What is actually available in a reasonable time?

[Muzzer79]

Hi all

So, the Salary Sacrifice train has rolled into town and, on my salary and terms, it's a bit of a no-brainer.

I wish to go full EV and am looking for something that will do 200 miles range come rain, wind, sun or freeze. No other particular requirements in terms of useability - it's predominantly me using it for commuting and business - I do circa 20k miles a year, most journeys within that 200 mile round trip.

However, the issue I'm hitting is availability.

Porsche Taycan - looking at RWD model, with bigger battery. Great car, drove one last Friday. However - I'm being quoted 12-18 months lead time. Colleague ordered a 4S a few weeks ago and has been quoted November 2023.

Audi e-tron GT - 'base' model. Similar to Porsche one imagines, if anything prettier. However, similar lead time.

BMW i4 M50. this is my 'cheaper' option, but I'm now hearing availability isn't until 2024.....!

Is anything decent available within 6-9 months? Has anyone had anything quoted different lead time-wise?

If I have to wait then I have to wait, just curious if what I'm 'hearing' is accurate.

[ChrisNic]

You should be able to get an iPace within 6 months.

On my company car scheme they are priced reasonably well so might be worth a look.

[DMZ]

Polestar 2 is a month or two according to the web site

[Register1]

Tesla Model 3
White,
Black standard interior.
Long Range (duel motor)
Standard Aero wheels

These normally come through quite quick

[Rob P]

You might get lucky with a cancelled order. I got my Mach E within 3.5 months.

[Dazdot]

I was told by Octopus that the I4 M50 was on a 36 week lead in.

[CoolHands]

Buy one that’s in stock and pay overs?

[Muzzer79]

CoolHands said:

Buy one that’s in stock and pay overs?

Salary sacrifice lease scheme, so not an option I’m afraid.

Seems like some dealers have more success/slots than others.

Thank you all for suggestions. I considered Tesla, but they are just too ubiquitous and I don’t rate the interior quality.

I thought about a Mercedes EQE, but they are mysteriously not on our lease scheme quote generator…..are they available does anyone know?

[plfrench]

Try contacting the lease company. I know ours (Zenith) lists 'in stock' vehicles available for quicker order. They're quoting 4-6 weeks for an I-pace in that section, but who knows how accurate that is!

No sign of the EQE on our scheme either.

[SmithCorona]

Ipace is excellent and should not be overlooked.

However, as with all car buying, immediacy is the enemy of long termism.

You need to get what you want to keep, not what you can get soonest, if that's the Taycan then order and wait.

Salary sacrifice is not a short term investment, so don't settle for something because you must.

[dino_jr]

I got my Polestar2 exactly 4 weeks after clicking the buy button, on the pre-configured section on their website.
May not be premium enough you though vs the cars you mention...

[WelshRich]

Originally quoted 6 months when I ordered my I Pace (due 22nd Dec), this dropped to early November when the order was confirmed and then changed again to Mid October a few days ago.

[MaxFromage]

SmithCorona said:

Salary sacrifice is not a short term investment, so don't settle for something because you must.

The problem is that the electric car rules are only in place until 5th April 2025. We don't know what changes will be made (if any) after that date. Making hay while the sun shines definitely applies here.

[therams]

On our scheme which is run by Octopusev, the only things you’d get in a reasonable timeframe that are premium and have the kind of range you need are the Audi E-Tron GT or BMW iX range

[snorkel sucker]

Not sure which SS scheme you are with, and no doubt you will have already checked this out, but ours (Tusker) have a 'coming soon' section which lists vehicles that are, erm, available soon. Tends to be a very fluctuating list, but cars I see the most of on there tend to be eTron, Tesla, Volvo and Merc.

It's a bit of a gamble waiting to see what, if anything, come up but could be an option - or call your SS provider and see if they have something similar if such a list doesn't exist on their website.

[somouk]

Lots of websites showing stock or immediate delivery are running out quick at the moment, especially with electric cars.

Getting in touch with companies to see what they have on order and available at a suitable time frame is likely the only option.

[ChocolateFrog]

The Polestar sounds like the winner.

[UrbanAchiever]

Polestar reel you in with short lead times on their website. You place the order then 2 weeks later they tell you the truth.

I ordered mine through my SS scheme in June. Was told November delivery. 2 weeks later was told it would be March.

Still not bad compared to other brands (if it arrives when promised) but not as quick as they lead you to believe.

[gmaz]

Try the leaseloco site and select the "in stock only" search option

https://www.leaseloco.com/car-leasing/search

[smashie]

My company use zenith for their cars. When I started I went to order a Tesla model y. When I called them up, they were going to have stock available of white and red within a month. I didn’t want white and couldn’t justify the extra cost of red over the other colours. I went ordered in blue as I can wait until May 2023 if I have to. Tesla typically have a shipment every quarter. It is probably worth calling the provider and asking them what they either have in stock or what they are expecting to come into stock soon. Some staff leave their jobs before their car arrives either by being fired or just getting a better offer elsewhere, so their order becomes available.
My last company used Tusker as the salary sacrifice provider and they used to list cars and spec they expected to have in stock and the expected month.