What percentage of people w/ reservations will actually buy this car?

[Apteratude]

Wondering how many %'age wise will actually shell out the coin when the time comes. It looks good for me now. Thinking it will depend on the price of gas once they start rolling out. My dad had a deposit on a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for a little while, then backed out. This was obviously before they came out.

Wondering what the raio of SMARTcar deposits turned into actual customers.

My dad is now seriously considering putting a deposit on an Aptera of his own =)

[garygid]

Somebody reported that Aptera was going to close
Reservations at 2500. It is over 2070 now, so do
not wait too long. Maybe a month to go, maybe less.

A friend of mine accidentally put in two reservations,
and had to cancel the 2nd one, and Aptera did
refund his deposit with no hassle.

[Aptera1171]

Wondering what the ratio of SMARTcar deposits turned into actual customers.


I put down a $99 deposit on a smart car a few months before I heard about the Aptera. I haven't asked for it back yet because it's not like I'd make a whole lot of interesst on the $99, and it might make sense to pick one up and re-sell it when the Aptera arrives.

The SmartCarofAmerica forum (at http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/) has a few threads pertaining to "Orphaned smart cars" -- cars that had deposits, configured and then never purchased by the prospective owner. Maybe the buyer could not get financing or didn't like it when it arrived. I haven"t seen any hard numbers, but 20% of configured smarts has been bounced around the forum. These cars get sold, mostly to those who are still on the reservation list.

A cheap smart car (I ordered a "Pure" with just A/C as an option, not even a radio) is about $13,300 out the door. If you drive it carefully, you'll get nearly 45 mpg. But Premium gas is recommended to get the best mpg.

Even though I put money down on both, I think the potential customer base for the Aptera is very different then the smart. Aptera is all about function. smart is about fashion. People use mpg as an excuse to buy a smart, but they really just like the car (karma?). I like the looks of the smart and may buy it just to drive until the Aptera comes, then sell it for about what I paid.:)

[Apteratude]

Trying to approximate when I'll get my Aptera "Local."

Being # 989 and with 60-65% being Hybrid reservations, that would put me around 375-400. If 30% of those with reservations drop out, that would put me closer to #280 to get my Aptera. And, if you factor in another 5-10% out of staters that got cleared out of the reservation line since I reserved, I could be as high as #250-270! Using my estimations, if assembly started beginning of December, I could have my car by the end of February if Aptera builds 3 cars a day in the early going!

Trying to determine exactly when I'm supposed to really start getting excited. I don't want to peak to early =)

For those of us who do "pull the trigger," I think we'll be pleasantly surprised by how soon we get our cars, compared to what we thought. Provided all goes well. Had to put a qualifier in there.

[KarenRei]

Using my estimations, if assembly started beginning of December, I could have my car by the end of February if Aptera builds 3 cars a day in the early going

That's pretty optimistic. I expect production to start out at something like 1 car a week. Getting a production line up and running is no small task.

[SpyderMike]

Wondering how many %'age wise will actually shell out the coin when the time comes.

I am rough guessing (WAG) between 60 and 75 percent. I am sure that some, if not most, will not be paying cash. Add sales tax and reg fees to the car and that is a couple thou more. You are at or over $30k. Loan that up and see.

I wouldn't be using this as a primary car unless you are adventurous. More than likely there will be bugs that bring the thing down for periods of time. And, as expected, Aptera will be playing catch up on the maintenance/support end for a while.

So how many want a second car for $30K that might have teething problems? Either jump in for the ride (but don't complain too much) or wait a bit until the product matures.

Mike

[Apteratude]

I'm an optimistic kind of guy. Although those who know me would say otherwise. I've been "dumped" as a friend for being too negative in the past. At least that's what I was told. There was more to it than that though.

[butter]

I wouldn't be using this as a primary car unless you are adventurous. More than likely there will be bugs that bring the thing down for periods of time. And, as expected, Aptera will be playing catch up on the maintenance/support end for a while.

So how many want a second car for $30K that might have teething problems? Either jump in for the ride (but don't complain too much) or wait a bit until the product matures.

Mike

I wouldn't call myself adventurous, but I would be 100% willing to use the Aptera as my one and only car. Of course, I am not required to travel huge distances for work, so the prospect of using public transportation exists for me more than for many others for whom public trans is a gigantic hassle.

If the Aptera were to be out of order for a bit, it would be the perfect impetus for me to finally use the bus. I've always felt guilty about not riding the bus, but it is so incredibly inconvenient for someone who lives in the suburbs of LA County. Nevertheless, I would do it. Anything not to drive my own gas-powered vehicle again.

[LQUAN]

The actual percentage of how many Aptera actually sold is depending on:

1. Will there be better cars at similar price range available by other EV manufacturers when people reservation number comes up. For example, Chrysler has been working with a Sweedish EV manufacturer (can't remember its name, something like "Think") to import a very cute looking 4-door EV sedan that has 110 mile/charge range. Its looks and size are similar to Prius. Sale is set to start in CA first in 2009. Price is around $25,000. Many other EV manufacturers will pop up within the next 2 years.

2. Will Aptera not honor its listed price at time of reservation and have big jump in price.

3. Ride comfort.

4. Available tax break availability and insurance cost for composite EV motorcyle type versus other EV cars available at the time of buying Aptera.

[KarenRei]

Think has a top speed of 62mph, goes from 0-50 in "quite a while", and you have to rent the batteries for somewhere between $150 and $300 per month. Doesn't look to have the build quality or features,either. I don't think that's really a competitor.

[Matthijs]

The actual percentage of how many Aptera actually sold is depending on:

1. Will there be better cars at similar price range available by other EV manufacturers when people reservation number comes up. For example, Chrysler has been working with a Sweedish EV manufacturer (can't remember its name, something like "Think") to import a very cute looking 4-door EV sedan that has 110 mile/charge range. Its looks and size are similar to Prius. Sale is set to start in CA first in 2009. Price is around $25,000. Many other EV manufacturers will pop up within the next 2 years.

2. Will Aptera not honor its listed price at time of reservation and have big jump in price.

3. Ride comfort.

4. Available tax break availability and insurance cost for composite EV motorcyle type versus other EV cars available at the time of buying Aptera.

pb4FLPHSw8s
Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb4FLPHSw8s)

[SpyderMike]

If the Aptera were to be out of order for a bit, it would be the perfect impetus for me to finally use the bus. I've always felt guilty about not riding the bus, but it is so incredibly inconvenient for someone who lives in the suburbs of LA County. Nevertheless, I would do it. Anything not to drive my own gas-powered vehicle again.

what are you waiting for? stop today. seriously, are you expecting the Aptera to drastically change your life?

[butter]

what are you waiting for? stop today. seriously, are you expecting the Aptera to drastically change your life?

I can't stop today, because since I *do* have a less-guilt-inducing Corolla (35 mpg), it only takes me 30 minutes to go to the market, buy groceries, and drive home.

If I took the bus, it would take me around 2 hours -- 20 minutes to shop, 100 minutes for transport. I live in the suburbs of LA County. Do you? My brother decided to take the bus from LAX to our parents' home -- also in the suburbs, just 12 miles away. You know how long it took him? 3.5 hours in the middle of the day (i.e., not during rush-hour traffic). Plus, our parents' house was half a mile from the nearest bus station, so my brother ended up lugging all his stuff in the final stretch. He's a fit guy, so it wasn't a problem, but to take 3.5 hours to go from the airport to home 12 miles away via public trans during non-rush hour time is a travesty.

And yes, the Aptera *would* change my life quite drastically, because I do mostly local driving and I am single with no children.

Here are two examples how: last year I had a concert at the Ford Amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills area. I live in the South Bay, which is about 30 miles away. I decided to be "good" and tried to take public trans. I limited it to the metro, so I drove to the nearest metro station, which was about 9 miles away. Then I went on the green line to the blue line to the red line, then took a free shuttle to the Ford. That wasn't too bad: took about 95 minutes, and I gave myself a lot of time.

The problem was getting home after the concert -- since it was an afternoon concert (luckily, or else I don't think this would've worked), I hopped on the metro around 8 pm, and didn't get home until 11:30 pm. This was also a Sunday, when there were fewer trains. At two stations I had to wait around 15 minutes each for the next train arrival.

Now, if I drove my lonesome self in an Aptera over to the Ford, I'd be using the same amount of electricity (per person, more or less, I can't calculate it; it's gas-free at any rate) -- and get there in a much MUCH shorter amount of time.

Another example: I had a friend who was rehearsing and performing at Disney Hall two years ago. For 4 days, I took the metro there to avoid parking for $20 during the day. It was fine -- it would take me about an hour and a half to get there (distance is about 23 miles) -- but on concert night, after the concert ended, I took the train around 11 pm and not only did it take forever, I accidentally got off at the wrong station and was stuck there for 10 minutes (doesn't sound long, but if you're single, female, and alone at the outdoor Compton station past midnight, it is interminable) waiting for the next train. So getting home on a Saturday night from Disney Hall took about 2.5 hours.

So YES an Aptera would change my life drastically.

[gg222]

I travel 30 miles each way to work (reverse traffic) at about 80 mph (going with the flow of the traffic). My concern with the Aptera is do you think that is going to be too hard on the engine doing that 5 days a week, 60 miles round trip?

[3-4-me]

I took the train around 11 pm and not only did it take forever, I accidentally got off at the wrong station and was stuck there for 10 minutes (doesn't sound long, but if you're single, female, and alone at the outdoor Compton station past midnight, it is interminable) waiting for the next train. So getting home on a Saturday night from Disney Hall took about 2.5 hours.


So you are adventurous:eek: :D

[KarenRei]

I travel 30 miles each way to work (reverse traffic) at about 80 mph (going with the flow of the traffic). My concern with the Aptera is do you think that is going to be too hard on the engine doing that 5 days a week, 60 miles round trip?

Why would it be? It's electronically limited to ~85, so they clearly think it's fine at that speed.

Now, that said, with a new vehicle, there can never be any guarantees. The motor could break going only 20mph. But fundamentally, there's no reason to think that this would be a problem.

[SpyderMike]

85mph might barely be keeping up with traffic -

[SpyderMike]

but Butter, your Aptera has failed and you are waiting for a part....go or no go on public transportation? You said "go" = that was your statement. It won't change the pitfalls of the alternative.

What you are bringing up is an interestig point I think - a guilt level associated with a specific MPG. I wonder what MPG is my guilt ridden limit?

[garygid]

I always try let somebody else nearby be the fastest car
on the road, to give the officers of the law somebody else
to go after and converse with.

After all, if somebody else really wants to be the "bait",
I should be courteous and let them pass.

The Aptera is a vehicle for someone who is willing to change,
and hopefully even set a good example for the other folks.

[esmith]

I travel 30 miles each way to work (reverse traffic) at about 80 mph (going with the flow of the traffic). My concern with the Aptera is do you think that is going to be too hard on the engine doing that 5 days a week, 60 miles round trip?

I don't think it's going to be too hard but keep in mind that electricity & gas consumption per mile travelled goes up as the square of speed. Going 80 mph instead of 65 mph will increase your expenses by 50%.

[garygid]

Right, it might jump from 2 cents per mile to 3 cents. :eek:

[SpyderMike]

the problem in LA is if you don't go 80-85 you are at risk of getting hit by everyone else. you become the bug on the hummer's windshield.

[butter]

the problem in LA is if you don't go 80-85 you are at risk of getting hit by everyone else. you become the bug on the hummer's windshield.

Not true, and I can attest to that, as one who drives regularly across the freeways of LA County at an average speed of 65 mph when there is freedom of choice (i.e., not during rush-hour traffic).

Sometimes I go as low as 55, but usually I go around 62, and just occasionally do I hit 70 when there's peer pressure, which there usually isn't -- because the sheer width of our lovely freeways, with its numerous lanes, means I simply move over to the rightmost lane, and nobody, NOBODY complains. The faster drivers happily and smoothly pass me on the left, no hard stares whatsoever. If anything, they appreciate that I stay in the rightmost lane to allow them room to pass. How do I know they appreciate it? I don't, but I can infer that when I search for a mean glare when they pass, and they're just yapping on their phones or looking all casual as they speed past me like it's nothing at all.

Oh yeah, also -- nobody tailgates me when I'm in the rightmost lane, no matter what speed I drive. I suppose that's the clearest sign of all that nobody is thinking about making me the bug on their windshield.

[Dilekz]

The Aptera is a vehicle for someone who is willing to change,
and hopefully even set a good example for the other folks.

Not at all.. i just think it's cool looking and it has a nice interiour.
And it's electric. I like electric.
I'm a bit of a tech freak :)

[SpyderMike]

Butter, you and I must live in different Southern Californias - is your LA in the "matter" or "anti-matter". part of the universe? I think I am in the "anti-matter" one. People here drive like shit and try to kill me when I drive my 1971 VW campmobile 65-70mph. I get flipped off too while I porpoise in in the right lane on the I5 and the I405.

[LQUAN]

In SoCal there are so much traffic congestions. So every chance people see an open space, they drive like a bat out of hell. If your car cannot handle 75-80mph on the highway, you will piss off a lot of people. If there are open space on middle lanes and you are not cruising at 80mph minimum, you'll get close call cut-offs or fingered. At least that's how it is where I live. Now you know why there aren't any EV such as ZAPs on the road in SoCal.