£12k interesting short range ev?

[roca1976]

My commute is 16 mile round trip 5 days a week with no surprises or need for additional miles. I have driveway parking so charging will be no issue.

£12k gets an interesting ev

Honda E
Mini cooper electric
Mazda mx30

They look really high quality and good value for a 3 to 4 year old car.

Am I missing anything?

[anonymous-user]

roca1976 said:

My commute is 16 mile round trip 5 days a week with no surprises or need for additional miles. I have driveway parking so charging will be no issue.

£12k gets an interesting ev

Honda E
Mini cooper electric
Mazda mx30

They look really high quality and good value for a 3 to 4 year old car.

Am I missing anything?

I would add 120Ah i3 but may be a bit above your budget. Perfect cars for the job.

[carlo996]

I’d say i3 tbh for what you are looking for.

Beat infotainment in the iDrive, strong residuals, decent dealer network, carbon shell is interesting.

[Silvanus]

Smart For four, brother in law has one as a city/commuter car, he loves it.

[Turtle Shed]

Must admit I hadn't realised electric Minis could be had for this kind of money nowadays. Guess they'll be sub £10k in a year or so, in which case I'm having one.

Had a Leaf for almost a decade, love the EV drive, always fancied a Mini one day.

[Ezra]

I'd also take a look at a Nissan Leaf

[MajorMantra]

carlo996 said:

I’d say i3 tbh for what you are looking for.

Beat infotainment in the iDrive, strong residuals, decent dealer network, carbon shell is interesting.

I'd go i3 too but I don't think you can argue "strong residuals" at this point for any older EV – prices have absolutely cratered in the last few months and I don't think the slide is over.

[macron]

Honda E isn't 12k yet, 14+ at least,

i3 has held up far better than most, but goodness knows why. They don't make them any more, there isn't a volume to their parts, there aren't a army of non BMW techs who can service them and problem solve.

Od be looking for both the newest, and anything where you can see a bloodline for the tech in later cars, as it means there is a fighting chance when they are much older you won't be pinned to main dealers.

Which would take the Mazda from your bunch. They are 12k after fk all miles, although there is very little room in the back is that is ever a consideration.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024021365...

[snorkel sucker]

i3 or Mini electric.

I've not driven the i3 but by all accounts it gets good reviews - for £12k you're likely getting one of the versions with a similar range to the Mini I'd expect, but you may be able to get into a leggy i3s.

I've driven the Mini and for that money, it's a brilliant car. Every bit as quick, fun and involving as the Cooper S (and wasn't massively slower than my JCW I had at the time).

Range seems to be a topic of discussion, but in terms of efficiency they are good.

Even the kit on the Level 1 version is generous.

Try one, they are a great small EV.

[roca1976]

Unfortunately missed a Honda E, 50k being sold by V12 for £11.5k earlier this week.

The Leaf, Zoe and Hyundai are a big no no.

The i3 is ok but the Honda E definitely has a want factor about it.

I have set up searches on autotrader so see what else comes up.

[DaveH23]

I have zero interest in Electric Cars at the moment but there is definitely something about the Honda-E. They're definitely a head turner, I always double take them when I see them.

If the Honda-E offered more performance I'd love to get one, almost like a 90's hot hatch for size.

[carlo996]

MajorMantra said:

I'd go i3 too but I don't think you can argue "strong residuals" at this point for any older EV – prices have absolutely cratered in the last few months and I don't think the slide is over.

You’re probably right, from what I saw when I looked they did appear to be relatively less crap than others.

[LayZ]

i3s if you can stretch it. Why not drive a nailed on future classic? Where else can you get a carbon fibre tub car for this kind of money?

[roca1976]

Thanks some great advice!
I also have a VW transporter kombi so this is purely a commuter and local shopper so the limited interior won't be an issue.

I might dip my toe in the water with a £7k e-up or i3 if depreciation on a £12k EV is still very uncertain.

We have a newer e-up at work and I often think it would be ideal, if not a bit bland inside and out!

[Shaoxter]

i3 is the answer to your question (prob the 94Ah), what else can you get with a carbon tub for that money.
I love the Honda E too but it's 200-300kg more than an i3 with no greater range.

[Silvanus]

roca1976 said:

Thanks some great advice!
I also have a VW transporter kombi so this is purely a commuter and local shopper so the limited interior won't be an issue.

I might dip my toe in the water with a £7k e-up or i3 if depreciation on a £12k EV is still very uncertain.

We have a newer e-up at work and I often think it would be ideal, if not a bit bland inside and out!

If you like the eUp, definitely worth a look at the EV Smart Forfour as well as the i3

[TimmyMallett]

DaveH23 said:

almost like a 90's hot hatch for size.

Its a squished smoothed Mk1 Golf

[66HFM]

I know slightly out of budget but you can pick up 18 month old Fiat 500e for just under £14k from Cinch / Cazoo with a 7 / 14 day free return....

I appreciate the residuals on these have plummeted but maybe worth a ponder...

My MIL got her new Mini electric a couple of months ago as a Motobility car, got taken out in it, all very nice but not too sure I'd buy one for £32k....