Finally test drove an i3

[skeptic]

After months of being a member here, doing research, and honestly waiting until my home remodel project is finished I finally decided to at least test drive an i3. My kitchen/family room remodel is not done, but my daily driver is not being reliable and i3 prices have been dropping like a rock. First time I've ever sat in one actually. The dash seems a bit low compared to the sitting height, and is huge.... I didn't get in the back because I don't care, it's big enough for my dog. My wife was completely unimpressed with the Dekka interior calling it stark and a bit sterile, but surprisingly she disliked the Mega interior of another i3 we looked over even more. My impression, it seems a bit bland if I'm honest. The base stereo is crap.. I'd say the interior looks a bit better in photos than in person, and I still think they are ugly on the outside. On the plus side, I did like how it drove, both in town and on the highway. It's also the only EV that ticks all my requirements: rwd or awd, 200+ mile range or 70+ miles and range extender

Ultimately it pretty much confirmed what I expected. I'm going to stick with a 2017 REX CPO as the prices for them are within my cheap-ass budget, a bit of factory warranty left + 1 year cpo, and the 94ah battery. Working a deal for one coming off lease. 2017 REX, CPO, 18,500 miles, tech package, parking assist, HK stereo, 19" wheels (I do not want the 20" wheels), black w/Dekka interior.

 

[eNate]

You're in for a screaming deal. This seems like a great time to be buying.

All I'd say is take your time and proceed carefully. There's always be a better deal / better color / better interior / lower mileage that shows up the day after you sign the papers.

Time is on your side so see if you can find a few that tick the boxes and let the dealers compete for your business.

 

[skeptic]

I searched CarGurus.com, Carvana and BMW's site for anything. The number of i3 REXs w/Tech package, Parking package and HK stereo is surprisingly low, at least what's out there for sale right now and what I've seen the last few months. I will not claim to have gotten a screaming deal, but within 100 miles (including places willing to ship) I could only find 2 other i3s that met my requirements. One a CPO with almost double the miles for $400 less, and the other from Carvana, slightly more miles, basically the same price, not CPO. Both of these also have 20" wheels which I'd immediately swap to 19s.

I went ahead and agreed to the deal, paid my $500 deposit, and now I get to wait a couple weeks for it to be delivered, reconditioned etc. The way prices are dropping I wouldn't be surprised if by the time it shows up the deal is so-so, and a couple months from now it sounds like a rip-off. Meh, if you wait for prices to bottom out you'll never buy anything.

 

[Whereitis]

I searched CarGurus.com, Carvana and BMW's site for anything. The number of i3 REXs w/Tech package, Parking package and HK stereo is surprisingly low, at least what's out there for sale right now and what I've seen the last few months. I will not claim to have gotten a screaming deal, but within 100 miles (including places willing to ship) I could only find 2 other i3s that met my requirements. One a CPO with almost double the miles for $400 less, and the other from Carvana, slightly more miles, basically the same price, not CPO. Both of these also have 20" wheels which I'd immediately swap to 19s.

I went ahead and agreed to the deal, paid my $500 deposit, and now I get to wait a couple weeks for it to be delivered, reconditioned etc. The way prices are dropping I wouldn't be surprised if by the time it shows up the deal is so-so, and a couple months from now it sounds like a rip-off. Meh, if you wait for prices to bottom out you'll never buy anything.

With the new tariffs, prices will soon be going up on everything, so whatever you paid now will look like a great deal a year from now.