EV to replace two IC cars at some point?
Discussion
I currently run 2 cars. Citroen C3 Aircross and a Kia Picanto turbo. Citroen does a great job of swallowing long loads (grandfather clocks, DIY supplies) but is pretty boring. The Kia is a bit of fun.
However, paying 2 lots of insurance, tax, servicing etc. seems pointless. Switching to one car would make sense, if I can find something suitable, preferably electric.
Electric cars tend to be more expensive to insure these days, but often cheaper to service. Doing a few speculative insurance quotes, even an MG4 X power would be cheaper to insure than both my current 2 cars.
I do a total of around 8000 miles a year, very rarely more than 100 miles in a day, so don't need a massive battery. I have a driveway.
My problem is, what is available for £30k secondhand that's not too big on the outside (no bigger than a Focus/Golf), comfortable (no crashy ride), can carry an 8 foot load, and has decent performance (sub 8 seconds to 60)?
The Citroen has a fold-flat front passenger seat which helps a lot with long loads, and very few cars have this option. Even the closely related Peugeot e2008 doesn't have it, and the Stellantis cars all seem to use the same, pretty slow, electric drivetrain anyway. Things like the Berlingo and Rifter are really too big for my needs, as well as being slow.
MG4 X power ticks a lot of boxes, but I doubt it would handle the long loads?
However, paying 2 lots of insurance, tax, servicing etc. seems pointless. Switching to one car would make sense, if I can find something suitable, preferably electric.
Electric cars tend to be more expensive to insure these days, but often cheaper to service. Doing a few speculative insurance quotes, even an MG4 X power would be cheaper to insure than both my current 2 cars.
I do a total of around 8000 miles a year, very rarely more than 100 miles in a day, so don't need a massive battery. I have a driveway.
My problem is, what is available for £30k secondhand that's not too big on the outside (no bigger than a Focus/Golf), comfortable (no crashy ride), can carry an 8 foot load, and has decent performance (sub 8 seconds to 60)?
The Citroen has a fold-flat front passenger seat which helps a lot with long loads, and very few cars have this option. Even the closely related Peugeot e2008 doesn't have it, and the Stellantis cars all seem to use the same, pretty slow, electric drivetrain anyway. Things like the Berlingo and Rifter are really too big for my needs, as well as being slow.
MG4 X power ticks a lot of boxes, but I doubt it would handle the long loads?
i3 would be an interesting choice at around 25k for a 21 plate from a main dealer.
The ride quality does put me off though. At 66, I need a bit of comfort, something the Citroen does well.
Niro/Kona are still quite expensive for the current versions, the older ones look grim (and have small batteries?).
The ride quality does put me off though. At 66, I need a bit of comfort, something the Citroen does well.
Niro/Kona are still quite expensive for the current versions, the older ones look grim (and have small batteries?).
I was going to suggest an older Kona or Niro with roof rack for your long objects. The older version came in 2 battery sizes but most will be the larger size of 64kwh. The Latest Kona has only just come out and the new Niro is has been out for just over a year so still pretty new and roof rack options are a bit limited in that regard.
clockworks said:
i3 would be an interesting choice at around 25k for a 21 plate from a main dealer.
The ride quality does put me off though. At 66, I need a bit of comfort, something the Citroen does well.
Niro/Kona are still quite expensive for the current versions, the older ones look grim (and have small batteries?).
You said you didn't need huge range, so why the worry about battery size? In any case, the 64kwh, 300 mile range Kona can be had for under £20k now, and you stated a £30k budget, so you could probably get a nearly new one. The ride quality does put me off though. At 66, I need a bit of comfort, something the Citroen does well.
Niro/Kona are still quite expensive for the current versions, the older ones look grim (and have small batteries?).
Under £20K: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309071...
Nearly new: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309051...
Granted not the greatest looker, but what is in EV world?
clockworks said:
Niro/Kona are still quite expensive for the current versions, the older ones look grim (and have small batteries?).
The previous gen of both are available with 64 kWh batteries which give range around 280 miles, and start from £15-20k upwards.The Niro is a chunk longer than the Kona inside and out so would likely be the best match for your req, obviously if you can stomach the looks!
I've been looking on the local dealer's website (they have Kia, Hyundai, MG, Citroen, Peugeot and Nissan franchises), and most of the Niro/Kona on offer under £30k have the 39kWH battery, or are the old models. There are a couple of newer ones with the 64kWH battery though, so worth a look.
I do like the look of the eC4, but I think it's going to feel even slower than my 1.2 Aircross (110bhp triple, but a light car), only having the 100kW motor. Proper bargain though - £23k for a 22 plate top spec with 1000 miles on the clock.
The Mazda has the same problem for me - too slow (almost 10 seconds to 60), combined with a battery that'll probably struggle to do 100 miles in winter. Although I said "rarely do over 100 miles in a day", I do have family that live 70 miles away, and it would be nice to do the round trip without recharging.
While either of these 2 might make an acceptable straight replacement for my Aircross, I wouldn't want one as my only car. I want something with a bit of poke for clean overtakes on A and B roads, and 130bhp in a 1.5 ton car isn't really going to cut it.
If I make the change, it's got to be into something better than what I already have.
I do like the look of the eC4, but I think it's going to feel even slower than my 1.2 Aircross (110bhp triple, but a light car), only having the 100kW motor. Proper bargain though - £23k for a 22 plate top spec with 1000 miles on the clock.
The Mazda has the same problem for me - too slow (almost 10 seconds to 60), combined with a battery that'll probably struggle to do 100 miles in winter. Although I said "rarely do over 100 miles in a day", I do have family that live 70 miles away, and it would be nice to do the round trip without recharging.
While either of these 2 might make an acceptable straight replacement for my Aircross, I wouldn't want one as my only car. I want something with a bit of poke for clean overtakes on A and B roads, and 130bhp in a 1.5 ton car isn't really going to cut it.
If I make the change, it's got to be into something better than what I already have.
Edited by clockworks on Monday 18th September 17:18
I wouldn't recommend the Kona - we have a 21yr model - it's quite tight inside and the boot is tiny. It's also not that well built with some very strange software. We have the 64kwh battery which shows around 300 mile range in the height of summer down to around 220 in the middle of winter although I wouldn't trust those numbers as they can be upto 20% out on a long journey. My niece has the Niro equivalent and they are very happy with it and it does feel just that touch bigger and nicer inside.
As you may already know car prices in the SW are a lot more expensive - look elsewhere
clockworks said:
I've been looking on the local dealer's website (they have Kia, Hyundai, MG, Citroen, Peugeot and Nissan franchises), and most of the Niro/Kona on offer under £30k have the 39kWH battery, or are the old models. There are a couple of newer ones with the 64kWH battery though, so worth a look.
Interesting that the Niro is better than the Kona. I'd prefer a Kia anyway, I've owned 3, and the warranty is longer.
Very true about Southwest prices being higher for most cars. I'd probably sell one car first, then do a distance trade in for the other. Arval seem to be getting in on the national online sales thing in a big way, judging by what's on Autotrader.
Very true about Southwest prices being higher for most cars. I'd probably sell one car first, then do a distance trade in for the other. Arval seem to be getting in on the national online sales thing in a big way, judging by what's on Autotrader.
Left field suggestion....what about a Nissan Leaf? I was thinking about getting my first electric car recently and spent a while looking at these. Look good value and seem to tick all the boxes (likely also 8ft load with seats down). I didn't buy yet as I do longer journeys than you and I'm not convinced about charging network yet, but I'm still toying with it as a poss 2nd car for me.
clockworks said:
I've been looking on the local dealer's website (they have Kia, Hyundai, MG, Citroen, Peugeot and Nissan franchises), and most of the Niro/Kona on offer under £30k have the 39kWH battery, or are the old models. There are a couple of newer ones with the 64kWH battery though, so worth a look.
There are 112 64kwh Niros on Autotrader under £30k. Thinking about getting one myself (currently I'm a 30kwh Nissan Leaf owner, so it would be a considerable upgrade), but my budget would only be £20k max. Still a fair few to choose from.Polestar would be my choice for under £30k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308311...
or I Pace
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309182...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308311...
or I Pace
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309182...
The Leaf is much bigger than it looks. You can fit 2 chest freezers in the back with the back seats folded down, I know because I did it. Also got a 6 foot fridge freezer in it with the front seat folded down - was a tight squeeze tho.
They did a 6 seater electric Leaf van at some point, but I'm not sure if it came with the bigger battery.
They did a 6 seater electric Leaf van at some point, but I'm not sure if it came with the bigger battery.
OP said "what is available for £30k secondhand that's not too big on the outside (no bigger than a Focus/Golf)"
GreatGranny said:
Polestar would be my choice for under £30k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308311...
or I Pace
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309182...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308311...
or I Pace
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309182...
clockworks said:
Leaf seems to get some pretty shocking reviews.
Some Niros are over £40k list price. What happens in 2025 when BEVs have to start paying road tax?
I've found the Megane E Tech is a very good buy at your price point:Some Niros are over £40k list price. What happens in 2025 when BEVs have to start paying road tax?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308281...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309192...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308140...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308291...
They're at the top of your budget but they're good EV's.
Or the 50KWH E-C4:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308050...
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