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?
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.
