BYD Dolphin Surf - any good?
Discussion
I've ordered a Cupra Raval VZ, but having second thoughts about spending £34k on a car with potentially lots of software issues.
Looking at alternative small EVs, a few pre-reg Dolphin Surfs are available, with the top spec Comfort models at just under £17k. £7k below list price.
Most reviews are positive, apart from the infotainment and dashboard switches.
Other cars under consideration are:
Honda Super N. No V2L
Dacia Spring 100. No heated seats.
I would consider a top spec R5, but waiting list is long.
Perhaps stupidly, I sold my Kia EV3 2 weeks ago for a very good price, thinking I'd be back on the road before December...
I've considered going back to ICE, with a Picanto GT-S turbo or Up gti, but I much prefer an EV.
Looking at alternative small EVs, a few pre-reg Dolphin Surfs are available, with the top spec Comfort models at just under £17k. £7k below list price.
Most reviews are positive, apart from the infotainment and dashboard switches.
Other cars under consideration are:
Honda Super N. No V2L
Dacia Spring 100. No heated seats.
I would consider a top spec R5, but waiting list is long.
Perhaps stupidly, I sold my Kia EV3 2 weeks ago for a very good price, thinking I'd be back on the road before December...
I've considered going back to ICE, with a Picanto GT-S turbo or Up gti, but I much prefer an EV.
I've driven a few, and they are pleasant enough.
Interior quality feels good, very nice seats on the top spec one I drove.
They don't pull away from standstill as well as other elec cars, so I recommend road testing one before purchase. (one I drove was sold shortly after purchase due to this)
I love the Renault 5's, I think they nailed the looks on these. But still only ok to drive, they don't light any fires driving. Nice inside.
The smaller Kias I find very pleasant, another one of those?
Up Gti is the way I went recently, mainly because I wanted less driver aids than modern cars, and none of the huge repair bills I'm seeing on modern cars nowadays. I think the good examples will hold on to their value really well. My 42 month old one cost only a fraction less than what is was brand new.
The Honda looks interesting though.
Interior quality feels good, very nice seats on the top spec one I drove.
They don't pull away from standstill as well as other elec cars, so I recommend road testing one before purchase. (one I drove was sold shortly after purchase due to this)
I love the Renault 5's, I think they nailed the looks on these. But still only ok to drive, they don't light any fires driving. Nice inside.
The smaller Kias I find very pleasant, another one of those?
Up Gti is the way I went recently, mainly because I wanted less driver aids than modern cars, and none of the huge repair bills I'm seeing on modern cars nowadays. I think the good examples will hold on to their value really well. My 42 month old one cost only a fraction less than what is was brand new.
The Honda looks interesting though.
clockworks said:
I've ordered a Cupra Raval VZ, but having second thoughts about spending £34k on a car with potentially lots of software issues.
Looking at alternative small EVs, a few pre-reg Dolphin Surfs are available, with the top spec Comfort models at just under £17k. £7k below list price.
Most reviews are positive, apart from the infotainment and dashboard switches.
Other cars under consideration are:
Honda Super N. No V2L
Dacia Spring 100. No heated seats.
I would consider a top spec R5, but waiting list is long.
Perhaps stupidly, I sold my Kia EV3 2 weeks ago for a very good price, thinking I'd be back on the road before December...
I've considered going back to ICE, with a Picanto GT-S turbo or Up gti, but I much prefer an EV.
MG4?Looking at alternative small EVs, a few pre-reg Dolphin Surfs are available, with the top spec Comfort models at just under £17k. £7k below list price.
Most reviews are positive, apart from the infotainment and dashboard switches.
Other cars under consideration are:
Honda Super N. No V2L
Dacia Spring 100. No heated seats.
I would consider a top spec R5, but waiting list is long.
Perhaps stupidly, I sold my Kia EV3 2 weeks ago for a very good price, thinking I'd be back on the road before December...
I've considered going back to ICE, with a Picanto GT-S turbo or Up gti, but I much prefer an EV.
I would certainly have a decent test drive before buying.
Is the Dolphin Surf pulling away thing just poor throttle mapping?
I would be happy to buy used, but I'm looking for a very small car, and there aren't that many small used EVs out there yet. Looking at used EVs under £20k on Autotrader, it's pretty uninspiring.
Seems like the current fuel price situation means that decent cheap EVs are not hanging around, and new ones have long waiting lists.
MG4 is bit bigger than I want, but worth a test drive in a used one.
Have they sorted out the software? Quite a few complaints about phantom braking etc. when they first came out.
I sold the Kia EV3 because it was a bit too big for my needs. Even the EV2 is a bit big, and, I think, overpriced.
Another car that I'd consider is the Hyundai Inster. V2L was a rare option up to MY26, and seems to be unavailable on new models?
Honda Super N was almost perfect for my needs, apart from the stupid fake engine noises, the lack of V2L, and Honda's insistence on annual servicing at ICE prices.
What I'm looking for is something narrow (for getting down the back lanes) and fairly short (for small parking spaces).
Failing that, a cheap car that I don't have to worry about "hedging".
I either need V2L, or a cheaper car and a big portable battery for power cuts at home.
Is the Dolphin Surf pulling away thing just poor throttle mapping?
I would be happy to buy used, but I'm looking for a very small car, and there aren't that many small used EVs out there yet. Looking at used EVs under £20k on Autotrader, it's pretty uninspiring.
Seems like the current fuel price situation means that decent cheap EVs are not hanging around, and new ones have long waiting lists.
MG4 is bit bigger than I want, but worth a test drive in a used one.
Have they sorted out the software? Quite a few complaints about phantom braking etc. when they first came out.
I sold the Kia EV3 because it was a bit too big for my needs. Even the EV2 is a bit big, and, I think, overpriced.
Another car that I'd consider is the Hyundai Inster. V2L was a rare option up to MY26, and seems to be unavailable on new models?
Honda Super N was almost perfect for my needs, apart from the stupid fake engine noises, the lack of V2L, and Honda's insistence on annual servicing at ICE prices.
What I'm looking for is something narrow (for getting down the back lanes) and fairly short (for small parking spaces).
Failing that, a cheap car that I don't have to worry about "hedging".
I either need V2L, or a cheaper car and a big portable battery for power cuts at home.
clockworks said:
I would certainly have a decent test drive before buying.
Is the Dolphin Surf pulling away thing just poor throttle mapping?
What I'm looking for is something narrow (for getting down the back lanes) and fairly short (for small parking spaces).
Failing that, a cheap car that I don't have to worry about "hedging".
I either need V2L, or a cheaper car and a big portable battery for power cuts at home.
Not sure about the slow pulling away, it was an EV one that the customer was disappointed with.Is the Dolphin Surf pulling away thing just poor throttle mapping?
What I'm looking for is something narrow (for getting down the back lanes) and fairly short (for small parking spaces).
Failing that, a cheap car that I don't have to worry about "hedging".
I either need V2L, or a cheaper car and a big portable battery for power cuts at home.
Have a look at the last VW petrol Up's.
R-line ones are nice spec, and can be had for a bit over 10k
We've had Ups, Citogos, Miis, in the family, and all have been great cars.
You could even look for a low mileage, pre 2017 car, that'll have £20 road tax.
I've had a Citigo before, and it was a decent car. Base model, so a bit under-powered. An Up gti appeals to me, as does the Picanto turbo (I've owned 2 of those).
They do seem to hold their value. Having to pay £13k for a 5 year old car that only cost £18k new is crazy, but probably means low depreciation until they start falling apart.
There aren't many "lightly-used" R5s out there yet. I guess they'll start appearing when the leases expire?
Ex-demo ones appear to fetch good money, presumably as a way of jumping the waiting list.
Seems to be the same with the Spring, at least for the top spec 100 version.
Alpine is out, as the nearest dealer is 4 hours away.
Same problem with the Fiat 500e. All the "local" dealers have gone
I did wonder how the Dolphin Surf would fare for depreciation. I certainly wouldn't pay list price.
At £7k off list for a pre-reg, it looks like a decent buy. What will it be worth in 2 or 3 years though?
Seriously considering just buying a cheap-ish Panda or Up, and using the other half's EV for longer journeys.
Or a cheap 3 series that I don't mind scraping down the lanes.
They do seem to hold their value. Having to pay £13k for a 5 year old car that only cost £18k new is crazy, but probably means low depreciation until they start falling apart.
There aren't many "lightly-used" R5s out there yet. I guess they'll start appearing when the leases expire?
Ex-demo ones appear to fetch good money, presumably as a way of jumping the waiting list.
Seems to be the same with the Spring, at least for the top spec 100 version.
Alpine is out, as the nearest dealer is 4 hours away.
Same problem with the Fiat 500e. All the "local" dealers have gone
I did wonder how the Dolphin Surf would fare for depreciation. I certainly wouldn't pay list price.
At £7k off list for a pre-reg, it looks like a decent buy. What will it be worth in 2 or 3 years though?
Seriously considering just buying a cheap-ish Panda or Up, and using the other half's EV for longer journeys.
Or a cheap 3 series that I don't mind scraping down the lanes.
worsy said:
Nearest one seems to be Yeovil, 170 miles away from me.I love living in Cornwall, but car buying is so difficult. Just one dealer group for most makes, no dealers at all for some.
Lack of competition means high prices.
The only exceptions that I can think of are Ford and Citroen.
Plenty of specialists for out of warranty repairs and routine servicing, just very limited for main dealers without a 2 hour drive to Devon.
clockworks said:
worsy said:
Nearest one seems to be Yeovil, 170 miles away from me.I love living in Cornwall, but car buying is so difficult. Just one dealer group for most makes, no dealers at all for some.
Lack of competition means high prices.
The only exceptions that I can think of are Ford and Citroen.
Plenty of specialists for out of warranty repairs and routine servicing, just very limited for main dealers without a 2 hour drive to Devon.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604071...
127Sport said:
Exeter would be OK for a new car purchase, 2 hour drive.No heated seats in that Micra though. Crazy omission at £27k list.
I'd be fine with no heated seats in a cheap old Panda or a bargain-basement Spring, but not in a brand new "£27k" EV.
I'm guessing that's why it's a Stock car.
clockworks said:
I would be happy to buy used, but I'm looking for a very small car, and there aren't that many small used EVs out there yet. Looking at used EVs under £20k on Autotrader, it's pretty uninspiring..
A mate's just replaced his Zoe with a previous generation Kona, they're significantly shorter than the current generation and about the size as his old Zoe, so could be worth a look.These new electric cars that do up to 200 miles to a charge, some less.
What are they going to be worth in 2/3 years time when the new models will do much more?
Added to that the faster charging times that are emerging now.
Battery car technology is moving at a fast rate.
Is it wise to put 20k plus into one of these cars?
What are they going to be worth in 2/3 years time when the new models will do much more?
Added to that the faster charging times that are emerging now.
Battery car technology is moving at a fast rate.
Is it wise to put 20k plus into one of these cars?
clockworks said:
Exeter would be OK for a new car purchase, 2 hour drive.
I live between Truro and Falmouth, about 25 minutes from you. I bought a new Honda ENY1 from Leicester in March and drive it home c.300 miles. It saved about £2k vs buying it from Rowes in Trispen. I never buy cars in Cornwall as the options are limited and as a result the prices are high. Personally, I'd widen your geographic search, save the money and just drive it back to Cornwall.
clockworks said:
127Sport said:
Exeter would be OK for a new car purchase, 2 hour drive.No heated seats in that Micra though. Crazy omission at £27k list.
I'd be fine with no heated seats in a cheap old Panda or a bargain-basement Spring, but not in a brand new "£27k" EV.
I'm guessing that's why it's a Stock car.
Personally I don't give a fig about heated seats in a car, so I'm not sure I'd agree that would be the reason for something being in stock. Seems a little bit of a stretch.
Good luck with your search.
127Sport said:
List price is meaningless, and you didn't specify heated seats in your OP. Nearest Evolve spec with standard heated seats is in Bournemouth, so too far for you.
Personally I don't give a fig about heated seats in a car, so I'm not sure I'd agree that would be the reason for something being in stock. Seems a little bit of a stretch.
Good luck with your search.
Heated seats are a really good thing to have in an EV. Keep warm without using battery power to run the electric heater and shortening the range. Personally I don't give a fig about heated seats in a car, so I'm not sure I'd agree that would be the reason for something being in stock. Seems a little bit of a stretch.
Good luck with your search.
Not necessary in an ICE car, as you keep warm using the waste heat.
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