EV 2nd Car Choice

Author
Discussion

ant1973

Original Poster:

5,693 posts

206 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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I have a Cayman GTS as my main car and an elderly Honda CRV for family duties. I have three large teenage kids, so space is an issue. On longer journeys, we use my wife's XC90.

The CRV is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced.

A slightly smaller electric car is likely ok as the vehicle will be used only for school runs and maybe occasional visits to local clients. However, I need something reasonably respectable and reliable, so have discounted the idea of a shed.

As I own my own company, I can have an electric car for a reasonable amount of money (works out that it's much the same to spend twice as much on an electric car as it is to buy something out of post tax income, etc).

I had in mind spending £10 - £15k for an ICE vehicle, and £25k tops for an electric.

Not bothered about buying a new EV as the corporation tax benefit of 100% WDA is really just a cashflow issue recaptured by the balancing payment on disposal. Conversely, when I sell a second hand EV I will recover non expensed depreciation via the balancing charge.

In the up to £25k market, choices are limited:-

EGolf
Kona (few at £25k).
Ioniq
Leaf
MG (don't fancy it).

Not wild about the Ioniq or Leaf for a variety of reasons, mainly based on how they look.

EGolf is older tech wrapped in a conventional package. Range not great but fine for me.

Any other suggestions? I think being realistic with myself, the egolf is the only one I can see myself driving.

Part of me thinks my heart is not really in it, and I should just buy a 3-4 year old CRV and have done with it. Bigger more practical car that looks fine to turn up to a client's office in.

I prefer to buy my cars but have leased in the past. However, looks like leasing and PCP bargains are few and far between these days.



Greenmantle

1,277 posts

109 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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BMW i3

Maracus

4,243 posts

169 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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Could just squeeze into a L1 Mini Electric.

This is pricewise and spacewise, as long as you only need 4 seats (as per the i3).

greggy50

6,170 posts

192 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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Stretch to a new MG4 if you can, reviews are very good, and it seems great VFM.

I also personally think it will hold its value well.

Range on an early E-Golf won't be much more than 100 miles in winter I suspect so I can see them not being worth a lot in the future like the Mk1 Leaf as they suddenly look very out of date.

J1990

816 posts

54 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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I'd be between the i3 and the Kona - the i3 is quirky and seems to get some very decent reviews, the Kona is very 'white goods' but for what it does I think it's hard to get better value.

Maracus

4,243 posts

169 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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Also a SEAT Mii. One of the most frugal EVs.

GT6k

860 posts

163 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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Another vote for the I3 or even and I3S. Well worth a test drive, I tried the Mini, Honda E, and Zoe but bought an I3S

S600BSB

4,667 posts

107 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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Not an MG..

plfrench

2,386 posts

269 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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As someone else said even the later e-Golf won't be good for much more than 100miles in winter based on our experience of running one.

If you're comfortable that is enough for you, then it is actually a really good car as an allrounder which I'd highly recommend without hesitation. £25k would get you into one of the last 20 plates in decent condition.

It's nippy enough, way, way, way better day-to-day performance than the 150bhp 1.5Tsi Golf my wife has temporarily replaced her e-Golf with despite that being 1.5 sec or so quicker to 60 on paper. In comparison that just feels frustratingly sluggish unless you absolutely thrash it. It also rides and handles very much like a normal Golf. Won't set the world alight, but as a normal daily car, it's pretty decent.

ant1973

Original Poster:

5,693 posts

206 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
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Thanks for all the advice.

Think I am going to be conventional and boring and buy a second hand CRV.

sjg

7,454 posts

266 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
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Had an egolf for 2 years on lease. Range aside, was a great car - nice low driving position, typically intuitive controls, adaptive cruise but not annoying lane assist, really refined and quite zippy. Would definitely recommend if a Golf suits and you'll charge at home for local running about. Swap the wheels for any other Golf wheels if you don't like the style. Can't say they seem great value (but then I know what you could buy a new one for a few years ago!) but I think an electric Golf will always hold its value OK.

Replaced with a Leaf and it's also a good car - higher, almost crossover seat height. Also very refined, quicker, and epedal (true one pedal driving down to a standstill) is great in traffic. Decent boot and rear passenger room too.

LordGrover

33,549 posts

213 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
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i3 great, but not practical for three large teenagers... only two seats in rear.

codenamecueball

529 posts

90 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
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Ioniq is very impressive. Very decent range, lots of standard kit, but it hardly sets the pulse racing.

so called

9,090 posts

210 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
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Ioniq 5 has bags of leg room front and back with sliding rear seats.

McAndy

12,486 posts

178 months

Friday 28th October 2022
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Don't discount the Ioniq. My wife's 2017 model is excellent, and has convinced me to go electric when I replace my ICE.

SWoll

18,440 posts

259 months

Friday 28th October 2022
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LordGrover said:
i3 great, but not practical for three large teenagers... only two seats in rear.
Assumig 4 passengers it would be absolutely fine as offers tardis like interior space. If all 3 need to fit in the back comfortably then going to need something considerably bigger as would rule out most small/medium cars IME. Even a Model 3 was a bit of a squeeze with ours as limited by width and centre headroom.

so called said:
Ioniq 5 has bags of leg room front and back with sliding rear seats.
For £25k?

Edited by SWoll on Friday 28th October 12:28