[MFillingham]

Here’s the starting point for me deciding what my next car will be.  I’ve some set criteria:

Electric – if you don’t like them, good for you but this will be my 4th, I’m not going back now.

Comfortable seats – Both myself and my wife have spinal issues, sitting on the wrong chairs can be incredibly painful and rather quickly too.  I’d hate to have a car that I can only drive locally because after half an hour I can’t actually get out of the damn thing.  Heating and Cooling seats would be good, heated is essential though, it’s amazing how that can help the back.

Electric tailgate – again with the back issues, stretching up to pull a boot door down, especially if the gas struts put up some resistance, is a problem.

HUD – I’ve gotten used to it now, I can’t remember the last time I looked at the dash to see how fast I’m going.

Wireless Apple Carplay –  Pretty much all I listen to is on the phone, it’s either music or audio books but I rarely listen to the radio as it’s usually crap down here.

 

As you can imagine the current selection is rather lengthy.  I’ve barely began whittling them down so here we go, in no particular order:

Ioniq 5

Enyaq

Elroq

Capri (I know but it’s not a bad car)

Grandland

Scenic

Mach E

Ariya

 

Budget depends on just how much I can save, which means it won’t be excessive, so that will drop a lot off the list.  Currently to replace what I have, thanks to the model changes, would cost something around £6.5k, which isn’t happening.  If I could save that in 3 years, I’d be much richer than I am in reality.

 

Front runners based on budget and equipment are either of the Skodas and the Scenic at the moment.  I don’t care about the Elroq dropping off the scheme next quarter, it’ll be back before it matters to me. I’m still hoping the EV3 comes onto scheme and sticks around, that’d be a nice option, although I expect KIA pricing will put it higher than the Fords.

 

I’ve learnt some lessons from my last search, so the infamous spreadsheet is being updated each quarter, with a new tab holding the new quarter’s pricing and leaving previous quarters for reference.  I’m hoping this may provide some interesting insights once the car is chosen, looking at where prices and models have come/gone.

 

I’ll update as I start to whittle out some options and as new quarters add a new perspective on the search.  If there’s anything anyone wishes to add, I’m always open to opinions.

 

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

Topic

[kezo]

The MGS5 may well  be worth a look. Gets heatpump as standard with NMC chemistry, so has more energy density per Kg than LFP. Bjorn Neyland tested at 253Wh/Km (157 miles) @3.8c/avg 5c, which isn’t a million miles away, infact very similar when you consider ambient temp than the VW group with a larger battery but no HP – the ID3 227Wh/Km @4-9c avg 8.5c and around the same as Skoda’s 160mile quoted range winter motorway, if your following me😂

Bjorn did another video with the S5 during his time with it and driving like an old man beat wltp figures so perhaps thats your answer😂

The EX5 was updated in 2026 , which saw the battery capacity increased from 64 to 68.4kWh gross meaning most sites are now out of date, but unfortunately there are no reputable range tests out there yet.

Moving to something with a c77kWh useable battery MGS6/EV5 is a big jump in in dosh, which can be better spent or saved unless sticking with entry level variants. The S6 gets the advantage of an heatpump, which do work imo.

I copied this last night to clipboard, but forget where from now lol, but it surrounded testing of  different models:

Kia EV5 GT-Line S

Data
Price £48,045 (£48,045 as tested)
Powertrain 81.4kWh battery, e-motor, front-wheel drive
Performance 214bhp, 218Ib ft, 8.4sec 0-62mph, 102mph
Weight 2100kg (est)
Efficiency 4.01 miles per kWh (official), 3.2 miles per kWh (tested), 313-mile range (official), 245-mile range (tested)
Length/width/height 4610/1875/1675mm
Boot capacity 566/1650 litres + 44-litre frunk

Renault Scenic Iconic Esprit Alpine

Data
Price £41,995 (£41,995 as tested)
Powertrain 87kWh battery, e-motor, front-wheel drive
Performance 217bhp, 221Ib ft, 7.9sec 0-62mph, 105mph
Weight 1866kg
Efficiency 3.5 miles per kWh (official), 2.7 miles per kWh (tested), 381-mile range (official), 224-mile range (tested)
Length/width/height 4470/1864/1571mm
Boot capacity 545/1449 litres

Skoda Enyaq 85 Lounge

Data
Price £44,550 (£47,710 as tested)
Powertrain 82kWh battery, e-motor, rear-wheel drive
Performance 282bhp, 402Ib ft, 6.7sec 0-62mph, 111mph Weight 2058kg
Efficiency 4.1 miles per kWh (official), 2.7 miles per kWh (tested), 359-mile range (official), 208-mile range (tested)
Length/width/height 4658/1879/1622mm
Boot capacity 585/1710 litres

Smart #5 Premium 100kWh and 358bhp

Data
Price £47,300 (£47,300 as tested)
Powertrain 100kWh battery, e-motor, rear-wheel drive
Performance 358bhp, 275Ib ft, 6.5sec 0-62mph, 124mph
Weight 2260kg
Efficiency 3.38 miles per kWh (official), 1.47 miles per kWh (tested), 366-mile range (official), 138-mile range (tested)
Length/width/height 4695/1920/1705mm
Boot capacity 630/1530 litres + 72-litre frunk

 

 

 

[72 dudes]

^^^

I think this may have been What Car? Kezo.

Seem to remember they chose the Smart #5 as the best car followed by Enyaq, S6 and EV 5.

Recently saw the Smart #5 on a 3 year lease deal, 10k per year for £299, £4k ISH down, which was very tempting.

Showed Mrs 72dudes a YouTube video of it and her reaction was “That’s horrible, so ugly, no way”

Hey ho. 😆

2024 - BMW i4 Grand Coupe eDrive 35 Sport
2020 - Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription
2017 - Audi Q3 TFSi Sport S-Tronic

[kezo]

72 dudes wrote:

^^^ I think this may have been What Car? Kezo. Seem to remember they chose the Smart #5 as the best car followed by Enyaq, S6 and EV 5. Recently saw the Smart #5 on a 3 year lease deal, 10k per year for £299, £4k ISH down, which was very tempting. Showed Mrs 72dudes a YouTube video of it and her reaction was “That’s horrible, so ugly, no way” Hey ho.

Definately not Whatcar mate, I don’t bother with it, because you read a review of a car, but it full of xyz cars are better hype😂

[MFillingham]

I’ve now found 2 cars where Mrs F is excited about the car and colour🙄 which is much better than just about every search to date.

So I have whole family excited about the EV5 and Mrs F also excited about the Geely and daughter yet to see it.  EV5 in red and Geely in green.  Both cars review well but I’d say the Geely feels like it’s put together better.

Running order seems to be:

 

Geely EX5 Max

EV5 Air

BYD Atto 3 Evo*

Enyaq SEL Plus

*depending upon what price it appears on the scheme at when it’s released.  My current guess is that the Atto 3 was removed as the Evo will be launched within 2 weeks.  I’d be surprised if it’s not added by May but given how Motability have gone with APs I’m almost scared to see how much.

I still think the ideal measure for BEVs should be miles per kWh, that drives away the nonsense of a family SUV that accelerates to 62 in less than 5 seconds but you’ll find that the same car with a motor that gives 8. something seconds would also return 4-5 miles per kWh instead of 2.5 – 4.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[kezo]

Q1 BYD had 5 or 6 models to choose from, now theres only the Sealion 5 option left, which seems the trend this quarter across the board.

[MFillingham]

kezo wrote:

Q1 BYD had 5 or 6 models to choose from, now theres only the Sealion 5 option left, which seems the trend this quarter across the board.

Don’t go stomping over my hopes😳😂

 

To be fair, with just the EV5 and the EX5, we’d have a very good car for 3 years.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[kezo]

Refreshed my mind on the EX5 this evening and what can I say – Suspension tuned by Lotus for comfort on UK roads. Hyundai/Kia style relaxation seats with massage function, 1000 watt sound systems with speakers that look the business and a great big drawer in the back seat. Oh and a nice light interior.

And from what I can find The 2026 EX5 will have a larger 68.39kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack in place of the 60.22kWh capacity offered last year.

 

[MFillingham]

So, I have been quietly preparing for a meeting tomorrow with my MP.  This is going to be interesting as he’s a key figure in the BEV all party parliament group, so pointing out just how awful Motability pricing is for BEVs is definitely on my hit list.

Some key point prepared are:

Q1 cheapest suitable car was £1,999 (Enyaq SEL Plus) Q2 it has changed to the £2,999 EV5 Air

The Ev5 and Sportage are supposedly the same market group, having had KIA and several reviewers say that while the EV5 isn’t an electric Sportage, it’s definitely targeting the same people looking for the same sector car but with a battery.  The cheapest Sportage is £199 The cheapest the EV5 has been so far is £2,999 that’s £2,800 just for choosing electric.

I looked at the revenue benefits of bringing the Salary Sacrifice changes forward to the next financial year and that brings in an additional £10bn while all 5 years of VAT and IPT only recovers £1bn.  If revenues are the target, not cosying up to the right leaning media, then the NICS on Salary Sacrifice creates significantly more revenue that ruining the Motability scheme for so many people.

There’s also a planned rant on not giving disabled people the choice a commercial lease would offer.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[kezo]

I’d also be inclined to bring up the black box and how age discrinatory it is compared to what is expected by insurance companies outside the scheme.

[shaan200]

Good luck with the meeting tomorrow! One thing worth raising with your MP if you get the chance the lack of affordable BEVs suitable for larger powered wheelchairs, like the Q100R which is commonly prescribed by NHS wheelchair services, and if you get addons can easily need a 150kg hoist capacity.

The only BEVs on Motability that can handle that are the Enyaq and possibly EV5 which as you’ve already noted are expensive but on top of that, neither includes surround cameras or remote park assist as standard. For someone managing a big hoist-equipped car, often on tight residential driveways, those aren’t optional extras, they’re genuine safety needs.

The MPV alternatives like the Kia PV5 or Ford Tourneo Courier aren’t a realistic substitute either they’re massive van-derived vehicles that just don’t work for normal residential driveways.

So it’s a double hit for that group: high advance payments AND the car still doesn’t fully meet their needs, with no way to add those features through the scheme especially with the loss of the maxx pack Enyaq.

More broadly, it feels like powered wheelchair users are significantly underrepresented in how the Motability scheme is designed and administered – which is striking given the scheme exists specifically to serve people with disabilities. Those with the highest support needs seem to have the fewest suitable options. Might be a powerful addition to your point about Motability not offering the same flexibility as a commercial lease!

[MFillingham]

@Kezo, yes, that’s on my list of whinging too.  Here’s the letter that got me the appointment:

I would be grateful if we could meet in your Camborne Surgery to discuss the impact of the Chancellor’ decision on Motability and its anticipated changes.

I am currently due to change my current Motability car in February next year. That means I have no option but to deal with whatever is implemented as a direct result of the imposition of extra costs. To find a vehicle that meets my needs I have no option without an Advance Payment. Purely for space and drive train, I will have to find money each lease. This is an unfortunate situation that I’m normally happy to pay as I then get a reliable car that doesn’t come with the concern of unexpected immediate expense of a breakdown.

However, it appears that Motability will significantly change the lease terms in order to reduce the impact of the IPT and VAT imposition. So far, Motability have said nothing about what will happen but there are clear indications of their intention. It looks like there will be a reduction in mileage allowance to half the current 20,000 miles per year with a huge 25p per mile penalty for excess miles. It also looks like the dreaded DriveSmart system will be forced upon all customers despite it having forced drivers off the scheme due to dubious results. There’s been numerous examples of the system returning negative marks where the insured wasn’t driving or where the grading and the journey don’t match up. There’s also a matter of customers being penalised for actually using the car as the scheme was intended. To enable independence we are often required to make numerous short trips just to do what able bodied people would do from a single trip. For example, a shopping trip to Truro would be parking around the museum to shop at then of the city centre, parking centrally for the shops in the pedestrianised area decide the library and then parking at or near Lemon Quay for that end of town. So a simple case of me looking for a new pair of shoes is a trip to Truro, a short trip from west to middle, another short trip from middle to Lemon Quay then a trip home. That’s 4 registered trips without going anywhere else. Add in popping to Tesco or the doctors and I’m at my daily limit. Seeing as I also drive my mum to her appointments, 6 journeys will be broken at least once most weeks. With 2 trips to take Sara to work (there and back) 2 to collect her plus a return trip to a medical appointment, it’s ridiculously easy to get a negative score for the number of journeys. Too many negatives and they simply kick you off the scheme and you’re then hit with a case of having insurance withdrawn, which impacts your ability to insure any other vehicle you might get.

In all, the restrictions put on the scheme to reduce the increase in expense caused by the Chancellor’s decision to impose 2 taxes on disabled people’s cars will make the scheme a real risk for many people. I know of many, including myself, who feel forced into looking at alternatives, which are ridiculously limited when I can’t work, just to try and maintain the independence having a reliable car provides.

Please advise when it would be possible to discuss this impact in person.

I’ll also point out that commercial insurance options include an option for a black box or to have the car insured at a higher premium for not having one. An option that, like so many things hasn’t been offered to us.

 

I’ll definitely be making lots of points on the lack of choice and suitability of the imposed changes as well as stating that the whole policy wasn’t to provide a more affordable mobility system for the end customer but to appease the Right Wing Media and the rhetoric that was spouted by the likes of Tice, Farage and Badenoch.  That should piss him off enough. 😀

@shaan200 yes I already have a table of cars that are suitable for me that demonstrates just how unaffordable BEVs are on the scheme and the comparison between the 2 KIAs will definitely make a point of that. I’ll pick out the price of the MGHS too, as that’s comparable with the MGS6 which has joined for a cheap £6499 as opposed to the HS Hybrid+ at £1,299

If I have time I will try and get to the hoist thing but as I don’t need one (yet) it’ll be an odd point for me to be making.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[DJ Kav]

MFillingham wrote:

So, I have been quietly preparing for a meeting tomorrow with my MP. This is going to be interesting as he’s a key figure in the BEV all party parliament group, so pointing out just how awful Motability pricing is for BEVs is definitely on my hit list. Some key point prepared are: Q1 cheapest suitable car was £1,999 (Enyaq SEL Plus) Q2 it has changed to the £2,999 EV5 Air The Ev5 and Sportage are supposedly the same market group, having had KIA and several reviewers say that while the EV5 isn’t an electric Sportage, it’s definitely targeting the same people looking for the same sector car but with a battery. The cheapest Sportage is £199 The cheapest the EV5 has been so far is £2,999 that’s £2,800 just for choosing electric. I looked at the revenue benefits of bringing the Salary Sacrifice changes forward to the next financial year and that brings in an additional £10bn while all 5 years of VAT and IPT only recovers £1bn. If revenues are the target, not cosying up to the right leaning media, then the NICS on Salary Sacrifice creates significantly more revenue that ruining the Motability scheme for so many people. There’s also a planned rant on not giving disabled people the choice a commercial lease would offer.

Good luck with your meeting tomorrow.

All completely valid points, that can’t be just batted away.

I have ASD and thus have difficulty with social and understanding information, written and verbal. I process information in logical blocks, before I reply. Sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm wrong.
I also have a corneal visual condition, which makes me visually impaired without daytime, or daytime bulbs, among other disabilities/conditions.

[kezo]

Very good!

As well as having the choice to except a black box or take higher insurance, its typically up to the age of 25.

I find most if not all of the upcoming changes discriminatory because we are being treated unfairly compared to general market.

[kezo]

@joe has put this up

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLjhrTL014rLzLH-xSjGg9GkLJxhuVoAyRYjojaHaWXhnlEg/viewform?fbclid=IwVERTSARNckdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5YzmlTDT5cbs2mmEBet_UKpyLR3sgEQHejPEkl0m-yD4LZ5wyDeqUE4mjBWQ_aem_dM94NrcBtT3mn9ZWBlGhlg&pli=1

and…

[kezo]

DPAC are running or doing something similar.

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/motability-face-court-action-discriminatory-new-rules/

 

[MFillingham]

kezo wrote:

Very good! As well as having the choice to except a black box or take higher insurance, its typically up to the age of 25. I find most if not all of the upcoming changes discriminatory because we are being treated unfairly compared to general market.

 

Not exclusively for the Under 25s.  I was looking for an insurance quote for a Model S, seeing as it was relatively cheap and includes free charging for life.  The quotes were eye watering and many included a black box. However, I’d be somewhat concerned if the only insurance I could get on a pretty basic EV SUV like the EV5 Air requires a black box.  I’d be downright livid if the chosen car was a lifeless, uninspiring box on wheels that I chose because it was all I could afford and still had to have that system fitted.

 

I think after the initial shock of looking at the measures Motability have taken, it’s the absolute lack of choice that’s most infuriating. There are people who need to be able to do more miles, maybe not 20,000 a year but it’s not hard for me to imagine starting work and suddenly getting to 12-15k annually just by adding a commute 5 days a week.

 

Then there’s the pure idiocy of the policy.  The Chancellor failed to bring in severe measures to force us lazy buggers back to work, now she’s making it impossible to go to work through removing the transport option we rely so heavily upon.  It screams of policy by knee-jerk reaction rather than a thought through belief system.  Say what you like about Reform but at least you can see where the policies they come up with originated, even Badenoch seems to have a strategic plan for what she wants her party to achieve.  Even if you disagree with these policies, whether it’s because you think racism isn’t the policy you want to follow or if your economic education has been less freedom of markets and more ‘don’t screw the little guys’, there is a policy there to disagree with.  Labour are busy saying and doing somethings that you’d expect Labour parties of old to do, like the child welfare cap, then they cut off cold weather payments for the elderly or try to go completely right wing and take it out on the disabled.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[MFillingham]

Update:

 

Always know your audience.  As an MP who fully backs fairness and has lapped up all he’s been told, he feels there’s far too much misuse of the scheme and Drive Smart will solve that issue.  However, he was surprised to hear the full detail of the impact it’ll have on our lives.  He will look for clarity on the 6 journeys as he sees my point about not being suitable for disabled people’s use.  The big one for him, though, was the 1 hour driving.  He’s very keen on rural communities being disadvantaged and that’s very relevant to this limitation.  If you live in some villages on the Cornish coast the main hospital is over an hour away and with hospitals having regional specialties sometimes you have to go to Plymouth which means his entire constituency is unable to avoid the red marks for each direction.

I also pointed out that the system doesn’t care who’s driving, if your phone thinks you’re driving then it’ll report your journey, which means a taxi driver who’s a maniac could ruin your week.

I also pointed out the unfair balance between BEV and combustion engined cars, specifically the Sportage/EV5 comparison at 2800 difference and MGs HS/S6 at 5300.  He has read an article in Autotrader that suggests lease companies will be reducing the cost of leasing imminently.  He did ask me to get back to him if October’s pricing is still unaffordable.

He was surprised that despite being told there are cars suitable for nearly everyone at nil or very low AP I said the very cheapest suitable car for me was at £2,999 this quarter and £1,999 last.

It does seem that the force behind these changes isn’t Motability but the elected officials.

Unfortunately 15 minutes really doesn’t last very long while you’ve a lot of points to make.  I ran out of time before making a point about the commercial option giving choices while Motability has a take it or leave it policy.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[72 dudes]

Well done Mark. It seems as though you covered the majority of important points.

Just to add a little whimsical madness, I saw a Facebook post a few hours ago, where Drive Smart had tracked a Motability user around Tesco’s.

If that doesn’t demonstrate that this ridiculous App is not fit for purpose, I don’t know what will.

2024 - BMW i4 Grand Coupe eDrive 35 Sport
2020 - Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription
2017 - Audi Q3 TFSi Sport S-Tronic

[MFillingham]

72 dudes wrote:

Well done Mark. It seems as though you covered the majority of important points. Just to add a little whimsical madness, I saw a Facebook post a few hours ago, where Drive Smart had tracked a Motability user around Tesco’s. If that doesn’t demonstrate that this ridiculous App is not fit for purpose, I don’t know what will.

 

Were they speeding? Sudden stops must have been a factor😂

 

I came out feeling like I missed too much but, having thought about it, I managed enough to get him to look at it.

I still feel there’s an injustice between giving people on very large salaries 40-45% off leasing their car whilst making Motability customers feel like second class citizens.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[kezo]

Thanks Mark, hopefully something good will come of it!

Perhaps, you could email yuor MP a list of the cars with nill upfront payment and ask are they really suitable for all and suitable to carry disabled and their equipment!

 

[MFillingham]

Drive Smart/Contract changes aside, I’ve been having a look at multiple options.

 

Firstly the new BYD Atto 3 EVO was in and available for a look around.  It seems it’s absolutely everything I expected it to be.  Not as spacious as the EV5, not as well specced as the Geely but perfectly capable and comfortable.  Whilst it’s not on the Scheme yet, there’s time for BYD to decide what they’re doing before I’ve go to order.

 

Then, for that case where the Scheme doesn’t offer value for money.

I’ve bee hunting around to see what was available to buy using the PIP money and it’s really rather impressive, until you take into account the lack of work and difficulty of getting a loan but that’s another issue.

I could get a Volvo XC40 that’s a couple or 3 years old, top of the range and dual motor or a Mach E AWD Extended range, that’s again fully equipped and goes for miles. Then there’s the out of the box options, Mercedes EQC, Audi E-Tron 55 Quattro or the Jag i-Pace.  All relatively old cars carrying high cost brand names and older tech.  the e-tron’s 150kW charging is by far the best available but it’s a bloody tank and weighs about as much as a tank, which means you get 60kWh range from an 80kWh battery.  Then there’s the really out of the box offerings, like a Model S Ludicrous (the acceleration makes the name) or the Model X.  Both Teslas would require using the Standard Living Allowance for insurance each month, especially the Ludicrously fast Model S, do I really need a car that can get to illegal speeds within 3 seconds?  I suspect my licence will be temporary in one of those.

There’s the Subaru Solterra, which looks like Toyota’s BX4Z thingy with added plastic parts. Not my choice but there’d be few around.  BMWs, I4, IX3 or the odd IX1.  All worth considering until you realise just what isn’t included in the car.  Standard tech really is disappointing. Oh and there’s the seriously well equipped but rather odd looking Fisker Ocean.  This is a car I really loved the idea of, you can have ‘dog windows’ where the windows beside and behind the boot open, electric everything and a car that’s not that old, has done 5-8k miles and is way below £20,000.  All you need is the mechanical ability to do the work yourself as there’s no one to support it outside of the online groups.

Leasing outside of the Scheme seems pointless, the benefits that the Scheme offered, like worry free motoring aren’t quite what’s included in a standard lease, which means I’d still be chucking a chunk of money away for an asset I’d never own.  At least with financing a purchase I’d end up with some value in 4-5 years time.

 

I could, in theory get something like a Mach E or XC40 over 3 years, have an asset worth a healthy deposit on a 3 year old EV5 with a decent spec and I could have that for some years to come.

 

There’s a KIA dealership in Plymouth that has a couple of EV5 Airs in stock.  I’ve sat in quite a few EV5s but they’ve been either the GT Line or GT Line S models.  This could be the best opportunity to see if the actual car that’s affordable is as suitable as we think it would be.  It’s only a 110 mile round trip.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[Woodpecker]

Thats the whole point of having an EV,  a 110 mile round trip costs nothing. The car encourages you to use it.

I would lease a car rather than buy for this three year period Mark.

In 3 years time the 350 mile plus cars will come down in price.  The i-pace is a lovely car but its range is too low.

Buying a brand new car does not make sense as the depreciation in the first couple of years just does not make sense. Throwing money away at a depreciating asset is not smart.

No matter what car it is.

Throw in the nonsense in the Gulf, and there is no clear path for the next 2 years. The energy shortages has not begun yet.

[kezo]

If your award lengh covers the term of a panned loan, there is no reason why you won’t get one. I did this of the strength of my daughters DLA in 2017 fr a substantial sum with Nationwide

Many leasing companies offer to include substantial maintenance and tyres plans for around “20 EV, £30 ICE/Hybrid akin to Motability bar insurance.

https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/guides/personal-car-leasing/servicing-and-maintenance-packages

Again, there are always deals and special offers run by leasing companies, of which I did some calculations on the HS & Kodiaq PHEV’s, with the latter being over £4k cheaper to lease, than on Motability, which would more than cover you, with change at the end. See (random looking at lease deals) thread and click on special offers on the above link for examples.

I left the scheme a week ago tomorrow!

[Woodpecker]

@kezo

You do not have to answer this if you do not want to dude, its a bit personal.

To cancel an order you have to give a valid reason for doing so.

What would a valid reason be? Apart from shove your black box where the Sun dont shine…probably would not fit with them?

I was never a fan of the old shape of Tesla,s. But the new models look very good.

Especially a model 3 at AP 2500 AND £197/Month for 24 Months.

 

[MFillingham]

Some rare positivity.  At least it feels rather rare with all that’s going on.

I managed to find an EV5 Air that was a little far to casually drive to and today I actually found the required excuse to travel the 150ish mile round trip.  Other than the upside of taking my daughter for a sight seeing trip over Dartmoor I actually got to have a play with the car.

Firstly, credit must be given to Murray KIA of Plymouth, an unannounced visit to look at a car if we buy on the Scheme won’t be with them and they were perfectly happy to point me in the right direction with the keys.

The car, firstly, the remote has all the buttons you get with the GTLine, including the boot opening. I know it’s just a boot release but it’s still a habit to press and hold, waiting for the tailgate to lift.  Manually opening the tailgate really is nothing, it’s assisted upwards so was really light but even pulling down was effortless.  Then there was the seats, manually adjusted cloth seats were perfectly comfortable, a little adjustment to get comfortable and it was nice to sit in.  We’d been in the car sat for 3.5 hours tootling through the prettiness and my back was still pretty stiff, so being able to get really comfortable in that situation was rather impressive.

The one downside was the door handles, while they’re the same as mine, they’re completely manual.  To open with one hand you press with the thumb whilst grabbing the handle with the little/ring fingers, I suspect that it’ll be a pain when picking someone up on a busy street.  It’s a small thing, a really small thing but I’ve also got to think about what I use the car for, which includes taking my 84 year old mum out and her hands barely work.

Aesthetically, on the ‘better’ models there’s aluminium or silver plastic trim pieces around the centre console on the doors and just below the screen on the dash.  In the Air, these bland touches are copper coloured.  This makes them much more of a feature and, for me, more pleasing.

After sitting in all models and taking into account the APs for both available, I prefer the Air over the GT Line.  Whilst the better model comes with electric and very comfortable seats, plus a powered tailgate and bigger wheels, I’m not convinced the real world benefits are £3,000 worth.  If, by some miracle, the EV5 was £1,999 for the Air and £3,499 for the GT Line, my mind might be changed but with a 3 grand difference, that money is better in my bank and I’ll be very happy in that much space.

As far as my whole search is concerned, APs will dictate a lot but at today’s prices the EV5 comes above the smaller but much better equipped Geely.  The Leaf is still a theory until it both joins the scheme and has models in dealerships.  All I can do now is sit and wait to see just what happens in July and then in October.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[Author]

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