# Good/Bad - 2002 vs 2006 e4 **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [October 2, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/good-bad-2002-vs-2006-e4/12892 "2017-10-02T19:52:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![csims](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@csims](https://community.electricforum.com/u/csims)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/good-bad-2002-vs-2006-e4/12892/1 "2017-10-02T19:52:34Z")
Looking at selling my '02… found good deal on an '06… just seeing what you guys thought? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/good-bad-2002-vs-2006-e4/12892/2 "2017-10-02T21:08:42Z")
Do it…IMO ---
**Author:** ![Elaine\_Triplett](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/elaine_triplett/32/1226_2.png) [@Elaine\_Triplett](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Elaine_Triplett)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/good-bad-2002-vs-2006-e4/12892/3 "2017-10-07T10:53:02Z")
Definitely go for the '06. All things being equal the 2006 is far better than a 2002. We purchased a new 2006 eS in July 2006. It has been great!!! We now own 3 GEMs and when anyone is interested in buying a GEM I ALWAYS strongly urge them to buy 2005 or newer. This is because by then Daimler Chrysler Corporation owned GEM long enough to have made a lot of changes that were far superior to the GEMs manufactured prior to 2005. Greatly improving the Electronics and Brakes, and the Controls and the dashboard indication. My friend purchased a used 2004 and spent a lot of money upgrading the electronics and still wishes he had taken my advice to buy 2005 or newer. As for this particular car you’re looking at, I would ask to drive it for about 15 miles. Seeing firsthand how it holds up charge-wise should give you a good indication of battery condition and the charging system. Granted the older the batteries the less range you’ll get. When they were new they ran for 30 miles on a full charge in the hilly terrain in my city. But with older batteries only 17 to 21 miles range. But that’s okay, I plug it in when I return from an errand and keep it charged. I’ve only had to change my batteries once in my '06 eS. I have an '08 e2 that is still on it’s original batteries and I am amazed! Update us on your outcome, please. Elaine ---
**Author:** ![csims](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@csims](https://community.electricforum.com/u/csims)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/good-bad-2002-vs-2006-e4/12892/4 "2017-10-08T22:55:31Z")
I went ahead and pulled the trigger. It had GEL batteries less than 2 years old… I know it still depends on how the previous owner took care of them, but figured it was a start. I upgraded to a R4F motor, and new tires/rims. Tires will be here this week, and I am heading to the DMV tomorrow, so I should be able to see how things go after that. ---
**Author:** ![csims](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@csims](https://community.electricforum.com/u/csims)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/good-bad-2002-vs-2006-e4/12892/5 "2017-10-08T22:58:08Z")
![20171001_172431](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/5/5a1ff34337b41bfbdb39a76ba0b654febd7a4305.jpg) ![20170718_131130](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/6/696d8d3ef5399b5dff3015552dd32b33c924baaa.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ElectricEddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3e96dc/32.png) [@ElectricEddy](https://community.electricforum.com/u/ElectricEddy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/good-bad-2002-vs-2006-e4/12892/6 "2018-01-28T22:18:34Z")
Did you paint it yourself or professionally? If professionally, how much do body shop charge?