Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk

[BigMcGuire]

We pay $512/month for 2 EVs. I had 2 not at fault accidents where I was injured, but my rates did not change. I also have very high limits.

That makes me feel a little better. I’ve looked around at the other major insurance carriers (Geico, AAA, etc) - and they’re all about the same if not more than what I’m paying.

I don’t know what to say. I still think $500/mo is crazy especially for drivers like us. When we had Honda Civics (before our EVs) - it was less than half this per month.

 

[jz0309]

Tesla sure seems to think there’s a huge difference - obviously, the best stats are 3rd party non affiliated. Based on my experience with FSD on my 2024, it is far safer than the average human (obviously my opinion doesn’t mean anything - but I don’t think they’re going to have a difficulty proving it when they decide to).

Well, I'm not questioning your opinion, but, there was just recently a ruling in Florida against Tesla for like $250M.
Secondly, Tesla is still level 1 or 2 autonomous as Tesla does not take any liability.
And what's the percentage of Teslas that actually have FSD enabled? I do not know but I am certain that far less than 1% of registered vehicles in the US have "FSD" so I am not convinced that it is a statistically representative number.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Well, I'm not questioning your opinion, but, there was just recently a ruling in Florida against Tesla for like $250M.
Secondly, Tesla is still level 1 or 2 autonomous as Tesla does not take any liability.
And what's the percentage of Teslas that actually have FSD enabled? I do not know but I am certain that far less than 1% of registered vehicles in the US have "FSD" so I am not convinced that it is a statistically representative number.

Please feel free to question my opinion - I am no expert and would love to learn. Will not offend me in the slightest. You make excellent points.

I bet those with FSDs are extremely low. If I had not gotten mine for free (buying a used Tesla) - I would not have paid for it, haha. It’s just too expensive.

It’s going to need a lot more. The last update they did is begging those of us with FSD to use it every time I drive (annoying as all get out). (I like to drive!).

 

[jz0309]

You realize to insure both of my EVs (my partner and mine) - we pay almost $500/mo here in CA?

And we both have perfect records. No accidents, no tickets, nothing (last 10 years+).

Well, for my ioniq5 and my wife's Tucson PHEV we pay around $220/month, in CA.
Insurance rates have way too many variables to make "true" comparisons

 

[JT2002TJ]

That makes me feel a little better. I’ve looked around at the other major insurance carriers (Geico, AAA, etc) - and they’re all about the same if not more than what I’m paying.

I don’t know what to say. I still think $500/mo is crazy especially for drivers like us. When we had Honda Civics (before our EVs) - it was less than half this per month.

I was paying $220 per month for my 2008 A4, and $250 per month for my 2015 Ram 1500 before we went full EV. So, our rates went up slightly, but it was expected since they are worth more (newer vehicles) being a 2019 and 2021. This was maintaining the same limits with the same company for 15+ years. I also have homeowners, motorcycle, and an umbrella policy with them.

What was your vehicle value pre vs post EV, because you have to account for that. If you got newer vehicles (EVs or not), the price goes up, since the replacement cost is higher.

 

[russell_314]

Tesla insurance is about $150/mo less for me - compared to State Farm - but after reading some horror stories and how you can’t get a human - I tried to call to get a human and couldn’t. So cancelled the day I signed up and went back to State Farm (been with them since I started driving as a kid) lol.

So you’re paying $1800 a year for brand loyalty? You can Google horror stories about every insurance company. I mean to some people that may not even be a drop in the bucket. I’m not what you would consider poor but that’s a little bit of money to me.

I have it, but I cannot say if it’s good for a claim because I’ve never had an accident. The driver monitoring thing is annoying. You have to learn how not to be an aggressive driver and use FSD a whole lot. If you can’t do those two things then it’s not good. I pay $160- $190 for my Model 3

 

[jz0309]

That makes me feel a little better. I’ve looked around at the other major insurance carriers (Geico, AAA, etc) - and they’re all about the same if not more than what I’m paying.

I don’t know what to say. I still think $500/mo is crazy especially for drivers like us. When we had Honda Civics (before our EVs) - it was less than half this per month.

Well, I used to have Allstate and then about 10 years or so back switched to Geico as they were like almost half the cost...
And I typically sho yearly and Geico has come out the lowest for all this time.
When my daughter moved to Florida, Geico was way more than others and I think she's with Progressive right now...
Lots of place of living differences with car insurance...

 

[BigMcGuire]

I was paying $220 per month for my 2008 A4, and $250 per month for my 2015 Ram 1500 before we went full EV. So, our rates went up slightly, but it was expected since they are worth more (newer vehicles) being a 2019 and 2021. This was maintaining the same limits with the same company for 15+ years. I also have homeowners, motorcycle, and an umbrella policy with them.

What was your vehicle value pre vs post EV, because you have to account for that. If you got newer vehicles (EVs or not), the price goes up, since the replacement cost is higher.

Good point - my 2024 was new, and my 2018 was used (in 2022). And yeah they were significantly more expensive than Honda Civics <sigh>. Lol

Still, feel like I can’t get ahead these days ( financially ) so I’ll be complaining about every penny (even self caused).

 

[Apple fanboy]

I have a Canon R7 Mirrorless. Yes, it does. But I don't have my R7 with me 99.9% of the time, while I 100% have my iPhone. My parents are elderly and don't travel anymore. They live in Florida while we are in NY. Giving them pictures/videos of my son that they will never get to see is worth the $4k in phones...

What's that saying, the best camera is the one you actually have with you?

A clever bit of marketing I don’t subscribe to. If I’m doing photography I take my Z6iii and the appropriate lens or lens. An iPhone isn’t going to cut it for me.

 

[BigMcGuire]

So you’re paying $1800 a year for brand loyalty? You can Google horror stories about every insurance company. I mean to some people that may not even be a drop in the bucket. I’m not what you would consider poor but that’s a little bit of money to me.

I have it, but I cannot say if it’s good for a claim because I’ve never had an accident. The driver monitoring thing is annoying. You have to learn how not to be an aggressive driver and use FSD a whole lot. If you can’t do those two things then it’s not good. I pay $160- $190 for my Model 3

Hey you actually have Tesla Insurance! My Safety Score is stuck on (no way to turn it off) from when I had Tesla Insurance for a day. Here in CA they can’t use the score against you - but it has been eye opening - my normal driving is an 86 before I tried to improve it, now I’m 90. Lol

Yeah the initial rate estimates for both our Model 3s made me instantly sign up for it before doing any reading on it. The horror stories made me knee-jerk react and cancel it the day I got it. Lol (maybe not the smartest move).

 

[Apple fanboy]

You realize to insure both of my EVs (my partner and mine) - we pay almost $500/mo here in CA?

And we both have perfect records. No accidents, no tickets, nothing (last 10 years+).

You should definitely move! Thats insane. But I live in a very quiet rural area.

 

[BigMcGuire]

You should definitely move! Thats insane. But I live in a very quiet rural area.

Insanely jealous. Give me a Longmire (TV show) cabin in the middle of Wyoming and I’d be a happy old man. My significant other doesn’t agree tho.

We have 1 more year here and then we’re moving. I can’t wait.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I mean, I did have to replace my induction heater $2k, and buy 2 sets of tires (my wife's and mine) $3k this year.

Yes, it will be less, but things will start to fail like suspension components and other things. If you have to refresh your suspension on you i3 + new tires and your ins costs go up to more than a new car payment, wouldn't it be financially smart to pay less net money out and end up with a newer vehicle?

You likely won't be around for this change over, so you probably are right saying you will never have a car note.

Smart for me is if I die tomorrow Mrs AFB won’t have to worry about making a car payment. I’ve never been someone who borrows. I’ve never owned a credit card either.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Smart for me is if I die tomorrow Mrs AFB won’t have to worry about making a car payment. I’ve never been someone who borrows. I’ve never owned a credit card either.

You are missing out... I do any purchase I can with my CC that gives me points and have it set to pay the balance at the end of the month (so on interest). So far this year I have $1,000+ in cash back bonuses and have access to credit card exclusive things (tickets/hotels/...).

 

[BigMcGuire]

You are missing out... I do any purchase I can with my CC that gives me points and have it set to pay the balance at the end of the month (so on interest). So far this year I have $1,000+ in cash back bonuses and have access to credit card exclusive things (tickets/hotels/...).

My Verizon Wireless CC gives me 4% back on groceries, EV charging, and restaurants. I use it to pay my part of the VZW bill

 

[Apple fanboy]

You are missing out... I do any purchase I can with my CC that gives me points and have it set to pay the balance at the end of the month (so on interest). So far this year I have $1,000+ in cash back bonuses and have access to credit card exclusive things (tickets/hotels/...).

I’ve got through most of my time on this earth without. Pretty sure I’ll be fine to get to the end without to.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I’ve got through most of my time on this earth without. Pretty sure I’ll be fine to get to the end without to.

I can only imagine how much more $ and time I’d have if I had this philosophy during my life - not to mention the reduced stress/extra years of life. Lol

 

[Apple fanboy]

I can only imagine how much more $ and time I’d have if I had this philosophy during my life - not to mention the reduced stress/extra years of life. Lol

Yup. Chasing points here or there will work for some people. But it’s just not for me. I’m old school. If I want (need?) something, I save up and buy it. Not a popular view point in this day and age, but there you go.

 

[russell_314]

Yup. Chasing points here or there will work for some people. But it’s just not for me. I’m old school. If I want (need?) something, I save up and buy it. Not a popular view point in this day and age, but there you go.

Dave Ramsey would approve 😂

 

[Apple fanboy]

Dave Ramsey would approve 😂

Who's that?

 

[russell_314]

Who's that?

I’m going to guess you’re serious and one of the few people in the world who hasn’t heard of him. He’s a guy that gives financial advice. He has a radio and TV show I believe. He started off poor and now he’s a millionaire.


The main point of mentioning him is he’s anti credit. If you want a car just save up a few thousand and buy a clunker would be his advice.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I’m going to guess you’re serious and one of the few people in the world who hasn’t heard of him. He’s a guy that gives financial advice. He has a radio and TV show I believe. He started off poor and now he’s a millionaire.


The main point of mentioning him is he’s anti credit. If you want a car just save up a few thousand and buy a clunker would be his advice.

Must be a US thing. Nope never come across him. Our equivalent would be Martin Lewis I guess.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thought this was an interesting point giver the earlier discussion on self driving cars.

 

[jz0309]

I’m going to guess you’re serious and one of the few people in the world who hasn’t heard of him. He’s a guy that gives financial advice. He has a radio and TV show I believe. He started off poor and now he’s a millionaire.


The main point of mentioning him is he’s anti credit. If you want a car just save up a few thousand and buy a clunker would be his advice.

I'm also one the few ... LOL

 

[BigMcGuire]

I had a real bad experience with my first car. All the older folk I knew told me: "Don't buy a new car, just repair this and keep it going."

I bought my first car for like $6k used. Drove 240,000+ miles on it.

In the last few years of ownership I dumped $10k into it because people kept telling me "just fix it! Don't buy a new car!" The AC died, the power steering went out, the secondary slave cylinder (manual transmission) died, the gas tank fell out of the car and had to be re-mounted, the engine mount broke, alternator died, the fuel pump kept dying (that was expensive as it was in tank), not to mention the thing ate rotors like cheese... I replaced the suspension system, etc.

And then when I had run out of $, the engine block cracked and leaked coolant all over. So, went to the Honda dealership and got a brand new Civic for $200 something a month and enjoyed an extremely reliable car that I wasn't embarrassed to drive or worried it would fall apart. I ended up trading it in for almost 80% of what I bought it for after putting 120,000 miles on it 4 years later.

Granted, I am no expert, definitely not a financial genius (opposite), and my experience is not meant as a "you must do this" example. lol.

My EVs aren't worth what I owe on them so I'm hoping to get some serious mileage out of them. Got 100,000+ on my 2018 Tesla Model 3 (no problems). And 10,000 on my 2024 Tesla Model 3 so far.