Prospective new owner

[EVFanWA]

Good Morning!
I am a current VW TDi owner , but hopefully in the near future VW will purchase my vehicle. I am also a Model 3 reservation holder, as I believe that an EV is the way to go, no questions. My daily commute averages 12-15 miles, so for a while, I have been keeping my eye on "smaller" commuter EVs. I happen to really like the i3, despite some reviews that bash its looks. I have not driven one, but plan to. I came to this forum, just like other auto-enthusiast forums I've participated in the past with a few questions:
First Question: I live in central WA, we do get a little snow every winter (not tons), so I was wondering if anyone had any input about winter driving. Once again, my commute is short (my office is 6 miles from home) the roads are usually plowed....usually !
Second Question: Do I really need a Model 3 (or S) with a bigger battery? We drive a Pilot for family trips, and love it because of kids and dog. I guess the more I think about it, the more it makes sense to have a smaller commuter car for just for me.
Third (final) Question: What's the deal with the lease price. Yesterday I checked (and showed my wife....and got approval) and the base i3 was at $179 / mo. Today its $300.......What the hell???
Anyway, I am happy to be here, and sincerely appreciate your input.

 

[jadnashuanh]

FWIW, when it's cold out, regardless of the road conditions, a winter tire will stop you faster and hold onto corners better. That being said, many people survive quite well with the all-seasons, but I would not risk it if you opted for the 20" summer performance tires in the winter!

The i3 has a bunch of torque, and even with winter tires, if the roads are slippery, you can slip if you're aggressive. It's not horrible, and you shouldn't be trying to sprint when the roads are snowy or icy anyways. Living where I do, where we can get extended snow and ice and cold (while last winter wasn't bad, the one before set records!), I opted to buy a set of winter tires/wheels. I look at it as an insurance policy...you hope you never need them, but if you do, it can save your butt.

Given your two vehicles and normal commute, IMHO, absolutely no, you do not 'need' a Model 3.

Lease pricing varies based on sales, how close things are to model changes (the 2017's are just arriving), and various other things. Advertised verses actual, just like sales price, is not always the same, either. BMW changes its dealer incentives as they see fit.

 

[EVFanWA]

Test drove a 2014 CPO'd i3 at BMW of Seattle (excellent service BTW even though they were screaming busy). I liked it more than I thought I would. I guess now its just a matter of finding the right color and specs. Any idea as to the time frame of lease returns? I guess my question is when would be the best time to find quite a few lease returns on their lot?

 

[bwilson4web]

Test drove a 2014 CPO'd i3 at BMW of Seattle (excellent service BTW even though they were screaming busy). I liked it more than I thought I would. I guess now its just a matter of finding the right color and specs. Any idea as to the time frame of lease returns? I guess my question is when would be the best time to find quite a few lease returns on their lot?

You might monitor the market via eBay. I did; found several, and; bought the one I have now. Given typical lead times, I ordered a 'cheap' airline ticket and used it to fly out for the car.

I also bought the 75% SOC 'code' from DVInmotion and coded the car within a block of the seller. Thereafter it was just a question of time to drive the 463 miles back home.

Bob Wilson