I Found A Brand New Unsold Coda Electric Car From 10 Years Ago Still On The Lot!

[@jameskapp4752]

Worked on the Coda launch in Harbin,China. It was built from a Mitsubishi Gallant past model that had been sold to China. We were able to drive one on the factory grounds but the fit and finish was so bad that all of the cars shipped to the states were quarantined and rebuilt for fit and finish. I believe there were a lot of software problems.

[@areitu]

Thank you for that neat bit of insight! The Coda felt like it was just a few years ahead if it's time

[@christiangomez2496]

I heard it was based off the 1995 era mirage platform

[@flatspin7]

Cue Harrison Ford yelling… “THIS BELONGS IN A MUSEUM”

[@justinfowler2857]

Looks like it belongs in the junkyard.😅

[@markevans4832]

You had better get Tom to review that charging cable 😂

[@knipdlo]

When I lived in LA, they were running the test mules around the Mulholland area, I think I have a couple photos of them with testing equipment on them.

[@SkySkier]

My dad and I test drove a Coda. From what I remember, a test drive was done by appointment only. You showed up and got the dog and pony show of why you should buy a Coda. Then you were taken on a predetermined route of less than 2 miles. The fit and finish was pretty bad, lots of creaks and rattles. The drive quality wasn't any better, loud and not comfortable at all. I don't recall it being all that quick either.

[@jimbready3553]

I remember that Coda dealership. I visited it in late 2012 or early 2013, and talked to the salesman for quite a while. [He said he was saving up to buy a '73 Alfa GTV, so I knew he was a real car guy.] They had one Coda in the showroom and 4 more in the parking lot in the back, probably exactly where that car is. Interesting fact: Coda hired Aerospace Corporation to evaluate the battery pack during the cars development. Sadly, the report that Aerospace generated is not available to the public. The car was based on a JDM Mitsubishi, built under license in China. I'm not sure who made the motor and controller, might have been Azure Dynamics (RIP). With our 2023 sensibilities, the car seems grossly overpriced, but what was its competition in 2012? I liked the car, but it didn't make any sense for me. I thanked the salesman and left. A few months later they phoned me and asked if I'd be interested in a new Coda for $25,000. I wasn't. That must have been their going out of business sale.

[@jwardell]

If the powertrain was Azure than I know some folks who worked there any might know folks who know...something potentially useful..or not

[@jessebrook1688]

Given Aging Wheels' experience, I'd say the battery pack seems to have been the best-assembled part of it. The competition was an EV truck with 60 or so miles of range that was discontinued before they sold even as much as the Coda. There was also the horrendous Xap Zebra, an electric wheelbarrow with no effective suspension. It came with lead acid or lithium-ion batteries, and a range of not much. There was also the Corbin Sparrow, but that doesn't compete with a sedan. Same goes with the Tango T600. It's just a 2-seater. The Detroit Electric sports car never came, and the website eventually dropped off the face of the earth. The electric competition closest was probably the Model S, though the Leaf did better, as did the iMiev, though iMiev's sales numbers are closer to the Coda's.

[@youmakeitreal]

From my recollection the motors were from unique mobility (UQM) of Denver CO.

[@CorneliusKemp]

I worked for Coda Automotive 2007 - 2009, (used to be called Miles Electric Vehicles, owner was Miles Rubin) Our LA office was across the street from Santa Monica airport 😂 The memories.. So happy to see this car Kyle!

[@robert5008]

Waiting on the 70 mph range test Kyle

[@mkendallpk4321]

Right now I would think a 70 foot range test is all it can do.

[@justinfowler2857]

70 inches?

[@jimmurphy5355]

A couple months ago I saw a Coda charging at a public Level 2 charger in Fairfax CA.

[@mkendallpk4321]

What a find! A real brand new old stock Coda EV is almost like Indiana Jones finding the Ark of the Covenant. Can't wait to hear what happens next.

[@ronb4633]

Wild, that’s the dealership I got my 2005 Passat from and then got my ‘18 Bolt EV next door at DGDG Chevrolet. Welcome to the Bay Area Kyle.

[@tanmaychopra5603]

@Kyle Yay! they found the keys, you need to please go back and check it out once again, it is going to be so Fun

[@dennislyon5412]

I remember that my employer was bidding for some wiring for these cars back in the 2008-9 timeframe, but didn’t think this car actually came to fruition. Cool to see one! Almost predates the Model S/Leaf/Miev, and this example appears they were ready for high volume production - sort of. Hope you are able to make it move.

[@05Forenza]

That's exciting! If I worked at this dealer, I'd be 100% into the weeds trying to find everything about that car lol. I do that at my own dealer periodically as it is :P

[@ericwolff6059]

A better looking EV than any current model out there. And the dash, without a computer screen glaring in your face is nice.

[@deathchopvhs]

I used to see a few of these when I was leasing my Smart EV and working in Santa Monica, CA. Not many of them but they were charging at the Santa Monica Civic Center with myself and everyone else that had an EV at the time. Really cool to see how far it's come for sure. My Smart EV went 68 miles or so on its Leer battery pack! Fun fact, the battery pack was a separate lease from the Smart EV. Literally got two separate bills every month.

[@QALibrary]

wow what a find and share - Robert from Underdone/Ageing Wheels has 4 of these and boy they have design issues

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

Robert is pretty gung-ho on weird obscure vehicles. Now after owning them and dealing with all the problems they have, he looks like he's accepted the fact these are pretty much ... crap.

[@MrAndrew941]

It would of been cool if it was one of those first GM electric cars from the 90s, I would be interested to know if any survived the mass recall and crushing of them, they were way ahead of their time

[@murderbymodem]

In the movie "The Other Guys", it was a Toyota Prius, but I think "Dirty Mike and the Boys" had some fun in this car too lol

[@mclaine33]

“Thanks for the F-Shack” - signed Dirty Mike and the Boys

[@Anthony__420]

Wow Kyle so cool can’t wait for part two

[@CepheidMadEngineer]

I'll be honest - I saw a Coda youtube video in my feed and opened it not even thinking it would be someone other than Robert.

[@agingwheels]

Hey, I know a guy with three of those!

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

After the novelty wears off and Kyle gets sick of dealing with it, that guy will probably be given ... ONE MORE.

[@newscoulomb3705]

This was fun. Nice timing, too. I'm also about to switch the key on to test the 12 V system on one of my Ranger EVs for the first time soon... after who knows how many years. Good luck with the title! It will be fun to see a Coda driving around Colorado.

[@BensEcoAdvntr]

I'm excited for your Ranger project(s)!

[@davidmorris4948]

This is a great video! Thanks man I’ve been listening to you for years, including all the podcast with the four of you and I just want to say it’s all I listen to the four of you and I geek out every down EV’s if you’re ever in San Diego, and would like to get a cup of coffee I’m active duty in the U.S. Navy and has been serving for almost 20 years now. I installed my own solar system, and I’m generating all green energy. Keep up the great work man if you ever need a helping hand, let me know take care.

[@lawnmowerdude]

Excited they found the keys.

[@KyleKlabunde]

Can’t wait to see more of this

[@garyclark6747]

Coda versus Twizzy vehicle comparison. 😉 15:50

[@craigix]

I still think about and laugh about the Coda. It's such a janky hack, their sales method was pretty funny, really trying to sell a car which looked like it was from the 1990s at the same time the Tesla model S was available.

[@jackylsmith8138]

I agree. But how much did the model S cost compared to the Coda. I’m sure they were miles apart. Even early late 1990’s to early 2000’s Ford had an electric Ford Ranger that were leased

[@TNitroH]

I hope you get it! So much interesting things to see and do with this nice little car!

[@c.a.nixiii4650]

Most interesting video in quite some time. Like finding a mummy in a pyramid that everyone thought had been fully explored!

[@witness1013]

The motor and controller w/out the cooling system sell for $4500+

[@davidew98]

I hope you get this. This will make some awesome content. Hopefully you guys restore it to mint new condition. This is definitely a show or museum piece.

[@GregV8]

That “leather” interior is 👌

[@TheDrivenDave]

I love a good barn find!! Cool video, Kyle!

[@Smidge204]

Looks like someone stole the radio! That's like half the value of the car gone...

[@lionelwylie2326]

The other half of the car the battery, is almost certainty gone too after 10 years in a flat state.

[@tomwaller6893]

Wonderful stuff. I am pleased for you all.

[@CafeElectric]

Brian Hall at Thunderstruck EV parted a bunch of these out. Maybe a good resource? Silicon Valley sure has a lot of EV history!

[@LongStep]

What a find! EVs have come so far. I would never have purchased one, but if you can get it for cheap it would be fun to watch the clean-up and upgrades.

[@WestCoastChicano]

Hopefully it can be saved. It would make a good auto museum piece. Gr8 vid as usual. 🚙 🇺🇸 🔌

[@Taduuuu]

Crazy price for that car . One of your best videos yet!

[@D0li0]

What a rare find... Hope you can bring it back to life.

[@EVDroid]

Dirty Mike and the boys got a hold of that thing

[@myharryface]

That's crazy! I think I remember seeing one at the SF Car show that year ... and then I never heard about them again. -- I live pretty close to that dealership and I don't even remember it having Coda branding on it. That must of been insanely short lived ... like a week. lol

[@leelowe8482]

Why does it have a license plate?

[@73av8r5]

Dealer plates I think. DGDG is on that guys shirt too.

[@smert_rashistskiy_pederacii]

Is this the closest Chevrolet Lacetti EV version? Looks very similar.

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

Wait, 73 MPGe? That thing is as inefficient as my Rivian? 😱 With a body that looks like the original Prius?

[@MistSoalar]

cool find! I had Coda's swag water bottle from LA Auto Show. people there were nice

[@i3drivingnerd]

I sat in a brand new one of these at the Detroit Autoshow back in 2010 or 2011 (can't remember exactly)... it was a sad display stand, I felt bad for them.

[@davidmenasco5743]

At the time, very few people in Detroit really expected electric cars to ever be much better than the Coda. The mental image, for them, of an all-electric future would be like, taking all of their Corvettes and F-150s off the road and replacing them with Codas. You could see it in the way they would sneer at the first mention of EVs.

[@krugerdave]

I remember reading an article about the Coda back in the day; the best line was something about the car looking like someone had drawn it with crayon 😂

[@lawnmowerdude]

I was into this car when it was announced. There weren’t many options for EVs the.

[@kentgabriel3572]

I personally love the anonymous looks of the Coda ....be a great daily driver for around town if.....you can get it to work. LOL

[@Albert_Ward]

@snazzy Labs has a Coda , did a few videos on it

[@RichardMillet-RM]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6jPpaejjpubg80

[@newscoulomb3705]

Nice. A friend tried to buy one when they were available new, but they backed out due to the price.

[@silvy7394]

Man, give it to Aging Wheels. That guy could maybe do something with it.

[@prashanthnatarajan89]

You should do a meet up in San Jose!

[@danjmcs]

Hah, so cool, what a great find. Hope that works out that you can get it!

[@lh2338]

If you guys are still in the South Bay, you check out check Krung Thai. Best Thai food in San Jose.

[@ouch1011]

If you can manage to buy and title that thing, I think you should drive it to Missouri to visit Robert/Aging Wheels.

[@68mustangman]

Welcome to the Bay area - electric car capital of the world.

[@davidmenasco5743]

Kyle should make a video just showing how many different EV models can be spotted in a couple of hours driving around that neighborhood. Go to grocery store parking lots and count the EVs. (Then do another one in Oslo, they might have even more)

[@watershed44]

@jaradderosa3252 Figures, and among other things like crime, feces, homeless, ect. I hope EVs never make it out of California in any significant way.

[@davidmenasco5743]

@@watershed44 Hahahahaha!!!! Sorry to burst your bubble, but all of that stuff can be found elsewhere in abundance. Especially the feces. And rest assured, EVs will be coming to your neighborhood. Within about two or three years they will be all over your town, if they aren't already.

[@andrewchapman879]

I would recommend contacting aging wheels and see if he wants it

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

Alex on autos had a nexo. We had coda dealer in ohio. Don’t forget a 2012 leaf was 36000 for 73 miles

[@c.a.nixiii4650]

But likely still better than a Yugo!

[@Josh-179]

In today's dollars, this cost $48,000+. For something that looks like a Suzuki economy car with no range. I can't see why this failed.

[@raymondw_yt]

Dirty Mike and the Boys may have had the first ever Electric Vehicle Soup Kitchen in this bad boy.

[@JP-sw5ho]

Get that evse over to Tom for a review. It could be part of his history of charging lineup, next to the original Mini charger

[@arnold_2523]

did you buy it , it wil be a awesome video serie!

[@DctrPhil]

“Thanks for the ef shack” - Dirty Mike & The Boys

[@gmlover82]

Man that’s too cool.

[@TheNiteinjail]

Unless you can find an EV1 sitting in some barn that's about as close to a quirky retro EV as you're likely to find haha

[@MichaelWilliams-mo1vv]

Was there a follow up to this?

[@JonathanLong]

Since they found the keys can you please document the first attempt to charge it and drive it

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

As for the tax credit - the current tax credit requires that the vehicle manufacturer be registered with the IRS as a qualified manufacturer. If you had bought it last year before the IRA took effect, it absolutely should have qualified though!

[@socksumi]

What you learned from Aging wheels videos should be enough to warn you away from the Coda EV. AW described it as the most unreliable car he's owned that's always breaking down. That's saying something when your fleet consists of a Trabant and other equally crappy cars.

[@joemcdonough7509]

Kyle should dump the leaf and replace it with this. It'll be way more interesting content!

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

Damn this is cool!

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

"soup kitchen" comes to mind....when you say "i wonder what happened in here"

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

I want those floor mats for my Rivian. :-P

[@Bluelightning23]

Isn't that a rebranded jetta or pessot?

[@telemetrycoaching165]

Freshly out of the 10 year battery pack warranty!

[@aticus21]

Oh hey I bought my e-golf there lol

[@ErnieTracey]

The Wildest And Weirdest Chinese EVs From The 2023 Shanghai Auto Show Wheelsboy 97.3K subscribers s 2 days ago Kyle check this out.

[@PraiseYAyoupeople]

I personally doubt main battery will even work.

[@johnmcmahon9515]

A Mechanic's Lein should be available! Then they could sell it! a locksmith should be able to make a key for it!

[@elwynjoseph5230]

It’s good,WOW……👏🏽🥳👏🏽

[@itschrishuerta]

@snazzylabs has one too!

[@MrTrevorkemp]

Kyle, stay away from this thing. It's best in the hands of aging wheels. The problem is these batteries were prone to self-discharging so you now need to find a battery pack that is going to be the most expensive battery pack in a car you can find. Literally a brand new battery pack for your plaid would be cheaper than this thing It's just going to be another museum piece like that crappy suburban that you have before you guys try to get it, I would definitely have those guys put a new 12 volt battery in it and then plug it in for a day or two to a wall that using its original charger to see if the batteries will actually take a charge. But these batteries were also known for having terrible BMSs and going horribly out of balance and then stopping working as well The reason they failed is because virtually every one of these cars that was sold had issues and required warranty work and cost more than $50,000 to make and we're so poorly built that they cost another $30,000 to keep on the road for the duration of their warranty. That is why the company went out of business. It basically cost them $80,000 per unit and they sold them for 40. These things were just a giant money pit and never going to be something that should have came to fruition in the first place.

[@prerunnerwannabe]

I thought this was an Aging Wheels video lol.

[@muhamadfadzlyshaharani5787]

Robert. He has 3

[@cameronschweder8698]

Ageing Wheels has entered the chat...

[@modelcitizen72]

Take the Spark EV and run.

[@be236]

Search on that VIN and see what comes up.. heh.

[@djlorenz11]

Only in America this can happen, how can you "forget" a new car in a parking lot for 10y

[@winstoncat6785]

Chinese EV from 2012. I now drive a Polestar 2. They move very, very fast, don't they?

[@chrisness]

It's worth at least $7500 if it qualifies for the tax credit :P

[@joshuasmith7369]

Challenge; try to find an early electric truck made by Phoenix motors . If you do, please make a video of that.

[@TristenHernandez]

I’ve never even heard of this. I’m gonna try to find one myself.

[@joshuasmith7369]

@@TristenHernandez, I originally heard about them in 2012 on a KZbin channel. Last time I heard anything about them the company filed for bankruptcy, but their still might be one out there somewhere.

[@davidew98]

I believe there’s a Chevy S 10 or Ford ranger electric

[@JohnSmith-ug5ci]

Might be worth 1000 dollars at the most.

[@NeoN-su8ew]

Recycle the batteries bank worth something.

[@billermanthegreat]

Coda's look like a messed up civic.

[@omelborpon3159]

like a kid in a candy store, lol

[@PrincessTS01]

Don't tell @agingwheels there are more Coda's, he has two already...

[@sdhute]

That surely does not seem like a 37k car especially 10 years ago