Stick or twist?
Discussion
Dilemma....
Current car is a 2011 Freelander 2, low ish miles at 119k, well looked after, 4 new tyres, new battery just gone on and in excellent condition, though obviously it's an old Land Rover so can never anticipate it deciding to drop its diff one morning
.
Not expecting any surprises at MOT in August. Car is fully owned by me, fuel is now somewhere around £120 a tank and I find myself filling it once a month, twice if I visit one of the kids. For its spec level it's probably £5,500 if I were to sell.
Other half has a 2 seater car, so we need one reasonably sensible car for picking up the mother in law and visiting daughter who lives 130 miles away. Whilst the latter can be done in the 2 seater, it's no fun in winter on the motorway in what is a very small car in the wet.
Other half has a new salary sacrifice car scheme. It would mean we could have a new, fully electric mini, for just under £300 a month. This includes everything from road tax and insurance to maintenance. This would be a 3 year lease. Lease would be in his name, but mostly my car (have checked and this isn't an issue with insurance etc)
Pros: Already have a charge point at home, running costs are the same regardless so no surprises, cheaper to run, much greener, no ULEZ etc (though don't often go into these areas one is being mooted locally),
Cons: Nothing wrong with the car I have and would still have the 'asset' at the end of 3 years against the lease, would need to stop and charge on the way to visit the child, bit smaller but only 2 of us anyway
Thoughts? I'm very conflicted right now. Heart says order the mini, head says nothing wrong with the car you have. Lead time is already January so would need to order soon if I'm doing it.
Current car is a 2011 Freelander 2, low ish miles at 119k, well looked after, 4 new tyres, new battery just gone on and in excellent condition, though obviously it's an old Land Rover so can never anticipate it deciding to drop its diff one morning
. Not expecting any surprises at MOT in August. Car is fully owned by me, fuel is now somewhere around £120 a tank and I find myself filling it once a month, twice if I visit one of the kids. For its spec level it's probably £5,500 if I were to sell.
Other half has a 2 seater car, so we need one reasonably sensible car for picking up the mother in law and visiting daughter who lives 130 miles away. Whilst the latter can be done in the 2 seater, it's no fun in winter on the motorway in what is a very small car in the wet.
Other half has a new salary sacrifice car scheme. It would mean we could have a new, fully electric mini, for just under £300 a month. This includes everything from road tax and insurance to maintenance. This would be a 3 year lease. Lease would be in his name, but mostly my car (have checked and this isn't an issue with insurance etc)
Pros: Already have a charge point at home, running costs are the same regardless so no surprises, cheaper to run, much greener, no ULEZ etc (though don't often go into these areas one is being mooted locally),
Cons: Nothing wrong with the car I have and would still have the 'asset' at the end of 3 years against the lease, would need to stop and charge on the way to visit the child, bit smaller but only 2 of us anyway
Thoughts? I'm very conflicted right now. Heart says order the mini, head says nothing wrong with the car you have. Lead time is already January so would need to order soon if I'm doing it.
A friend was in a similar situation not long back and ditched his freelander. They do become money pits and the constant worry of it breaking was traded against the new shiny electric car which is under warranty.
If range is an issue then definitely see if they have something with a bigger battery on the company lease scheme.
If range is an issue then definitely see if they have something with a bigger battery on the company lease scheme.
TheDeuce said:
Picking up suggests a two way trip, 260 miles range required. Is there no EV with a greater range than the mini on the scheme?
A few more ££ no doubt but it would avoid paying higher rates for motorway charging perhaps.
There are a few with greater range, but bigger cars which I don’t really need and as you say, more expensive, a fair bit more. I like the Ioniq 5 (very marmite I realise) but it’s something like £450 a month and way more than I need. This is mostly a town car for me with the odd motorway trip. A few more ££ no doubt but it would avoid paying higher rates for motorway charging perhaps.
I do like the mini, that’s probably my downfall as well. Realistically if the weather isn’t bad over the winter months we’d be using his car anyway and we probably head down there every six to eight weeks so the odd motorway charge isn’t a sticking point for me.
I’m more mindful of parting with what currently is a reliable (though old) vehicle for something I’m going to hand back at the end.
If a genuine 260 winter miles are required you may struggle. I've one of the more efficient EVs which will crack 300 miles in optimal conditions yet in low single figures will hit a 240-250 range.
You can reduce it by using eco+ with minimal acceleration and maxing out at 50MPH but I wouldn't bet on 260 miles range.
You can reduce it by using eco+ with minimal acceleration and maxing out at 50MPH but I wouldn't bet on 260 miles range.
SistersofPercy said:
TheDeuce said:
Picking up suggests a two way trip, 260 miles range required. Is there no EV with a greater range than the mini on the scheme?
A few more ££ no doubt but it would avoid paying higher rates for motorway charging perhaps.
There are a few with greater range, but bigger cars which I don’t really need and as you say, more expensive, a fair bit more. I like the Ioniq 5 (very marmite I realise) but it’s something like £450 a month and way more than I need. This is mostly a town car for me with the odd motorway trip. A few more ££ no doubt but it would avoid paying higher rates for motorway charging perhaps.
I do like the mini, that’s probably my downfall as well. Realistically if the weather isn’t bad over the winter months we’d be using his car anyway and we probably head down there every six to eight weeks so the odd motorway charge isn’t a sticking point for me.
I’m more mindful of parting with what currently is a reliable (though old) vehicle for something I’m going to hand back at the end.
It sounds like you've already convinced yourself anyway
SWoll said:
Get a spreadsheet and do the maths. Fuel + Insurance + servicing + other maint (be realistic) + depreciation on the Freelander vs what the Mini will cost you.
Used car prices are strong at the moment so it may well be worth cashing in now if you fancy a change anyway.
Similarly, if you fancy one, get your order in. You might have it somewhere in 2023 if you're lucky.Used car prices are strong at the moment so it may well be worth cashing in now if you fancy a change anyway.
By which time the freelander will have cost you another couple of K's in upkeep
.SWoll said:
Get a spreadsheet and do the maths. Fuel + Insurance + servicing + other maint (be realistic) + depreciation on the Freelander vs what the Mini will cost you.
Used car prices are strong at the moment so it may well be worth cashing in now if you fancy a change anyway.
Looking at the lead time it will be January before the Mini is delivered so depreciation will be a bit of a guess as I'd need to keep the car until then, unless other half fancies lending me his XR2 as my daily drive Used car prices are strong at the moment so it may well be worth cashing in now if you fancy a change anyway.
I can see a big old diesel depreciating much quicker in current climes, especially with more and more charging zones coming in to force.But yes, need to do some real sums now, or probably let him do them as I'm very much a heart rules head person....
somouk said:
A friend was in a similar situation not long back and ditched his freelander. They do become money pits and the constant worry of it breaking was traded against the new shiny electric car which is under warranty.
If range is an issue then definitely see if they have something with a bigger battery on the company lease scheme.
This is my thoughts, when they fail they fail rather expensively don't they? It's had all it's servicing, haldex etc done on time, but still no guarantees. It is probably too big for what I need anyway, though it's had it's uses over the years doing tip runs and transporting boats.If range is an issue then definitely see if they have something with a bigger battery on the company lease scheme.
TheDeuce said:
Well... £300 pre tax is more like £200 a month post tax for the mini, Vs the Freelander which costs more to run, you have to tax it each year, buy brake pads and let's be honest... It'll give you some other expenses if you keep it for the period of time you'll be leasing the mini. I doubt there's much in it. But with the mini you get a lovely drive, all mod cons and a safer more reliable car.
It sounds like you've already convinced yourself anyway
I am kind of almost there with it I have to say. HWMBO is happy with whichever way I want to go (suspect like most of you blokes he just wants a quiet life It sounds like you've already convinced yourself anyway
)Our local Tesco has the free chargers as well now, so in theory I could charge it up for nothing when doing a weekly shop making another small saving.
I just don't see a future where driving a big old diesel is easy or cheap sadly.
Re the 260 mile range, something people often forget is that you don't have to fill up your EV completely when the range is insufficient.
I wouldn't do it in the MINI though, as charging tops out at 50kW, which is pretty terrible for longer runs.
In the Peugeot 208 for example, it's a lot more reasonable. Range is almost double that of the MINI, so is charging speed.
I wouldn't do it in the MINI though, as charging tops out at 50kW, which is pretty terrible for longer runs.
In the Peugeot 208 for example, it's a lot more reasonable. Range is almost double that of the MINI, so is charging speed.
ZesPak said:
SWoll said:
Get a spreadsheet and do the maths. Fuel + Insurance + servicing + other maint (be realistic) + depreciation on the Freelander vs what the Mini will cost you.
Used car prices are strong at the moment so it may well be worth cashing in now if you fancy a change anyway.
Similarly, if you fancy one, get your order in. You might have it somewhere in 2023 if you're lucky.Used car prices are strong at the moment so it may well be worth cashing in now if you fancy a change anyway.
By which time the freelander will have cost you another couple of K's in upkeep
.My guess is that when considering everything there will be very little in it monthly (perhaps < £100) which seems a great deal for a brand new car and £5k in your bank account to me.
SistersofPercy said:
Our local Tesco has the free chargers as well now, so in theory I could charge it up for nothing when doing a weekly shop making another small saving.
Need to check if your free Tesco chargers are 7kW or 22kW. If the latter than an hour of charging whilst you shop could save you £5 dependent on your home electricity tariff. If the former it'll be more like £1.50. Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th June 16:04
SWoll said:
Need to check if your free Tesco chargers are 7kW or 22kW. If the latter than an hour of charging whilst you shop could save you £5 dependent on your home electricity tariff. If the former it'll be more like £1.50.
22kw, had a nosey last night, though that saving will probably go out of the window in the cake aisle Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th June 16:04
The other advantage for me is I have a joint condition which makes using the clutch painful if it flares, so automatic would be better anyway. I think the biggest questions now are what colour and will you all judge me if I go for the cool electric model alloys only I seem to like
SistersofPercy said:
SWoll said:
Need to check if your free Tesco chargers are 7kW or 22kW. If the latter than an hour of charging whilst you shop could save you £5 dependent on your home electricity tariff. If the former it'll be more like £1.50.
22kw, had a nosey last night, though that saving will probably go out of the window in the cake aisle Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th June 16:04
The other advantage for me is I have a joint condition which makes using the clutch painful if it flares, so automatic would be better anyway. I think the biggest questions now are what colour and will you all judge me if I go for the cool electric model alloys only I seem to like
It's your car, have whatever colour and spec makes you happy, especially when you don't have to worry about selling it on. Which level is the offer for BTW as I see they now do Level 2, Level 3 and whatever "resolute" is on the Mini configurator?
Personally I'd go BRG with black roof + mirrors and the mini electric wheels.
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th June 16:23
We've just bought a petrol Mini Cooper auto on a 21 plate and have an e-208. The Mini is fantastic to drive and I can imagine an electric one would be even better, the only reason we went petrol for the Mini was we already had an electric car so needed something for longer journeys.
The e-208 is on the OH's salary sacrifice scheme and costs similar to the numbers you have quoted. It's a good car but if we were choosing again I bet we'd have a Mini Electric!
The e-208 is on the OH's salary sacrifice scheme and costs similar to the numbers you have quoted. It's a good car but if we were choosing again I bet we'd have a Mini Electric!
SWoll said:
It's your car, have whatever colour and spec makes you happy, especially when you don't have to worry about selling it on. Which level is the offer for BTW as I see they now do Level 2, Level 3 and whatever "resolute" is on the Mini configurator?
Personally I'd go BRG with black roof + mirrors and the mini electric wheels.
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th June 16:23
I liked BRG with white roof, white caps and the electric wheels. The offer is for the level 2, though I want to run it through again for the level 3 to check the prices, I have a inkling it was about £50 a month more for the level 3 though, which for a sun roof and a bit of leather doesn't seem worth it to me but I do want to double check.
Just as an aside, I went to look at an Ioniq 5 at the weekend. I mentioned to the salesman that I love it but it might be a bit big for my needs and I'd also looked at a mini. "Oh", he says, "My wife has the all electric mini".
I was waiting for a five minute tirade on how awful it was and poor range etc etc, but he said it was amazing, he did the odd distance trip in it and got 120 miles out of it driving on eco, it was comfy etc.
When we come away I looked at husband and we both said we were not expecting him to say that at all.
I was waiting for a five minute tirade on how awful it was and poor range etc etc, but he said it was amazing, he did the odd distance trip in it and got 120 miles out of it driving on eco, it was comfy etc.
When we come away I looked at husband and we both said we were not expecting him to say that at all.
SistersofPercy said:
TheDeuce said:
Well... £300 pre tax is more like £200 a month post tax for the mini, Vs the Freelander which costs more to run, you have to tax it each year, buy brake pads and let's be honest... It'll give you some other expenses if you keep it for the period of time you'll be leasing the mini. I doubt there's much in it. But with the mini you get a lovely drive, all mod cons and a safer more reliable car.
It sounds like you've already convinced yourself anyway
I am kind of almost there with it I have to say. HWMBO is happy with whichever way I want to go (suspect like most of you blokes he just wants a quiet life It sounds like you've already convinced yourself anyway
)Our local Tesco has the free chargers as well now, so in theory I could charge it up for nothing when doing a weekly shop making another small saving.
I just don't see a future where driving a big old diesel is easy or cheap sadly.
But in your position, I don't think you need to bother. You could charge the mini overnight for next to nothing (cheap tariff for overnight) and then the landy only needs one big repair bill and it's cost you more anyway.
Perfect time to jump ship. Landy price is artificially high right now and you're being offered a dirt cheap brand new EV. In a few years time EV bik will be going up and the landy probably worth £1500..
That's not even 'man maths', it's just maths
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