Second thoughts anyone?

[Apteratude]

Well, I have a deposit on # 989. I really like my '07 civic EX, and my new '08 Civic Si. I have 2 kids that would ride with me currently age 5 and 6. I have yet to see a very good picture/drawing of the 'backseat' area or of it accomodating a child seat. Not sure if a small adult can squeeze in there, or if it's an infant carrier sized space, or if there's actually a third seatbelt back there. Anyway. We'll see. I could get around this if the car can't accomodate myself and the two kids, but it would make it that much harder to go through with it.

I figured I'd get my deposit down and make the decision later.

[KarenRei]

Well, that's certainly your call. But do you really need every vehicle you own to support every task you might ever throw at them, at the cost of efficiency?

[RoxChkPlusOny]

Mostly, that back area is supposed to just have a bolt-in space for a child seat, not necessarily with restraints and all (I could be wrong, but I think that's about right). Therefore, it's really a 2-passenger... If you're traveling with all three all the time, the Typ-1 will probably not serve your needs.

[Chupacabra]

I believe I read the back area is for a 3 year old, right?

Do the math and figure out if the cost of the car vs the gas savings will be worth it in the long run for you. If you have two children, and the car isn't even delivered for 1 year your maximum amount of usage is 2 years for "family" purposes. Now weigh that against its commuter factor (only you, or maybe you dropping one kid off at school).

[c0mp13x]

Apteratude-

I've read/heard that the 3rd seat is just for a removable child seat and little kids 4 and under. Your 2 kids will probably not fit and even if they did, they will rapidly out grow that 3rd child seat.

*idea* Keep your place on the deposit list (if you can afford it), and convert it to a early deposit on a Typ-2. If the Typ-1 is a success, the Typ-2 would be next with seats for 4/5 and 4 wheels. If there ever is a Typ-2, you could be very near the front of the line.

With 2 categories in the Automotive X-Prize competition, Mainstream (4+ passengers, 4+ wheels) and Alternative (2+ passengers, any wheel configuration), Aptera probably has a 4 person vehicle already on the drawing board. The ramp up to the production of the Typ-1 and all the problems associated with bringing that vehicle to market, will be the biggest factors in determining whether Aptera has the time to get a 4 passenger vehicle ready for the 2009-2010 competition.

We'll see... it's a great time for EVs!

:D

[Chupacabra]

Thats exactly what I intend to do. I'm in line for the Typ-1h (two years from now), but I'd wager some time within those 2 years they'll be announcing the 4+ seater. If/when they do, I'll put my deposit down on that one.

[3-4-me]

*idea* Keep your place on the deposit list (if you can afford it), and convert it to a early deposit on a Typ-2. If the Typ-1 is a success, the Typ-2 would be next with seats for 4/5 and 4 wheels. If there ever is a Typ-2, you could be very near the front of the line.
Pretty good, logical advice.
If that doesn't pan out, I'm thinking it wouldn't be hard to sell.

[cogito]

If you can afford it, staying in line is probably a good idea for a later Aptera version. I’d be supporting your deposit return more if you were ahead of me in line. :) I would like to hear how easy it is to get one’s deposit returned in case it’s not the best car for me next year.

[andrewgrhogg]

I need the third seat to hold a "proper" child too. i commute tow ork 50 miles per day, and currenlty drive a car that gets 13mpg. I need to drop off and pick up my two kids, currenlty 2 and 4, so i need that back seat to accomodate a booster seat, not just a baby seat. I have already sent the email asking about that to Sptera and received a prompt and corteous response indicating that they couldnot answer the question yet and would do so closer to production. That leaves me with the feeling that perhaps they are seeing alot of feedback that people want a "proper" thrid seat and are rethinking what they can and cannot do back there.