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Do any of you guys have an electric vehicle in the garage alongside your AMG GTs? If you do, which model is it and how to you like it?
My wife and I bought a Tesla Model 3 a few years ago. (It replaced her E90 M3 that broke down so much we couldn't take it!) Even though I love the manual CTS-V that's my daily, I find myself taking her Tesla more frequently that the V. Some of it is wanting to keep miles off my V, but it's equally true that the Model 3 is quieter and more calming thanks to its electric powertrain. I also really like the "self driving" Level 2 cruise control on long highway trips.
Don't get me wrong, my gas-guzzling CTS-V and AMG GT S are where my heart lies, but sometimes I don't need my hair on fire and I just want a nice appliance.
Up until last month, the Model 3 was my favorite EV. It's surprisingly practical considering its size, and it's decent enough on a twisty road. But then I tried a Tesla Model Y SUV (my review is here) and found that most of my complaints with the Model 3 -- bad blind spots on the A-pillars, stiff ride, noisy on the highway -- were resolved with the Model Y. So now I have a new favorite EV...at least until I try a Porsche Taycan or Audi e-tron GT! 😂
But I'm curious to hear if you all have found some other great EVs. And if you find yourself gravitating to them when you just need to run errands.
2019 Audi etron Prestige. Best DD I’ve ever owned. Actually looks like a typical Audi and not some sort of ‘jelly bean’; has fantastic quality inside and out; is tremendously comfortable and relaxing whilst driving; I’ve experienced not one major issue in >24K miles. Range is about 210 miles at 100%SoC in warm weather and without a nasty headwind, so I do wish it had perhaps a true 300 mile range, however the charging efficiency of the etron compared to a Tesla is excellent in that it is essentially linear all the way up to 80% SOC and even then only drops off marginally. What does this mean in the real world?, well the time spent at a charger to top the car up to 80% is far less than most others so average total trip times remain around the same compared to a BEV with greater range. Car has been deliberately torque limited by Audi from a dead stop such that its 0-60 mph is at 5.5 seconds, but like the majority of BEVs is has more than enough oomph to hold its own.
2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring, 2022 F-150, 1926 Rolls-Royce SSG roadster
The experience Bish reports is similar to my own with the 2019 e-tron (also a Prestige which means it comes with HUD).
The 2022 e-tron GT claims 236 miles range but I regularly beat that and get over 250 miles with another 20 miles to go.
I decided I wanted more of the same reliability (and freedom from gas pumps), with a bit more style when I traded it in for a GT. It was a good choice. I am, however, looking forward to the futuristic EVs being promised by both Mercedes-Benz* and Cadillac in the next few years. And as I get older, I am also looking forward to level 4 autonomy to keep me on the road.
* When I was shopping for a new EV to replace the e-tron I almost leased a Mercedes EQS 580. However, the depreciation over 3 years was 55%, which is very high. It means the manufacturer knows something it's not telling. I decided it was that there would be a new car out in 2-3 years which would sink the value of the EQS. I think the products we're going to see over the next 5 years from everyone (except Tesla) are going to knock our socks off. Tesla, however, is a computer company, not a car company. I don't like the poor quality and reliability of its products. And the design of its vehicles looks like a bunch of half blind accountants got together and picked the blandest design they could get out of a committee of computer specialists. (And don't get me started on Tesla's ergonomics. They are hideous.)
The experience Bish reports is similar to my own with the 2019 e-tron (also a Prestige which means it comes with HUD).
The 2022 e-tron GT claims 236 miles range but I regularly beat that and get over 250 miles with another 20 miles to go.
I decided I wanted more of the same reliability (and freedom from gas pumps), with a bit more style when I traded it in for a GT. It was a good choice. I am, however, looking forward to the futuristic EVs being promised by both Mercedes-Benz* and Cadillac in the next few years. And as I get older, I am also looking forward to level 4 autonomy to keep me on the road.
* When I was shopping for a new EV to replace the e-tron I almost leased a Mercedes EQS 580. However, the depreciation over 3 years was 55%, which is very high. It means the manufacturer knows something it's not telling. I decided it was that there would be a new car out in 2-3 years which would sink the value of the EQS. I think the products we're going to see over the next 5 years from everyone (except Tesla) are going to knock our socks off. Tesla, however, is a computer company, not a car company. I don't like the poor quality and reliability of its products. And the design of its vehicles looks like a bunch of half blind accountants got together and picked the blandest design they could get out of a committee of computer specialists. (And don't get me started on Tesla's ergonomics. They are hideous.)
Scott, all lease deals are pretty horrible right now given the way the auto market is currently. I suspect that the manufacturer’s leasing arms are deliberately lowering the residual value in order to not get caught out when the market does correct. I have a large amount of equity in my ‘19 etron so when it comes off lease I’m going to buy it and drive it until I decide whether to buy a Taycan GTS; Rivian R1S; Fisker Ocean; etc.
2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring, 2022 F-150, 1926 Rolls-Royce SSG roadster
Bish - I was negotiating the EQS 580 lease in early February, before all of the economic bombs hit.
The 45% figure was a red light for me that MBZ knew the EQS would plummet in value because of something MBZ was doing. We just have to wait and see if I am right.
2019 Audi etron Prestige. Best DD I’ve ever owned. Actually looks like a typical Audi and not some sort of ‘jelly bean’; has fantastic quality inside and out; is tremendously comfortable and relaxing whilst driving; I’ve experienced not one major issue in >24K miles. Range is about 210 miles at 100%SoC in warm weather and without a nasty headwind, so I do wish it had perhaps a true 300 mile range, however the charging efficiency of the etron compared to a Tesla is excellent in that it is essentially linear all the way up to 80% SOC and even then only drops off marginally. What does this mean in the real world?, well the time spent at a charger to top the car up to 80% is far less than most others so average total trip times remain around the same compared to a BEV with greater range. Car has been deliberately torque limited by Audi from a dead stop such that its 0-60 mph is at 5.5 seconds, but like the majority of BEVs is has more than enough oomph to hold its own.
Thanks for the details on the eTron! My brother has one and loves it to bits!
Bish - I was negotiating the EQS 580 lease in early February, before all of the economic bombs hit.
The 45% figure was a red light for me that MBZ knew the EQS would plummet in value because of something MBZ was doing. We just have to wait and see if I am right.
EVs always have ridiculously bad residual value...
1. its because the federal and state incentives compensate for it. if it has 60% residual then you'll literally pay nothing for lower end EVs.
2. EVs inherently depreciate more since technology moves faster
When we lived in Laguna Beach we leased a Smart EV and that was like $80 a month after all the rebates and incentives ... it didnt matter what the residual was because it was like a "throwaway" car anyway after 30 months of usage.
We then leased an i3 when it came out and that was like $200 a month and no one really looked at the residuals either.
Audi is at 55% for 3 years. When your MSRP is in the $120k+ range, the depreciation matters.
Just think of yourself as a paying alpha tester instead
Assuming you paid for MSRP just be glad that you have a highly sought after luxury EV right now
Also, manufacturers can adjust residual to their favor because right now people are willing to pay whatever to just GET a car lol
No EV (few charging stations) automobile. But I do have an "appliance" vehicle as a daily driver: Suzuki Jimny 4x4 which gets 35mpg, is tall enough to look over other cars, I don't mind driving it in traffic jams on commutes, it goes through third world potholes that would scrape a sportscar and is fun offroad...all for 1/10th the price of a GTC here! And when my kids/brother/friends come for a visit they have something fun to drive.
We do have an EV motocycle as a daily driver at the beach during the wekkend: a Super Soco TC Max.
Last edited by sjp3003; Jun 24, 2022 at 09:53 AM.
Reason: Typo
I have known Elon for 22 years absolutely no interest in electric cars. If I was forced I'd have the Taycan Turbo. The EVs answer no questions that I have. Living in Nor Cal (not much longer) I do make sure that I have a vehicle that can crawl over or push away all the EVs blocking the highway in a GTFO dodge situation. Personally, I'd rather have a Volvo than an EV. Gross...
Semi kidding but I really don't want to spend my last 40-50 years on earth driving a laptop. One of the cool arsed Rascal scooters with a visibility flag? You bet, sign me up.
I have a Model X and a Model S with my GTC. Both Teslas make great daily drivers... particularly the X as it has a ton of room. I've loaded it to the brim with supplies (including 22 bags of mulch for my yard!), taken lots of road trips with my wife and daughter, and used it for everything. It's supremely comfortable and easy to live with for everyday tasks. I've never any problems and both vehicles have been less troublesome and less expensive for maintenance than the many other cars I've owned. And for a large SUV, it's got pretty good acceleration and handling. Honestly, I would recommend either and I think an electric vehicle makes perfect sense for daily driving and getting through traffic for most people. Hope this helps.
Last edited by ChungDTX; Jun 24, 2022 at 05:21 PM.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Anyone else have an EV for a daily?
