u/mliu2014

▲ 30 r/LUCID

My experience so far on used 22 AGT. TLDR: Good.

This is my 5th EV. Started with a new 21 Model Y LR (white exterior, black interior, still have it). Loved it so much I bought a used 2020 Model S LR (wrapped metallic color shifting red exterior, cream interior, still loved it) in late 22. Had to move, and thought then a Model X would be better (it wasn't, red exterior, wood trim, cream leather interior), and sold the Model S for a 2016 Model X with SC01 and EAP. Paid the Model X off over 12 months, and gave it to my parents, so I got a used 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S at 78k miles (Carmine red exterior, red interior, white Mission E wheels). It's a great car, but it doesn't make great use of space, and therefore, it's a drag on my golf game because I use a carry bag and an electric push cart. Decided now (March 26) was a good time to get a used Air due to extra looming gas prices pushing EV prices up, and found a used 22 AGT at Cars and Bids for $48k (first time bidding, probably made some mistakes with maximizing value). Luckily, the car is less than 50 miles away, and I picked it up by driving to it. 33k miles on it. Red zenith and Tahoe interior. Didn't care about exterior color (I have enough red cars), but wanted the interior color. I actually don't care about the white top, but don't care enough to reject it.

First impressions, car key fobs didn't work, even after I swapped out batteries. Some trims were falling apart, such as the rubber cushions on the soft-close doors. The rear trunk lid has a gap to the rear ( like a huge underbite). Rear vents make a whirring noise when on. The charging port looks misaligned. Managed to find some used forged 20'' wheels (Forged one competition for Model S/X) to replace the stock 21'' aero blades. Scratched up the calipers just a little bit (Thought 40mm offset would be enough for 37.5mm offset requirement, nope, goes inward instead of outward, and even with 5mm spacers installed), and had 245/45R20 tires instead because of stock. Rear wheels fit fine, no issues. Can't make hard left turns without scratching, but dreamy to drive. Made some new mistakes with spacers and ultimately went with Mishimoto 10mm hub-centric spacers (Tesla bolt pattern: 5x120, 64.1mm) from Amazon, along with 245/40R20 tires. Now it drives well. Definitely firmed it up with more feel on the steering wheel, even though it's only a little bit smaller in cushion. Switching to forged wheels absolutely made a big difference in driving: the weight, smaller diameter, and acceleration and deceleration feel faster and lighter. Range actually took a small hit due to poor aero. If you want a luxury floaty muted feel, better to go with 19'' wheels. I just feel that the handling of 21'' doesn't warrant the upcharge that you can get elsewhere with custom forged wheels.

Service: Fast response to email the Lucid team to get the digital key working (1-2 days). The app doesn't work for service, but is called and scheduled by a human, which was nice. Took over a month for the first appointment (San Jose area), and another week and a half after drop off to do the work (2 days). They offered a courtesy vehicle, but I had the Porsche and didn't need it. When I test drove it with a tech, he said he came from Rivian, and that the Lucid tech and build quality were much better. Can't agree or disagree, as I haven't driven a Rivian yet. They misread what I needed (wanted an extra key card instead of a key fob) and ended up giving me 3 key fobs for free (still under warranty). Did a battery diagnostic at 95%. Pretty good with low degradation; they say it's normally 2%/yr (due to lack of supercharging). Also gave me a key card for free. I did the CCCv2 install: $700 in parts, $250 in labor. Ironically, I feel like I have more bugs now with the CCV2, but it is fast, and the Google API is nice. Fixed the soft-close doors. Bought the frunk and trunk as well. All in all, a great experience with service. Feel bad about reading the service in Pennsylvania, definitely not the experience I had. The transaction took longer than expected (the finance system was down), so expect to stay in longer than expected. They also didn't install the spacers for me( which wouldn't have worked anyway).

Comparison: with the Turbo S, it had Porsche carbon ceramic brakes (PCCB), 21-inch E wheels (forged), PTV+, PDCC, Burmester surround sound, and a ski bag that the used dealer shorted me. It's a better-built car in terms of trimming. They know cars, they know handling, and they know racing. There are some holdovers from an ICE (button power on), some lack of usable space, but their mission is racing, and that function takes priority over their form. It's not much space in comparison to the car class, but in the mindset of a Porsche guy whose grail is probably the 911 (not me currently), it's a massive upgrade in space and daily-ability. The massive reduction in unsprung weight really improves handling. But it feels like a car. Operates like a car. The Lucid feels more like a space. A luxury space. I drove 3 people (6'3''in front, 5'3'', 5'?'') and they all complimented on how nice the car is. In comparison, I can barely fit my Sunday golf bag in the Taycan. No way on the electric push cart. Space on the Taycan feels cramped, with a focus on driving. That's neither a feature nor a bug; it's just the philosophy of how Porsche build cars, to be driver focused at the expense of everything else. And it doesn't even have a heated steering wheel or adaptive cruise control (Porsche's nickel-and-diming). Lucid AGT has great luxury features and good materials, but the build quality isn't as good (one of their first cars after the Dream Edition). I think if you're a true racer/driver who loves to go to the track, then you should go with the Taycan with the huge upcharge. If you're anything other than that, it's better to go with the Lucid.

Comparison: the Model Y/S has better software, period. Less bugs ( still have bugs) and better integrated phone app, even on the 16 Model X. I mostly got used to EAP as opposed to FSD, and feel that the AGT is good enough for that (especially with the 2.9 update), except when there are times on the highway where it says it can't do that. I now realize the Model S was a better fit for me than the Model X I had, and the Lucid fits more into that Model S mold. The hatchback was more useful. I actually didn't really notice anything glaringly bad in terms of build quality about the S/X/Y. The earlier models were made with real leather, and the Model Y is adequate for driving. I loved that I could throw my carry bag in the Model X frunk (driver and woods out separately). But I do like that in the Air, I can also chuck the carry bag horizontally in the trunk without worrying about my driver and woods breaking. The frunk is awesome, can fit my electric push cart in it. I can't fit 2 dog crates (M and L) with the rear seats folded down, so I just left the seats up to fit them in.

Additional comments: I bought the range X change, and it's awesome to be able to charge the Model Y and Porsche with it. 10/10 recommend. You would theoretically be able to help stranded EV drivers get enough charge back to a station. The OEM sun shades are unnecessarily heavy, and I don't feel like they reflect more light; rather, they absorb it. They're hot to the touch every time I pull them off. The mesh shades are great, keep the car cooler, and you can see through (marginally). The main drink holders don't make a lot of sense, too small and tight. I wish there were a 12V adapter in the front. I got used to the small steering wheel on the Taycan, and now wish the steering wheel on the Lucid were smaller and had better controls. I liked the customizable dash interfaces on the Taycan and Model S/X, and I wish Lucid could do the same. But ultimately, I still like the car, loved the service, saw the vision Lucid was attempting, and want to continue supporting them to see their ongoing improvements and future upward trajectory.

Editing done with Grammarly.

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u/mliu2014 — 3 days ago