Will Your Elio Retain Its Resale Value?

[goofyone]

I would compare the clutch more to a metro since the engine is pretty much derived from it. If so, the clutch will be more than adequate.

Thanks for the input Horn I agree with you about the clutch. I told you we would come to appreciate your Metro experience.

There is no reason for them to use anything other than a standard off the shelf clutch on this vehicle. The Elio will use a standard automotive clutch just like it is using a standard automotive transmission. With this vehicle being as light as it is if you use the clutch properly even the cheapest OEM automotive clutch will last a very long time.

 

[Edward]

Yes not as robust as a Corolla. You can but a new Elio for the price of a used Corolla. The clutch in the Corolla is substantially bigger. You'll be able to palm Elios.

If that is the case, that significantly changes the total cost of ownership.
I was figuring on a clutch replacement once before junking at 300k miles. With the numbers you are suggesting, I'd need to replace it 3 times instead.

 

[Edward]

She would expect the engine and trans to be very cheap like the clutch then?

I really hope that was a typo. It's been a while since somebody's confused me for a girl. Do I need to grow my beard out again?

 

[Horn]

I really hope that was a typo. It's been a while since somebody's confused me for a girl. Do I need to grow my beard out again?

I don't know why I put "she" in that line. Doesn't even make sense in the sentence. oh well.

 

[olddog1946]

Odd and unique designs tend to appreciate after a while. I expect to be able to take the Elio to car shows in a decade or two

You'll be able to take it to car shows the day you get it and you won't see all that many of them for at least one season. Then they'll be everywhere. I however, think they will be just like the Miata, value wise, without the drop off.

 

[goofyone]

You'll be able to take it to car shows the day you get it and you won't see all that many of them for at least one season. Then they'll be everywhere. I however, think they will be just like the Miata, value wise, without the drop off.

Considering 15.6 million new cars were sold in the USA in 2013 even if Elio Motors cranks out 250,000 in 2016 it will still take a little while for the Elio to become ubiquitous.

 

[Horn]

You guys do understand that lets say these 2 stretches happen: The car is made and it is popular.

So lets say people like it, you do know at this point they will be everywhere. They will be so saturated that they will not hold value that well. At first they will, but not when they crank out several of them.

Now where the value would come in would be if the car hits all of the anticipated marks and is only made for 1 or 2 years. They make 30k of them. Then they will hold their value very well.

But that is way down the road.

 

[vtx04]

Many factors involved, including location. Here in Az we have roads without potholes. We also don't have coastal salty air, nor do we have tons of salt applied to our roads every winter. When I shipped my old hotrod out here from the midwest, it stopped rusting. Per Elio's newest article about "The Plant", they will dip the frames for corrosion prevention, which should be effective. Bottom line is that a well-maintained Arizona, Nevada or other western state Elio will hold more value than a typically worn Midwestern vehicle. But like was said before, it is a throw-away vehicle. Run it 'til it quits, then get another. If you're looking for investment potential, you're looking in the wrong place. Enjoy driving it, fix it when it breaks, enjoy driving it some more, and when it quits, enjoy driving a new one.

 

[BlioKart]

I don't expect my Elio to keep value probably 30-50% or so. It is possible a premium might be paid in the beginning if it becomes popular. Who knows you could potentially make a profit off your Elio and rebuy one at a later date just because someone wants the latest craze.

 

[Horn]

I don't expect my Elio to keep value probably 30-50% or so. It is possible a premium might be paid in the beginning if it becomes popular. Who knows you could potentially make a profit off your Elio and rebuy one at a later date just because someone wants the latest craze.

Like a new playstation or xbox....haha they probably all weigh the same. Actually selling Elios at a Walmart would be great!