Hello,
Apologies for posting this here and mods please delete if it's not appropriate. I've had good advice from here in the past so wanted to see if you could help again.
I'm in the fortunate position of looking for a new or nearly new car. I'm single, no kids and low weekly mileage with mainly short trips but the occasional long distance holiday drive to Lakes, Scotland etc.
New options: Audi A3 petrol, Hyundai Kona EV.
Nearly new options: BMW 1 petrol series as I currently have a ten year old 1 series.
They're all around £27k as benefit from work discount.
Has anyone experience of owning these please?
Thank you.
From that selection I would just get another 1 series. I live mine
First obvious question - do you (or would you have) the ability to charge at home? If the answer is no, then I wouldn't consider an EV (and I love mine).
I've got a 24 plate Kona EV in N Line trim, I got it last Dec to replace a Ford Focus Active Estate
Good bits. It still uses switches and buttons, rather than relying on single tablet screen. Drives really well. Has roof rails so I can put bike rack on / take off easily. Range and efficiency is decent. Boot is decent size with level sill. Its got most of the gadgets I need like Car Play, heated seats and steering wheel, auto wipers, lights etc. Plenty of nearly new options around, I got mine with 7,000 on it and saved a fortune, there were loads of same spec, same colour, same mileage cars around so think they may have been Hyundai fleet.
Not so good. Stereo sound quality in my spec is poor, rear speakers basically don't work. The large dash screen scratches and delaminates, apparently this is a fault with the anti glare laminate and can be sorted under warranty. Seat adjustment is manual and is a pain if you swap drivers a lot, so not an issue in your circumstance. No adjustable lumber support in the seat. Tyres it came with were terrifying in cold weather and will be in the skip before next winter.
All in, a decent car and I would get another one. EV driving is nicer, cleaner and cheaper than ICE with no downsides that I can see. I have done several 500 - 800 mile round trips, all without issue.
I've had good advice from here in the past so wanted to see if you could help again....
Forgive me but could explain a little more as to the situation, this is a personal purchase not a company car? The 'work discount' is a bit confusing. I say this because this:
I'm single, no kids and low weekly mileage with mainly short trips but the occasional long distance holiday drive to Lakes, Scotland etc.
sounds like your options are relatively open yet this:
New options: Audi A3 petrol, Hyundai Kona EV.
Nearly new options: BMW 1 petrol series as I currently have a ten year old 1 series.
is the most miserable dull list of cars I can imagine looking at in the situation you describe!?
How much stuff do you need to carry - daily and on those long distance trips?
£27k? Sold. When can you drop it off?
£27k? Sold. When can you drop it off?
Yes, I will have two thanks 😁
Honda Civic - holds its value and nice to drive.
Thanks all. 👍 Appreciate the replies.
Short trips would just be a rucksack whereas longer distances would be a plastic box in boot containing hiking stuff and another bag for clothes - which could put in back seat. Ability to fold down seats to store push bike would be ideal.
How long will you be keeping this car? Another ten years?
TBH £27k seems a lot to drop on a car - I would be looking at leasing as, if you are flexible and can act quickly, there can be some great deals to be had.
The thread below on pistonheads often has some bargains.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2127072&i=4160
We have an early F40 118i so the current front drive platform. It's is absolutely brilliant either for long drives or local stuff. We paid £16k a year ago for a M Sport trim car with 24k. I don't see the point of paying more, it will just attract more depreciation.
If I had £27k to spend I would however buy an OG M2. But I wouldn't as I already have one too.
Kia PV5? Then you get the van and the EV all wrapped up in one package...
What a depressing list of cars, if you have no real requirements or interest in cars I would recommend a Toyota Corolla, should be able to get a new one for £27k and warranty is 10 years if you get it serviced at dealer every year.
Or nearly new Corrola GR Sport Touring with the 2.0 hybrid. Pretty quick, reliable and loads of bike space.
Assuming you have more choice than that, I'd drive all three. Depending on the engine/spec they are a pretty dull selection. My direct substitute options for all three would be:
- Golf instead of A3. I test drove a 2022 Audi S3 and bought a Golf GTI instead
- MINI Cooper (S if possible) instead of 1 series. Just had a brand new MINI as a courtesy car while BMW fixed a warranty issue on my M240i and I thought the interior and tech were great
- Renault 5 instead of any other small EV. My want for one of these is strong. Such a cool car
A3/Golf will easily swallow a large mtb with fornt wheel off.
Firend had a MINI as a courtesy car... was a nightmare to do in that.
That said if you have home charging ability, an EV will be leagues cheaper to run for your described usage.
Or nearly new Corrola GR Sport Touring with the 2.0 hybrid. Pretty quick, reliable and loads of bike space.
That's pretty much what I did on retiring and giving up the co car (OK, went for the Excel trim rather than GR Sport, but still the 2.0). I got one which was 18 months old with 7500 miles for £27k and it's been mint. Plenty of room for bike or other kit, room to sleep in if I need to, does 60mpg driven carefully. I suspect its previous owner was a bit more heavy footed, as the tyres were quite worn for the low mileage, but otherwise it's in near perfect condition.
Have a look on the Toyota UK website, there seem to be plenty of nearly-news available in dealerships.
