Used EVs… Should I wait for better tech or go for it now?

Nathan said:
There’s always going to be something better coming… you can wait forever if you’re always chasing the next thing.

The only time I’d wait is if you know something specific is coming soon that you really want, and you’re okay with waiting for it.

Nathan said:
There’s always going to be something better coming… you can wait forever if you’re always chasing the next thing.

Exactly. There’s always a refresh or upgrade every couple of years. Prices drop, too. I hesitated but finally got an EV last year. Depreciation is real, though (got a 2023 ID.4 Pro RWD at a discount because of the 2024 refresh).

Nathan said:
There’s always going to be something better coming… you can wait forever if you’re always chasing the next thing.

Why not just go for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid? You get some EV benefits without the headaches, plus there’s a better selection since almost every manufacturer has a hybrid version of their top models.

Nathan said:
There’s always going to be something better coming… you can wait forever if you’re always chasing the next thing.

That’s not always true. Some of the price spikes during COVID are still affecting certain models like hybrids, which haven’t changed much in a decade.

Used EV prices are super low right now—down like 20% compared to last year. Now’s the best time to get a used one or lease a new EV. Automakers overshot where they thought EV adoption would be, so there’s an oversupply. Prices will go up once production cuts happen, so take advantage while you can.

Sure, EVs improve every year, which is why used ones are so cheap. But buying used means you might get an older, slower 2WD ID.4 instead of the latest one, or an older small-battery Model 3 that doesn’t hit its EPA range vs. a new one that exceeds it. However, an older Bolt is just as good as a new one since they all got the bigger batteries in the recall.

If you prefer new, look for lease deals—Hyundai had some great offers on the Ioniq 6 recently. Chevy still has good leases on the Equinox and Blazer, too.

That said, DC fast charging speeds on the ‘small’ Ultium battery aren’t great. You can get 150 kW briefly, but only on a 350 kW charger, and the speed drops quickly after 20% as the battery heats up. I’d rather have something that’s more consistent, like the Nissan Ariya, or something that charges faster overall, like an 800-volt Hyundai or Kia. Still, you’re only talking about 10-20 extra minutes at a charging stop, so it’s not a dealbreaker.

zendaya said:
Used EV prices are super low right now—down like 20% compared to last year. Now’s the best time to get a used one or lease a new EV. Automakers overshot where they thought EV adoption would be, so there’s an oversupply. Prices will go up once production cuts happen, so take advantage while you can.

Sure, EVs improve every year, which is why used ones are so cheap. But buying used means you might get an older, slower 2WD ID.4 instead of the latest one, or an older small-battery Model 3 that doesn’t hit its EPA range vs. a new one that exceeds it. However, an older Bolt is just as good as a new one since they all got the bigger batteries in the recall.

If you prefer new, look for lease deals—Hyundai had some great offers on the Ioniq 6 recently. Chevy still has good leases on the Equinox and Blazer, too.

That said, DC fast charging speeds on the ‘small’ Ultium battery aren’t great. You can get 150 kW briefly, but only on a 350 kW charger, and the speed drops quickly after 20% as the battery heats up. I’d rather have something that’s more consistent, like the Nissan Ariya, or something that charges faster overall, like an 800-volt Hyundai or Kia. Still, you’re only talking about 10-20 extra minutes at a charging stop, so it’s not a dealbreaker.

My Lyriq takes over an hour to charge from 35% to 80% when it’s hot, so it’s not much of an improvement from my old Bolt. GM cars have bad thermal management for their batteries.

zendaya said:
Used EV prices are super low right now—down like 20% compared to last year. Now’s the best time to get a used one or lease a new EV. Automakers overshot where they thought EV adoption would be, so there’s an oversupply. Prices will go up once production cuts happen, so take advantage while you can.

Sure, EVs improve every year, which is why used ones are so cheap. But buying used means you might get an older, slower 2WD ID.4 instead of the latest one, or an older small-battery Model 3 that doesn’t hit its EPA range vs. a new one that exceeds it. However, an older Bolt is just as good as a new one since they all got the bigger batteries in the recall.

If you prefer new, look for lease deals—Hyundai had some great offers on the Ioniq 6 recently. Chevy still has good leases on the Equinox and Blazer, too.

That said, DC fast charging speeds on the ‘small’ Ultium battery aren’t great. You can get 150 kW briefly, but only on a 350 kW charger, and the speed drops quickly after 20% as the battery heats up. I’d rather have something that’s more consistent, like the Nissan Ariya, or something that charges faster overall, like an 800-volt Hyundai or Kia. Still, you’re only talking about 10-20 extra minutes at a charging stop, so it’s not a dealbreaker.

Yeah, that sounds about right. Feels like now’s the time to take advantage of the supply-demand imbalance before it shifts back.

I upgraded from a Bolt to a Polestar 2, and you can find them used in the $20k range. Great car for the price and faster charging than the Bolt.

New tech is always on the horizon, but EV improvements are slow to roll out. Solid-state batteries probably won’t hit mainstream cars for a while. The latest battery tech, LFP, is already old—it’s out of patent!

If you can hold off until next year, maybe try for an Ioniq 5 or EV6 under the $25k mark so you can get the tax credit. Even if your gas car’s value drops by $1,000, the rebate will more than make up for it.

And 800V cars are already maxing out the chargers we have, so new battery tech won’t charge much faster for a while.

Michael said:
New tech is always on the horizon, but EV improvements are slow to roll out. Solid-state batteries probably won’t hit mainstream cars for a while. The latest battery tech, LFP, is already old—it’s out of patent!

If you can hold off until next year, maybe try for an Ioniq 5 or EV6 under the $25k mark so you can get the tax credit. Even if your gas car’s value drops by $1,000, the rebate will more than make up for it.

And 800V cars are already maxing out the chargers we have, so new battery tech won’t charge much faster for a while.

Just remember, the tax break depends on your income, and I don’t think the EV6 or Ioniq 5 qualify.

There’s cool new battery tech coming, but it’s still about 4 years away. Save what you can, keep your gas car running for now, and when the EV tech is ready, it’ll be more affordable for you.

Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

For road trips, a Tesla Model 3 or Y with long range is perfect. There’s a reason they sell so well—they’re efficient, affordable, and in the US, the best charging network is still Tesla’s. You can save a lot by buying used, too.

Maria said:

Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

For road trips, a Tesla Model 3 or Y with long range is perfect. There’s a reason they sell so well—they’re efficient, affordable, and in the US, the best charging network is still Tesla’s. You can save a lot by buying used, too.

Totally agree. I’m planning to buy a used Model 3 or Y sometime next year. The value for money is hard to beat.

Maria said:

Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

For road trips, a Tesla Model 3 or Y with long range is perfect. There’s a reason they sell so well—they’re efficient, affordable, and in the US, the best charging network is still Tesla’s. You can save a lot by buying used, too.

Tesla is still the go-to for road trips in the USA.

Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

If I were you, I wouldn’t buy an Equinox. Lease it, then in a few years, you can move on to something with better charging speeds. Also, consider the Ioniq 5—it’s already known for great charging performance.

Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

I’ve seen the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 used for around $28k and the Ioniq 6 for $32k recently. These are award-winning cars and worth checking out.

emma said:

Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

I’ve seen the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 used for around $28k and the Ioniq 6 for $32k recently. These are award-winning cars and worth checking out.

I’ve seen new Ioniq 6 Limiteds listed for $40k. Not sure if it’s a bait-and-switch tactic, but I’d only want the Limited model to get the 360 camera and ventilated seats. I hate the bigger wheels, though—might swap them out.

Peggy said:

emma said:
Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

I’ve seen the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 used for around $28k and the Ioniq 6 for $32k recently. These are award-winning cars and worth checking out.

I’ve seen new Ioniq 6 Limiteds listed for $40k. Not sure if it’s a bait-and-switch tactic, but I’d only want the Limited model to get the 360 camera and ventilated seats. I hate the bigger wheels, though—might swap them out.

I prefer the Ioniq 6 mostly for the Bose stereo. It’s not as good as the Burmester system in a Mercedes, but way better than the Harman Kardon or Meridian systems in other Hyundai and Kia cars.

emma said:

Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

I’ve seen the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 used for around $28k and the Ioniq 6 for $32k recently. These are award-winning cars and worth checking out.

I’ve had my Ioniq 5 for over two years, and the battery and charging system are still top-notch compared to most other EVs. This platform has aged really well, so if DC fast charging is a concern, these cars would be great used options.

Just make sure the model you buy has battery preconditioning if you live in a cold area.

diallo said:

emma said:
Gabriel said:
We own a Bolt EUV and love it, but for road trips, it’s a bit small, and the slow DC fast charging is a pain. We’re thinking of trading in our 10+ year old gas car and getting either a used ID.4 or maybe a new Equinox.

The issue is, the longer I wait, the less my current car is worth (about $5k now). It could also have some big issue soon that leaves me needing to buy something immediately, with no time to shop around. But if I wait, EV tech will be even better in my price range. I mean, the ID.4 Pro gets 10 more miles of range and 20KW faster charging every year!

On the flip side, if I trade it in now, at least I’ll get something for it, and I won’t be in a panic buying situation. I could even wait till the end of the year when dealers want to hit their sales goals and offer better deals. Plus, road trips will be more fun sooner.

So… do I trade in now and settle for last year’s EV tech for the next 10 years, or keep the gas car going a little longer and wait for the next wave of EVs?

I’ve seen the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 used for around $28k and the Ioniq 6 for $32k recently. These are award-winning cars and worth checking out.

I’ve had my Ioniq 5 for over two years, and the battery and charging system are still top-notch compared to most other EVs. This platform has aged really well, so if DC fast charging is a concern, these cars would be great used options.

Just make sure the model you buy has battery preconditioning if you live in a cold area.

Did you have to deal with the ICCU replacement?