We’ve been accused of preferring older car designs to new ones. Rightly so, a majority of the cars that we feature are at least 10 years old, with a fair chunk now being over 20 years old. Are we out of touch with the market? Well, certainly that could be said – however, I think if you poll the authors here (and, a majority of our fans), most people just don’t get as excited about a car that you can pop down to the dealership and buy versus one that’s been well traveled, taken care of, and is hard to find in good shape. It’s the same reason why Antiques Roadshow is so popular; anyone can go buy the popular toy of the day and leave it in its original packing – but find a toy from the 1950s or 1960s in its original package and the pricing will probably surprise you. Heck, even my Transformers from when I was a kid are now quite valuable in good shape.
So we’re only interested in old cars? Well, not so fast – there have been several very exciting and pioneering designs over the past few years that helped in transforming the automotive landscape. The Porsche 918 Spyder, for example, redefined supercars along with the LaFerrari and McLaren P1. They’ve looked at hybrid technology not as the death of performance, but as an opportunity to better exploit it. However, all three of these designs are ultra-limited, ultra-exclusive and ultra-expensive cars, leaving mere mortals without hedge funds to dream of owing them only in passing flights of fancy. However, BMW has taken a very different route with its hybrid technology, offering two platforms that are both brilliant and innovative in their own ways. The admittedly less exciting, more practical application is the i3; a small electric city car. The reaction from enthusiasts to the i3 was less than, well…enthusiastic. However, I suggest that BMW’s departure into functional, efficient designs was at least innovative and admirable – this is technology that won’t kill cars, but will in fact allow them to thrive and continue for generations to come. Perhaps, then, the more exciting application of BMW’s efficient design “i†branding will sway you – the lightweight, sporty i8:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2014 BMW i8 on eBay
Year: 2014
Model: i8
VIN: WBY2Z2C58EVX64544
Engine: 1.5 liter turbocharged inline-3 with parallel 98kw electric motor
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Mileage: 10,801 mi
Location: Red Bannk, New Jersey
Price: $63,595 Buy It Now
Vehicle Description
$$$ IMPORTANT: As an A+BBB company, unlike most dealers today, we DO NOT charge any unnecessary or hidden fees! $$$
( See Sales For Details )*** Prices exclude state, local, and/or county sales tax, motor vehicle fees, and a $389 document fee ***
***TERA WORLD***
($3,000)***HYBRID SPORTS AWD SYSTEM***
***TURBOCHARGED 1.5L 3CYL 228 HP / 238 LBS-FT***
***EDRIVE ELECTRIC MOTOR 129 HP / 184 LBS FT***
***CROSS-DRILLED FRONT & REAR ROTORS***
***DRIVING DYNAMICS CONTROL***
***20″ I LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS***
***HEADS UP DISPLAY***
***ACTIVE DRIVING ASSISTANT***
***HEATED FULL LEATHER TRIMMED FRONT SEATS***
***FULL POWER FRONT BUCKET SEATS***
***ANTHRACITE HEADLINER***
***FRONT & REAR PARKING DISTANCE SENSORS***
***SURROUND VIEW CAMERA***
***ENHANCED BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY***
***BMW NAVIGATION SYSTEM***
***AM/FM/XM/MP3/AUX/BLUETOOTH HD RADIO***
***12 SPEAKER 360w HARMON/KARDON SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM***
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*** Internet sale prices assumes primary lender approval and financed thru dealer only or cash deals ***
*** Prices exclude state, local, and/or county sales tax, motor vehicle fees, document and/or other fees ***Disclaimer: Although we make every effort to provide you with accurate information, the information contained on this site may be incorrect and is not guaranteed. Please verify the accuracy of all information before purchase . These are used vehicles and may or may not have all original keys, books, manuals and accessories. Please check with your salesperson prior to delivery to confirm the availability of these items.
One could argue that the reinvention of the 8-series moniker was a disservice to the original; I disagree. The E31 pioneered a new frontier for BMW, with electronics, a new design language and took BMW to a different market. There is no more fitting designation than the i8 in my mind. The slinky, futuristic coupe utilizes lightweight construction to keep the curb weight down; 3,200 lbs may not sound particularly lightweight, but keep in mind that the BRZ/FR-S twins were lauded for their light design and are only a few hundred pounds less without all of the heavy electric equipment and twin motors. Pushing the very aerodynamic lithe coupe are two motors that run together or separately – a 1.5 liter turbocharged inline-3 coupled with a smaller version of the i3’s electric motor. The results of this combination are pretty astounding; a combined 357 horsepower results in 60 miles an hour in 3.8 seconds and a near effortless limited 155 m.p.h. top speed. Couple that with the ability to drive for around 20 miles with no assistance from the gasoline motor and return mid-40 mpgs, and the 911-like performance is truly impressive. No other car has yet come close to the combination of attributes the i8 offers.
When these cars rolled out now bordering on seven years ago, MSRP was thrown to the wind and dealer invoices rang in some $70,000 over sticker, with near $220,000 asking prices. Today? Well, the i8 didn’t really catch fire, and you’re looking at stepping into one for about the same sticker price as a brand-new M2 Competition or stripper M4. Which is the car to get?
That’s a great question. If you’re into rarity, a different kind of performance, and truly exotic looks, it’s hard to say that the i8 doesn’t deliver. This one is in as-new shape with very low mileage and, I think, still looks quite futuristic and better than most of the modern BMW designs. Will this be a classic in the future? I think it will.
-Carter
Gotta love stealerships. They brag that they don’t charge “unnecessary fees” then whack you with a $398 “document fee”, which is pure profit. Oh, and you can only get their advertised price if you finance through their lender (which they most likely get a hefty kick-back from) or pay cash.
this is a fine driving machine and at least half off the list when new not so long ago… quibbling over a few hundred dollars seems petty when considering the technology and absolute modern materials requiring expertise not to mention the factory costs… this is a deal that will make someone a happy driver… as hard headed an m3 advocate as jeremy on top gear prefers the i8 to drive… look at one up close, really neat and proper sports car…
Michael, I don’t think John’s point was to quibble over a few hundred dollars. It’s the fact that the dealership state “we DO NOT charge any unnecessary or hidden fees!” Then in the next line they have a $389 document fee.
Still a cool car none the less.
well it is new jersey so there could be some tax angle but you’re correct it seems misleading…
cheers, m.
These just don’t do it for me, but man are they getting affordable. Probably the most exotic looking car you can buy for $60K, but I have a fear of owning any electric car out of warranty, particularly a German one.
In the car world, some people say the answer is always Miata. In my car world, however, the answer is always 911 (or E63 wagon if you’ve got hauling needs). Take your $60K and buy either of these to get the best of German driving.
Miata is only the answer if you want something underpowered, slow, and generic. This is the opposite of that. And I must say, these I8’s have aged well. I didn’t care for them when they were new, but for $60k that’s a lot more tempting if I was in the market for a hybrid/electric car.