[TechFreak]

I know that’s a broad question, so let me provide some context.

After almost 5 years I’m looking to change my Ampera and upgrade to a newer EV.

My driving is around 9k miles per year, mainly round town and a couple of 60 mile round trips to work with an occasional longer journey. So the Ampera has worked wonderfully for me for this mainly using electric.

I’ve considered a Salary sacrifice car but still can’t justify the cost. Works out around £4-5k pa for motoring with nothing to show for it at the end.

I’ve never spend £15-22k on a car before and have been trawling through the forums.

I’ll ideally keep the car 3-4 years max.

My goals are to find something:

1)with decent manufactures warranty to save any catastrophic breakdowns.

2)reliability & decent real world range 100-150 miles.

3)will hold a decent resale value.

In no particular order I’ve narrowed my choices down to:

1)bmw i3 £15k range, 2015/16 but seem to start having problems esp the Rex, and only 4 seats.

2)vw e golf £17k range 2020

3)mokka-e £22k 2021 with the lowest mileage

Bonus car: I saw a Tesla model 3 2020 with 57k miles recently sell for £22.5k from the main dealer. At that sort of price and miles I’d be tempted but have no idea on the reliability or aftercare.

So, if you were going to spend that much on a car, what you would you buy?

 

[Cheshirecat]

Ioniq 38 , 18 month old, 42 months warranty remaining, £20-£22k
✅ done

 

[Harry6]

I thought salary sacrifice was a tax efficient way to purchase a car so you would own it?
You may get an MG5 SR for that money.

 

[Cheshirecat]

Or
A 2 year old MG 5 Exclusive for <£19k with 5 years warranty left( but beware of ex-private hire examples)

 

[TechFreak]

I thought salary sacrifice was a tax efficient way to purchase a car so you would own it?
You may get an MG5 SR for that money.

It’s a lease. Not sure if there’s an option to buy at the end. The main benefit afaik is that it’s taken from pre tax money saving you a bit of tax but when I did the sums it still doesn’t seem worth it for me. I get why people do this though, hassle free motoring and a new car every three - four years.

 

[srichards]

Mokka E might struggle with the range. The Stellantis cars all do.

The tesla would make longer trips an absolute doddle.. Cleevely EV are pretty good at looking after them. App works properly. Regular updates are way ahead of other manufacturers. I'd think model 3 won't be that much bother if brakes are serviced regularly.

MG5 isn't bad but there's no app so no pre heat.Warranty is a bit selective in later years so make sure it covers what you want for the time you will own it.

Ev database website is very useful for checking real range ability.

 

[raspy]

@TechFreak You would have something to show for it, potentially. Salary sacrifice scheme I mean.

If you were able to invest the £22k in something that would appreciate significantly over the next 4 years, rather than depreciate, it might be worthwhile.

 

[Stinsy]

I’d go eGolf. Bang in the middle of your budget. Ignoring the EV part, the car bit is a nice place to be and looks good.

 

[donald]

 

[Cheshirecat]

Sorry, @TechFreak , I thought number 1 on your brief was “decent manufacturers warranty” and you were planning to keep for 3 to 4 years

I assume you don't want any big surprises, that’s why I wouldn't even look at anything with little or no warranty left. Easy to get distracted….

 

[donald]

 

[Ralkbirdy]

Sorry, my Ioniq at 5 years old is still not for sale.

 

[CampGareth]

Hyundai Kona and Kia e-niro fit the bill I think? 64kwh is top end of the range.

 

[raspy]

@TechFreak If I were in your shoes, I would get a stopgap of some kind, and wait for 2025 for the barrage of cheaper "new EVs" to arrive, whether from China or Europe. That's what industry folks keep telling me about the future anyway. Maybe they are exaggerating?

 

[sidehaas]

I know that’s a broad question, so let me provide some context.

After almost 5 years I’m looking to change my Ampera and upgrade to a newer EV.

My driving is around 9k miles per year, mainly round town and a couple of 60 mile round trips to work with an occasional longer journey. So the Ampera has worked wonderfully for me for this mainly using electric.

I’ve considered a Salary sacrifice car but still can’t justify the cost. Works out around £4-5k pa for motoring with nothing to show for it at the end.

I’ve never spend £15-22k on a car before and have been trawling through the forums.

I’ll ideally keep the car 3-4 years max.

My goals are to find something:

1)with decent manufactures warranty to save any catastrophic breakdowns.

2)reliability & decent real world range 100-150 miles.

3)will hold a decent resale value.

In no particular order I’ve narrowed my choices down to:

1)bmw i3 £15k range, 2015/16 but seem to start having problems esp the Rex, and only 4 seats.

2)vw e golf £17k range 2020

3)mokka-e £22k 2021 with the lowest mileage

Bonus car: I saw a Tesla model 3 2020 with 57k miles recently sell for £22.5k from the main dealer. At that sort of price and miles I’d be tempted but have no idea on the reliability or aftercare.

So, if you were going to spend that much on a car, what you would you buy?

I can't contribute much but only to point out you could get a significantly newer i3 than that for your budget, if you decided it was the right car for you. For £20k you could pick up a 2020 120ah car with a bit of warranty left. A similar age Peugeot e208 is similar cost and might provide another option.
I'm not sure what the right answer to your overall question is though!

 

[robbiep]

I'm really liking my e-Golf. Worth noting that if you buy VW approved used then you get a very comprehensive 2 year warranty on the car (battery warranty is 8 years / 100k)

 

[TechFreak]

Thanks everyone. Lots of choices that weren’t on my initial radar.

I do prefer the look of the Kona over the Ioniq.

I’m hearing nothing but good things about the egolf.

Out of all the options which do you think will hold the best resale value?

[mention]raspy [/mention] unless it will make a significant difference to stop gap now I’m not sure I would do that. I think almost every year you could argue it’s worth waiting another year or so because things are changing so fast.

 

[CasperStorm]

Might struggle to do 150 miles in winter...

Nissan Leaf
110kW Acenta 39kWh 5dr Auto
2022 (72 reg)
£18,999

 

[Peirpoint]

Brand new Tesla M3 in summer.

Gaz

 

[TechFreak]

Brand new Tesla M3 in summer.

Gaz

Brand new??