A 'which would you choose?' EV question

[cj2013]

So, imagine you're looking to go electric and you fancy a smaller investment than new EVs fetch. Let's say you budget £15k.

Do you go for:

£15kish

a) Modern/New but more white-goods type with an e-C4 (under 2 years old with 20k on it, so probably a year's manufacturer warranty left)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403298...

b) Older but far more "I'm in the next generation of vehicle" style Tesla S (10 years old but less than 100k, so no warranty left at all)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401075...

£17k is

c) Nearly new bland car for a few £k extra (basically ex-demo) with a couple of years manufacturer warranty
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404038...

d) Building on the above, pay slightly more and get something that I guess will have at least a year left on the battery warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401165...


FWIW, I'm not at all interested in the korean stuff here, it's really rather a case of "I quite like the dichotomy of EVs, and I'm not keen on an ICE-like vehicle that just happens to have a BEV drivetrain". The Teslas are really rather different and are rather like the iPhone at this price point, versus the Nokia-esq Kia/Hyundais that I'm sure are very good, but look old inside and out to me.... versus the concept that for potentially brave-pill tesla money I could get in a near-new BEV that is of the stellantis stable that is, reportedly, very nice and comfortable to drive. Concept here is a family sized vehicle for 2A+2K

As much as there's a lot you can start to get when you get near/past £20k, it quite rapidly ends up doubling the money so not interested in the alternatives here - just really rather blank and white "would you get a used Tesla or a new-ish Blando"

[Mad Maximus]

The longest battery warranty car you can get in budget. I know the chances of a battery issue are very very very slim but it just makes it almost future safe.

[CG2020UK]

What are your journeys like and use profile?

I think a big questions is this a purchase using cash or some sort of finance?

[cj2013]

CG2020UK said:

What are your journeys like and use profile?

I think a big questions is this a purchase using cash or some sort of finance?

It'd be financed. I could buy outright but would rather keep the money 'available' in case it was needed.

One argument for buying at this 'bracket' is that I feel like the £20k+ of depreciation has already occurred and is levelling out, but the Tesla is arguably the one that would lose less money.


Journeys are relatively low usage, with a 50 mile round trip to the office a few times a week. Part of the attraction to having something less bland is that it might make me enjoy the task of driving there a little more. Not at all interested in ICE either - had plenty, moved to an new EV a couple of years ago but cashed in when the prices peaked, and now ready to go back.

[WonkeyDonkey]

I've been looking at making a similar choice, e-C4 in shine plus trim seems quite well equipped and can be bought from around £14k.

There are some higher mileage Model 3 Performances available from around £17k and these seem phenomenal for the money. 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and still a decent range.

Most EV's in general do seem to be quite reliable.

[LeoSayer]

It really depends if you have access to a petrol or diesel car for longer trips.

If you do then an e208 or similar might be best.

[CG2020UK]

cj2013 said:

It'd be financed. I could buy outright but would rather keep the money 'available' in case it was needed.

One argument for buying at this 'bracket' is that I feel like the £20k+ of depreciation has already occurred and is levelling out, but the Tesla is arguably the one that would lose less money.


Journeys are relatively low usage, with a 50 mile round trip to the office a few times a week. Part of the attraction to having something less bland is that it might make me enjoy the task of driving there a little more. Not at all interested in ICE either - had plenty, moved to an new EV a couple of years ago but cashed in when the prices peaked, and now ready to go back.

Yeah totally understand I always do the same with personal loans.

Only reason I asked is because some people might be a bit risk averse around the battery so I was thinking what about a lease if you are paying monthly.

Plus some leases are so cheap on EVs getting a new one is a bargain.

https://www.leaseloco.com/car-leasing/ford/mustang...

https://www.leaseloco.com/car-leasing/volkswagen/i...

If buying used honestly think Tesla Model 3s are a proper car bargain compared to the Model S. you’ll get much newer and lower miles.

[ChrisH72]

I've been giving EVs in this price range some thought recently.

BMW i3s is my favourite as it appears to be an interesting car (to me). I don't see many about unlike Teslas which I just find very bland. Depends if the relatively short range works but should be fine for regular 50 mile runs.

[cj2013]

LeoSayer said:

It really depends if you have access to a petrol or diesel car for longer trips.

If you do then an e208 or similar might be best.

e208, Mokka etc are both tiny when you have kids. A 208/Corsa simply isn't a family car, and they are in the same price range making it pointless.

[cj2013]

ChrisH72 said:

I've been giving EVs in this price range some thought recently.

BMW i3s is my favourite as it appears to be an interesting car (to me). I don't see many about unlike Teslas which I just find very bland. Depends if the relatively short range works but should be fine for regular 50 mile runs.

Had a brief look at one earlier and they are quirky but a bit too 2+2 rather than regular family car sized, to be honest.

[cj2013]

CG2020UK said:

Yeah totally understand I always do the same with personal loans.

Only reason I asked is because some people might be a bit risk averse around the battery so I was thinking what about a lease if you are paying monthly.

Plus some leases are so cheap on EVs getting a new one is a bargain.

https://www.leaseloco.com/car-leasing/ford/mustang...

https://www.leaseloco.com/car-leasing/volkswagen/i...

If buying used honestly think Tesla Model 3s are a proper car bargain compared to the Model S. you’ll get much newer and lower miles.

Leasing is sort of how I started off on this - salsac, which turns out is just a bit of a con (unless you're on £100k), then lease, then "actually, I can outright buy a car for the same or less money when I'm not the sucker losing £20k in the first 6 months", which is where the market is at.

Neither of those leases appeal, e.g. putting up £4k and throwing it into the abyss, plus £360 per month for 3 years, only to be allowed to use it a piddly 5k miles a year. Much easier to be the person who buys such a thing for £20k or less, and paying roughly the same amount to own it outright. I also quite like the idea that I can shift the thing if I get bored or if something comes up, rather than being stuck for a few years with a lease.

I get the risk of battery issues, but it seems (so far) to be far less common than a premature timing belt failure or any of the other 'million ways to lose your engine' that happen on ICEs, so the risk does appear to be rather low. Almost all are covered for 8 years minimum, however.

[georgeyboy12345]

The older but faster one, duh

[JAMSXR]

Tesla for me but it would be the Model 3. Just picked one up for the mrs, it’s great.

[CG2020UK]

cj2013 said:

Leasing is sort of how I started off on this - salsac, which turns out is just a bit of a con (unless you're on £100k), then lease, then "actually, I can outright buy a car for the same or less money when I'm not the sucker losing £20k in the first 6 months", which is where the market is at.

Neither of those leases appeal, e.g. putting up £4k and throwing it into the abyss, plus £360 per month for 3 years, only to be allowed to use it a piddly 5k miles a year. Much easier to be the person who buys such a thing for £20k or less, and paying roughly the same amount to own it outright. I also quite like the idea that I can shift the thing if I get bored or if something comes up, rather than being stuck for a few years with a lease.

I get the risk of battery issues, but it seems (so far) to be far less common than a premature timing belt failure or any of the other 'million ways to lose your engine' that happen on ICEs, so the risk does appear to be rather low. Almost all are covered for 8 years minimum, however.

Yeah the leasing thing is very dependent upon the lease provider. My employers while decent certainly wouldn’t be as good as Tusker or the NHS.

Can’t argue with any of that.

My money I’d be going a Model 3.

[RayDonovan]

Model 3.

[andy43]

I’d pick the one with the longest warranty eg Kia Niro, Hyundai Ioniq/Kona. They’re likely to hold their value a bit better than Citroens etc.
Something a bit different - Mazda MX-30 - they’re only worth about 27 pence now mainly because of the range. Back seat isn’t as bad as the exterior suggests, but the car could basically be a disposable item when you’re done with it based on current values.
A knackered old Tesla S could be a world of pain… you won’t get a 3 with sensible miles for 15-17k.

[cj2013]

andy43 said:

I’d pick the one with the longest warranty eg Kia Niro, Hyundai Ioniq/Kona. They’re likely to hold their value a bit better than Citroens etc.
Something a bit different - Mazda MX-30 - they’re only worth about 27 pence now mainly because of the range. Back seat isn’t as bad as the exterior suggests, but the car could basically be a disposable item when you’re done with it based on current values.
A knackered old Tesla S could be a world of pain… you won’t get a 3 with sensible miles for 15-17k.

I really like the MX-30 all up until the point where the range is awful (~100 miles) and the rear doors are more of an RX-8 design than it actually being a plausible family car. Granted they've dropped down to roughly £11k from £30k+, but it's still not really tempting

I mean, imagine getting kids in and out of this

[cj2013]

CG2020UK said:

My money I’d be going a Model 3.

JAMSXR said:

Tesla for me but it would be the Model 3. Just picked one up for the mrs, it’s great.

RayDonovan said:

Model 3.

The one thing that is bothering me a little is the central display for the speed and a few other bits


likely to only get a SR in budget, which is probably fine for the usage I have, but not sure if it'll affect future value

Edited by cj2013 on Saturday 6th April 10:36

[RayDonovan]

cj2013 said:

CG2020UK said:

My money I’d be going a Model 3.

JAMSXR said:

Tesla for me but it would be the Model 3. Just picked one up for the mrs, it’s great.

RayDonovan said:

Model 3.

The one thing that is bothering me a little is the central display for the speed and a few other bits


likely to only get a SR in budget, which is probably fine for the usage I have, but not sure if it'll affect future value

Edited by cj2013 on Saturday 6th April 10:36

Took me about 5 mins on a test drive to get used to that (central display)

[samoht]

I ruled out a Model 3 as it's a saloon and I need a hatchback. The e-Niro is the sensible choice but my wife didn't want that.
So went for a used e-C4 which I like, its comfort and refinement go well with electric power and it has a reasonable amount of space. the range isn't great, it's the same as the e208 etc, but it's not been a big problem for me, depends on your usage.