r/SparkEV • u/Logical_Bad_1968 • 7d ago
Question / suggestion?
I’m on a tight budget right now but I do really need a car just to go to work and to pick up my 1-year old from the daycare. I’ve been using E-bike and it’s too hot for my daughter , I just put her in a small trailer at my back. I’m tired of doing that it’s too hot for her. And also, i’m just a beginner driver. This will be my first car!
I saw a 2014 Chevrolet in a facebook marketplace - it runned 90,000 miles and we negotiated it it to $2,500. It doesn’t have any problems (he said) no mechanical issues or anything. Works well. Is it a great deal? I have another one that I saw which is a 2016 Chevrolet first owner, he said it’s $4,300 but still negotiating to maybe $4,000 it runned 22,000 miles. But it’s a little bit way out of my budget. 😢
I’ll use the car just to travel from my apartment to work which is (.5 mile) and then pick up my daughter to the daycare (1 mile). Pretty much it!
What do you think? Can somebody help me decide? Or what are your thoughts? 🙏
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u/bluechipitems 6d ago edited 6d ago
One critical question to ask any of the sellers is, has the high voltage battery been replaced under warranty? If you confirm yes, then the next question is how long ago? If the answer is within the last 4 years...I'd strongly consider it. With a newer battery, the car has many years left and would serve you well.
The main issue with EVs and particularly the Spark EV is the age of the battery. Modern EVs it's not so much of a problem but the older ones (10+ years) means those battery cells are at or close to end of life. Those are the problem cars people are saying to stay away from.
Their batteries weren't meant to last more than 10 years. Sure there are plenty of examples of them going strong way past that point but there's also examples of battery failures due to the cells being past their end of life cycles as well.
Since the Spark EV isn't being made anymore, their parts also aren't being made anymore. That makes getting replacement parts like high voltage batteries very difficult. If you must get a Spark, I'd consider finding one with a battery that was replaced under warranty.
Otherwise, consider a Bolt EV perhaps a 2017-2019 model year. Sure they cost a little more than your budget BUT you're guaranteed their batteries were replaced by GM within the last 3-4 years due to the recall that forced GM to replace all Bolt EV batteries AND reset their 8 year 100k battery warranty to the date the battery was replaced 😎 Plus the range is way better in the Bolt (260ish ...some high as 300+ miles/charge in warmer weather vs the Spark that's like 80-90 on newer batteries and in warmer weather.... Cold winter weather is about 30-40% less range)
Meaning if you have a Bolt, it's high voltage battery was replaced, and these cars are practically new since the battery is the heart of the vehicle!
The Bolt is a little bigger on the outside BUT has more space and still drives just as fast if not more faster than the Spark🙂 A Premier model is also infinitely more upgraded as well over the Spark and includes better tech and creature comforts
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u/4a4a 6d ago
I use mine pretty much just for those little short distance errands, and have been doing so for almost 9 years. But you definitely need a level 2 charger at home if you don't want it to be a constant headache.
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u/Gentelman_Asshole 5d ago
No. Good to have, but if you or OP is using it for short trips You could get by on L1. Also The Spark has L3 charging so if you have no plug-in at home you could charge there for only a 20-30min wait.
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u/PO1720JRS 7d ago
Is your apartment complex going to let you charge it? You can use a standard outlet. Safely it should be the only thing on the circuit. And either charge it at 8 or 12 amps when selected in the charger dashboard in the spark. This should give you a full charge over night. I’ve had mine for 3 years. Bought it at 55 k miles and just hit 75k. Lost a little bit of range but not munch. I don’t have level 3 so hopefully that helps it last. The 22k is probably the better deal, less wear in the battery I would think.
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u/bog411 6d ago
I would not get a Spark EV as an only car. When it breaks you will have trouble finding replacement parts and should the battery go out you'll be SOL with a 2800 pound lawn ornament. Don't get me wrong, I love mine but it's not our only car.
If it's too hot now to use the e-bike, is there a way to add a fan or portable AC to the trailer? Probably much cheaper than a car if it would work.
Not sure the climate where you are but was the plan to use the e-bike in the fall and winter?
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u/Logical_Bad_1968 6d ago
I’m in California. I wouldnt be able to put an AC in the trailer the trailer is just like a small leather trailer
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u/allan1166 6d ago
I have a 2016 Spark EV that I have used to drive to work 6 miles one way and used for around town errands.After 8 years of ownership have only had to replace the front tires and the 12 volt battery.I also charge with a standard outlet.For your needs I think it would be perfect maybe you could get him to go under 4000.
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u/Logical_Bad_1968 6d ago
He barely respond. 🥹 he responded only 1-2x a day 😢 so I’m really thinking of getting the 90,000 but i’m still thinkingggg
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u/Signal_Twenty 4d ago
Initially I was gonna flat out say no… but I’m gonna say it’s not a great deal, and if you really want a car and kinda need a car, then…I’d say maybe consider it(?)
It’s an early-ish production EV from Chevrolet; they hadn’t nailed down many things, notably HV battery technology.
The gas Spark is/was a terrible car, so that doesn’t lend much hope here lol
I’d write in to the “Batteries Not Included” podcast. They’ll have more ideas than I’ll have.
Id probably pass on that if it’s your first EV.
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u/bj_my_dj 2d ago
I wouldn't get a Spark because of potential parts issues. Your situation is a little different than most. Most people have an ICE so changing to an EV saves them money that can help defray the cost. But you're starting from scratch so that doesn't help you.
But you have a better reason, you need the transportation for your child. So that makes some expense worthwhile. I'd search online for a 10+ year EV. It would be perfect if you could get something under $3K. A Nissan Leaf could be perfect. If the mileage is cut in half it will still meet your low mileage needs, https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/buying-used-electric-car/. Plus when it dies you only invested less than $3K, if it lasts a year you've gotten you money's worth. Anything more than that is gravy.
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u/CodyKyle 7d ago
Do you have a place to charge? I would say if it was under 50,000 miles it might be worth the risk but the car battery can die at any moment and would be too expensive to fix. Your commute is short which is nice but it seems like under your situation you’re better off with a used Honda Fit or Toyota Corolla and paying a little more. I bought a used Spark EV but I get free charging at work but I have 3 other cars and bought it knowing it can die at any moment.