RE: Vauxhall Ampera: Spotted
Discussion
kambites said:
bozzy. said:
The Prius-plug in also does 39 miles on a charge, at speeds up to 84mph. The difference is when the Prius Plug-In engine comes on after the 39 miles, it will still do 80mpg+
That is why I’m saying it’s better-er than the Ampera.
Yes, I think most people will agree that it's better for long journeys. The question is whether that really matters to most buyers. That is why I’m saying it’s better-er than the Ampera.
ETA: Of course the Ampera is quite an old application of this sort of technology now. The i3 takes the range extender concept a step further. It's a shame no-one else really seems to be trying it because I think there's a place for range extender EVs in the current market.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 30th September 22:24
It’s interesting you mention BMW, as Toyota agreed to share hybrid technology with them in exchange for BMW’s diesel technology along with building a sports car together.
I do quite like the look of an i3 too.
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
You can pick up a Golf GTE for not much more than that. A far better prospect!
Perhaps, although Car magazine only averaged 37.2 mpg out of their long term loaner! I’d take that with a pinch of salt though, I’m sure more is possible with the right driver. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/amp/car-reviews/long...
This spotted has sparked some very interesting conversations. Clearly with Hybrid EVs now hitting the used market for some time, natural questions are arising around dealer support etc.
It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
9k rpm said:
This spotted has sparked some very interesting conversations. Clearly with Hybrid EVs now hitting the used market for some time, natural questions are arising around dealer support etc.
It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
Nissan Leaf used prices have increased over the past year even with the new model coming out.It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
See if you can find a 2016 leaf with 20k miles on for £8k battery owned at the moment.
bozzy. said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
You can pick up a Golf GTE for not much more than that. A far better prospect!
Perhaps, although Car magazine only averaged 37.2 mpg out of their long term loaner! I’d take that with a pinch of salt though, I’m sure more is possible with the right driver. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/amp/car-reviews/long...
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/9276...
While I'm sure it is decent or more & very good for anyone doing lots of short & ordinary trips, plus of course, the company car world, in reality, is it worth the compromise to anyone else?
I get somewhere near 34-38, time of year depending, out of a GTI & that involves a fair amount of reasonably dismal crawl, but doesn't involve an extra couple of hundred kg of weight & any other compromises.
9k rpm said:
This spotted has sparked some very interesting conversations. Clearly with Hybrid EVs now hitting the used market for some time, natural questions are arising around dealer support etc.
It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
I guess that works for the manufacturers, as they will pump them out on lease/PCP and rely on people just having a new one every 2-3 years, meaning warranty isn't an issue. Pretty ridiculous of course, as we're not going to save the planet by making a new car for every driver, every three years. As you say, they could a be a risky proposition used. In reality though, being in the industry, I look at a lot of current IC-powered cars and often find myself thinking "You'd be a brave man to buy one of these when it's 10 years old", let alone when you through electric propulsion and all its control systems into the mix.It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
I suspect the reality is, as with a lot of issues surrounding EV tech, no one has really thought about the potential problems issues facing owners of used examples. Governments are pushing it as its the current trend but, like diesel, I do wonder where we'll be in a few years. It wouldn't surprise me at all if, once we've got a good percentage of the population into EVs, we suddenly come up with a reason that everyone needs to get rid of them again, because they aren't actually very good for the environment. Given how many currently rely on precious metals dug out of the ground, it could all go pear-shaped. The car business is in a very interesting place and I think there are an awful lot of unanswered questions surrounding EVs and where they're heading. I think it will be a while before I buy one, that's for sure.
I was lucky enough to drive a Chevy Volt around America for 3 weeks last year, New York to New Orleans, rented via Truvo. Thought it a terrific car and if they had 5 seats rather than 4 I would have one here in a heartbeat. It pulled nicely, seemed well screwed together and felt like an occasion whenever I got in it. Rose-tented glasses given we were on holiday perhaps but having spoken to the owner at length he seemed very happy with it and knew of several that had covered well over 150,000 miles without a hitch. For a period of 4 months he never once refuelled it in Washington.
The article calling the engine 'a bit noisy' is inaccurate...it occasionally revs of it's own accord but it's not noisy at all.
I think concerns about servicing could be valid, given so few were sold over here, but on the other hand I believe the electronic elements aren't particularly complex. Easy for me to say I guess.
Really liked it. It does best suit a particular type of commute or regular journey - it wasn't particularly suited to our 200-mile-a day treks in the States, but was great when we settled in a city for a few days and could charge each night.
The article calling the engine 'a bit noisy' is inaccurate...it occasionally revs of it's own accord but it's not noisy at all.
I think concerns about servicing could be valid, given so few were sold over here, but on the other hand I believe the electronic elements aren't particularly complex. Easy for me to say I guess.
Really liked it. It does best suit a particular type of commute or regular journey - it wasn't particularly suited to our 200-mile-a day treks in the States, but was great when we settled in a city for a few days and could charge each night.
Edited by paulyv on Monday 1st October 10:35
I had one of these on a free 48-hour test drive and was very impressed. I would have (and would still) buy one if it had a proper back seat.
Other downsides?: Driving in town you had to be on your toes and look out for smartphone zombies who use their ears to see if the road is clear to cross - the same with any EV. And the centre console buttons were small/poorly laid out - although that would be learnt in time.
I don't think the sales figures were that dismal given that there were few (if any?) plug-in hybrids on the market at that time to compare with, and this new concept needed promoting more, something that Vauxhall hardly did. All the users I have heard from are happy, and if you can live with 4 seats they make a great used buy.
Same we didn't get the Ampera E, although I assume that will soon go from Europe with PSA's takeover.
Other downsides?: Driving in town you had to be on your toes and look out for smartphone zombies who use their ears to see if the road is clear to cross - the same with any EV. And the centre console buttons were small/poorly laid out - although that would be learnt in time.
I don't think the sales figures were that dismal given that there were few (if any?) plug-in hybrids on the market at that time to compare with, and this new concept needed promoting more, something that Vauxhall hardly did. All the users I have heard from are happy, and if you can live with 4 seats they make a great used buy.
Same we didn't get the Ampera E, although I assume that will soon go from Europe with PSA's takeover.
bozzy. said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
You can pick up a Golf GTE for not much more than that. A far better prospect!
Perhaps, although Car magazine only averaged 37.2 mpg out of their long term loaner! I’d take that with a pinch of salt though, I’m sure more is possible with the right driver. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/amp/car-reviews/long...
t fuel economy and should have bought a regular 'ICE' car. We quite often pop to the shops or into town at the weekend on EV mode, and I like the fact I'm not using a stone cold petrol engine to do the 4 mile school run when its raining. These cars are niche, no argument there, but if they are a good fit for your likely use they make a lot of sense.
As we have a charging point at home I have often looked at the Ampera as a viable option, but the age of the batteries on the older ones is a concern. Also, they seem to have picked one of the worst petrol engines available from the GM range? Still a tempting proposition, especially for the money, but part of me wonders how well it will age over the next 3-4 years which is how long I would be looking to run it for.
MrBig said:
Still a tempting proposition, especially for the money, but part of me wonders how well it will age over the next 3-4 years which is how long I would be looking to run it for.
I feel that they will age well, but will depreciate like a rock. A tempting car in 2 years if it has been looked after. My only concern was I understand the dash buttons are based on a single matrix of membrane switches meaning when one goes you need to replace the full membrane underneath and good luck getting hold of one. This is why on the rare occasion they are broken for parts you'll find the Ebay listing only lasts a couple of days.9k rpm said:
This spotted has sparked some very interesting conversations. Clearly with Hybrid EVs now hitting the used market for some time, natural questions are arising around dealer support etc.
It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
I think it has to be a good idea for someone to start setting themselves up as an independent EV Mechanic, ready for all of these out-of-warranty cars starting to come on the market to second or third users. It will be really interesting in 5 years from now when the current Jag, Audi, Merc etc. EVs are outside their warranty periods and something breaks with the motor/battery.
With very few independent garages likely to be able to service and fix issues most owners will be at the mercy of the dealers. I’d imagine they (the dealers) are licking their lips.
As someone potentially looking to buy a full EV for SWMBO and was contemplating the Jag it’s certainly given me food for thought. Feels like the value of any EV outside the manufacturers warranty will drop like a stone.
Would welcome the thoughts of others.
Had one of these for 12 months and all in all it wasn't too bad. Electric only range with a full charge, varied from 27 to 39 , temperature dependant.
Dealer situation is abysmal. I needed to get the tailgate struts replaced but my local Vauxhall dealer wouldn't carry that out and had to go to an Ampera specific outlet!
Broke down once when all systems refused to budge. Well known issue and small control PCB replaced under warranty.
It averaged 55 mpg , on my daily trip of 140 miles. This included a full charge
Dealer situation is abysmal. I needed to get the tailgate struts replaced but my local Vauxhall dealer wouldn't carry that out and had to go to an Ampera specific outlet!
Broke down once when all systems refused to budge. Well known issue and small control PCB replaced under warranty.
It averaged 55 mpg , on my daily trip of 140 miles. This included a full charge
MrBig said:
bozzy. said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
You can pick up a Golf GTE for not much more than that. A far better prospect!
Perhaps, although Car magazine only averaged 37.2 mpg out of their long term loaner! I’d take that with a pinch of salt though, I’m sure more is possible with the right driver. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/amp/car-reviews/long...
t fuel economy and should have bought a regular 'ICE' car. We quite often pop to the shops or into town at the weekend on EV mode, and I like the fact I'm not using a stone cold petrol engine to do the 4 mile school run when its raining. These cars are niche, no argument there, but if they are a good fit for your likely use they make a lot of sense.
As we have a charging point at home I have often looked at the Ampera as a viable option, but the age of the batteries on the older ones is a concern. Also, they seem to have picked one of the worst petrol engines available from the GM range? Still a tempting proposition, especially for the money, but part of me wonders how well it will age over the next 3-4 years which is how long I would be looking to run it for.
loofer said:
She reminded you about your 3rd child?
So that's what that is! No the actual reason is very dull. Occasionally we carry the baby, the wife and both her parents. And me. Obviously.
This has happened once in the last many moons. Apparently a good reason not to buy a car though!
I've always liked these - unlike so many Hybrids/EVs they actually look like a "normal" car!
Unlike the Prius, i3, Leaf, Zoe, etc.
But as I've stopped working charging at work isn't an option, and charging at home wouldn't really work with an extension lead chucked over the garden fence!
At least you could use one for the occasional long journey (200 miles +) just by filling the tank, rather than a 20/30 minute stop!
Unlike the Prius, i3, Leaf, Zoe, etc.
But as I've stopped working charging at work isn't an option, and charging at home wouldn't really work with an extension lead chucked over the garden fence!
At least you could use one for the occasional long journey (200 miles +) just by filling the tank, rather than a 20/30 minute stop!
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