zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $25,000, Would You Save This 2021 ElectraMeccanica Solo From the Scrapper?
At $25,000, Would You Save This 2021 ElectraMeccanica Solo From the Scrapper?-April 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:16

Nice Price or No Dice 2021 ElectraMecannica Solo

When it comes to transporting nearly anything, the last mile always proves to be the most challenging. Today’s Solo is a single-seat electric intended to solve that problem, but it has problems of its own. Let’s see if that extends to its price tag.

There is a term that arose after the American Civil War — Carpetbagger — that Southerners used pejoratively to describe Northerners traveling to the South, ostensibly to make a financial gain at the expense of the local populace. In contrast, how might we describe the reverse situation in the present-day automotive market where rust-free cars from the South are brought to the salt-ravaged North to take advantage of pent-up demand? I’m sure there’s a term.

That was the case with yesterday’s , which was offered in Minnesota but had spent most of its life down south in Arkansas, where rust isn’t a given. No matter its location, the seller’s $5,800 asking price was our point of concern, and that came away with a solid 76 percent Nice Price win. That means a good deal for some lucky Minnesotan.

Image for article titled At $25,000, Would You Save This 2021 ElectraMeccanica Solo From the Scrapper?

Today we’re going to get a little weird. I don’t mean shave an eyebrow and lose sleep over why pickles aren’t more appropriately called “pickled cucumbers,” but looking at this I think you’ll get the idea. First off, however, just what the hell is an ElectraMeccanica Solo? Allow me to explain.

The Solo is a single-seat three-wheeled electric car manufactured by the Canadian company ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corporation. It was designed to scoot around urban environs with a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. Despite its traffic-dodging city car cred, the Solo has a top speed of 80 mph.

Motivation is made by way of an 82-horsepower electric motor driving the single rear wheel. The monoposto cabin may be accessed by either the left or right-hand door and features a digital dashboard and standard steering wheel. A relatively large storage area sits just aft and is accessible through a wrap-around hatch.

Image for article titled At $25,000, Would You Save This 2021 ElectraMeccanica Solo From the Scrapper?

This isn’t just some death trap either. The Solo is designed around a reinforced aluminum safety cell and offers disc brake stopping and a 360-degree camera system.

It’s also under a voluntary buy-back from the manufacturer due to an unsolvable electrical issue that can leave its driver stranded in the middle of traffic with no power and the trepidation of onlookers that the doors will suddenly fly open and a myriad of clowns will spill out. I know, terrifying!

ElectraMeccanica began selling the Solo in 2019, and after around 430 were shifted into owners’ hands, the power loss issue became known. A recall was issued for a fix but the company is now focusing on four-wheeled electric cars and seemingly doesn’t have the capital to investigate and solve the Solo’s issue. Now it’s simply buying back the cars for whatever was paid for them (the original MSRP was around $18,500) and will apparently just scrap and/or recycle them.

Image for article titled At $25,000, Would You Save This 2021 ElectraMeccanica Solo From the Scrapper?

This owner is attempting to get a better deal for theirs. They are offering this red 2021 edition with just 7,300 miles and the boast that those miles were racked up with no issues whatsoever. Despite the buyback that hangs like a sword of Damocles over the little car, it still has a clean title and no one is saying that it has to be sold back. Just don’t expect the maker to answer emails when asking about service or where to get cup holder inserts.

That’s pretty much the story. The seller is positioning this as a bit of history that some quirky collector might wish to keep for posterity and the enjoyment and education of future generations. Or, it might be just some weird car to show off to friends. The world is an oyster, or whatever it is they say.

Image for article titled At $25,000, Would You Save This 2021 ElectraMeccanica Solo From the Scrapper?

In order to make this Solo your own there’s the little matter of the $25,000 asking price. That’s a good bit more than one listed for new, but then, where in the world are we going to find another one against which to price compare?

What do you think, is this odd bit of automotive history worth that $25,000 asking despite all it’s got going against it? Or, is this a Solo that’s not worth turning into a duet?

You decide!

Los Angeles, California, , or go if the ad disappears.

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
What Would You Say To $3,500 For A Long Slumbering 1970 Volvo 164?
What Would You Say To $3,500 For A Long Slumbering 1970 Volvo 164?
The ad for today’s 164 claims it’s a real clean car and has been under non-operational license since Nineteen Eighty Three! We’ll just have to decide what it’s worth to wake up Rip Van Volvo. Man, you just were not having it last week. There was so much Crack Pipe...
Apr 14, 2026
For $6,500, How About This Low Mileage 1981 Chevy Caprice Diesel?
For $6,500, How About This Low Mileage 1981 Chevy Caprice Diesel?
Are you a disappointment to your elders? Maybe it’s the car you drive. Buy today’s Caprice and make a connection with the oldsters, that is if they don’t think you paid too much for it, kiddo. Speaking of old, yesterday’s had been on the market for a full month before...
Apr 14, 2026
For $8,995, This 1986 BMW 535i Could Be Your Euro Thrash
For $8,995, This 1986 BMW 535i Could Be Your Euro Thrash
Here in the U.S., when you’re under 25 it’s tough to rent a car. It’s even tougher to import a foreign car here that’s under 25. Today’s BMW is over 25 and that’s why it’s here. Let’s see if its price makes it worth keeping around. Ring, riiing, RIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG, bup,...
Apr 14, 2026
For $7,250, Decide If This 1977 Mercury Monarch Rules
For $7,250, Decide If This 1977 Mercury Monarch Rules
A Chimera is a mythical beast that’s both one thing and another. Today’s Mercury is a car that’s an example of ‘70s fanciness and of that era’s performance potential, truly a chimeric mix. Let’s see if its price doesn’t make it just another crazy mixed up kid. Hey, you hungry?...
Apr 14, 2026
The Ten Crappiest Cars On Craigslist Right Now
The Ten Crappiest Cars On Craigslist Right Now
Finding a well-kept car on Craigslist isn’t the easiest thing in the world. For that you can probably thank the overpopulation of insanely crappy cars, like these 10 majestic crap-heaps. Please, God, somebody, turn the damn Fast and Furious ricer knob down on this poor 1999 Honda Accord. $3500 “Lambo...
Apr 14, 2026
How Far Should You Travel To Get The Best Deal On A Car Purchase?
How Far Should You Travel To Get The Best Deal On A Car Purchase?
The car market is more like real estate than a lot of people realize; location has a lot to do with how much you will pay. The good news is if your local market is tough, you can buy a car from wherever you want. How much you can save...
Apr 14, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved