Aptera alternative

[terance-wilson]

We are in the same boat I have a pre order for both the Aptera and Pear. Aptera will be for work my car or just when me and the wife want to go out just the 2 of us also my daily driver. Pear for my wife when taking the kids and whole family around town and long trips . With its 6 seats. And storage space in the boot. Its also going to have solar how much miles it gets or goes of solar is still unknown? Fisker is definitely taking a page frome Aptera and is watching the competition. Aptera hurry up and Start Production and selling Aptera or your gonna be a dead 🐴, On arrival. ✌️ 🕊️

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by  Terance Wilson.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by  Terance Wilson.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by  Terance Wilson.

[ray-holan]

Yes, timing is everything. The sooner Aptera hits the market, the better.

I’m holding out for my Aptera because I’m all in on the efficiency and the cool factor — it’s the only one that can make its own fuel. Our family is just my wife and me, so Aptera fits, but I completely understand someone with the need for transporting 3 or more opting for the Pear or whatever sub $35K EV is available when they are ready to buy.

[john-malcom]

A lot of competition coming for Aptera in the next 18-24 months. I think yours is the best case for couples/families that can afford two vehicles. For families that can’t The Pear or Tesla Model 2, or other small, inexpensive EV’s will be the answer based on price and seating capacity. Although range per charge will be a factor, with most EVs now with a reasonable range, price will be the overriding factor, especially if inflation continues in the economy and the price of everything goes up for everybody.

BYD is coming out with a small EV at $10,000 USD. At present, targeted at the Chinese market and EU where it will compete with the Tesla Model 2 being built at Giga Berlin. Eventually to the U.S. market (BYD already sells electric vehicles in the U.D. and has a production facility in CA)where it will compete wit Tesla Model 2, GM bolt and Equinox, and of course the Aptera in the untapped, low price, EV market the only remaining untapped market in the EU and North America.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by  John Malcom. Reason: added additional response

[ROMAD]

There is very little concrete info on their website, just a flashy graphic and pressure to reserve one. No actual (or even proposed) specs, prototypes, etc. It looks like where Aptera was 4 years ago so based on that I doubt there will be any deliveries before 2027. If anyone has a link to the actual specifications, please post it as I’d like compare it to Aptera’s.

[Dr.D]

WhileI agree their website sucks and no real specs, they are making progress on the PEAR.

https://carbuzz.com/news/production-ready-fisker-pear-arrives-in-la-with-see-through-a-pillar

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by  Peter Dezendorf.

[richard-blackwood]

I’m in an odd spot. I’ve been planning on adding the Aptera as my daily driver and keeping my current car as a adventure vehicle and towing my camping trailer (small teardrop). Problem is the wait, and that effectively doubles my car payment. I’ve only had my current care for about 2 years. Not ideal.

I can sell my current car, use the $8k profit on that, plus the $7500 tax credit and get a Tesla Model Y that can tow my teardrop trailer and only increase my single payment by about $60 a month. That’s kind of hard to pass up.

I REALLY want the Aptera, but don’t really want to wait likely another year plus for it. I’m an early reservation holder, and a minor investor so I’ll likely get one of the ‘early’ non-accelerator units. But the wait and the much bigger payment are hard to swallow.

Is it worth the wait?

The Tesla has pretty much everything I want now.

The downside is I’ll likely run out the warranty in under 4 years because I do about 28k miles per year.

I’m so conflicted.

[Waiting]

If Aptera makes it to market, you can buy it later. I don’t think I’ll have a chance to buy for 3 years. I’m not an Accelerator. You’ve listed good reasons to go with Tesla now.

[ImAlwaysMIA]

The used tesla market is currently in free fall. I’ve been seeing used 2019-20 model 3 P’s sell for mid to low 30s, so if you’re not against buying a used vehicle that might be an option. I’d personally avoid the model Y, the insurance premiums for it are quite high.

[curtis-cibinel]

A tesla even if driving lots of miles makes sense. At 28k miles / yr you are driving about 5x+ what I do so even a vehicle kept for 3 years is justified. I do question why a model Y vs 3. If you can wait a few months for a model 3 refresh it will hold far more value used. Aptera is a great vehicle especially for long distances but unless you are high on the reservation list expect 3+ years more wait and get what you need for now. Tesla makes good vehicles and I wont say they don’t have flaws but if you want something new and good resale they make legacy look pretty bad (especially with recent anti-EV attitudes).

[joshua-rosen]

That’s a reason to buy a used Tesla vs a new one, if you want to road trip with an EV a Tesla is the only option. The CCS networks are a dogs breakfast, when you travel you need to know the charger you are heading to works. The Supercharger network works all of the time, EA and EVgo only work some of the time. Even when adapters become available next year it’s not a given that it will be a seamless experience as it is for Tesla’s and even if it is the performance will be suboptimal for Hyundai/Kia’s because they are 800V can only charge at 100KW on 400V chargers. They will fix that in the future but what they have for sale now and at least the next year won’t be great.

I have a 2019 Model 3 and my plan was to upgrade to the new M3 next year but that’s off the table unless Musk leaves Tesla so that he can devote full time driving X into Chapter 7. For me it became personal when he threatened to sue the ADL. My father was the Midwest director of the ADL from the late 40s until the 1980s. Musk hasn’t become Henry Ford yet but he’s getting there.

A used Tesla doesn’t contribute to their current sales but it does get you the benefit of owning a Tesla. It’s still an unknown as to when we’ll be able to get our hands on an Aptera, even if they do get into production next year it could still be a long time before they will have enough for all of us. If you need a car now then you have to look at the options that are available today. If you are only looking for a commuter car then every EV is good enough, if you do a lot of traveling then only a Tesla will do. In a couple of more years every car will come with a NACS port and perhaps by then the other networks will have gotten their acts together so there will be options aside from the Supercharger network but in 2024 the choice is a new Tesla vs a used Tesla.

[bryan-hendricks]

I wouldn’t dare try to talk you out of buying a Tesla. I’ve test-driven multiple Teslas. They are great cars. They are available now. I recently wrestled with a similar dilemma.

For now, I’ve decided to wait for the Aptera. A big part of my reasoning is the idealistic dream of a vehicle that I would rarely need to charge, super low cost of ownership, I could repair myself, innovative, etc. Another part of my reasoning is that interest rates are crazy high right now and I am not currently making payments on a vehicle. This is NOT a good time to finance a vehicle (because of the high interest rates). I’m saving my pennies so that I can limit the amount of money I borrow for the Aptera. I’m also hoping that interest rates drop by the time the Aptera is available.

Good luck with your decision.

[ray-holan]

I appreciate your tight spot, Richard. Might I suggest one more option? You can get a used BMW i3 (2019-2021 model) for under $25K and hang onto more of your money meanwhile. Use it to tow your teardrop trailer for a year or two then jump on the Aptera. That model i3 is rated for 150 mile range so you’ll have to plan charging stops for longer road trips, but the battery size is considerably smaller than the Model Y pack and thus will charge much quicker. Something to think about. Not a perfect solution, but what is?

[christopher-barrett]

The universe moves at its own special speed, and always arrives on time. Or good things come to those who wait. I am 75 and even with a Launch Edition, I hope to be healthy enough to enjoy my Aptera. Tesla makes a fine car, but this is almost 4 times as efficient as a Tesla, and not as luxurious, but maybe more fun to drive. Personally, I drive a Prius, and enjoy it because of its low operational cost. The Aptera will be much cheaper to drive, and more responsive I am willing to bet. Comparing the two is not really an easy task, as the Aptera in is a class of its own.

[kerbe2705]

@richard-blackwood If you want an EV now, buy the Tesla. When Aptera reaches full production and your number comes up you can make a decision about what to do at that time.

I chose to purchase a Model 3 in August because my Honda Clarity PHEV turned five years old and was shedding value like a reptile sheds skin – close to $1K/month! I realized that, if I waited another 3-5 years for my Aptera, the Honda would be worth nothing.

I purchased an June 2023 built “inventory” Model 3 RWD that was discounted $3K. On top of that I used a referral code and saved another $500. Tesla’s used car contractor gave me $18K for the Honda. Sadly, Tesla changed the “free” color just before I made the purchase, which raised the cost another $1K but – taxes, fees and all – I drove away from the Tesla store in a brand new $23K Model 3. Come April, I’ll receive up to $7500 in tax credits – further lowering the cost of the vehicle.

I figure that the M3 should hold some trade-in value when my Aptera is ready: In the meantime I’m driving a car that I like very much! I recently returned from a 3511 mile road trip during which I actually looked forward to driving every day.

[daniel-oneil]

I was willing to wait until 2023 for Aptera but couldn’t any longer and bought an ID4 as there was no hope in Aptera being ready. I only use it to DD to work which is about 150 miles roundtrip. Range blows in winter like most EVs. But it’s way cheaper to fuel up compared to my old Silverado. If VW brings the ID2 over or Tesla has an affordable 2 door coupe before 2025 then I’ll dump the ID4 for one of those. I’ll wait for the Aptera until then but I don’t think they’ll get up to real production numbers until 2026 or later and by then I’ll just be holding my shares..