Best £15k used EV?
Discussion
A confluence of factors have prompted me to consider buying my first EV. My 'fun' car is now also quite capable for long trips, so the 'sensible' car doesn't have to cross continents. However, I'd still like to have half-decent range as the fun car may not be suitable to use in all circumstances.
The EV would live on a driveway, so I'd hope home charging won't be a problem. Driving is mixed A and B roads and Dual Carriageways / Motorways, likely less urban although it will see some. Usage is mostly weekends going up to 40 miles each way for a walk/cycle/canoe. It will probably see occasional longer trips up to ~180 miles but if it could do those with a single charging stop with reasonable flexibility, that would be ok.
It only really needs to seat two adults, but I want to be able to get a bicycle in the back with the rear seats down.
My current petrol 'sensible' car could probably sell for approximately £15k, so if I can find an EV for that much it would be a straight swap on value, but hopefully save quite a bit on running costs and and get to enjoy the smoothness and linear response of an EV and its convenience on shorter trips - plus trimming my carbon footprint.
Range, performance, handling, ride, comfort and convenience of charging are all factors although I appreciate obviously the budget means there will be compromises.
I'm not absolutely going to do this right away, but I'm actively considering making the switch sometime this year.
My current shortlist is:
Nissan Leaf Mk2 - unfortunately the 62kWh e+ versions seem mostly above this mark, and the 40kWh seem a little short on range but worth considering. Hired one for a day and it was decent apart from charging.
Renault Zoe 50kWh - good range, unsure how they shape up in other ways
Peugeot e-208
Vauxhall Corsa e (a less fashionable 208)
MG5 - probably not, but a contender on paper
Hyundai Ioniq 38kWh - this is a bit interesting because it has a smaller battery but apparently gets really good efficiency even on the motorway, I've seen 170 miles at 70mph quoted. It would also have a couple of years warranty remaining.
I've mostly ruled out:
BMW i3 - even the 42kWh doesn't seem to give that good range
VW e-Golf - poor range
Kia Soul - Ioniq is better (?)
Merc B-Class - far too short range
Seat Mii - poor range
Any thoughts on the merits of my contenders, any car I've ruled out I should reconsider, and any other options I've not thought of?
I've been making some videos recently where I review what's on the used market for a particular model - I won't link to them so as not to fall foul of the rules but some of the feedback from owners in the comments is pretty interesting
The Hyundai Ioniq brought forward a fair bit of discussion around whether you're actually better off with the 28kWh model over the 38 - it has greatly superior charging performance so although it'll go less far you can actually go point to point faster if you need multiple charging stops!
Most people seem extremely happy with them too (both 28 and 38 owners) - I've never known a car to have such unilaterally positive feedback!
The Hyundai Ioniq brought forward a fair bit of discussion around whether you're actually better off with the 28kWh model over the 38 - it has greatly superior charging performance so although it'll go less far you can actually go point to point faster if you need multiple charging stops!
Most people seem extremely happy with them too (both 28 and 38 owners) - I've never known a car to have such unilaterally positive feedback!
Having had a Zoe for a month, I was pretty impressed. It's pretty basic inside, but perfectly functional. The only thing I remember being a bit odd was the driving position - specifically, the steering wheel was a bit 'bus-like' i.e. tilted towards the horizontal for my liking, but hardly a deal breaker.
You'd have to take the front wheel off a bike, but other than that sounds like it would be ideal. £15k would get you a higher power version. This was plenty nippy enough for daily use. I think it's a good little car for what it is. We were getting circa 200 miles on a charge without trying with mixed use.
You'd have to take the front wheel off a bike, but other than that sounds like it would be ideal. £15k would get you a higher power version. This was plenty nippy enough for daily use. I think it's a good little car for what it is. We were getting circa 200 miles on a charge without trying with mixed use.
Thanks all for the info 
I wouldn't expect to be making trips long enough to need more than 1 stop, so probably the larger "initial" range of the 38kWh would be better.
My concerns are (a) range / public charging on the occasional longer trip esp in winter (b) possible expensive issues, although a 2019-on car might be better sorted? and (c) it generally seems intended as a city car, which isn't how I would use it.
However the i3 probably has the best 'wife acceptability factor' of the possible options at this price point.
Toaster Pilot said:
I've been making some videos recently where I review what's on the used market for a particular model - I won't link to them so as not to fall foul of the rules but some of the feedback from owners in the comments is pretty interesting
The Hyundai Ioniq brought forward a fair bit of discussion around whether you're actually better off with the 28kWh model over the 38 - it has greatly superior charging performance so although it'll go less far you can actually go point to point faster if you need multiple charging stops!
Most people seem extremely happy with them too (both 28 and 38 owners) - I've never known a car to have such unilaterally positive feedback!
Thanks, funnily enough I found a helpful video on YT just now The Hyundai Ioniq brought forward a fair bit of discussion around whether you're actually better off with the 28kWh model over the 38 - it has greatly superior charging performance so although it'll go less far you can actually go point to point faster if you need multiple charging stops!
Most people seem extremely happy with them too (both 28 and 38 owners) - I've never known a car to have such unilaterally positive feedback!
I wouldn't expect to be making trips long enough to need more than 1 stop, so probably the larger "initial" range of the 38kWh would be better.
ChocolateFrog said:
I'd still go for the i3.
If you have the ability to charge at home and other cars then range won't be the bugbear you think it will be.
Noted, I'll put that back on the shortlist.If you have the ability to charge at home and other cars then range won't be the bugbear you think it will be.
My concerns are (a) range / public charging on the occasional longer trip esp in winter (b) possible expensive issues, although a 2019-on car might be better sorted? and (c) it generally seems intended as a city car, which isn't how I would use it.
However the i3 probably has the best 'wife acceptability factor' of the possible options at this price point.
As an old fart petrol head, I have bought an electric car 3 months ago. It's our only car and I will have range issues with it in the winter. I do a regular 70 mile there and back and I know I'll have to charge to get home when it gets colder.
It's white goods really. I have swapped a flat 6 burbly load lugger with high running costs and a fair bit of punch, for a serene box with limited load space and very low operating costs. My bike or the wife's wheelchair fits, but the rear seats are easy to fold.
I now derive pleasure from tech, the quality of the sound system, and in real terms it's quite bit quicker than the petrol wagon was. I do a low mileage, and most of my charging is done at home, utilising a clever charging point to extract as much from the solar panels as possible.
A few weeks ago, I did a series of 200 miles trips, needing to charge to get home. 4 of the trips were magic and no problem. We had to wait whilst charging for 40 mins at one point, but my brother and I watched a video about the TSR2 so the time flew by. The 5th trip was a nucking fightmare, with unresponsive chargers, stupid payment systems, credit card blocking etc etc. But; I've learnt from that and it won't happen again.
Plus points for me are that it fits my lifestyle to charge mostly at home so it's very cheap motoring. We live in a small village and it's great on rural roads. It can do stupid quick overtakes, and on open roads it flows down the road very well. It's a very pleasant place to be in. Great seats for medium sized people. I no longer feel I'm harming the car to fire it up for a 1/2 mile journey, no issue with cold engine!
-ve points. The car corners well, but the handling is not so smooth. Despite its clever construction; because of it's relatively tall, there's a real consideration of weight transfer in direction changes. Using the throttle to adjust direction is not smooth; applying power can be a bit sudden, and lifting off needs to be done with caution as the regen will really unsettle it in mid corner. In consideration for passengers, I usually use eco-pro mode as the throttle response is softer.
I'm glad I bought the I3S, it's basically a great fun box. It's major drawback is the limited range, but for us that's not much of a problem, because it fits our lifestyle.
It's white goods really. I have swapped a flat 6 burbly load lugger with high running costs and a fair bit of punch, for a serene box with limited load space and very low operating costs. My bike or the wife's wheelchair fits, but the rear seats are easy to fold.
I now derive pleasure from tech, the quality of the sound system, and in real terms it's quite bit quicker than the petrol wagon was. I do a low mileage, and most of my charging is done at home, utilising a clever charging point to extract as much from the solar panels as possible.
A few weeks ago, I did a series of 200 miles trips, needing to charge to get home. 4 of the trips were magic and no problem. We had to wait whilst charging for 40 mins at one point, but my brother and I watched a video about the TSR2 so the time flew by. The 5th trip was a nucking fightmare, with unresponsive chargers, stupid payment systems, credit card blocking etc etc. But; I've learnt from that and it won't happen again.
Plus points for me are that it fits my lifestyle to charge mostly at home so it's very cheap motoring. We live in a small village and it's great on rural roads. It can do stupid quick overtakes, and on open roads it flows down the road very well. It's a very pleasant place to be in. Great seats for medium sized people. I no longer feel I'm harming the car to fire it up for a 1/2 mile journey, no issue with cold engine!
-ve points. The car corners well, but the handling is not so smooth. Despite its clever construction; because of it's relatively tall, there's a real consideration of weight transfer in direction changes. Using the throttle to adjust direction is not smooth; applying power can be a bit sudden, and lifting off needs to be done with caution as the regen will really unsettle it in mid corner. In consideration for passengers, I usually use eco-pro mode as the throttle response is softer.
I'm glad I bought the I3S, it's basically a great fun box. It's major drawback is the limited range, but for us that's not much of a problem, because it fits our lifestyle.
We had an Ioniq 38 for three years and now have an e-2008.
The latter is the more interesting car, but the Ioniq was supremely efficient. We also never found the charging curve a problem, being pretty decent up to 70%.
Our e-2008 gets around the same range, with a 25% (approx) bigger battery.
The latter is the more interesting car, but the Ioniq was supremely efficient. We also never found the charging curve a problem, being pretty decent up to 70%.
Our e-2008 gets around the same range, with a 25% (approx) bigger battery.
As a left-field suggestion for what sounds like a weekend vehicle for biking/paddling duties that only needs to seat two people…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202306128...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202306128...
Luke. said:
I'd go i3 too. It's probably the best car I've ever owned - and in my mind, a modern day version of the Mini. Great fun to drive with unrivalled details such as suicide doors and the carbon fibre shell. Very nippy too and still look brilliant. Will definitely get another.
Now you’re just being silly, an i3 could never be a modern mini. ashenfie said:
Luke. said:
I'd go i3 too. It's probably the best car I've ever owned - and in my mind, a modern day version of the Mini. Great fun to drive with unrivalled details such as suicide doors and the carbon fibre shell. Very nippy too and still look brilliant. Will definitely get another.
Now you’re just being silly, an i3 could never be a modern mini. With all these cheaper cars, I'd suggest looking at the age of them and how the battery is going to perform over the next 'n' years.
Is it better to get a newer EV which has more years before the battery starts to seriously decline, or an older example of a 'better' car?
How quickly will your £15k car lose £5k or more?
If your needs are modest, why not buy a £10k EV and lose less cash?
When people say what car for £x? The question is, 'to last you for how long?'
The capital input is only one part of the equation, another significant part is how you write down that value over time and mileage.
What's your comfort zone for depreciation?
What cars are now £20/25k cars, which in a years time might be £15k cars, making yours look a bit sick?
The market is a right funny place.
Maybe it's worth considering some PHEVs on the basis that they'll still be viable transport however short the battery range gets?
£15k looks like a modestly cheap car, but it's expensive motoring if it swiftly becomes a £5k car.
OTOH if it loses a lot of value on paper, but you don't sell it for many years, you have a different view from someone who needs to trade it in after a short time.
How long can you lease an MG for £15k? It might be worth doing the maths from all angles before dismissing that!
Is it better to get a newer EV which has more years before the battery starts to seriously decline, or an older example of a 'better' car?
How quickly will your £15k car lose £5k or more?
If your needs are modest, why not buy a £10k EV and lose less cash?
When people say what car for £x? The question is, 'to last you for how long?'
The capital input is only one part of the equation, another significant part is how you write down that value over time and mileage.
What's your comfort zone for depreciation?
What cars are now £20/25k cars, which in a years time might be £15k cars, making yours look a bit sick?
The market is a right funny place.
Maybe it's worth considering some PHEVs on the basis that they'll still be viable transport however short the battery range gets?
£15k looks like a modestly cheap car, but it's expensive motoring if it swiftly becomes a £5k car.
OTOH if it loses a lot of value on paper, but you don't sell it for many years, you have a different view from someone who needs to trade it in after a short time.
How long can you lease an MG for £15k? It might be worth doing the maths from all angles before dismissing that!
500E - 24kWh too limited, 42kWh starts from £17k it seems, although agree a good contender if I stretch the budget.
The van is certainly a possibility I'd not considered, however I think a Mk2 Leaf with the same drivetrain would be more appealing, as I don't need that much space.
If you were looking to resurrect the Mini specifically, I don't think you'd come up with the i3. However I do see the similarity in it being a clean-sheet small car with no preconceptions, so it's arguably a comparably bold and far-reaching small car in 2013 as the Mini was in 1959.
Depreciation is a good point. I'm initially thinking in terms of a ~2 year ownership.
It looks like the median asking price of a 2020 Ioniq is £15400, while a 2018 model is £13200 (with the smaller battery). So £2200 depreciation over two years.
EVs have recently come down quite a lot in value, to me this decreases the chance that there will be further big falls in future (beyond normal depreciation). I think a cheap EV with a half-decent range (150 miles more or less) will still be reasonably valued into the future.
In terms of battery degradation I'm aware of the issues the Leaf has, at least the Mk1. Otherwise batteries seem to be holding up well and if anything the rate of decline seems to reduce over time rather than falling off a cliff. However this is just from a bit of quick googling.
The only PHEV I'd be interested in is the Note e-Power, because that has fully electric drive. But generally the extra maintenance of an ICE puts me off.
Taycan - I've decided to invest the major part of my motoring budget in the 'fun' car, since that way it brings me most enjoyment and fun cars don't depreciate as sharply. Hence looking for a budget EV, rather than something that will be shedding ten grand a year.
The van is certainly a possibility I'd not considered, however I think a Mk2 Leaf with the same drivetrain would be more appealing, as I don't need that much space.
If you were looking to resurrect the Mini specifically, I don't think you'd come up with the i3. However I do see the similarity in it being a clean-sheet small car with no preconceptions, so it's arguably a comparably bold and far-reaching small car in 2013 as the Mini was in 1959.
Depreciation is a good point. I'm initially thinking in terms of a ~2 year ownership.
It looks like the median asking price of a 2020 Ioniq is £15400, while a 2018 model is £13200 (with the smaller battery). So £2200 depreciation over two years.
EVs have recently come down quite a lot in value, to me this decreases the chance that there will be further big falls in future (beyond normal depreciation). I think a cheap EV with a half-decent range (150 miles more or less) will still be reasonably valued into the future.
In terms of battery degradation I'm aware of the issues the Leaf has, at least the Mk1. Otherwise batteries seem to be holding up well and if anything the rate of decline seems to reduce over time rather than falling off a cliff. However this is just from a bit of quick googling.
The only PHEV I'd be interested in is the Note e-Power, because that has fully electric drive. But generally the extra maintenance of an ICE puts me off.
Taycan - I've decided to invest the major part of my motoring budget in the 'fun' car, since that way it brings me most enjoyment and fun cars don't depreciate as sharply. Hence looking for a budget EV, rather than something that will be shedding ten grand a year.
Looking at a two year ownership, I tend to view depreciation as also including buyer/seller margin.
So maybe you'll buy at £15k and have a retail value of £13k after 2 years and get £11k trade in?
Where I am it's not easy to sell stuff privately, so it becomes a game of trade-in, WBAC, ebay or not worrying about best price after two years.
Taking a shed-o-nomics view, it can be better to pay a little more and write the car down to zero over an extra year or two!
The optimum time to change cars is more easily seen in hindsight.
Looking at EVs on autotarder, sellers are often strangely reluctant to provide a picture of the dash showing 'car is fully charged and the 'puter says it's got n miles range'. How hard can it be?
So maybe you'll buy at £15k and have a retail value of £13k after 2 years and get £11k trade in?
Where I am it's not easy to sell stuff privately, so it becomes a game of trade-in, WBAC, ebay or not worrying about best price after two years.
Taking a shed-o-nomics view, it can be better to pay a little more and write the car down to zero over an extra year or two!
The optimum time to change cars is more easily seen in hindsight.
Looking at EVs on autotarder, sellers are often strangely reluctant to provide a picture of the dash showing 'car is fully charged and the 'puter says it's got n miles range'. How hard can it be?
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