I Want To Replace My i3 With Something Just As Unique! What Car Should I Buy?

Tor had an i3 that he was actually keen on, however the automobile was totaled in an accident. He favored the quirkiness of the BMW EV however didn’t look after the troublesome service. He wish to exchange it with one thing distinctive. What automobile ought to he purchase?

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Here is the situation.

In June of 2019 I purchased my first electrical automobile, a BMW i3 Rex in protonic blue. I beloved the quirkiness of the automobile and the acceleration at all times left a smile on my face. Although the all electrical vary was solely round 120 miles, I commonly took the automobile on multi-state highway journeys (typically assisted by the little vary extending scooter within the again). I believed I’d have this automobile till the wheels fell off.

Unfortunately in June of this 12 months (three years after buying my beloved “Rex”) I used to be in a foul accident on the way in which to the Nashville airport. I hit standing water on the interstate and the slender wheels of the i3 misplaced all traction at freeway speeds. My little automobile pirouetted throughout two lanes of heavy visitors and right into a concrete divider, first hitting the entrance passenger facet after which the again passenger facet. Long story brief – my quirky, electrical companion left on a flatbed truck and was totaled out as a consequence of body injury. I’ve had an emotional reference to all of my automobiles, however this one hits arduous.

In some methods I’m lucky that this occurred now, with the recent marketplace for electrical automobiles I get a really excessive payout worth for it, however sadly I nonetheless have to purchase one other automobile to switch Rex and am caught those self same excessive costs. I really like quirky automobiles and I would like to get one other electrical – truthfully one other i3 may be the reply, however our native BMW sellers are so unhealthy I would like one thing slightly simpler to restore. Really needing some new options…

Another EV can be nice however I’m open to going again to a fuel automobile if it was one thing totally different and had good gas economic system. I’m open to just about something from coupes, to wagons, JDM imports to different bizarre issues. My price range is as much as $30,000. I would like it to seat 4 comfortably, would like to keep away from German stuff, and no Nissan Leafs

Quick Facts:

Budget: as much as $30,000

Location: Knoxville, TN

Daily Driver: Yes

Wants: Funky, low gas prices, seating for 4

Doesn’t need: A Nissan Leaf

Expert 1: Tom McParland – Did You Say JDM Wagon?

That’s too unhealthy about your i3. The little EV generally is a polarizing automobile however for the oldsters that actually dig them, they’re one thing particular. Right now the EV market is proscribed in that sub $30,000 vary, and because you don’t need a Leaf, I’d think about a Chevy Bolt might be not tremendous interesting.

However, you might be fairly open-minded and also you talked about two attributes that Jalops love to listen to “JDM” and “wagon.” Well, Tor… there’s a automobile for you. Our good friend Gary Duncan has this 1997 Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 wagon. Under the hood is a twin-turbo V6 mated to a handbook transmission. So you will have to study to shift together with your left hand, however your every day commute can be like enjoying Gran Turismo. At nearly $24,000 it’s possible you’ll assume it’s a tad expensive for a twenty-five-year-old automobile, however I assure on the subject of one thing distinctive, you can be the one one on the town with a right-hand-drive, twin-turbo, Mitsu-wagon.

Expert 2: Collin Woodard – Swedish Weirdness

Tom’s proper, Tor. There actually isn’t a lot on the market that’s fascinating and electrical for below $30,000. Maybe the Fiat 500e counts, however having owned one previously, I do know for a truth it doesn’t seat 4 folks comfortably. So I say we have a look at one thing gas-powered that’s going to be snug and distinctive even when it’s not almost as fuel-efficient as your BMW i3. If we hold it nicely under your price range, hopefully, extra frequent fill-up received’t sting as badly.

After slightly looking, I believe I’ve discovered the right one: this 2011 Saab 9-5. It’s not terribly removed from the place you might be, and it seems to be prefer it’s in nice situation. Plus, simply have a look at it. It’s bizarre and distinctive, however the design nonetheless seems to be unbelievable. Some folks could not even realize it’s a used automobile. At least till they get inside and see the dearth of an infotainment display. It’s nonetheless new sufficient to have Bluetooth, although, so navigation and music are only a telephone connection away.

It’s additionally priced fairly affordably (at the least within the present used automobile market) at slightly below $12,000. That leaves you $18,000 to spend on fuel, a bike, a visit to Sweden, or anything your coronary heart wishes.

Expert TK: Owen Bellwood – America’s Hot Hatch

Tor, I’m sorry to listen to concerning the demise of Rex! And I’m additionally sorry to report that, like Tom and Collin, I’ve struggled to provide you with an fascinating EV to switch it with. Sadly, the superb Honda E hasn’t made it over right here fairly but.

But, for those who can’t have an EV, you may at the least hold driving ‘round in an excellent hatchback. And boy oh boy have I found a nice little hatch that’ll provide help to stand out from the group. It’s nonetheless gas-powered and isn’t even a hybrid as loads of them are fairly uninteresting at this value. But it’s all-American, so matches properly together with your “avoid the German stuff” necessities.

Tor, what you want is the final nice sizzling hatchback America constructed, the Dodge Omni GHLS. Specifically, this Shelby-powered one constructed within the Eighties. It’ll go well with you right down to the bottom because it has room for 4, a splash of cargo area within the again and a 2.2-liter engine that’ll make sure you stand out on the streets of Tennessee. And possibly, after a couple of years having fun with the ultimate days of inner combustion, you might even convert this into an EV later down the road. Just a little bit of ahead planning for you.

Expert 4: Andy Kalmowitz – Trois Portes

Tor, my good friend, we salute Rex and all he had given as much as hold you protected. But, it’s time to maneuver on to larger and higher issues! I provide the Hyundai Veloster N. It checks each field you’re searching for. It’s below $30,000. It’s nearish to the place you reside, it’s an incredible every day, it’s funky, gas received’t be a problem, it’s obtained seating for 4 (supplied one individual doesn’t thoughts climbing a bit, and most significantly, it isn’t a Nissan Leaf.

You’ll be the envy of your neighborhood together with your cool blue paint, three doorways and peppy-ass drivetrain. With 275 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque all routed via a six pace handbook transmission on faucet, you’ll by no means run out of enjoyable. It’s additionally obtained one other seven years on its guarantee, because the instance I’ve chosen for you is a relatively-new 2020 mannequin with fewer than 8,000 miles on the clock.

Maybe this isn’t a without end automobile for you, since you might be in on EVs, however you’re proper. Prices are wild proper now, and who must be paying these sorts of premiums? Not you, Tor. That’s for certain. All of that being mentioned, I’d nonetheless most likely purchase the Saab that Collin advised, as a result of it’s simply the best goddamn factor on this planet.

Expert 5: Lawrence Hodge – Stylish, Electric, and Unique

I’m sorry that occurred to you and your i3. Luckily for you, you will get again to that electrical driving uniqueness with one thing not fairly as quirky, however far more uncommon and trendy. How a few Cadillac ELR?

Under that horny exterior (that’s additionally growing older fairly nicely) lies the entire powertrain setup from the Chevy Volt, which is likely one of the causes this factor failed. Just over 3,000 had been revamped everything of its manufacturing run so that you received’t see loads of this stuff on the highway, both. And whereas it does have simply 37 miles of EV driving vary, that needs to be greater than sufficient for round city stints. Plus you could have an I4 engine backing you up. That provides you a complete driving vary of about 350 miles. And whereas it seems to be like it could be a two seater coupe you could have room for 4 folks and some small baggage within the 10.5 cubic foot trunk.

While discovering one is hard as a result of so few had been made, the great factor is that that rarity doesn’t include a excessive value. I discovered one inside your price range at a Chevy seller in Farifax, VA. Many ELR’s had been purchased by the nicely off, who didn’t drive them a lot. That means pretty low miles for the years. The instance I discovered is a 2014 with slightly below 59,000 on the clock for $23,489. A steal I’d reap the benefits of if I had been you.