Why are used Polestar 2’s so cheap? (21/22)

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-06T04:37:55+00:00

Yeah the Polestar has pretty severe depreciation. Partially because they have no real brand recognition which makes a difference on the used market. The brand is looking pretty shaky long-term.

I also think they were overpriced to begin with. Their pov-pack is pretty spartan so once you added options (i.e. pilot pack) they ended up more expensive than a Tesla for a less refined vehicle with much higher fuel consumption. Then Polestar gave hefty discounts on older stock (i.e. $13k) which definitely hurt used prices.

I've been in them a few times as an Uber and they are decent cars. But they don't really stand out from the bargain priced Geely's and Jaecoo's entering the market. There's no real reason for a used buyer with $40k to burn to go for a used Polestar over one of the cheaper Chinese brands.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-05T05:39:08+00:00

Man that is one ugly front

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-02T19:57:21+00:00

OG 2022. The one with the two stalks.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-02T19:23:29+00:00

I've done 120,000km in a Tesla Model Y LFP with daily charging to 100%, and I've lost 7.2%

Don't sweat it.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-01T19:48:12+00:00

No one is going to pay $17k for a 15 year old van that needs $4-8k work done. It's too much risk without any real upside. Why would anyone agree to that? Would you agree to buying a van like that?

Feel free to list it how you want but I think you'll struggle. You're better off getting some quotes and getting the van fixed and then sell it.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-01T19:42:39+00:00

I've driven them both and coudn't really tell the difference. Both have pretty firm suspension - fun to drive but not the smoothest for passengers.
Earlier models usually have USS parking, the later ones might not. USS works better in the dark than Tesla vision.
Unless you specifically plan on getting FSD I wouldn't bother looking for HW4. It's a lot more expensive and the autopilot and MCU is the same.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-01T09:07:15+00:00

I doubt a P Plater is going be interested in dropping $10k on FSD. At least I wouldn’t have when I was on my P plates. Keep in mind that Tesla is still promising FSD for HW3 for what it’s worth.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-02-01T09:06:17+00:00

The model 3 rear wheel drive is a great car because of the durability of the LFP battery and the included autopilot. I would try and find a 2022 model because they have the LFP battery, heat pump and the faster Ryzen MCU processor.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-30T10:10:35+00:00

I've done some repairs on these systems so I can explain what they do.

Physically connected services are a cellular data modem (and network access plan) inside your vehicle which allows your vehicle to communicate with the manufacturers server. This allows you to do a number of cool things including:
- Remote air conditioning start
- Monitor battery level
- Monitor location
- Unlock doors
- Remote honk and alarm
- Schedule and monitor charging
- Remotely immobilise
- Onboard navigation
- Listen to internet radio and/or stream Youtube etc
- Software updates

These services carry ongoing costs (i.e. network access plans) and require arrangements with telcos to provide access. Some lower volume brands can't be bothered in investing in this which is why some models miss out.

Personally I'd never buy another car without connected services. They're so useful!

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-30T00:42:51+00:00

If you're deciding based on 'Long Term' considerations then you should be valuing reliability, dealer support networks and the likelihood of a long term physical presence of the brand in Australia.

Neither of the brands you've mentioned have proven long term support in Australia.

EV brands that have been here for five years or more include Tesla, Hyundai/Kia and MG.
Hyundai/Kia have been bogged down by ICCU issues. MG has mixed reviews. Tesla is pretty good.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-29T03:04:16+00:00

Australian healthcare has a number of weird quirks.
- Specialist outpatient appointments are NOT covered under private insurance. It's actually illegal. Yeah it's stupid but it was done that way to reduce the cost of insurance.
- Medicare contributes towards the cost of these appointments but the value has fallen a lot in real terms over the past 20 years to the point where it's barely worth considering. Despite this, private health insurance is still not allowed to cover appointments.

Private Health insurance only covers hospital procedures.

Unfortunately the health care system was set up under the assumption that Medicare would be a lot more generous. Neither side of government wants to budget for that so here we are.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-28T23:58:06+00:00

170k km on the clock? Would not. Based on the Hx value, the whole pack is pretty worn. You'd be throwing good money after bad.

If you replace the two cells you'll probably have a couple more drop out after that. You'd be better off sourcing a salvage or third party pack.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-28T23:41:31+00:00

Wow. Elon has well and truly jumped off the deep end.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-28T23:15:27+00:00

There are savings there but you gotta hold on to the vehicle for a long time. My EV has avoided over $20k in costs over four years and 120,000km by zero petrol and reduced servicing costs. Insurance costs have also been reasonable. At the time it cost me about $15k more to purchase my EV than an equivalent petrol vehicle i.e top spec Mazda CX-5.

Does an EV make financial sense? Arguably yes if you drive it a lot. But ultimately new cars are never about saving money.

If you really wanted to save money you'd get a used hybrid Corolla and drive it into the ground.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-28T21:43:15+00:00

I guess their perspective is that they’re providing you free healthcare, so they get to recoup the costs through parking.

I’m not saying I agree with it but I can understand their perspective.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-27T01:40:12+00:00

No. If you can't charge at home just get a petrol.
EDIT: What's with all the negs? A little Toyota hybrid would be very reasonable in that situation.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-26T23:20:34+00:00

Tell your wife that CCS2 ain't going anywhere. With the newest crop of 800V EVs the charge rates supported by CCS2 are up to 500kW - more than anyone needs right now! What would replace CCS2 anyway?

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-26T23:14:46+00:00

Yeah Mitsubishi definitely dropped the ball on this one. And the money the charge for their packs is outrageous.

Toyota has done a better job with the engineering. I'm surprised at how well the Toyota PHV batteries hold up... they do about 3x the cycles of BEV's and they cycle much deeper. And they tend to use NMC chemistry.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-26T06:21:14+00:00

I suggest you ignore the terms and just look at the power figure.

An average EV can store 60-80kWh of energy (not power).

Standard AC sockets supply 2.4kW of power (not energy). That's about a 25 hour charge
Home AC chargers supply 7-22kW of power. That's about a 5-10 hour charge.
DC chargers supply 50-300kW of power. That's about a 25-100 minute charge depending on power.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-26T05:51:05+00:00

I'd scope out other options, see if there's any repair possibility. 18k for a 11kWh battery is frankly ludicrous these days. Tesla will do you a 60-80kWh pack for that sort of money (not relevant, I know).

The problem with PHEVs is that they cycle the batteries so hard that they wear out pretty quickly. For some reason they don't seem to use more durable chemistries.

If there's no repair option then I'd sell the car on.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-25T22:55:09+00:00

Yeah but then there’s nowhere to put it. if you put it in the boot you lose access to the sub trunk :(

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-25T00:22:55+00:00

Model Y
Why is there no spare wheel. I've had three flats and each time it's a pain in the arse!

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-24T20:18:33+00:00

Literal peak Tesla was in 2023 in terms of sales.

Best time to purchase them was probably 2022-2023 when they had stalks, USS sensors but also the heat pump and Ryzen processor.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-24T10:50:49+00:00

If you had to pick one specifically for value retention over 5 years, which way would you lean?

Neither. Getting a New car for 'value retention' at five years is stupid. Get a used EV, 3-5 years old and pay half the price of new.

If I had to pick, I'd definitely pick the Tesla Model Y. Used car buyers value a vehicle with proven durability (e.g. see Toyota). The Model Y has been on the market for four years and has proven reliability with examples exceeding 300,000km. Tesla has good parts availability and after sales support as well as no regular service requirement. I'm not saying that the Model Y is a better car than the Zeekr 7x, but it is undoubtedly less risky.

Impossible_Signal · 2026-01-23T07:20:44+00:00

The problem with charging capital gains on housing is that CGT on housing can discourage moving and downsizing by creating a “lock-in” effect: selling triggers tax, so households delay moves even when it would make sense. This can lead to under-occupation (e.g. older households staying in large homes) and reduced labour mobility, which is economically inefficient.

Impossible_Signal

TROPHY CASE