Paying £3-£8k premium for petrol over faster, newer EV?

[RoVoFob]

I have only ever owned petrol cars - mainly six- and eight-cylinder models - though I’ve driven dozens of EVs since 2012 or so, so I’m pretty familiar with how electric cars drive. However, I’d rather stick with big-engined petrols for now, while I’m only in a position to have one car.

However, now I’m looking to replace my 2011 Audi S5 Sportback, going for another six-cylinder petrol looks like it would cost a good £3,000-£8,000 extra for a 2016-2019ish petrol S5 Sportback or C43 AMG Estate over a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, which is the fastest and cheapest to run. It’s even notably cheaper to insure than the C43 AMG.

So, what’s the best way to have a relatively cheap to run and enjoyable to drive daily driver plus something somewhat analogue, with a rich engine note ideally now, but potentially in the note too distant future? EV plus second car or one fast petrol for daily driver duties and to enjoy petrol power…?

Option 1: Tesla now, potentially get a Z4 Coupe or TT V6 in a few years
Option 2: Audi S5 Sportback/C43 AMG
Option 3: another format…

While I detest Mr Musk, getting a used model doesn’t seem to contribute too much to his empire. Having an EV and a more analogue petrol car seems like a good combo to me to cover different driving bases, though that will probably mean doing without a petrol altogether for a few years and means having two sets of tax, insurance etc.

That is offset by the Tesla being cheaper than similarly quick petrol alternatives, though. I’ve driven a lot of Model Ss since 2015 and enjoyed how they drove, so imagine the Model 3 will be a sharpened up smaller version of that…

Any options I’m missing? Thoughts? Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd be taking a good look at the 91kwh Mach e premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510066...

Or 73kwh Ioniq5 Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511037...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601169...

Then go & buy a full fat second car

[samoht]

I prefer one of each; in your case I'd probably go for a nice EV plus a fairly cheap, light petrol sports car like an MX-5 or third-gen MR2. Then if finances allow could look to upgrade to a multi-cylinder sports car in future.

[RoVoFob]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd be taking a good look at the 91kwh Mach e premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510066...

Or 73kwh Ioniq5 Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511037...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601169...

Then go & buy a full fat second car

Thanks ZX. Hmm, the Hyundais are cheaper than I remember, though I’ve only looked at the more powerful AWD versions before.

Not sure I could stomach going for an EV that is an SUV, too! The big Tesla selling point for me is the performance and efficiency, which I don’t think the Mach e or the Ioniq 5 can match. This is why I keep coming back to the Model 3…

I have driven a Mach e before and can’t remember anything about it oddly…

[RoVoFob]

samoht said:

I prefer one of each; in your case I'd probably go for a nice EV plus a fairly cheap, light petrol sports car like an MX-5 or third-gen MR2. Then if finances allow could look to upgrade to a multi-cylinder sports car in future.

I think that might be the best way. The Tesla is cheaper than the others and will cost less to run, which makes it more plausible to get another car in future…

Do like the fourth-gen MX-5, but I’m very much a 6+ cylinder fan after 12 years or so of six- and eight-cylinder cars. Will have to save up, though V6 TTs are not too expensive. Manuals are maximum tax sadly…

[ZX10R NIN]

RoVoFob said:

Thanks ZX. Hmm, the Hyundais are cheaper than I remember, though I ve only looked at the more powerful AWD versions before.

Not sure I could stomach going for an EV that is an SUV, too! The big Tesla selling point for me is the performance and efficiency, which I don t think the Mach e or the Ioniq 5 can match. This is why I keep coming back to the Model 3

I have driven a Mach e before and can t remember anything about it oddly

If it's to be a daily to a second car then the two above would get the nod over the 3.

If it's going to be your only car then I'd just buy the petrol version, you need to workout which route you will realistically go down.

[RoVoFob]

ZX10R NIN said:

If it's to be a daily to a second car then the two above would get the nod over the 3.

If it's going to be your only car then I'd just buy the petrol version, you need to workout which route you will realistically go down.

Why do you say that? The Mach e is in particular is slower, less efficient, has far less boot space, despite the SUV format and has been slated by some publications for a very unsettled ride. The Ioniq 5 is also slower and less efficient and I’m not sure what its main selling point is. Comfort?

Ideally I’d like a petrol model, but paying such a big premium seems crazy to me. Not in a position to have a second car right now, but being solely EV-powered for a while isn’t the end of the world, I suppose.

[ZX10R NIN]

RoVoFob said:

Why do you say that? The Mach e is in particular is slower, less efficient, has far less boot space, despite the SUV format and has been slated by some publications for a very unsettled ride. The Ioniq 5 is also slower and less efficient and I m not sure what its main selling point is. Comfort?

Ideally I d like a petrol model, but paying such a big premium seems crazy to me. Not in a position to have a second car right now, but being solely EV-powered for a while isn t the end of the world, I suppose.

This is just my personal opinion having driven a fair few of all the above handling wise I've not felt a great deal of difference between a Mach e & Model 3 LR BUT when it comes to fit & finish it's a better car imo.

When it comes to only having an EV I'd buy the best EV6 I could afford.

As a side bar the Mach e GT really impressed as did the Ioniq5 N.

[JNW1]

I do agree prices of second-hand EV's seem to offer much better value than used petrol cars; the prices of some of the latter are just looking downright expensive at the moment IMO.

In terms of an EV, I see the merits of a Tesla, especially if range is a priority and/or you think you'll need to charge away from home regularly and often (the Tesla charging network still seems to have an advantage over others from what I understand). But if most of your charging is going to be done at home - and you can accept a slightly shorter range - I'd have thought a Polestar 2 dual motor would also be worth considering?

[RoVoFob]

ZX10R NIN said:

This is just my personal opinion having driven a fair few of all the above handling wise I've not felt a great deal of difference between a Mach e & Model 3 LR BUT when it comes to fit & finish it's a better car imo.

When it comes to only having an EV I'd buy the best EV6 I could afford.

As a side bar the Mach e GT really impressed as did the Ioniq5 N.

Thanks. I’m sure Tesla fit and finish will be a step down from a 2011 Audi, but it’s hard to ignore the efficiency, performance and prices. Hence why I keep coming back to it.

I do like the EV6, though not its semi SUV format. Need to see what it feels like inside, I suppose. Like the idea of the Ioniq 5N for the sheer silliness of it, too, though what I’d really love is an Ioniq 6N…

[RoVoFob]

JNW1 said:

I do agree prices of second-hand EV's seem to offer much better value than used petrol cars; the prices of some of the latter are just looking downright expensive at the moment IMO.

In terms of an EV, I see the merits of a Tesla, especially if range is a priority and/or you think you'll need to charge away from home regularly and often (the Tesla charging network still seems to have an advantage over others from what I understand). But if most of your charging is going to be done at home - and you can accept a slightly shorter range - I'd have thought a Polestar 2 dual motor would also be worth considering?

Used Polestar 2 values are pretty low and not having to buy something created by a company owned by Musk is a definite plus, though efficiency seems to be quite a lot worse according to many reports. Will be able to charge at home, but would like a year-round realistic range of 250+ miles for regular trips to see family, which might be beyond what a Polestar 2 could manage from what I’ve read.

That plus conflicting reports about comfort and having less boot and interior space than the Model 3 make it feel like the main pros are the not-a-Tesla factor and having dials in front of the driver. May be worth a test drive to compare, though…

[ZX10R NIN]

Test drive as many options as possible & that'll give you the answers you're looking for.

[JNW1]

RoVoFob said:

JNW1 said:

I do agree prices of second-hand EV's seem to offer much better value than used petrol cars; the prices of some of the latter are just looking downright expensive at the moment IMO.

In terms of an EV, I see the merits of a Tesla, especially if range is a priority and/or you think you'll need to charge away from home regularly and often (the Tesla charging network still seems to have an advantage over others from what I understand). But if most of your charging is going to be done at home - and you can accept a slightly shorter range - I'd have thought a Polestar 2 dual motor would also be worth considering?

Used Polestar 2 values are pretty low and not having to buy something created by a company owned by Musk is a definite plus, though efficiency seems to be quite a lot worse according to many reports. Will be able to charge at home, but would like a year-round realistic range of 250+ miles for regular trips to see family, which might be beyond what a Polestar 2 could manage from what I ve read.

That plus conflicting reports about comfort and having less boot and interior space than the Model 3 make it feel like the main pros are the not-a-Tesla factor and having dials in front of the driver. May be worth a test drive to compare, though

Yes, to get a range similar to a Tesla Model 3 dual motor you'd probably need a facelift Polestar 2 which means a late 2023 or more likely a 2024 car (and therefore more expensive).

I get the impression they're decent to drive though and for me the flexibility of being a hatchback would be a plus - I also get the impression the quality of the interior is better than the Tesla and the design of it also appeals to me (although I accept that's very subjective).

As you say, having a look round and a test drive in each is probably the best way forward - good luck with it all!

[Galibier]

What sort of mileage are you doing?

[demic]

I was looking at the S4/5 and C43. Ended up with a Kia Stinger 3.3 GTS. Well worth at least a drive if you end up going down the option 2 route.

[RoVoFob]

ZX10R NIN said:

Test drive as many options as possible & that'll give you the answers you're looking for.

Am sure that’s the answer.

[RoVoFob]

JNW1 said:

RoVoFob said:

JNW1 said:

I do agree prices of second-hand EV's seem to offer much better value than used petrol cars; the prices of some of the latter are just looking downright expensive at the moment IMO.

In terms of an EV, I see the merits of a Tesla, especially if range is a priority and/or you think you'll need to charge away from home regularly and often (the Tesla charging network still seems to have an advantage over others from what I understand). But if most of your charging is going to be done at home - and you can accept a slightly shorter range - I'd have thought a Polestar 2 dual motor would also be worth considering?

Used Polestar 2 values are pretty low and not having to buy something created by a company owned by Musk is a definite plus, though efficiency seems to be quite a lot worse according to many reports. Will be able to charge at home, but would like a year-round realistic range of 250+ miles for regular trips to see family, which might be beyond what a Polestar 2 could manage from what I ve read.

That plus conflicting reports about comfort and having less boot and interior space than the Model 3 make it feel like the main pros are the not-a-Tesla factor and having dials in front of the driver. May be worth a test drive to compare, though

Yes, to get a range similar to a Tesla Model 3 dual motor you'd probably need a facelift Polestar 2 which means a late 2023 or more likely a 2024 car (and therefore more expensive).

I get the impression they're decent to drive though and for me the flexibility of being a hatchback would be a plus - I also get the impression the quality of the interior is better than the Tesla and the design of it also appeals to me (although I accept that's very subjective).

As you say, having a look round and a test drive in each is probably the best way forward - good luck with it all!

Imagine the Polestar drive is good enough. A hatchback would be useful for sure and no doubt it would feel nicer inside than the Tesla. Can’t understand why the boot is about 20% smaller than that in my S5, though. Seems strange.

Planned to get in a Model 3 over the weekend but ran out of time. Sure that will answer some questions by itself, especially if I hate it!

[RoVoFob]

Galibier said:

What sort of mileage are you doing?

Around 8,000 miles per year, though I visit family a 200-mile round trip away relatively often and would like not have to charge away from home for that and some local trips. My dad lives 200 miles away, too, and likewise would prefer to not be forced to stop to charge due to lack of range ideally.

[RoVoFob]

demic said:

I was looking at the S4/5 and C43. Ended up with a Kia Stinger 3.3 GTS. Well worth at least a drive if you end up going down the option 2 route.

I like the look of the Stinger, though the lack of AWD puts me off. Did drive a very early one when new. Didn’t like it much, though I think it may have been a pre-production car, so that might not be a fair judgement… It is a striking thing and pleasingly rare.

[JNW1]

RoVoFob said:

Galibier said:

What sort of mileage are you doing?

Around 8,000 miles per year, though I visit family a 200-mile round trip away relatively often and would like not have to charge away from home for that and some local trips. My dad lives 200 miles away, too, and likewise would prefer to not be forced to stop to charge due to lack of range ideally.

I think even at motorway speeds in cold conditions a Tesla Model 3 dual motor will do 200 miles without needing a recharge - to judge from this video there might not be too much of a buffer left at the end though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoGRmZo6vwQ