So you submitted your application and $1000 to Tesla for your hot new electric car. But ya gotta wait — maybe years — to get it. Now if you want a Tesla solely because it’s cool, this post is not for you. But if you want a Tesla 3 because you want to go electric driving, you wanna be green, ya wanna save the environment, and/or you wanna an American made car — actually you don’t have to wait! Here’s what you do:
1) Go test drive a Chevy Bolt
2) When you realize you can go electric Now in a very fun car,
3) Negotiate your best price to purchase
4) Walk away!
5) Keep working with the salesman via phone to get the price down
6) Towards the end of this month, start negotiating a 3 year lease
7) When you've got your deal, go drive away all electric.
You keep your Tesla 3 reservation and when your name comes up, defer until the date your Bolt lease ends. See "Deferral and non-transferability" at http://www.teslarati.com/details-behind-tesla-model-3-rese…/
I leased a Bolt last week. It is without a doubt the most fun car I’ve ever owned, in fact, it’s the most fun car I’ve ever driven. And it’s seriously practical — EPA estimated 119 (equivalent) mpg, 238 mile range, and under $11a day (Total 3 year cost) to lease a basic model. When I need to punch it going uphill to get up to freeway speed, it out accelerates that Mustang I rented last summer (“no extra charge”, sucky gas mileage). It’s roomy with very good visibility. And of course it’s got lots of the latest electronic gee-gaws.
More info below the fold.
Last Saturday when it was 106F in San Francisco, I drove 20 miles to visit friends. The traffic was terrible as people headed to the beaches seeking relief. But I put the Bolt into Low (serious regen) and used up only 4 miles of the estimated 238 to go the 20 miles as I crept along in 5 — 10 mph stop & go traffic for part of the trip.
2 reviews from arsTechnica:
It’s a really good car: Our first 100 miles in a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt
It's spacious, stylish, and most important, it drives well.
Turns out the Chevy Bolt is a lot of fun to autocross
Until now it has been about efficiency; now Chevy's ready to talk about fun.
And a youtube video review that is a bit harsh, but the guy who made it apparently is more 'cool' oriented than 'practical.'
Bottom line: Go do a Bolt test drive (leave your checkbook at home). The Bolt is a great car; no need to wait years to go electric. Do it now and keep your Tesla 3 reservation.
And if you know someone waiting for their Tesla 3, please pass this info along to them — let’s get the switch away from petroleum transportation done as quickly as possible.