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First a little background. I started driving EVs in 2012 with a 73-mile Nissan Leaf. That car quickly became our primary driver, covering most of our needs. My wife's car was only used when 1) we needed two cars at the same time (e.g. both commuting to work) or 2) travelling more than about 30 miles from home, which was about once or twice a month.
Today, we have a Bolt EV and a CMax Energi (PHEV). The Bolt has done all of our family trips for the past 2 years (including an annual summer trip of 550-600 miles one-way). We only took the CMax more than 100 miles once in that time, and it was ONLY done to warm up / exercise the gas engine. We are looking to replace the PHEV with a BEV and ditch gas completely. I have no reservations about range.
Now the dilemma. The SE is a great, affordable, and fun option. But there are also other compelling options in the pipeline such as the VW ID.4, which would make our road trips easier. They are larger, longer range, and faster charging than the Bolt. This would be a nice boost for our family of 4 (plus a small dog). The Bolt is the minimum viable size for us. We have made it work, with compromises. For example, I often carry a roofbox which cuts range and increases number and duration of charging stops.
To make matters worse, none of my local Mini dealers have a car that I can go sit in and test drive. I have to put down $500 and wait for months to see in person.
So what do the current owners think? What do you like / dislike about the car? What is it really like driving it? I miss driving small 2-door cars. I used to have a Honda S2000 before children, but the 2-seater just didn't get driven. Before that, I had a Honda Prelude which I absolutely loved. Not the biggest engine, but that thing was low and wide, and gripped the road like it was on rail. It was also FWD (unlike the S2000) but didn't have the torque steer problem I have in the Bolt.
Today, we have a Bolt EV and a CMax Energi (PHEV). The Bolt has done all of our family trips for the past 2 years (including an annual summer trip of 550-600 miles one-way). We only took the CMax more than 100 miles once in that time, and it was ONLY done to warm up / exercise the gas engine. We are looking to replace the PHEV with a BEV and ditch gas completely. I have no reservations about range.
Now the dilemma. The SE is a great, affordable, and fun option. But there are also other compelling options in the pipeline such as the VW ID.4, which would make our road trips easier. They are larger, longer range, and faster charging than the Bolt. This would be a nice boost for our family of 4 (plus a small dog). The Bolt is the minimum viable size for us. We have made it work, with compromises. For example, I often carry a roofbox which cuts range and increases number and duration of charging stops.
To make matters worse, none of my local Mini dealers have a car that I can go sit in and test drive. I have to put down $500 and wait for months to see in person.
So what do the current owners think? What do you like / dislike about the car? What is it really like driving it? I miss driving small 2-door cars. I used to have a Honda S2000 before children, but the 2-seater just didn't get driven. Before that, I had a Honda Prelude which I absolutely loved. Not the biggest engine, but that thing was low and wide, and gripped the road like it was on rail. It was also FWD (unlike the S2000) but didn't have the torque steer problem I have in the Bolt.