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An Aptera Placeholder
I’ve had my reservation since September 2021. Been patiently waiting along with my fellow Aptera fans since then. I know there are many who have been in the queue a lot longer. So the prospect of another 1.5+ yrs. of waiting (can’t do the $10K to get the LE) pushed me into getting what I consider an “Aptera placeholder.”
Unlike many on the waiting list I didn’t have an EV to keep my entertained while I wait for an Aptera. My daily driver was a humble Hyundai hybrid. The funding storm clouds that have pushed back the start of Aptera production to sometime in 2024 mean I probably won’t see my Aptera reservation number come up until 2025. My number is around the 10K slot. So, realistically, Aptera needs to get through building LE’s and Paradigm’s before they start whittling away on the orders for the rest of us and get to my reservation number. Before you comment, no I can’t come up with an extra $11K+ to get on the LE leaderboard.
Last week, I bought a 2018 BMW i3 with a measly 125 mile range — enough to get me around town well enough. We’ll use my wife’s trusty 2017 Subaru for road trips. This is my self-treatment for impatience;) I can now more easily sit on the sidelines and stay tuned to Aptera developments relatively free of the “When do I get mine?” thoughts.
The BMW’s turning radius is 33.8 ft which makes maneuvering around my city/suburban errand stops very handy. My recently traded-in Hyundai Ioniq turning circle was 34.8 ft. I know I’ll have to wait for a final production model Aptera to make any comparison, but I note educated guesses elsewhere in the forum based on the Beta prototype fall around 38 ft.
So the point of my story is I’m still in the waiting line, but at least I can zip around on electricity instead of gas while I wait!
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18 Replies
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An Aptera Placeholder
updated 1 month, 4 weeks ago
8 Members
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18
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I remember when the Tesla Model S was proposed and I put my deposit of 5k. After 2 years and no vehicle (within that time I purchase 3 other vehicles) I got my deposit back. I eventually purchased. 2014 BMW i3 and have been extremely pleased with its handling and performance. Range is limited but I do have the optional 2 gallon tank to work the electricity producing 2 cylinder generator. I have learned to plan my drives to the point of very rarely using any gasoline. I also own an Audi q7 tdi for 4 years and we have been ready to swap it out for another electric vehicle. APTERA has been the vehicle we are looking forwards to most of our driving needs and we are trying to delay our next vehicle purchase. Trying to limit my family’s purchasing of gas/diesel, we are actually now thinking of getting another i3, (2019> has the longest range) and eventually selling my older i3 once the APTERA is delivered. Ideally I would rather have my 2 APTERA’s I’ve ordered sitting in my driveway, the best we can all do is to continue to position ourselves for when the time comes. Hopefully we are all able to show even more of our patience for this special vehicle.
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Hi, Greek. Thanks for your post. I’ve had a couple of VW TDI’s in the past: a Golf and a Passat. Good VW-Audi group products.
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Hey Rey….I love Vdubs. 84 Jetta and a 90 Cabrio also part of my past.
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Ah, German exactitude and efficiency;)
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Ya Ya das is correct. Even though I’m Greek a big part of my life was playing with a German soccer club in Chicago…45 year affiliation. I am the Greek that is always on time, I learned that early in life with other good disciplines not from my culture. I learned early from German virtues.
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Ray, good to see you posting again! You have been absent for a while.
I think there are many Aptera reservation holders that are executing your strategy to hold on until Aptera reaches production and their number finally comes up.
I am doing so. My first reservation was on 7 December 2020 in the first 1,000. Now with the Accelerator the earliest would-be vehicle 3,000 which would probably be an LE. I do not want an LE as it is too far from my configuration of interest. So, now if they produce 5,000 LEs, the best I could expect is vehicle 6,000. So…from 1,000 to 6,000 something needs to be done in the interim.
I was driving a Tesla Model 3 which I was dissatisfied
with but was holding on to receipt of an Aptera. Considering the above
circumstances, I got rid of the Tesla and bought a GM Bolt for just under 19K.
I like it a lot more than the Tesla and it will hold the fort until my turn
comes up for an Aptera-
I was in a digital black hole. My account suddenly refused to let me post about 2 weeks ago. The Aptera web team was finally able to wave their magic wand and get me back in the loop. Glad to be back!
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👍
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Hah! I was the day after you! 😂
I think that it will be 10 years before they arrive in the UK, unless I can private import or even kit build one. 🤷♂️
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I’ve been zipping around with 2 (P)EVs (foldable 48V 13.2Ah RWD Apollo City & 60V 38.4Ah 2WD Laotie LandBreaker) for over 2yrs, plus a 3rd one added last April, an 84V 1554Wh King Song 16X hub motored electric unicycle (I call it the “missing 4rth Aptera wheel”). I use all alternatively, as last miler and local errand use. No need to pull out the fossil ICE Mazda6 from the garage..while I wait for “Ray”, my AWD Noir in SoCal.
P.S. I’m now in Mitte-Berlin, as I type this..
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I definitely approve of your Aptera name of “Ray!”
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Heheh..thanks, Ray!
Reason why I name my Noir, the Aptera is nurtured by the sustaining Sun’s “Rays”. Plus a black Noir Aptera, somehow has a vague silhouette of a Manta Ray from atop.
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Hadn’t thought of the comparison to the profile of a Manta ray. You’re right!
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👍👍
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My reservation is 56,366 on December 23, 2022, so I have awhile to wait… looking like 2025 now, which is fine because it will be worth the wait.
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> “My reservation is 56,366 …”
Your queue-position is probably around 40-41,000? The number on the order page isn’t the same as the queue position.
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Didn’t realize that, thanks for the info! Still a lot of customers ahead of me, especially as I opted for the 600 mile battery and AWD.
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I would’ve checked out the Arcimoto website. They now sell and deliver new and used inventory from the factory. There is a listing for a used 2020 Deliverator with 1311 miles for $11,999. This would be an awesome first time EV and likely a compliment to an Aptera.