My Recent EV Car Buying Experience
Discussion
So looking for an EV to replace my daily.
Budget up to £30k but would prefer to spend closer to £25k.
(1) Private sellers - don't bother. Either CAT S or N or lower capacity batteries.
(2) Slighly older cars MY20 to MY22. The height of COVID and as Forrest would say a "box of chocolates" you never know what you are gonna get! I have decided to eliminate all of these because even the main dealers cannot tell you what it has and what is missing.
(3) Non franchise dealers - They will have ONLY COVID cars so above applies.
(4) Franchise / Main Dealers - This is where most of my search has been and to be honest where most of the frustration lies. There are probably half a dozen franchisees per manufacturer. Each with their own website. So you have to look on AT, Manufacturers Approved Used website and then the franchisee website to check to see if the car is still available and what current price is being advertised. It is probably safe to say that only the franchisee website is regularly updated. I have found this to be the case for 3 separate manufacturers.
I suppose this is all "first world problems" and just no more than a ball ache!
Budget up to £30k but would prefer to spend closer to £25k.
(1) Private sellers - don't bother. Either CAT S or N or lower capacity batteries.
(2) Slighly older cars MY20 to MY22. The height of COVID and as Forrest would say a "box of chocolates" you never know what you are gonna get! I have decided to eliminate all of these because even the main dealers cannot tell you what it has and what is missing.
(3) Non franchise dealers - They will have ONLY COVID cars so above applies.
(4) Franchise / Main Dealers - This is where most of my search has been and to be honest where most of the frustration lies. There are probably half a dozen franchisees per manufacturer. Each with their own website. So you have to look on AT, Manufacturers Approved Used website and then the franchisee website to check to see if the car is still available and what current price is being advertised. It is probably safe to say that only the franchisee website is regularly updated. I have found this to be the case for 3 separate manufacturers.
I suppose this is all "first world problems" and just no more than a ball ache!
I wouldn't say the problems you are facing are EV specific?
The COVID related spec differences were all across all types of vehicles including ICE stuff, and having to go through different websites for dealers isn't exactly EV related?
I can sympathise with you on main dealers though. I've had the misfortune of having to deal with a few different ones over the last 2 years, and they've all been woeful.
You'd get a very nice Audi E-tron with the bigger battery for under £25k. A 55 model will do over 200 miles to a charge. I've got the regular 50 model and its absolutely brilliant as a daily.
The COVID related spec differences were all across all types of vehicles including ICE stuff, and having to go through different websites for dealers isn't exactly EV related?
I can sympathise with you on main dealers though. I've had the misfortune of having to deal with a few different ones over the last 2 years, and they've all been woeful.
You'd get a very nice Audi E-tron with the bigger battery for under £25k. A 55 model will do over 200 miles to a charge. I've got the regular 50 model and its absolutely brilliant as a daily.
Edited by T_S_M on Monday 24th June 11:39
Greenmantle said:
So looking for an EV to replace my daily.
Budget up to £30k but would prefer to spend closer to £25k.
(1) Private sellers - don't bother. Either CAT S or N or lower capacity batteries.
(2) Slighly older cars MY20 to MY22. The height of COVID and as Forrest would say a "box of chocolates" you never know what you are gonna get! I have decided to eliminate all of these because even the main dealers cannot tell you what it has and what is missing.
(3) Non franchise dealers - They will have ONLY COVID cars so above applies.
(4) Franchise / Main Dealers - This is where most of my search has been and to be honest where most of the frustration lies. There are probably half a dozen franchisees per manufacturer. Each with their own website. So you have to look on AT, Manufacturers Approved Used website and then the franchisee website to check to see if the car is still available and what current price is being advertised. It is probably safe to say that only the franchisee website is regularly updated. I have found this to be the case for 3 separate manufacturers.
I suppose this is all "first world problems" and just no more than a ball ache!
You're doing the right thing by purchasing second hand EV (rather than new).Budget up to £30k but would prefer to spend closer to £25k.
(1) Private sellers - don't bother. Either CAT S or N or lower capacity batteries.
(2) Slighly older cars MY20 to MY22. The height of COVID and as Forrest would say a "box of chocolates" you never know what you are gonna get! I have decided to eliminate all of these because even the main dealers cannot tell you what it has and what is missing.
(3) Non franchise dealers - They will have ONLY COVID cars so above applies.
(4) Franchise / Main Dealers - This is where most of my search has been and to be honest where most of the frustration lies. There are probably half a dozen franchisees per manufacturer. Each with their own website. So you have to look on AT, Manufacturers Approved Used website and then the franchisee website to check to see if the car is still available and what current price is being advertised. It is probably safe to say that only the franchisee website is regularly updated. I have found this to be the case for 3 separate manufacturers.
I suppose this is all "first world problems" and just no more than a ball ache!
That said, always keep an eye on new deals. Vauxhall had the Astra Electric on just over £20K.
RayDonovan said:
Phunk said:
I just used ‘eco cars’ who source EVs from dealer only auctions.
No warranty but managed to blag a Zoe for my mum for £2k less than anywhere else even after fees.
Looks like a great option - would you mind PM'ing me their charges? No warranty but managed to blag a Zoe for my mum for £2k less than anywhere else even after fees.
They know their stuff, we wanted one with a Heat Pack which is hard to find and knew exactly how to track them down.
https://eco-cars.net/used-electric-cars-buying-pro...
Phunk said:
RayDonovan said:
Phunk said:
I just used ‘eco cars’ who source EVs from dealer only auctions.
No warranty but managed to blag a Zoe for my mum for £2k less than anywhere else even after fees.
Looks like a great option - would you mind PM'ing me their charges? No warranty but managed to blag a Zoe for my mum for £2k less than anywhere else even after fees.
They know their stuff, we wanted one with a Heat Pack which is hard to find and knew exactly how to track them down.
https://eco-cars.net/used-electric-cars-buying-pro...
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