Colorado is a wacky and wonderful place. Not just the home of Greendale Community College, it’s also a great place to get a screaming deal on an EV, thanks to a range of generous state subsidies. We’ve previously featured some crazy offers, like the Nissan Leaf you could lease for $20 a month. But wouldn’t $0 a month for a Fiat 500e be even better?
The dealer in question is Larry H Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram Fiat down in Denver, Colorado. Larry’s feeling particularly generous, it seems, and he’s got Fiat 500e stock just sitting around, ready to go. The numbers come out like this—you pay $0 down, and $0 a month for a 27-month lease good for 10,000 miles a year.
You need only cover the relevant taxes in a single one-off payment. The small print says that should come to around $1,297.68, and you’ll also have to cover a disposition fee of $395. Assuming you don’t exceed the mileage, you’re scoring a Fiat 500e for over two years for less than $1700 bucks!
Is this a screaming deal? I would say yes. You have the State of Colorado and a stack of subsidies to thank for it. As per the Colorado Energy Office website:
Colorado taxpayers are eligible for a state tax credit of $5,000 for the purchase or lease of a new EV with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) up to $80,000, and an additional tax credit of $2,500 for the purchase or lease of a new EV with an MSRP up to $35,000. Lease agreements must have an initial term of at least two years.
The Fiat 500e is a great automobile—our own Thomas Hundal said it was “so damn fun you won’t care about its range.” I drove the Fiat 500e Abarth myself, and was astounded at what Fiat had achieved. While I drove the sportier model, it was clear that Fiat had nailed the city car fundamentals with this thing. I wouldn’t pick any other car as an inner-city commuter if I had the choice. The only drawback is how expensive it is—but at $2000 for a 27 month lease, you’re dodging the model’s main drawback entirely!
It’s true that the Fiat 500e isn’t for everyone. It is quite small, and it only has 141 miles of range. If you have a long highway commute and no charging at home, you’d probably find it impractical. If you live downtown though, it’s an absolute delight. Its instant throttle response darts you through traffic with ease, and it’s a cinch to park with that tiny wheelbase. If your apartment or townhouse has parking with charging, you’re gonna love the 500e.
It really is just the short range that’s the dealbreaker for many. It’s not the car for long trips out of town or for those who live in charging deserts. That does limit the 500e’s market, and is perhaps why they haven’t sold in great numbers yet. Oh, and the high price. With a retail price over $33,000 in many cases, it’s tough to swallow. On a super cheap lease, though, or with a $10,000 discount, it’s a much more attractive proposition.
If you do grab one of these leases, and you fall in love, fear not. There’s a purchase option at the end of the lease for $17,388. My professional opinion is that that’s not bad at all.
If you do pull the trigger, do let me know. I’m dying to know if these cheap Colorado leases are all they’re cracked up to be, and who better to report back than a dyed-in-the-wool Autopian? Tune in next week for more—same car time, same car channel. Oh, and one more thing…
Sometimes when we write these sale or lease posts, people raise questions about their validity. I get that! It’s very easy to put a wild offer in an advert online. It’s a whole other thing to actually deliver it to the public. In this case, though, I can confirm the deal is legit—because Autopian reader Carson just signed on the dotted line! More on Monday.
Image credits: Fiat, Larry H Miller dealer via screenshot, Sky Dancer (wacky arm waving …) pic credit:Rob/stock.adobe.com
I live in the Denver area. Larry Miller is known for sending out emails with “awesome” deals. But they are unobtainable from my experience. The most recent was a $99/month lease on a new VW Jetta. When you get to the dealer: “Oh we just sold that one”.
Damn, if I could only somehow transport this car from Colorado to Maine I’d be all in. I have an EV charger collecting dust and a short commute. I’ve vowed to never “rent” a vehicle but at that price it would make sense.
As green as our great state touts itself to be, there is a huge shortage of deals on EVs in Maine.
I haven’t been looking. We had bought a used EV and then it was impossible to sell when we were done with it. Nobody wants used EVs. Not even dealerships.
i wonder, with the impending probable loss of gov incentives, if the price will drop dramatically before jan 20th. I could see them possibly unloading stock so they dont get stuck with it.
“Larry H Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram Fiat”
The only dealership certified in all five levels of drinking.
“Greendale Community College’
I don’t know why but my headcanon always put them in Florida.
Isn’t this the fictional college on some tv show
Community is an American television sitcom created by Dan Harmon. The series ran for 110 episodes over six seasons, with its first five seasons airing on NBC from September 17, 2009, to April 17, 2014, and its final season airing on Yahoo! Screen from March 17 to June 2, 2015. Set at a community college in the fictional Colorado town of Greendale, the series stars an ensemble cast including Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase, and Jim Rash. It makes use of meta-humor and pop culture references, paying homage to film and television clichés and tropes.
Who hasn’t done the back-of-envelope math to determine how many charges it takes to get this car from Colorado back to Maryland.
The phrasing sounds like it’s restricted to Colorado residents.
Colorado taxpayers are eligible…
I’m sure you’re right.
Anyway, getting across Kansas means the chargers must absolutely fucking work.
Were this in NYC, I’d jump at it, but every trip to CO has required tons of driving. Even with a CX90 PHEV, I was scrambling to find chargers; I’d hate to have to rely on them entirely
Really puts the “lease” into “PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD JUST TAKE THESE OFF OUR LOT ALREADY”
Stellantis really needs to sell the cabrio version here to stand out. There are zero convertible EVs in the US right now. Would be perfect
Goddamn if I had any way to charge this I’d be on my way there already, but I don’t even have off-street parking.
Really curious how that range holds up in the cold weather in CO
I’m guessing these will be worth somewhat less than the $17,388 buyout amount at the end of the 27 months.
Heck of a deal, if you can live with the range and mileage restrictions.
Even if you need more mileage, lease 2…
Just tow one till the first runs out of battery
The T&C from the website:
Anybody want to take a swing at any loopholes, there?
The only thing that’s not quantifiably defined is “excess wear and tear charges”
Wow, the lease end buy out is way less that I thought it would be. If you buy out the car after the lease, that gets you EV ownership for less than $20k.
Has a vin number. Only one?
“ On approved credit.”.Why? To make sure I’m good for the $0 monthly payment?
Let you know how it goes? It’s the lease I can do.
Here’s a simple method to qualify for this if you live out of state.
Step 1 – get a room at an extended stay hotel
Step 2 – get a cell phone plan from walmart and use the hotel address as your residence
Step 3 – get a colorado drivers license using the same address
Step 4 – File paperwork to form a legal partnership in colorado thereby establishing that you are a colorado taxpayer
Step 4.1 – It is extremely important that you do this and not something like an LLC because you need to be able to say you are the taxpayer and not the corporation.
Step 5 – Get a PO Box at a UPS store
Step 6 – using all that paperwork, walk into the dealership and get the Fiat
Step 7 – have any kind of mail from the dealership sent to the UPS store
Step 8 – once the transaction is complete, check out of the hotel, cancel the cell phone (or keep it if you need a burner, I’m not a cop)
Step 9 – have the UPS store forward all mail you receive at that box to a store closer to your “real home”. However, and this is important, do not let them transfer your box to the new store. Say you’re “going on an extended work assignment” but you still need the active box to be at that location.
Step 10 – Move the car back to your “real home” and transfer the plates/title.
Step 11 – if the dealership ever asks “hey what the fuck”, inform them that you’re a colorado taxpayer through your legal partnership and you are still in compliance with all legal requirements of the tax credits.
This will only take 4-6 weeks of your time, and maybe a couple grand in extra costs, but your reward is getting to lease an electric Fiat for 2 years. Seems like a fair trade.
(this is not legal advice, this is not financial advice, blah blah blah)
COTD
“I’d like to thank my wife and Dick Wolf for explaining everything about taxes and laws that allowed me to confidently make this shitpost”
Bong bong.
Vehicle must be titled and registered in CO, so that is going to add 2 months.
Step 6.1 – go to the county tax office and file the title/registration paperwork yourself.
My family has always done this because my dad got burned when he was young and the dealership never sent in the paperwork.
If I ever win the lottery, you’re the first person I’m calling for advice.
I’ll need a 72 Ranchero GT with the 7.0 V8 up front as a retainer for my services.
Or don’t commit fraud. I’m all for eating the rich, but this is not the way to stick it to the man.
I’m following all rules and regulations as defined by my understanding of Colorado tax and motor vehicle law. You can’t charge a person with fraud just because they didn’t follow the “spirit” or “current legal precedent”.
I would say that filing a partnership with no intention of using it other than to get a benefit is dishonest and misrepresentation. But sure, you can’t be charged. Congratulations. Doesn’t make it less of a dick move in my book. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s right.
(I am not being serious about any of this. Even if all that would actually work, your only reward for spending 3k and 6ish weeks of time is an electric Fiat.)
Fair! I popped off a bit because I see way too much of people seriously playing these games and I don’t like it much. Also, yeah, a 500e is not much of a prize for this work.
It is technically correct the best kind of correct
legislative intent or the “spirit” of the law is often cited by judges in criminal trial opinions. Usually when the court is fleshing out how the law will be applied and establishing case law.
PS, your understanding doesn’t matter. It’s the understanding of the court that matters.
Look I’ll tell you the same thing I told that army psychiatrist.
“We can agree to disagree, but to accuse me of being delusional is an insult to me and my 200 IQ.”
Also getting caught or not.
Well yeah, you can ignore most laws if you’re good enough at not getting caught. I don’t have that kind of money though.
Well how far is Colorado willing to come to get you?
If the government isn’t the man who is?
you’ll need to live in CO for 90 consecutive days before you can get to step 3.
Wait seriously? In Texas and Florida the law as written says you have to report a change of residence within 30 days.
“residency” is not established in CO until you have lived there for 90 consecutive days. Then you must transfer your license within 30 days of that.
New to Colorado | Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle
also, after that you’ll need to schedule an appointment with the DMV and you’ll need to provide 2 acceptable documents proving residency at your address, which might be tricky with an extended stay since you don’t have utility bills.
I’m starting to wonder if all that is worth it for a lease on an electric Fiat.
It’s a fun game to kick around. But at the end of the day it IS an electric Fiat.
But shoot. If I wanted to go ski in CO for the next 4 months it might be a thing to do after the snow is gone before heading home. Ski bums never had it so good.
I lived at a hotel several times when I moved to a new state. Any personal address mail is legal. Some places utilities are included so no bill.
And the deal is gone in 13 days anyway
Don’t forget that this will probably only last until the end of the month, since the CO tax incentive will decrease Jan 1, and who knows what will happen to the federal incentive a few weeks later. Better get those 90 days in quick.
So if I am reading it right- do you need to be a CO resident/taxpayer for the lease? because hell, Id trip it 100mi at a time back to NY at that cost.
Somebody who gets this will be streets ahead!
In line with Ford’s Lightning to power your house brag, can it power the Pierce hologram? I mean if it’s a thing. Jeff swears he’s seen it, but nobody else has…
Deep cut!
Looks as if you’ve lost your way…
I’m digging the small print on the lead photo. I giggled and shared with a friend. Good on ya!
So, how do I get it from CO to SoCal? I’m not wasting time driving it. Heck, I’m guessing one full charge wouldn’t even get it up to the Eisenhower Tunnel (good news: afterward it is all, on average, downhill).
Or transport it?
How about putting an ION Dynamics charger in the back for the drive home?
The dealer will probably also be glad to sell you a Ram 3500 for $10-20K off.
I was curious so I looked at their current inventory.
The cheapest 3500 on site is 63k after 6k in dealer discount.
Here’s the twist. Their most expensive 3500 only has a 3k discount.
They do have some additional discounts beyond that, but it does seem like they aren’t super competitive on HD pricing.
must be a Colorado resident.
also The Eisenhower Tunnels are only 62 miles from the dealer, so you should be good.
I have a buddy in CO, and maybe I can make an arrangement with him.
62 miles, but 6000 feet of elevation gain up to the tunnel. 141 miles of range assumes some kind of flatness of terrain, I assume?
Sounds like an awesome The Autopian future article. I mean, if it doesn’t make it, just turn it around, and it’s downhill back to Denver to rethink the process. If it does make it, Glenwood Springs is 103 miles, average downhill. Should recharge the battery the whole way. So, recharge there, then…Grand Junction.
Probably a good three days. And back (uphill, so add another day or two) if I decided not to buy out.
TFL Truck has some mountain towing videos with the Lightning, and while it’s maybe not directly comparable to a 500e, it is pretty remarkable how quickly the range drops going uphill.
Just stop and charge in Georgetown on the way up. Based on my experience doing that drive many times in a Bolt, expect to use ~30kWh of the 40kWh battery on the way up to the tunnels, maybe more if it’s well below freezing, but be able to return back down with basically zero change in state of charge.
EV in winter maybe not
One way U-Haul box truck and tow dolly rental?
I could get a U-Haul in which the Fiat would fit, maybe.
My uncle moved to California with a LeCar in the back of the truck, no trailer needed, so that might work. Just don’t turn when loading it up the ramp
Just saw the ‘Why’d you turn?!’ video on Fail Army. Always felt bad for that poor girl
But loading and unloading is a bitch
I don’t know about SoCal, but I’m in Chicago. I could just let it glide downhill.
I’m in SoCal, at about 1000ft above sea level. That is a lot lower than Denver at Mile-high-ish altitude. I have a small mountain range to get over. CHI is a far smoother downhill drive. Another awesome potential The Autopian article: How far various EVs get from DEN going eastward, and then how far they go back to DEN.
I love the new(ish) Denver airport. The plane doesn’t land, the ground just comes up and catches it.
“You need only cover the relevant taxes in a single one-off payment. The small print says that should come to around $1,297.68, and you’ll also have to cover a disposition fee of $395.”
I think Mercedes is paying more than that annually just in license plate renewals.
We had the first gen 500e lease for $49/month. That was also a free car compared to the gas savings. If this 500e works for your life, it’s a great option.
Just don’t forget to check what your insurance will cost you first. I leased a 2015 Fiat 500e and it’s the most expensive car I’ve ever insured. The same coverage to this day is cheaper on my 2011 BMW Z4, 2016 M4, and 2020 X3. Loved that car for a local runabout but the savings ended up being pretty minimal in the end.
True. Even with the insurance increase (granted this was ~12 years ago) by adding the 500e, it was still a net savings as we were able to negotiate a savings in the insurance premium in the ancient SUV that we kept largely parked. Not sure that would happen today.
Wow. If I could get a deal like that, I certainly would be swayed, haha.
I’ve also always wanted a 500 as a runabout.
If this was available in my state, I’d be giving them a credit card and ordering a very long extension cord…