Discussion
Hi I'd really like to change to an EV right now but struggling to lock in on a particular model or even a body style.
Budget is £10k. I could stretch to 12k if I really have to but I'd rather not.
I'm looking for a reasonably practical, reliable car that will replace a shed valued and conditioned, but pretty dependable diesel A6 avant. Cost per mile in the A6 is getting ridiculous and easily justifies the EV kept over 3 years. I'd probably keep much longer anyway. I'll be home-charging almost always.
I accept that I will need to go smaller.
Current options are:
MG4 - I like these and although space is not huge I think it would cope with normal life well enough. Trophy model only for heated seats? Are they still losing money pretty fast or now in-line with other cars?
E-Niro - I'm yet to sit in one but they seem decent enough. It looks like the 1st edition ones are really well specced and available in budget. Lots of ex-taxis tho.
ID4 - I do like these. Space wise they look like the biggest. They fall on the upper end of budget - the only decent ones I can find are nudging 12k.
TM3 - I've never really liked them but I do consider them in my searches. Leggy options mostly.
MGZS - I don't hate them but feel like there are better options. I think I'd rather have the MG4.
Enyaq's would be also be high on my list if there were any available but these seem to out-price the VWs.
Should I be considering a leaf?
Non-options
I've already discounted the MG5 - I just don't like them.
Kona - prefer the kia, and kia is bigger.
BMW i3 is only 4 seats.
Zoe - too small as the main car.
I've also pretty much discounted most Stellantis offerings. There's nothing i particularly like anyway but they all seem to be versions of two or three base cars. I'd probably consider the e-astra estate if it was in budget but it is not.
I think one of my biggest issues is that because 10k is at the lower end of all the suitable car price brackets there are just not many of anything around. Nothing locally at all. Closest is at least an hour's drive each way. I'd probably need to book a day off to visit a garage mid-week. So I feel like I need to half commit to something before I've even looked.
Anyone have any thoughts or advice?
Budget is £10k. I could stretch to 12k if I really have to but I'd rather not.
I'm looking for a reasonably practical, reliable car that will replace a shed valued and conditioned, but pretty dependable diesel A6 avant. Cost per mile in the A6 is getting ridiculous and easily justifies the EV kept over 3 years. I'd probably keep much longer anyway. I'll be home-charging almost always.
I accept that I will need to go smaller.
Current options are:
MG4 - I like these and although space is not huge I think it would cope with normal life well enough. Trophy model only for heated seats? Are they still losing money pretty fast or now in-line with other cars?
E-Niro - I'm yet to sit in one but they seem decent enough. It looks like the 1st edition ones are really well specced and available in budget. Lots of ex-taxis tho.
ID4 - I do like these. Space wise they look like the biggest. They fall on the upper end of budget - the only decent ones I can find are nudging 12k.
TM3 - I've never really liked them but I do consider them in my searches. Leggy options mostly.
MGZS - I don't hate them but feel like there are better options. I think I'd rather have the MG4.
Enyaq's would be also be high on my list if there were any available but these seem to out-price the VWs.
Should I be considering a leaf?
Non-options
I've already discounted the MG5 - I just don't like them.
Kona - prefer the kia, and kia is bigger.
BMW i3 is only 4 seats.
Zoe - too small as the main car.
I've also pretty much discounted most Stellantis offerings. There's nothing i particularly like anyway but they all seem to be versions of two or three base cars. I'd probably consider the e-astra estate if it was in budget but it is not.
I think one of my biggest issues is that because 10k is at the lower end of all the suitable car price brackets there are just not many of anything around. Nothing locally at all. Closest is at least an hour's drive each way. I'd probably need to book a day off to visit a garage mid-week. So I feel like I need to half commit to something before I've even looked.
Anyone have any thoughts or advice?
I think the problem is you've dismissed the cars you can afford, to come up with a shortlist of those you mostly can't afford, except for a slender lower few percent which are either underpriced or worn out.
I would revisit all fuel types and re-evaluate more broadly, looking at total cost of ownership.
I would revisit all fuel types and re-evaluate more broadly, looking at total cost of ownership.
How far do you need to regularly travel? 120 miles and the answer is yes, you should be considering a Nissan Leaf 40kwh in Tekna spec.
160 miles and the answer is yes you should be considering a Nissan Leaf 62kwh in Tekna spec. That will set you back closer to £12k.
I'm a Leaf fanboy, and yes the battery technology is getting on a bit, and the have ChaDeMo charging instead of CCS but they are comfortable, have proven reliability, and Tekna spec gives pretty decent kit.
Only really an option if you don't want to be regularly charging when out and about though, and your mileage profile will dictate that.
Had ours for almost 12 years (24kwh). 90k miles, hasn't missed a beat, total non-consumable maintenance cost has been under £500.00 including labour.
This is a 62kwh car £13k from a main dealer, facelift model and just 35k miles:
https://usedcars.nissan.co.uk/en/vehicles/nissan/l...
That's outside budget but should be a benchmark for what £12k will get you in the 62kwh model.
Here's a £10k 39kwh car (though not Tekna spec) from a main dealer on just 22k miles:
https://usedcars.nissan.co.uk/en/vehicles/nissan/l...
160 miles and the answer is yes you should be considering a Nissan Leaf 62kwh in Tekna spec. That will set you back closer to £12k.
I'm a Leaf fanboy, and yes the battery technology is getting on a bit, and the have ChaDeMo charging instead of CCS but they are comfortable, have proven reliability, and Tekna spec gives pretty decent kit.
Only really an option if you don't want to be regularly charging when out and about though, and your mileage profile will dictate that.
Had ours for almost 12 years (24kwh). 90k miles, hasn't missed a beat, total non-consumable maintenance cost has been under £500.00 including labour.
This is a 62kwh car £13k from a main dealer, facelift model and just 35k miles:
https://usedcars.nissan.co.uk/en/vehicles/nissan/l...
That's outside budget but should be a benchmark for what £12k will get you in the 62kwh model.
Here's a £10k 39kwh car (though not Tekna spec) from a main dealer on just 22k miles:
https://usedcars.nissan.co.uk/en/vehicles/nissan/l...
Edited by Russet Grange on Tuesday 26th May 17:27
Edited by Russet Grange on Tuesday 26th May 17:28
I know you've said you don't like them but I'm currently in a (borrowed) MG5. Can't say I like it enough to actually buy one, but its competent enough and I've certainly driven worse.
It falls in the 'about 15 feet of car' bracket. Definitely in your price bracket, even a long range would be
It falls in the 'about 15 feet of car' bracket. Definitely in your price bracket, even a long range would be
Thanks for replies.
I have a family of 5, car is used for two older kids to two different schools on the school run, then on to work. My eldest is 6'4 but isnt in the car too often with everyone else to really worry about. My daily average is around 35 miles.
All the airports I use are around 100 miles away so I wouldn't want anything that I can't comfortably get there and at least most of the way back, Preferably all the way home.
I really like the Mazda, but the range isn't suitable for main car duties.
I'm considering the bigger battery leaf - is the range on these suitable real world? I like the idea of V2L too as I like camping every now and again. There are quite a few of them about. It would make such a perfect second car for us and would replace the current small hatchback we have but still unsure about as a main car.
The more I look at the MG5 the more it makes sense though. Its big, the seats look comfy. and there's loads of space and has proper roof bars for bikes.
I think the answer is go to some local main dealers at the weekend and sit in lots of cars and keep an open mind.
I have a family of 5, car is used for two older kids to two different schools on the school run, then on to work. My eldest is 6'4 but isnt in the car too often with everyone else to really worry about. My daily average is around 35 miles.
All the airports I use are around 100 miles away so I wouldn't want anything that I can't comfortably get there and at least most of the way back, Preferably all the way home.
I really like the Mazda, but the range isn't suitable for main car duties.
I'm considering the bigger battery leaf - is the range on these suitable real world? I like the idea of V2L too as I like camping every now and again. There are quite a few of them about. It would make such a perfect second car for us and would replace the current small hatchback we have but still unsure about as a main car.
The more I look at the MG5 the more it makes sense though. Its big, the seats look comfy. and there's loads of space and has proper roof bars for bikes.
I think the answer is go to some local main dealers at the weekend and sit in lots of cars and keep an open mind.
You're gonna need something which will do comfortably over 200 miles in all circumstances, to cover those airport runs without charging.
Which means, I think, a bit of budget push. How about a Megane E-Tech (might actually be a bit tight on range):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604291...
Or the VW ID3 (you put ID 4 in your OP, but I presume you meant ID3), with the 77kwh battery will more than cover this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605232...
I currently own 2 EVs - a Leaf 40kwh (23 reg - it's actually my 3rd Leaf, I love them as local runabouts) and a VW ID5 (72 reg), so have some experience in the subject. I also have a 6'3" son who fits in both very comfortably. The Leaf has a great cabin for passengers. But even the 62kwh is going to struggle with a comfortable 200 mile requirement.
In your shoes I'd be going VW ID3 77kwh.
Which means, I think, a bit of budget push. How about a Megane E-Tech (might actually be a bit tight on range):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604291...
Or the VW ID3 (you put ID 4 in your OP, but I presume you meant ID3), with the 77kwh battery will more than cover this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605232...
I currently own 2 EVs - a Leaf 40kwh (23 reg - it's actually my 3rd Leaf, I love them as local runabouts) and a VW ID5 (72 reg), so have some experience in the subject. I also have a 6'3" son who fits in both very comfortably. The Leaf has a great cabin for passengers. But even the 62kwh is going to struggle with a comfortable 200 mile requirement.
In your shoes I'd be going VW ID3 77kwh.
Not wishing to sound dismissive, but given the ever improving battery tech, would it not be better to lease a new EV with higher range and ensure you can do your 200 mile round trips etc? I've always bought my own ICE cars outright but all my EV driving mates lease theirs to ensure they're getting the latest battery tech. Just a thought.....
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