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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I am looking to buy my first Bolt.

As it is already October 19th and the 2020s will arrive soon, the question is whether to buy a 2019 or 2020

Right now I am leaning towards a 2020

1) I don't want a car that has sat in the summer sun for 5+ months -
Forum Discussion - https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/battery-degradation-cars-on-lots.33860/#post-519644

2) One less year of depreciation

3) New LG Chem battery chemistry which delivers 21 miles more range

4) HD camera upgrade

Since GM has NOT adjusted the MSRP to reflect the true suggested selling price, it is a little challenging to know how much a 2020 will actually cost and if one should buy a 2019 or wait.

I've found some information that will help you with that decision...

GM's Supplier Purchase Website - This is the discounted price 'suppliers' pay for a car - https://www.gmsupplierdiscount.com/build-and-price/

Compare loaded 2019 Bolt Premier (MSRP - 43,735) to 2020 Bolt Premier (see images below)

The 2020 currently has $4,500 in discounts

The 2019 has $9,000 of discounts

So worst case, right now, the 2020 is $4,500 more money than a 2019.

Over time the discount should increase SIGNIFICANTLY for a few reasons

1) A street price of $37,882 is not very competitive against the Kia, Hyundai which have $7,500 fed tax credits or a Tesla which would only be $1,400 more

2) in September 2018 people were buying the 2019 BOLT Premier for $39,000 - $7,500 Fed Credit = $31,500 (effective price)

3) In October 2018 people were buying the 2019 Bolt Premier for $37,000 - $7,500 Fed Credit = $29,500 (effective price) - Thats just 30 days after it was released

So with a federal tax credit of $1875, one could calculate the street price of a 2020 Bolt at about $29,500 (effective price) + 1,875 (tax credit) = $31,375

Given that one can get $700 from Costco until January 2, 2020 - one could say a very good price for a 2020 Bolt (probably in December) would be $32,000

Keep in mind the ZEV states tend to get better prices so your state pricing may be higher.





View attachment 27517

View attachment 27516
 

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I would wait and drive both.

Another thing to consider is that the 2021 is coming with a refresh, new interior, new seat (supposedly) and the higher range. Buying a 2020 would be a tough sell.

I would either get a 2019 heavily discounted or wait until the end of 2020 and buy a heavily discounted 2020 or a refreshed 2021.
 

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Clearly the EV market is in the early days. Lots of changes and improvements in the future. However, I dont think everyone has the luxury to wait 12 months.

I persoanlly am replacing a car that was totalled. So waiting another 12 months is not the best of options for me.

But if one doesn't need to buy now, there will be a large number of better EV option in 12+ months.
 

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Yeah, I may need a new vehicle soon so may not be able to wait for 2020 or 2021. No change in inv in my local area...Definitely if the discounts are bad, I wouldn't buy a 2019 for sure. But hoping they will deal since obviously, no one will pay the same price for 2019 when 2020 is here...or pay full price when you can buy a Tesla for slightly more...

Does everyone qualify for Purchase cash? The dealer doesn't show it on the website.
 

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Yeah, I may need a new vehicle soon so may not be able to wait for 2020 or 2021. No change in inv in my local area...Definitely if the discounts are bad, I wouldn't buy a 2019 for sure. But hoping they will deal since obviously, no one will pay the same price for 2019 when 2020 is here...or pay full price when you can buy a Tesla for slightly more...

Does everyone qualify for Purchase cash? The dealer doesn't show it on the website.
Should be, I think you get to pick between the Purchase Cash, Cash+0% Financing, or Lease Cash.

Check the GM website if your local dealer is hiding the details.
 

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then click on Bolt EV

I see, as an example:
MSRP - Total Vehicle Price $40,895
Price Reduction Below MSRP -$1,397
Total Cash Allowances -$6,500
Price After Offers $32,998
 

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I would wait and drive both.

Another thing to consider is that the 2021 is coming with a refresh, new interior, new seat (supposedly) and the higher range. Buying a 2020 would be a tough sell.

I would either get a 2019 heavily discounted or wait until the end of 2020 and buy a heavily discounted 2020 or a refreshed 2021.
I wish I could wait, as there are a few styling things I really hope they change for 2021 as well, but as I’m coming back to the US with no car early next year, I’m gonna have to buy something. If there was a preview for the 2021 model, I might consider buying something used to bridge me to then, but I’m not gonna do that without more confidence that those changes are really gonna make me happy.
 

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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
I wish I could wait, as there are a few styling things I really hope they change for 2021 as well, but as I’m coming back to the US with no car early next year, I’m gonna have to buy something. If there was a preview for the 2021 model, I might consider buying something used to bridge me to then, but I’m not gonna do that without more confidence that those changes are really gonna make me happy.

There are lots of spy pics on the 2021 -
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·

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Thanks for posting these...It's hard to keep up with the various forums/threads and never saw the one with the 2021 interior refresh. Like when someone is renting an apt and looking to buy a house (before they jack up your rent or force you to sign another year lease...), not having a car sorta limits some of us in terms of timeline.

Best of luck to everyone and hope dealers will "deal".
 

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Alas, if only there were any pictures of the interior refresh. Murphy’s Law pretty much guarantees that if I buy something used to wait for 2021, I’ll be disappointed, and if I don’t, I’ll covet the refresh when it comes out.

If I’m lucky, there will be some better interior spy pics by January before I have to actually make a decision.
 

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I wish I could wait, as there are a few styling things I really hope they change for 2021 as well, but as I’m coming back to the US with no car early next year, I’m gonna have to buy something. If there was a preview for the 2021 model, I might consider buying something used to bridge me to then, but I’m not gonna do that without more confidence that those changes are really gonna make me happy.
Then, unless you can get a super deal on a 2019, the next best thing would be to buy a used 2017 and then sell it when you are ready to upgrade.
 

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Then, unless you can get a super deal on a 2019, the next best thing would be to buy a used 2017 and then sell it when you are ready to upgrade.
That might be the best option for you. My fear is I’ll be unimpressed by the refresh and then wish I’d just bought a 2020, instead of getting less car for a year only to then pay more total for a new one (plus the intermediate hassle of selling). The more I plan around 2021 being the car I really want, the greater the chance I’ll be disappointed by it.
 

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
FinallygoingEV

My interest in the Bolt is driven by

1) Solid positive rating by Bolt owners over past 3 years
2) Fun to drive, fast acceleration and good handling
3) 240+ mile real range
4) Hatchback / cargo space
5) Good leg / headroom in front and back row
6) significant price gap between bolt and model 3

the Kia/Hyundai
1) is unproven
2) not readily available in my town but could get in my state
3) priced about the same as a model 3

Bottom line, if I was buying and EV for $35,000+ I’d buy a model 3...Tesla technology is just much better than all the others and rear wheel drive offers even better driving experience in my opinion. Plus the Tesla autopilot features and ongoing updates are intriguing.

If I can get a 2019 Bolt premier in my state for under $28,000 or a 2020 for $32,000 I’d probably buy the Bolt...I just can’t get to those prices yet in Texas. I’d prefer the 2020 if I knew I could hit the $32,000 price.

If I cant buy the bolt by mid December I will need to make a decision on the model 3 as the tax incentive ends for Tesla end this year.

I think a purchase is more likely mid December for a multitude of market factors...but I will see how things play out in November.
 

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Yeah, I may need a new vehicle soon so may not be able to wait for 2020 or 2021. No change in inv in my local area...Definitely if the discounts are bad, I wouldn't buy a 2019 for sure. But hoping they will deal since obviously, no one will pay the same price for 2019 when 2020 is here...or pay full price when you can buy a Tesla for slightly more...

Does everyone qualify for Purchase cash? The dealer doesn't show it on the website.
I saw an ad yesterday, a local dealer offering $11,500 off remaining inventory bolts.
 
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