[ausev] hi im a newbie here with a question(s) for mark farver....

[Charlesvsi at aol.com]

Brian, if you are really looking for a reliable kid carrying vehicle, best  
to look at a new or even '04 Honda Civic Hybrid 4 door.. They are amazing  
vehicles, just quiet, and go where you want, These have side air bags, are most  
safe in tests, and have AC and heat and everything else. After 54000 miles ours 
 gets: Mileage runs 34 to 44 depending on speed hills etc. 
We have an '04 and a friend has a Toyota Prius, but they don't seem to be  as 
simple to operate etc. 
 
In a message dated 2/20/2007 4:37:51 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
blasseter.cmpe01 at gtalumni.org writes:

On  2/20/07, Christopher Robison <eeyore at phototropia.org> wrote:
> It  seems to be the usual case that a converted EV sells for
> substantially  less money than was spent to create it. I think in general
> this is  because of the difficulty in evaluating the quality and
> longevity of a  conversion. With the normal used-car market, you're only
> concerned  with determining how well the previous owner treated the car,
> and  there are standard things to look for, and companies that you can
> hire  to look for these things for you.
>
> A custom-converted car  brings a whole list of new things to be concerned
> about, such as weld  quality, maintainability (is that bolt head behind a
> corner where I  can't reach it without removing a rack of batteries?),
> weight  distribution and handling, wiring, etc.  I think it's because of
>  this uncertainty that it's hard to command a high price for a  completed
> conversion unless you're in the business of building them  and can build
> a reputation of quality over time.

Since used EVs  do not sell for as much as was spent to create them...
most owners are  quite happy driving their vehicles until they are no
longer able to be  driven anymore.  That makes the used market pretty
small.  (Along  with the obvious lack of many EVs to start with.)
Also, as someone with no  EV knowledge, the ability to evaluate a fair
price on a used car, and what  repairs would be required is beyond my
abilities.

I would be quite  happy to buy a used or even a new EV (as my car
knowledge is lacking);  however the availability of cars that would
suit my needs is lacking.   I need a 4 door car (for the kids), but
most conversions are 2 door cars or  trucks.  I'll likely convert a
Saturn SL, or a Toyota Matrix or  something else small and with 4
doors.

If any production cars can  fill the niche between the $10k Zap Xebra,
and the $60k AC Propulsion  eBox... Then I would totally put down
$20k-$30k on an electric car.   As is, the Zap is too slow, and the
eBox has expensive Li-Ion  batteries.  (My range needs would suffice
with Trojan  batteries.)


-- 
TTFN,
Brian "Lasso" Lasseter

·  (512)736-1677  ·  AIM:digininja  ·   ICQ:2238123  ·  MSN:azoreg  ·
"No Sane man will  dance."   -Cicero (106-43  B.C.)

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Chuck Simms

Director, North Austin M.U.District  #1
e-mail: charlesvsi at aol.com
Phone: 512-331-9630
Cell:  505-331-1237
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