... Basically I could have bought a fully specced, brand new BMW i3...
As they say in Germany, let me "
put some mustard into it" (ok, it's Denglish, the right equivalent is "
my two cents").
Just look back at the history of the automobile. Ford T was built million times, being the first mass-production car. Rich people, though, could and would order a car body by a small manufacturer and put it on a universal frame. So, a choice of a car and its list of options was based on income, wealth and social status.
Modern cars have more options, additional equipment and accessories so even a fully-equipped entry model may become expensive. An i3 for 50k € is an expensive
mass-production vehicle. Yes, there are rrrevolutionary materials, new gadgets and gimmicks. Technologies are expensive. If one can afford it just go for it. You may encounter same 50k € worth cars during your daily commuting: You are not the only one who can afford it.
On the other hand, something that is custom-tailored, like shoes or a suit, cannot be cheap
per se. There is a real person, not a statistical
95% human who desires to improve his/her car to suit his/her wishes. Such car will be unique and cost really much. Why looking at the i3 then? You could have bought a bigger BMW or Mercedes, right? Would it have made you happier now than you are?
My personal experience. After having invested really much money in my project I still don't see either the need or the point of selling it. I could have bought a
new car (like Skoda or Seat or Audi A1 or you name it) for the same amount of money (compared with A2 + repairs + improvements). My points are:
- A2 being a small Audi car is still a premium one and offers quality. Ok, forget terrible soft touch buttons and look at interior finish, for example.
- I like the concept. As engineer I adore the tecnical side of the A2: Aerodynamics, light-weight body, spacious interior.
- upgrades and tuning parts are expensive regardless of a car you want to improve. I am the one who likes making improvements on his own or getting something improved.
- tax and insurance cost are not that high. Fuel consumption could have been better ;-)
Buying a new vehicle, produced in nowadays cost-driven world, would be an option too. No need to upgrade it, just drive from A to B. Depends on one's spare time, I guess. Do you enjoy it? Is it smth special? Enjoying a ride in one's car is very personal feeling and cannot just be there because commercials say so.
As Nagah wrote somethere, just take your car and go for a ride. That is how I feel about it.
Sorry for having been excessively eloquent today.