What’s your purchasing plan?

[cyure]

Seeing all the posts about the R2 it got me thinking about what my purchasing plan looks like for me. Yes I want to get my Scout as soon as possible, but there are certain features that are necessary for me to place my order. For example, if a glass roof or tire carrier isn’t available at launch I will wait until a glass roof and tire carrier are available.

This got me wondering where everyone else is in their calculation.

 

[RodorW]

Personally I’m somewhere between the options I want ASAP but built to my liking. However with being a Terra BEV res holder I know there will be plenty of options available I assume, I just hope that all Reservation holders get access to the same options, without stuff being available first year only (assuming it takes more than a year to get to Terra’s)

 

[strider]

I am not in a hurry. In the grand scheme of things, unless you have a strong financial reason (lease expiration, business depreciation, current vehicle is falling apart, etc) to buy ASAP, why would you buy a vehicle in a configuration that you don't want?

Yes, there will be a lot of excitement and people will want to be the first in their town to have a Scout. But having been through this a few times with various Tesla launches, the furor dies down quickly (like within 6 months) and then you have to live with the vehicle for years. Take your time and get what you want.

I'm also planning to trade in my Model X Plaid (we get to deduct the trade-in from the balance of the vehicle for sales tax purposes) as part of the deal so hopefully Scout has a plan for that.

 

[speedrye]

I'm somewhere between the first and second option. I like shiny, new things, but I don't want the first one off the line either, hence me waiting until day 2 to reserve.
Now, if they tell me certain desired features aren't available yet, I'll happily wait. My existing vehicles have a LOT of good life left in them and will continue to do so over the next year or two, so no rush. I'll be selling one or two of my vehicles and just pay cash for the Scout. The 3% sales tax credit isn't enough to offset what I'd lose by trading a vehicle.

 

[mrgold35]

Deposit on Traveler Harvester EREV. I'm not in a rush because my current Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is only at +90,000 miles. Going +210,000 miles for Honda/Acura with mostly scheduled maintenance isn't an issue (done this with my 8 pervious Honda/Acura). I'm REALLY undecided about purchasing compared to a 3 year lease in +2028.

My check list of purchase compared to lease are:
- long-term reliability,
- types of standard and extended warranties,
- where to service in New Mexico (scheduled, unscheduled, warranty work),
- servicing requirements for the I.C.E. ,
- possible depreciation if the Scout brand follows Fisker Inc. 3-5 years later, and
- possible more competition to pick from with other brands +2028

I think if the Scout Traveler was available today would mean it would be in my driveway this summer. I'm fine with Scout "teasing" us for 1-3 years; but, that also give other manufactures time to upgrade their future offerings to match Scout with that extra time.

 

[Logan]

I'm a bit conflicted.

Generally speaking, I'm definitely price sensitive. And I'm ok with waiting a bit to get what I want.

There is also the "real world" version of me that is thinking "first year vehicle... hmmm"".

But, if there are "forum member launch editions" that do something like have more features/more value for moving earlier... that will be something I'd have to consider. And I know that it is likely that one of the models (BEV or Harvester) will likely be produced in volume first.

And as a final side note... I don't even know if I know what I want anymore. My recent road trip across a relatively sparse charging area was... fine with a BEV, but I'm still reserved for a Harvester. But at the pace that charging stations are being deployed, in 2027-2028 it might be even less of an issue.

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

If I’m going to spend this kind of money, I want it rigged out like I want.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

We have found that there’s no “perfect” vehicle.
We change our uses every handful of years.
We don’t care to be the first.
We’re not willing to pay extra for colors (scratched the idea of wrapping our Silverado even though the black isn’t our favorite).
We don’t care to spend extra on “luxury.”

If the price is too high, we’ll wait for a used one.
If the features we want aren’t available unless the price is too high, we’ll wait for a used one.
Some features are non-negotiable. We won’t buy a gassy vehicle.
We don’t have any interest in a glass roof, so if that’s all that’s available, we’ll wait until a used one is available.

Basically, we're not in a rush. If the right configuration for the right price is available when we have the money, then we'll buy.

 

[maynard]

If I’m going to spend this kind of money, I want it rigged out like I want.

Agree whole-heartedly with this...

 

[J Alynn]

I want it upfront because I’d like to have a unique “launch” edition but if it is missing things I want I will wait. Doesn’t have to be perfect but has to suit me with the amount of time I’ve been waiting this far

 

[chucchinchilla]

I'm kind of a combination of a couple things. I will wait for my perfect build, however my perfect build will be minimalist because modern cars come with so much already. I do not expect to purchase first model year which will gain more long term data. Of course I'm once again talking about what I might do in like 3-4 years so who knows!

 

[SrfnFly227]

I have some "must have" options in mind, but if the launch edition gets close, I'd probably be willing to bend some. That said, it would have to be aesthetically what I want. I will not purchase until the color and interior I want are available. I keep vehicles entirely too long to not love it when I look at it.

And yeah, I know that's stupid considering it's a depreciating asset with a main purpose of getting me from point A to to point B. It's also an insane amount of money and I'd better really want it to justify the cost.

 

[Mousehunter]

Hard to predict the future, but easier to view the past. Our JLURD was a line by line custom order - but it was replacing a 2 year old JLUR, so knew what we did not have and REALLY wanted on the replacement. Honestly, we knew within about 1hr of buying the first some of the mistakes we made - great deal, but that had reasons.

That said, My truck and VW - knew exactly what I wanted, but did make compromises to get something off a lot rather than a custom order. Now off the lot, is a bit less than what I did. I searched the entire inventory in Texas to find the single vehicle that were as close as possible. With the truck, the "cost" was a sun roof I really did not want (but purchased with a significant discount compared to doing a custom order). With the VW - it was a couple of options that simply were not stocked in most of the US. Honestly, I don't miss them - and it probably saved me $5k by not getting stuff I did not need.

So from history, I am not good about waiting, but will do my best to get the options I find important or I will wait.

 

[speedrye]

I've had a lot of first-year models from various manufacturers (including new manufacturers putting out their first model) over the last 25+ years and frankly haven't had issues with any of them, so I'm not too worried in this case. Interestingly though, I've noticed a lot of second or third year runs of those models will lose content that I like, quickly go up in price, or both sometimes. I mean, my original quad-motor R1S order was ~$77k and now a similar quad-motor runs $125k, only a few years later. Sure, there were some upgrades since then, but not $48k worth.

The best analog I have is when BMW launched MINI. An established brand, taking advantage of their supply chain, technology and engineering to launch a new resurrected brand. With one of the first models off the boat, I had no issues with mine for many miles. I expect the same from Scout, so I'm not too worried about being a new model. I do hope the reliability is there and the maintenance costs are reasonable. The last thing I want is to be stuck with a massively depreciating asset like an Alfa Romeo or Maserati. I'm not okay with the cool kid tax.

 

[J Alynn]

Hard to predict the future, but easier to view the past. Our JLURD was a line by line custom order - but it was replacing a 2 year old JLUR, so knew what we did not have and REALLY wanted on the replacement. Honestly, we knew within about 1hr of buying the first some of the mistakes we made - great deal, but that had reasons.

That said, My truck and VW - knew exactly what I wanted, but did make compromises to get something off a lot rather than a custom order. Now off the lot, is a bit less than what I did. I searched the entire inventory in Texas to find the single vehicle that were as close as possible. With the truck, the "cost" was a sun roof I really did not want (but purchased with a significant discount compared to doing a custom order). With the VW - it was a couple of options that simply were not stocked in most of the US. Honestly, I don't miss them - and it probably saved me $5k by not getting stuff I did not need.

So from history, I am not good about waiting, but will do my best to get the options I find important or I will wait.

I’ve ordered a few to my spec over the years and had dealers on two occasions go 3 states away to get the model I wanted. Also had one we added leather to and customized it so like you I’m in that same boat as a mindset. Difference this time is I’m expecting $80-$85K out the door so I’m thinking /hoping I don’t have to compromise or add things later

 

[OleScout]

Hoping to be an early bird without compromises, will wait to see what's available and if a trim that is desired will be later will opt to go that route, hoping for something similar to the Traveler/Terra that is currently being shown which will likely be a higher trim. This will be a last new vehicle for awhile so will hold off for the right purchase. Unless SM announces a 2-door option in the near future, I will be impatiently waiting longer....

 

[J Alynn]

Hoping to be an early bird without compromises, will wait to see what's available and if a trim that is desired will be later will opt to go that route, hoping for something similar to the Traveler/Terra that is currently being shown which will likely be a higher trim. This will be a last new vehicle for awhile so will hold off for the right purchase. Unless SM announces a 2-door option in the near future, I will be impatiently waiting longer....

Amen-or I’ll hold my second reservation deposit for that vehicle-if the roof comes off

 

[BeerParty]

Amen-or I’ll hold my second reservation deposit for that vehicle-if the roof comes off

I assume you mean "if the roof is removable." The roof can come off any vehicle if you hit it hard enough.

 

[cyure]

I assume you mean "if the roof is removable." The roof can come off any vehicle if you hit it hard enough.

My mom had a 70s Cadillac that needed to go. She traded it for haircuts for my brother. The guy cut the top off. Painted it white with black spots, giant bull horns on the hood and a horn that mooed. Anything can have the top removed if you work hard enough.

 

[BeerParty]

Normally I would select option 3: "I have a few features that are nonnegotiable, will go as soon as those are available." But, I am buying the BEV Terra for a specific purpose, so I need "as close to my perfect build as possible." I am not in a hurry, so will wait for what I want to be available.