Time to get my deposit back

[popnfresh]

I hate to say it, but I've lost faith in Aptera. I put a deposit down on a 2h a year and a half ago and today I feel no closer to taking delivery on an Aptera than I did back then. Not only that, the final cost appears to have been raised by at least $10,000.

And that's just the beginning. There's still no final word on features, options, warranty, specifications, mileage, range, locations of dealerships and repair shops or even appearance. I attended the Aptera road show in Palo Alto in April and I couldn't get a straight answer from them on anything.

I could understand a certain amount of reticence about specifics on their part in the early stages of development, but at this late date it's indefensible. This smacks of evasiveness and the kind of stonewalling I would expect from a scam, not a legitimate business. I'm getting my money back and buying a car that actually exists.

[paddler13]

Cool, more people get to move up on the list. Too bad you'll miss out when it does get released and actually I'm sorry to see you go. But not being on the reservation list doesn't mean you won't buy one in the future I suspect, when/if the release happens the the vehicle proves robust.

[popnfresh]

Originally Posted by paddler13

Cool, more people get to move up on the list. Too bad you'll miss out when it does get released and actually I'm sorry to see you go. But not being on the reservation list doesn't mean you won't buy one in the future I suspect, when/if the release happens the the vehicle proves robust.

I suspect that Aptera is in very deep financial trouble. It's the only rational explanation for their total silence so late in the game. I no longer buy their "we're too busy to keep you informed" line they've been using for the last year and a half. It's a load of bull.

Have fun waiting for nothing!

[paddler13]

Riiiight. There are endless explanations for what is happening that are standing in line way ahead of your explanation. Given how people tend to react in here, the demands that get made, the rhetorical lines that get drawn and the silliness of people who think their $500 buys them influence with a company that promised nothing more than to sell them something if it comes out or give them their money back, I'd say you won't be missed in the line.

Really, if what you need is your $500 back just say so, times are hard and it is understandable. But giving up your place because you're miffed is silly, even if you eventually decided not to turn your deposit into an order you're out nothing but time.

[OC-LA driver]

I think they have decided to accumulate all the changes and spring it on us when complete, rather than dribble out more details one by one. You have to admit, we're primed to crawl all over then next bits of real news. Get the product complete, then start the real buzz about the real deal with a real bang!

[esmith]

Silence is worrisome, delays are worrisome.

Personally, I'm hedging my bets by also being on the unofficial Volt waitlist. I'm number 48 thousand something, but it's a no-deposit waitlist, I expect a high dropout rate. Besides, GM may be able to build 48 thousand Volts faster than Aptera builds 4 thousand.

We'll see which number comes first ...

[lapwing]

Originally Posted by popnfresh

I hate to say it, but I've lost faith in Aptera........................

Frankly can't blame ya.

I think the purity of the type 1e design was perfection, both in concept and prototype execution. Sure it had no cup holders and no roll down windows but, I don't do take away at micky mc fats, and I can park, and get off my arse, to go into a bank or a coffee shop. I would buy that prototype in a heartbeat - even as a "kit car". Especially as a kit!

The compromise to include the hybrid option is what f!cked things.

The move to FWD in type 2e, had had a knock-on effect that will result in weight/feature creep.

The pregnant "black belly" guppy look I have seen in the latest incarnations (or is that incantations, ?? aka vapor-ware) to accomodate batteries , gen-set, under the seating. ICK!

The lines will hang ever closer to the asphalt. Gone will be the concept that got us all so excited. So sad. The orginal vision is v. close to perfection.

Having said that, I would buy a wide footed FWD type 2e as demonstrated, any day of the week. Configured as a 100 mile, $25 000 car, or even a $15 000 kit car without batteries. I think the look of the narrower vehicle that is coming online blows. Every inch narrower forces a lower C of G, to maintain stability. As the ground beckons - conventional comes to mind.

Weight and feature creep is the antithesis of this vehicle.

It's all moot however, seen as I live in Oregon, and they would not even take my money.
Maybe I will have to build my own?? Copying is the sincerest form of flattery - right?

[evmavin]

Originally Posted by lapwing

Frankly can't blame ya.

I think the purity of the type 1e design was perfection, both in concept and prototype execution. Sure it had no cup holders and no roll down windows but, I don't do take away at micky mc fats, and I can park, and get off my arse, to go into a bank or a coffee shop. I would buy that prototype in a heartbeat - even as a "kit car". Especially as a kit!

The compromise to include the hybrid option is what f!cked things.

The move to FWD in type 2e, had had a knock-on effect that will result in weight/feature creep.

The pregnant "black belly" guppy look I have seen in the latest incarnations (or is that incantations, ?? aka vapor-ware) to accomodate batteries , gen-set, under the seating. ICK!

The lines will hang ever closer to the asphalt. Gone will be the concept that got us all so excited. So sad. The orginal vision is v. close to perfection.

Having said that, I would buy a wide footed FWD type 2e as demonstrated, any day of the week. Configured as a 100 mile, $25 000 car, or even a $15 000 kit car without batteries. I think the look of the narrower vehicle that is coming online blows. Every inch narrower forces a lower C of G, to maintain stability. As the ground beckons - conventional comes to mind.

Weight and feature creep is the antithesis of this vehicle.

It's all moot however, seen as I live in Oregon, and they would not even take my money.
Maybe I will have to build my own?? Copying is the sincerest form of flattery - right?

I truly hope the bottom is never painted black but the ability to roll down windows is something I think was needed for more then lazy people and the sales would be slim without that feature although I hope it does not destroy the lines of the vehicle or if there is an option for fixed windows. As far as FWD, that was the single best decision made for this vehicle for a multitude of reasons and I can't see any negatives of this front.

I hope the new design is a good surprise and not a disappointing compromise as there will be many more practical alternatives in the future and keeping this vehicle design great will impact its success.

[DonC]

Originally Posted by esmith

Silence is worrisome, delays are worrisome.

Personally, I'm hedging my bets by also being on the unofficial Volt waitlist. I'm number 48 thousand something, but it's a no-deposit waitlist, I expect a high dropout rate. Besides, GM may be able to build 48 thousand Volts faster than Aptera builds 4 thousand.

We'll see which number comes first ...

Yes hearing nothing is usually not very good news but hopefully there are other things at work.

FWIW the Volt list isn't official and where you are placed on that list should have absolutely no effect on when you might be able to buy one. GM is planning on building 10K units in the first year, but sales will be concentrated in specific geographic areas -- CA, DC, NY -- and offered through a limited number of dealers. Being number 48 thousand something gives you about the same chance as being number 48.

If you live in CA the Coda is also a possibility.

[BrianK]

Hearing nothing new from a low-production car company releasing a ground breaking car is nothing new. In fact, I think the opposite is the exception.

Patience. They said they will release in the 4th quarter. What more do you want? "We're testing another new motor this week." "We've made the windows roll down an extra inch this week." "We think we might paint the bottom black to hide all the scratches that will certainly accumulate as you pack on the miles." "We sourced a robot manufacturer for our assembly line robots." "We've developed a whole new suite of testing tools for the in-car entertainment software." "We're in the third month of our regen algorithm design. So and so in the software dept. increase regen efficiency by 1.4%.."

Sometimes news ain't that relevant to the customer base.

I bet Aptera will release facts when they have them.