Get the car! I just sold my Bronco at a small profit...I will eventually own a BEV, and hate Tesla (Musk). The other offerings of late are mostly exorbitantly priced or have a waitlist years long. I thought this might be an opportunity to jump on the boat, but the more I learn about the vehicle and the process - including a likely ADM - the less I like it. I was actually thinking of starting a "cons" thread since many seem to be appearing about individual gripes (no rear wiper, no spare tire, range, etc).
At this point, a week after placing my reservation, I'm pretty much convinced that I will end up canceling it at some point. I don't need a new car, especially one with a bunch of compromises and limitations over my ICE Subaru - which is paid off. I usually keep cars 10 years, and I still have 5 more to go on this current one.
Alas, ADMs are not confined to the Solterra. Rampant at Kia dealerships for the EV6, and other newly released EVs.I haven’t responded to the poll yet because, like others here, my research never stops and it leaves me pause with each vehicle that’s out there, each in their own way. If I put odds on things, I’d say there’s a 100% chance we buy an EV in the next 6 months with a 75% chance that it’s the Solterra. The vehicle will replace a 10 year old CR-V of which we’ve been the sole owners, it’s treated us great but it’s time to join the modern-ish age.
After spending the time with it at the auto show, I have a list of concerns that have caused me to expand the vehicle search. But weighing ADMs and with the Solterra in mind has been tough without Subaru’s prices.
Yes, they did a really good job with both exterior and interior dimensions, especially the latter. The longer wheelbase will be nice for comfort and with the wheels pushed to the corners, that is nice for interior comfort.One thing that has pleasantly surprised me about the Solterra is its size. I was expecting something smaller, but dimensionally at least it's really close to some of my alternatives, particularly the EV6 and the Q4 e-tron.
Pricing is where it all tells the tale. I already have confirmation that my Subie dealership has no markups or add ons for the Solterra. The EV6 is the option and if it weren’t for the ADMs, I probably would have cancelled my Solterra reservation. But after contacting 8 local(ish) dealerships, the lowest dealer markup has been $5k. Tough to swallow with the possibility of a much better deal with the Solterra. But with the EV6 wind AWD at roughly $53k and the rumored price points of the Solterra, a Touring Solterra still might be cheaper than a mid level EV6.Alas, ADMs are not confined to the Solterra. Rampant at Kia dealerships for the EV6, and other newly released EVs.
We really need to know how the pricing will work out!
One thing that has pleasantly surprised me about the Solterra is its size. I was expecting something smaller, but dimensionally at least it's really close to some of my alternatives, particularly the EV6 and the Q4 e-tron.
Agree 100%.Pricing is where it all tells the tale. I already have confirmation that my Subie dealership has no markups or add ons for the Solterra. The EV6 is the option and if it weren’t for the ADMs, I probably would have cancelled my Solterra reservation. But after contacting 8 local(ish) dealerships, the lowest dealer markup has been $5k. Tough to swallow with the possibility of a much better deal with the Solterra. But with the EV6 wind AWD at roughly $53k and the rumored price points of the Solterra, a Touring Solterra still might be cheaper than a mid level EV6.
Styling is in the eye of the consumer and KiA/Hyundai has been strong on that front, but even with the Solterra’s quirks, essentially being a Toyota with Subaru traits and badging really isn’t all that bad. The lower range, slower charging speed and interesting driving view are my qualms, but might be nothing once owning.
Thanks for the info. I’m in the Chicagoland area, so 2 hours isn’t that bad to travel.Agree 100%.
I don't know if Bloomington is local-ish enough for you, but "my sales guy" at the Kia dealership there told me their ADM was $3,000. That may be more than you're willing to pay.
That said, they don't yet have any EV6s. They have a Wind RWD that was due in yesterday (but may have been delayed by weather) that was unsold when I last checked (RWD is a hard no for me). They have 3 more due in on the 25th, all AWD (1 Wind, 2 GT-Lines) but all three were already sold as of 2/4/2022. But I'm sure they have more on the way.
I'm in no rush, willing to wait until July-August, hoping maybe the ADM situation will have improved by then, for the EV6 at least. If not, it will make the Solterra more attractive by comparison (all else being equal, I'd rather have a Subaru, even a Toyobaru, over a Kia).
I've yet to actually see an EV6 up closer than on the turntable at least year's Chicago Auto Show. I was initially interested in the Niro EV, as a reasonably priced alternative to buying out my i3 at lease end (and be eligible for the $7,500 FTC), but it really did nothing for me. That's when I began talking with them about the EV6.Thanks for the info. I’m in the Chicagoland area, so 2 hours isn’t that bad to travel.
I’ve let the dealerships I’ve talked with know that I’m waiting until the pricing comes out on the Solterra and bz4x, which kind of throws them for a loop because I’m not drooling over their car. I’ve read that some of the dealerships are setting their markups at $10k and using it as a negotiable part of the purchase. Apparently someone is paying it, so why wouldn’t they?
$42k would seem low to me for the Touring, given pricing on the Outback and Forester, plus that's only $5k over the $37k starting price. Assuming the $37k starting price is correct, I bet the Touring comes in closer to $46k, the Limited maybe $41-42k.I have been following a number of media outlets and the consensus over and over seems to be that the range will be $37,000 starting price to $42,000 before destination/taxes and any Fed rebates.
I'm going to check out the EV6 Wind RWD in Bloomington on Tuesday (unless they sell it before then). I'm not looking for RWD, but I'd like to be able to see how the car feels/rides/handles (realizing that adding the front motor will greatly enhance the performance). There's a lot to be said for seeing something in person vs. looking at photos and watching YouTubes.Thanks for the info. I’m in the Chicagoland area, so 2 hours isn’t that bad to travel.
I’ve let the dealerships I’ve talked with know that I’m waiting until the pricing comes out on the Solterra and bz4x, which kind of throws them for a loop because I’m not drooling over their car. I’ve read that some of the dealerships are setting their markups at $10k and using it as a negotiable part of the purchase. Apparently someone is paying it, so why wouldn’t they?
You make a good point. I've been able to eliminate some choices on purely subjective grounds (Ioniq 5 - aesthetics, (inside and out), ID.4 - aesthetics (inside, too plasticky) and function (UI/UX)). Likewise bZ4X and Ariya - don't like the local Toyota/Nissan dealership. Actually, the local Toyota/ Nissan/ VW/ Hyundai/ Kia and Subaru dealerships are all owned by the same company, but we have a quasi-local Subaru dealership that we really like.JayEM, things are hot right now in this specific segment of the EV marketplace with Toyota, Subaru, Lexus, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and VW all having new products out or about to be out that will be very competitive with each other. So good luck trying to whittle down the list! LOL
My local Subaru dealer told me that they expect to get 1 - just 1 - Solterra for the rest of calendar 2022. He didn't expect drastically more in 2023. I am really not inclined to buy a car with so little experience out there. It's going to be a long wait till Solterras are a relatively normal thing.I got on "several" reservation wait lists, as well as the max two reservations.
Now, I'm getting a spate of calls from those dealers that Subaru has released a batch of cars for order, this month.
I'm thinking I'm "on order" with one dealer for my original $250 ...but have never gotten any paperwork.
I may go by one of those close by dealers and make a $1K deposit to be sure I get one Solterra. The whole point is that this month Solterra's are relatively easy to order. This may likely go away soon, though...