Something’s Gotta Give.....

[booboo]

Let me guess, the cost was outside of his budget. Yes?

It was an old Prius he had since new, with lots of miles, I think over 100K on it, but still looked good. Decided to sell it as a junker, because the battery replace was only a little bit less than the total car worth, with it replaced.
He is a G.P Dr of Medicine, so affordability was not the issue.

 

[Elio Amazed]

Did someone say upcoming EV 3-wheelers?

https://www.motorauthority.com/news...c-3-wheeler-looks-to-beat-morgan-to-the-punch

That article is dated Jan 10 '18. Where the heck does this guy do his research?
Morgan's had a beautiful EV out since 2016 and they've even got a kid's version!
It's called the EV Junior. Here's a picture of the one that's now almost two years old.

 

[johnsnownw]

That article is dated Jan 10 '18. Where the heck does this guy do his research?
Morgan's had a beautiful EV out since 2016 and they've even got a kid's version!
It's called the EV Junior. Here's a picture of the one that's now almost two years old.

The EV3 never went into production, it was delayed as they decided to change powertrain suppliers.

 

[Sailor Dog]

Did someone say upcoming EV 3-wheelers?

https://www.motorauthority.com/news...c-3-wheeler-looks-to-beat-morgan-to-the-punch

In my book, Vanderhall, Sondors & Morgan are the only legitimate 3 wheelers besides the excellent & efficiently frugal ELIO. Love all 4...the Big 3 American three wheelers and the magnificent Morgan for an awesome import!!!!

 

[booboo]

In my book, Vanderhall is the only legit 3 wheeler besides the ELIO & Sondors. Love all 3!!!

I am wondering what the Sondors price will be with front wheel drive and max range battery, the only configuration I might like.
Not 10K.

 

[Sailor Dog]

Good question... Will look for that tomorrow but I'm planning only having an 2 ELIOs...one for my wife to run away with me

 

[Elio Amazed]

The EV3 never went into production, it was delayed as they decided to change powertrain suppliers.

OK, thanks for being gentle. I found a Dec. article that says Q4 '18. The Vanderhall's a little pricey.
I think the Ampere has a similar roadster thing going on. That's a heck of a difference in price.
Considering the Ampere is $9.9K? The big question there is, will they make it to production?

The biggest thing here is that the Elio was/is? intended to be as much of a utilitarian vehicle as three wheels and $7800 will allow it to be. I don't think you're going to see many people commuting in the snow and salt in their expensive Vanderhalls and Morgans. On that basis, I'd venture that the Solo was designed as a primarily a utilitarian vehicle also. Although it's namesake single seat makes it a commuter and personal vehicle with limited range and not a lot of utility beyond that. Hey, that may be enough. If had a mid-range commute 5 and 6 days a week, I'd be a lot more interested. It may also be somewhat more seasonally limited by the rear-wheel drive even though EMV claims it does very well in the snow and It does have a very low center of gravity. And... there's no doubt in mind at all that J.K. and EMV already know that they'll need to put A/C in the Solo to complete the package. The Morgans and Vanderhall's may be ligit and vehicles worthy of respect, but I consider them no more than that in the form of a rich person's toy.

 

[Smitty901]

The original three wheeler. While waiting on ELIO 8019 I have not been sitting around. Installed a Sidecar on my 750 Harley Street. It worked out very well. At least I can enjoy it .
While waiting on ELIO 2 new cars 4 new bikes and retired a second time. Still waiting.

 

[Rob Croson]

It was an old Prius he had since new, with lots of miles, I think over 100K on it, but still looked good. Decided to sell it as a junker, because the battery replace was only a little bit less than the total car worth, with it replaced.
He is a G.P Dr of Medicine, so affordability was not the issue.

Something smells fishy. Missing lots of details that would possibly make this make any sense at all.

The warranty for a Prius battery in California, and many other states, is 10-year/150k miles. So first make sure that it is out of warranty. Let's assume it's just past the 10-year point.

Toyota's quoted price for a factory new battery for a 10 year old Prius ('04-'08 model years) is only $2,600.00. Labor for the replacement at an experienced mechanic is about 4 hours. So, maybe $600 more at $150 an hour? $3,200 out the door for a brand new battery straight from Toyota.

(If your 10 year old Prius is worth less than $3,200 then I have news for you: You've beat the $#!+ out of it.)

Interestingly enough, this is almost exactly the same price as a new engine for a 2008 Honda Accord. How much do you think labor cost will be to replace an engine in an '08 Accord? Maybe a bit more than 4 hours?

A complete reconditioned battery for an old Prius can be had for as little as $1,500. Some places sell their reconditioned batteries with a three-year, full replacement, non-prorated warranty, though it will run you a bit higher price.

Or you can go real cheap, and just buy the battery out of a wrecked Prius. You an find complete Prius batteries for as little as $550.

The most common problem for batteries, though, is that individual cells go bad. Individual cell replacement for Prius batteries can be done by a shop for as little as $600. That's $100 for the cell, and the rest is labor. An accomplished DIY expert could, umm, DIY. Individual cells and instructions are available on Amazon, with free Prime shipping.

So a "bad battery" could be repaired for as little as $600 by a shop.


So, yeah, I don't believe this guy's story. Unless his Prius was a total rust-bucket junker. There was something else going here, or he's just simply wanted to get something new, and didn't feel like admitting it.

 

[voyager]

Looks good.