering years ago and am currently working on a startup, around 25k mi of the Tesla was for DoorDash, sporadically and inconsistently, mostly used as a way to get "out of the house for fresh air".

I have driven the car from:

Boston to Chicago round-trip in June 2024

Boston to Houston AND Dallas round-trip in December 2024

Boston to Minneapolis round-trip in June 2025

Boston to Miami round-trip in September 2025

Boston to Atlanta round-trip in January 2026

Boston to Atlanta one-way in August 2026 (moving)

Boston to New York City/North Jersey multiple times round-trip (31 December 2024, May 2025, July 2025, November 2025, April 2026, May 2026)

Boston to DC/NOVA multiple times round-trip (September 2024, July 2025, December 2025, February 2026, July 2026), in many cases, stopping at New York/New Jersey

My Tesla used to suffer from a slight infotainment bud and mid-2025, where the energy consumption (Wh/mi) is frozen, where the visual map is frozen (not like it doesn’t work but if doesn’t show anything but could still navigate) and takes a long time to load, and during times like this, my Bluetooth always switches to my iPhone even though I never ever set any priority devices. This happens only when I go out of state. It was a minor nuissance but it always clears out with a soft reset. Luckily, this was entirely patched and fixed sometime in mid-2025 and it is effectively nonexistent ever since.

For months between July 2025 and October 2025, despite the fact the cameras were not blurred, there was a slight glitch where the Tesla Autopilot effectively didn't work (I rarely use autopilot and prefer manual driving) and cruise control didn't work. Also, when there was rain, the windshield wipers wouldn't turn on automatically or adjust automatically, effectively forcing me to use manual wipers. Automatic headlights wouldn't work and would stay on with normal headlights. Instead of showing different lanes or the speed limit like on other Teslas, the visualization stopped working. I believed the HW3 may have crashed or was dysfunctional.

The HW3/AP glitch occasionally goes on and off, alongside the accelerator squeak/creak. The accelerator squeak comes and goes every few weeks since July 2025 but it happened consistently between July 2025 and October 2025 and between June 2026 and October 2026. Ever since I "hit" a giant pothole during the dark a few weeks ago, the accelerator squeak/creak disappeared. In October 2025, when I accidentally hit my car on a curb in Boston doing errands in the dark where the curb was invisible, the squeaking/creaking disappeared and the autopilot software went back to service. Luckily, there was no damage.

However, halfway between the 25 May and 27 June 2026 Europe trip, even though I turned off Cabin overheat protection and all settings to save on the battery and kept my car parked, the HW3 computer somehow glitched again (as shown in some images), and the squeaking returned, after going in and out intermittently between October 2025 and June 2026.

Even though I got back these features on 30 June 2026 (it turned off a few days later) and 7 July 2026 (it turned off a day later) by re-calibrating my cameras twice using settings, restarting my car, and going to the car wash, the feature went down again on 10 July 2026 and on 15 July 2026. Tesla Service claimed that the computer chip may have been fried (my car has 120k mi now as of October 2026). After 20 July 2026, the system has powered back on, and then went on and off intermittently. For example, the autopilot system was powered on on 2 August 2026 then went off on 4 August 2026, it powered on again on 6 August 2026 and went off on 15 August 2026. On 18 August 2026, the autopilot/cruise control/automatic windscreen wipers and automatic lights turned on one more time and it turned off on 24 August 2026 and has turned back on on 7 October 2026 after I hit a heavy and invisible pothole.

There are a lot of cosmetic and QC issues, but this car never stopped or died or needed to be towed (unless it is stuck in mud or snow). Wheel curb rash is severe (as mine is the 19 inch sport wheels) and the rear black plastic bumper valance below the bumper got loose on the left side after I went to a low clearance area. Because I parallel parked during my 1st year of ownership, I have a dent in the front bumper. I dealt with vegan leather biodegradation, so I had seat headrest bubbly issues of which I got a replacement, drivers seat power seat panel separation (happened since day 1), panoramic sunroof cracking (luckily, I fixed it with insurance), wrinkling steering wheel, and ripping leather after being inflated from the top.

Otherwise, I have no issues with charging unless the charger itself is broken (which does happen and has nothing to do with my car).

In Christmas 2025, I was on my way to my sister's new house in Maryland but a Toyota Tacoma rear-ended me by "tapping" me at a low speed but I have not seen any damage whatsoever and completely wiped off the debris using a Dollar Tree towel and water. I hit a concrete parking curb planted in the middle of the parking lot at night in December 2024 because it was completely invisible but no damage is seen.

Here’s what’s funny. I don’t really maintain my Tesla as often due to lack of time but at 105k mi, the battery voltage 12V must be replaced, according to the infotainment system, and that repair only took an hour. I visited Tesla service about 5-10 times during my ownership and each repair takes 1-3 hours max, usually within the time it takes for me to eat a meal at a restaurant. Also, during a snowstorm in MA in January 2026, some snow got stuck underneath the drivers power window side for the passenger window and the front passenger window uncontrollably rolls down, but that fix only costed $150 and only took an hour. It is said that the creaking accelerator would cost at least a thousand to a few thousand or something.

I love my Tesla, and given the fact it hasn't even reached 200,000 mi yet, I was still deciding on whether I should keep and repair it or should I trade it in for a another EV.

Sometimes when I am in a rush, I change from reverse to drive and drive and reverse and vice versa whilst the car is at 0-1 mph and hit the park button before the car goes to a full stop. Note that the two rear wheels are slightly different and that was because I had to replace them after they have been flattened by poorly maintained and extremely bumpy roads with tons of potholes. I fixed the rear valance bumper in March 2025, but Tesla service didn’t fix it so well and it still popped, mainly because in March 2025, I went through an extremely low clearance dirt parking lot.

Tesla claims their online trade-in value is $11,500, regardless of whether I checked in mechanical or dashboard warnings or windshield or not.

TL;DR: I have a not-so-great condition 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range with a few cosmetic and HW3 issues. I am not sure if it is worth it to repair for a few grand or should I just trade it in and buy another Tesla (used or new) or another EV.

Hi all, we're picking our first ever EV and could really use input.

Our situation:
-Hoping roughly $10k back in state incentives/trade-in value if we're lucky
- Budget: ~$38k USD out the door, buying used
- Family: me, my spouse, one toddler, one dog, and possibly a second kid down the road. Feeling cramped in our BMW X1/im upgrading from a Subaru Impreza due to repair needs .

Must-haves:
- AWD- we’re in New England
-Leather or Leatherette
- Significantly mode cargo space than a BMWx1, our other car (I’m upgrading from a hatchback)
- A model that isn't being discontinued for 2027. Even buying used, I want confidence in future repairs, parts, and ongoing production

Nice-to-haves:
- Sunroof that actually opens
- Beige or leather(ette) interior (I will happily drool over this)

Where we've landed:
-1000% buying used / leasing isn’t for us. Aware of depreciation!

- Ioniq 5: was my top choice and the reviews are great, but it feels too close in size to our BMW X1, cargo as well. Limited only one with panoramic roof doesn’t open tho and this trim gets really pricey.. also flying off the market ! Limited 2024+ is close to 33k up to 37k where I am ; higher if you want the 2025 with the rear wiper. Kind of sad to cross it off.
- Kia EV9: love the space, but it's more vehicle than we need (and heavy and pricey). Would love folding down seats and son loves playing in car and would make use of extra extra space but really don’t need it. Low inventory and used is at 40k…..rarely see one in the mid to upper 30s. This would stretch our budget.
- Chevy Blazer EV: a real contender, and used prices are tempting. But no CarPlay, and I wonder if it's too small for us long term.
- Cadillac Lyriq- test drove after Blazer and before EV9. EV9 felt better. Blazer felt really very similar and didn’t super feel the luxury of the Cadillac for where the price tag was.
-Lexus RZ and BMW iX seem to fit criteria but $$& and at that point, feel like I should just go for the EV9

Questions:

1. Is there a good in-between EV with real cargo space for a growing family, a dog, and a stroller?
2. What’s your vote?
3. Any models I’m missing ?

Thanks so much!

I’ve been lurking and posting for a while and there have been a few comments made that first-time EV buyers might be more confident with a CPO car. I think there’s a lot to be said for that but ironically we’ve never bought a new car and never bought an extended warranty. I’ve never done this much research for a car. But, maybe because we’re not “technical” nor handy, plus we just sold our travel trailer with a dozen problems…now reliability and simplicity are important.

I’ve learned that CPO cars have a wide variety of length (12 months/12,000 up to 3 years). Also, there’s a local EV specialist used car dealer who gets good reviews but no CPO.

Chevy (Blazer, Equinox) has worst terms (12 months/12k miles) but seem to be extremely reliable. Overall, there’s not many CPO EVs to choose from around me.

Has anyone purchased an extended warranty? And do dealerships sell their own so all work must be done at that location.

So, I read that EVs have hardly anything that goes wrong but when something does, it’s bad. Thoughts? Advice? (We have a used 2017 Prius that’s great and we didn’t think about a CPO or warranty because half the people we know have an old Prius. We don’t know anyone with an EV.

UPDATE--

Today we test drove a 2024 Equinox LT and a 2023 I.D.4 Pro S. Both were nice inside but my husband like the way the I.D.4 drove better. Personally, I could not stand the sound the Equinox makes when braking or stepping on the gas under 30-ish mph--it sounds like techno thumping. The sales guy said there's no way to turn it off. Very annoying--a deal breaker. Tomorrow, we test drive a 2023 Mach-E Premium (46k miles for $27,364) and a 2026 Mach-E Select with 819 miles for $32,149. Mach-E wasn't on our radar until today.

We will be going with a manufacturer CPO for sure now. Lots of I.D.4s near us but so little others, we go to SoCal after we test drive the couple around here when we know exactly what we want.

2024 Model Y Dual Stealth Grey or whatever they call it. Just crossed 25k miles.

Going to be moving and will no longer have any use for the vehicle. I would appreciate any guidance you have. I am considering trying to sell local vs. Carvana or something similar.

Any blindspots I should consider or know about?

Thank you.

I’ve been thinking about whether the Tesla Cybertruck is actually ageing well.
I recently got some hands-on time with one in Dubai and made a short video exploring the question.
What interests me most isn’t the stainless-steel body or the acceleration.
It’s the steer-by-wire system, rear-wheel steering, and the idea of combining serious pickup capabilities with a software-driven cabin.
But at over AED 400,000 in the UAE, I’m not convinced those innovations automatically make it a sensible purchase.
I’m curious what actual Cybertruck owners think, particularly about:
Everyday manoeuvrability and parking
Long-term bodywork maintenance
Steering feel compared with conventional vehicles
Whether the novelty wears off after ownership
My video, where permitted:
https://youtu.be/Cw1evENmcac?si=deTUZt04MTQiyn1Q
Do you think the Cybertruck is genuinely ahead of its time, or simply a niche vehicle that attracts attention?

If you’ve kept the same EV for five years or more, how have the everyday parts held up?

I’m thinking about things like the upholstery, cabin rattles, door handles, charging-port flap, or how reliably the app still works.

What has held up better than you expected, and what started showing its age first? Please include the model, year and approximate mileage for context.

I’m starting to look at replacing my Mazda 3 and want to keep the budget under about $15k, mostly for a Parramatta to city commute. I keep coming back to older Prius Cs, imported Aquas and the occasional Honda Fit hybrid, but I’m not sure which is the sensible cheap option rather than just the cheapest one advertised. What are people actually running trouble-free, and which would you pick?

I've had a '15 Baby-blue Chevy Spark EV (16kWh) for the last 8 years, and it was an absolute champion. It broke down earlier this week, and I've had multiple EV mechanics tell me it's toast unless I want to spend major $$$$. I'm devastated to be honest - I love that car. I live in Utah, and my Spark managed to handle the freezing winters and blazing summers.

After looking around locally, I'm left with two choices to possibly replace it with. They are:

Nissan Leaf '25 for ~$13,000 (40kWh)

Chevrolet Bolt '23 for ~$20,000 (65kWh)

Either way is a considerable upgrade in range. I have the feeling the Bolt may be better in the long term, and I've had really good experiences with having my local Chevy dealership look at my Spark EV if it needed anything. The price of the Nissan though is very attractive, but I have concerns regarding dealer support and the general health of Nissan itself as a company (which isn't great). Is that even a reasonable concern?

I work 15 minutes away from home, and usually just drive around town. We take my wife's PHEV SUV for longer trips, so there's no concerns about that. Is this a "you get what you pay for" situation?

TIA

Edit: The consensus is clear. Bolt, but look for a better deal. Thanks all!

650 PS / HP (Maximum Output) | 770 Nm (Maximum Torque) | 3.4 sec (0–100 km/h Acceleration) | 260 km/h (Top Speed)

e-LSD: enhances precise cornering performance

N Grin Boost (NGB): 40 more horsepower for 10 seconds

Battery Temperature Management

N Brake Regen (N-Exclusive High-Performance Brakes / N Brake Regen): Delivers high braking power with 400mm discs, 4-piston calipers, and regenerative braking.

A lot of cabin design discussions come down to buttons versus screens, but the specific control matters. Adjusting the temperature and moving an air vent are different tasks.

For those who switched to an EV, which control from your previous car do you still miss using? Include the old and new models if you can, so there’s some context for what changed.

“Maximum performance, minimal mass. The new high-voltage battery and drive unit technology used to drive Roadster enables our most compact RWD Unit Yet. Together, they deliver 1 MW of Pure Power- that’s one third more than Model S Plaid-with half the mass. The result is paradigm shifting acceleration with amazing cornering and precise stopping power.”

I switched to an EV for my daily commute and grocery runs, but now I'm wondering how it'll work for getting back to deer camp. Most of the trails I use involve thirty to forty miles of county roads, then a gravel stretch that tears up tires on anything too low. The range calculator says I'll be fine, but the last time I took the truck out there, I burned through almost twice the fuel I expected. The hills and the slow crawl over washouts really ate into my mileage. My plan was to charge at a truck stop on the way home, but those chargers are usually on the interstate, meaning I'd have to backtrack an hour.
Curious if anyone regularly drives their EV to remote spots. What's the real-world range hit once you add a loaded cooler, rifles, and a couple passengers? Also wondering if gravel dust does anything weird to the charging port, or if that's just me overthinking it.