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Starting to think I may never get a car as maybe I can’t afford it…Finally got my PIP awarded on the 27th, but I was unable to get out by myself without a support worker to test drive etc so far. That said I was very excited and had done a lot of research. I can’t electric charge, and Manchesters fast charging network is terrible so electric was out. But I can charge up slowly at tesco, so that was the plan. Before Q4 came out, my plan was to treat myself to the volvo PHEV. But at £4500 that was impossible.
had decided on the Seat Leon PHEV, and the Juke/Qashqai as my backup. All were ‘relatively’ low AP of around £1500, but big enough and comfortable enough for me to feel comfortable with.
The big things for me were automatic, heated seats, some ride comfort, and Adaptive cruise control. (My focus is ok while driving but it helps obviously when getting a little tired towards the end) As well as not being too expensive to run, a nice interior, and not having the acceleration of a turtle.
So basically it’s all out the window now. Very few if any cars left suitable for me. Meanwhile I can’t get out without a car, and I’m feeling totally stuck.
Maybe the Honda Jazz but realistically its a bit small? Or the Mini Countryman/Corrolla, but then we’re approaching 3k advance again. Just seems like a complete mess.
Any ideas?
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in some ways in depends how long you want to wait – different scenario to yours but had to change from our XC40 as blind spot and other issues made it hard to drive and after much deliberation we ordered an VW ID3 – we are still waiting from August but there may be one in stock if your not too fussed about colour etc – moat
options on most model have what you are looking for i think and the AP is reasonable
most -LOL
Isn’t id3 electric, Billy Bob? Capuchin doesn’t want electric. Have a look a Jazz, Capuchin. They’re better than many people think and plenty roomy. Don’t know about availability though…
Aye the ID3 is electric. I DO want electric, but I spent a while looking into feasability and unfortunately it just isn’t possible currently.
I mentioned the Jazz, I think it’s near the top of my list now along with the Citroen C4. Then I’d have to spin the availability wheel of fortune.
C4 – Very comfortable, practical, decent MPG, worst to drive on roadtrips etc.
Jazz – A little smaller/less practical, but a little more fun to drive
Mini – Least practical, most fun to drive. Also the most expensive and least ‘new.’ By far the quickest.
I think that’s about it unless I go to the £3000~ range.
Remember, the Jazz has magic seats. The only car you can carry tall plants from the garden centre home in! We have a very old one which serves as an all purpose utility hack.
Apols i had seen the non electric but we were similar re charging but after some deliberation we thought it was doable for the mileage we do
Don’t be sorry, it’s great to have suggestions thanks. The problem for me is without the car it’s not possible for me to get out, and waiting around for it charging would be unfeasible.
Think I’ll test drive the 3 I mentioned and see if I fall in love with any.
@Capuchin – you do get a free 7kwh home wall charger from Motability – are you able to have that fitted and use it? If so then the VW ID3 has all the specs you want and more. The top range Tour model is about £1545 with many models below that price.
Nope unfortunately I live in a flat and the freeholder won’t let me install it in the carpark or do anything like that.
This slightly left field but what about that new Suzuki that is a rebadged Carolla it seems good value
@Capuchin – How large a car do you want to go? I’ve just had a test drive in the Hyundai Tucson Premium Hybrid that was nice and comfy – has heated seats etc also has a good automatic gearbox. My wife in pevious years has had 3 Honda Jazz’s they are very roomy, she only had to change due to them getting larger so wouldn’t fit in our garage. I will be going to our local Hyundai Dealer in the morning to sign up for a new Tucson so if you want I can find out availability for the different versions.
Take Care.
I have the same problem with electric charging…full EV would be ideal for me, but I live in a flat so can’t have a charger fitted.
Have you considered the Toyota CHR? It’s self charging rather than plug in but seems to fit your criteria and comes in at around £1500AP, albeit for a basic model.
I think you guys have calmed me a little. So thanks for that.
I’m gonna go for the Kona electric ultimate I think. It can’t be too bad right? I have a tesco £1.50 taxi ride from me, so once a week, I can drive it there, get a few taxis, and charge it up free. (for £3.00 maximum taxi cost)
In a hurry it has a 50KW charger too.
Took me ages to find a dealer who actually has a build slot, but I’ve found one.
morning Capuchin – don’t want to be a downer but check the charging at tescos doesn’t have a time limit – i remember some posts on here getting stung with parking tickets for going over maximum parking times , but another option might be to contact your local council and see where their on street charging plans are ? we are in Lancashire and there are a few about
ps sister has the hyundai and raves about it !
Tescos nr me have a 3 hr limit parking limit free charging but only 7.2kwh so slow roughly 70miles worth. Rapid chargers better but cost 30p Kw
For those living in flats it doesn’t help now but the grant scheme changes massively from April. Basically freeholders of multi occupancy buildings can get something like up to £30k funding per building to install chargers that’s capped to £250k per landlord per year something like that.
So whilst it doesn’t help now in another year or so you MIGHT be in a better position especially as having a charge point means higher house/flat prices like having access to fttp etc does.
I will just say if you only do a few miles a day/week & get a car with good range like the hyundai’s etc then you don’t need to charge every day. I only charge when I need to & my MG only has a 160 mile range vs range in the 300s for newer cars. Dunno where in Manchester you are but according to zapmap there’s a fair few 50kw+ chargers & lots of 7kw.
You can charge whilst shopping etc I regularly put more in at Tesco whilst shopping than it took to get there.
Even at 7kw you can get a lot of charge in a short time. It might be worth seeing if you can get a 48 hour test drive to try it out.
It’s a change in process it seems daunting but I don’t even have a charger at home yet we’ve been managing on the granny charger since May I know you won’t even have that but you could charge & treat take the car to charge somewhere you can do something nice. Obviously the more miles you do the less feasible that is but just thought i’d chip in
Good luck with it. couldn’t be without my EV now I save about £200 a month from not buying diesel.
Thanks guys, all very helpful!
I can park in my local tesco for 3 hours and luckily they have a free 22KW (cough 11KW) charger which should give me around 30KW. Plan is to drive there once a week and get a taxi back to collect it. They have a 50KW there too if needed Rich. Pretty convenient. (It’s a 2 minute drive)
In an absolute emergency I can dangle an extension cable from the 2nd floor down and charge like that… but I don’t think many will be happy with me!
I’ve been pricing it up – the savings vs petrol are completely insane. Slightly sad I didn’t get the mini, but this one is far more practical.
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