Help me decide

goz83

Bear with me here. I've been thinking about changing my car(s) for months now and I cannot decide what to go for. I hope if I give a few details here, the very helpful boardsies might at least help narrow my search parameters.

My situation:

Work from home. Probably do about 100klm per week, sometimes I don't drive for a week, or more at a time, but I need a car. My driving is mixed city/urban/motorway, but most journeys are around 10-30 mins long.

I currently drive an 03 E200k almost 2 years. Quite like it. Don't like the next model up.

I have 5 kids (1-13), so we also have a Zafira, which I am also looking to update, maybe with a 2009-20012 jap import...something with a sliding door, maybe a Voxy?? Needs to suit me aswell, as I often use the Zafira.

My car needs to be comfortable. I had an accident 2 years ago and have lower back pain, so comfort is a must.

I love sports coupes, but they are pretty much out of the question. My car needs to be a 5 seater, preferably high seating position, like a Sportage, but a regular seating position is just fine too.

The oldest car I would get is 2010. I am considering brand new with scrappage though.

Petrol is better than Diesel, as I don't do Diesel miles. If going for a new car, a Plug in Hybrid is on the cards...looking at the Hyundai Ioniq PIH coming out next year. I expect the price point to be 35k for them, but 9-10k will come off this from scrappage and grants. I am not convinced that going all electric will suit me. I like the security of having an ICE there, but most journeys I make would be covered in the all electric mode in the new Ioniq PIH.

Manual or Auto is all the same for me.

Purchase will be cash, so no PCP, even if it's 0%. I would hope to drive a better deal this way if buying new.

New models I have considered are the Hyundai Tucson, or Ioniq. Qashqai is also on the menu. I haven't done a lot of looking, due to being so unsure of car type.

If going 2nd hand, I am thinking around 15k will get me something decent. I like the 3-series (had a 2001 318 back in 2007-10) and would consider another one (without engine issues).

I have a few months to decide, but any thoughts appreciated to give a bit of focus here. I'm not a badge, or plate snob and will be hanging onto whatever I get for at least 5 years.

Red Kev

I wouldn't buy a 3 series with lower back pain. Getting in and out of the car can be as stressful on your back on it as just driving it.

Golf Plus might suit you. Higher seating and big doors mean easy entry and exit. Very good seats as well IMO, although I prefer a firmer seat to a soft one myself.

goz83

Red Kev wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a 3 series with lower back pain. Getting in and out of the car can be as stressful on your back on it as just driving it.

Golf Plus might suit you. Higher seating and big doors mean easy entry and exit. Very good seats as well IMO, although I prefer a firmer seat to a soft one myself.

You're probably right about the 3 series, but I don't have much problem getting in/out of the e200. I found my last one very comfortable, but I had no back issues at that time.

There aren't many Golf Plus petrols to choose from unfortunately to consider them. Would also like a bigger engine than a 1.2 ideally

colm_mcm

The 1.2 has a turbo though.

bazz26

The Golf Plus was replaced by the Golf SV when the Mk7 Golf was launched back in 2013.

patsryan

goz83 wrote: »

Bear with me here. I've been thinking about changing my car(s) for months now and I cannot decide what to go for. I hope if I give a few details here, the very helpful boardsies might at least help narrow my search parameters.

My situation:

Work from home. Probably do about 100klm per week, sometimes I don't drive for a week, or more at a time, but I need a car. My driving is mixed city/urban/motorway, but most journeys are around 10-30 mins long.

I currently drive an 03 E200k almost 2 years. Quite like it. Don't like the next model up.

I have 5 kids (1-13), so we also have a Zafira, which I am also looking to update, maybe with a 2009-20012 jap import...something with a sliding door, maybe a Voxy?? Needs to suit me aswell, as I often use the Zafira.

My car needs to be comfortable. I had an accident 2 years ago and have lower back pain, so comfort is a must.

I love sports coupes, but they are pretty much out of the question. My car needs to be a 5 seater, preferably high seating position, like a Sportage, but a regular seating position is just fine too.

The oldest car I would get is 2010. I am considering brand new with scrappage though.

Petrol is better than Diesel, as I don't do Diesel miles. If going for a new car, a Plug in Hybrid is on the cards...looking at the Hyundai Ioniq PIH coming out next year. I expect the price point to be 35k for them, but 9-10k will come off this from scrappage and grants. I am not convinced that going all electric will suit me. I like the security of having an ICE there, but most journeys I make would be covered in the all electric mode in the new Ioniq PIH.

Manual or Auto is all the same for me.

Purchase will be cash, so no PCP, even if it's 0%. I would hope to drive a better deal this way if buying new.

New models I have considered are the Hyundai Tucson, or Ioniq. Qashqai is also on the menu. I haven't done a lot of looking, due to being so unsure of car type.

If going 2nd hand, I am thinking around 15k will get me something decent. I like the 3-series (had a 2001 318 back in 2007-10) and would consider another one (without engine issues).

I have a few months to decide, but any thoughts appreciated to give a bit of focus here. I'm not a badge, or plate snob and will be hanging onto whatever I get for at least 5 years.

goz83 I'm the owner of a fully electric e-Golf in a rural village in county Limerick. The Car with its official 190km range (160km real world this time of year as it's cold) suits my 110km daily driving perfectly. The Ioniq is a nice looking car but it's not your only option. A PHEV / Fully Electric would suit your driving quite well if all you do is 100km/week. There are a lot of models both Fully Electric and Plug In Hybrid to choose from if you are still considering this route from.BMW, Audi, Kia, Hyundai, Mercedes, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Renault and others. If you are looking for more information on Fully Electric Cars and PHEVs the guys over on the Irish EV owners accosiation on Facebook will be able to provide lots of facts into the EV world with real world opinions from drivers in this country or you can always pop me a PM

goz83

patsryan wrote: »

goz83 I'm the owner of a fully electric e-Golf in a rural village in county Limerick. The Car with its official 190km range (160km real world this time of year as it's cold) suits my 110km daily driving perfectly. The Ioniq is a nice looking car but it's not your only option. A PHEV / Fully Electric would suit your driving quite well if all you do is 100km/week. There are a lot of models both Fully Electric and Plug In Hybrid to choose from if you are still considering this route from.BMW, Audi, Kia, Hyundai, Mercedes, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Renault and others. If you are looking for more information on Fully Electric Cars and PHEVs the guys over on the Irish EV owners accosiation on Facebook will be able to provide lots of facts into the EV world with real world opinions from drivers in this country or you can always pop me a PM

Thanks. I agree that a fully electric would cover 99% of my driving needs. I have taken a real liking to the mitsi outlander phev, but a disliking to the price

I like it enough to consider the dirty diesel model, which says a lot. Having sat in one yesterday in the showroom, I just felt right at home. So easy to sit in and out. Lots of room. Very comfortable and suits my taste buds too. Of course, I have some thinking before going on test drives and giving the salesman a hook.

patsryan

goz83 wrote: »

Thanks. I agree that a fully electric would cover 99% of my driving needs. I have taken a real liking to the mitsi outlander phev, but a disliking to the price

I like it enough to consider the dirty diesel model, which says a lot. Having sat in one yesterday in the showroom, I just felt right at home. So easy to sit in and out. Lots of room. Very comfortable and suits my taste buds too. Of course, I have some thinking before going on test drives and giving the salesman a hook.

There are some great used EVs/PHEVs available at low prices.

Phil Fitzgearld of Electric Autos.ie can try to source you any EV/PHEV you'd like.

Information on Public Charge points is available here >> www.esb.ie/ecar

PlugShare is also useful to look up charge points. (www.plugshare.com)

Bear in mind with a PHEV that most (all PHEVs except the Outlander) cannot be Rapid Charged (50kw DC chargers Blue icons on ESB map above) and that only the 22kw AC (green icons) on the ESB map are applicable for use with a PHEV.

New 100% Electric Vechiles are eligible for €10000 worth of grants/rebates (€5000 from the SEAI and €5000 VRT rebate from Revenue)

New PHEVs are eligible for €7500 worth of grants / rebates (€5000 SEAI and €€2500 VRT rebate from Revenue)

However most manufacturers advertise the price nowadays including these.

A free home wall box will be installed by the ESB also.

Public Charging across all ESB ecar points is currently free.

Tax in a BEV (100% Electric) is in the lowest bracket of €120 a year, whereas a PHEV will likely be around €170 a year

The Facebook group is here if you want to discuss anything else / read others questions and answers https://www.facebook.com/groups/IEVOA

goz83

Thanks a million for that. I was only aware of the seai grant. Im guessing the full price of the outlander is the 50k and the 7.5k would reduce it to 42.5 (give or take). Add my old e200 in there and that should be 40k even. Hmmmmm.

R.O.R

If you are a cash buyer, it might be worth pricing up an Outlander PHEV from the UK. Exchange rate isn't as good as it was, but VRT should be pretty low due to the emissions and I think a used import should still qualify for the grants, but you'd need to double check that as I'm not 100% sure.

I supplied an Outlander PHEV to a customer last year and it's turned out to be unsuitable for their requirements, due to the Petrol engine (long story) so we had to price around to find out what it was worth, to give the customer a (sizeable) figure to return it early from the lease. Value was pretty low as Mitsi dealers were only prepared to pay slightly more than they could land one from the UK.

Based on that, and without looking at any in the UK, you may be able to land a 161 for less than €30k, and possibly even less than that depending on grants & VRT relief.

colm_mcm

How about an Opel Ampera.

goz83

R.O.R wrote: »

If you are a cash buyer, it might be worth pricing up an Outlander PHEV from the UK. Exchange rate isn't as good as it was, but VRT should be pretty low due to the emissions and I think a used import should still qualify for the grants, but you'd need to double check that as I'm not 100% sure.

I supplied an Outlander PHEV to a customer last year and it's turned out to be unsuitable for their requirements, due to the Petrol engine (long story) so we had to price around to find out what it was worth, to give the customer a (sizeable) figure to return it early from the lease. Value was pretty low as Mitsi dealers were only prepared to pay slightly more than they could land one from the UK.

Based on that, and without looking at any in the UK, you may be able to land a 161 for less than €30k, and possibly even less than that depending on grants & VRT relief.

Very interesting. Will definitely check that out. Only downfall is that the odo would be in miles, which annoys me.

colm_mcm wrote: »

How about an Opel Ampera.

Never heard of it til now. The older model looks much nicer imo.

edited to add - it's only a 4 seater. This makes a difference, as I would regularly enough have the 5 seats filled. The centre divider between the back seats would cause problems with the kids and I think those touch sensitive buttons would drive me nuts too. Thanks anyway Colm. You got the styling right and a few boxes ticked.

patsryan

R.O.R wrote: »

If you are a cash buyer, it might be worth pricing up an Outlander PHEV from the UK. Exchange rate isn't as good as it was, but VRT should be pretty low due to the emissions and I think a used import should still qualify for the grants, but you'd need to double check that as I'm not 100% sure.

I supplied an Outlander PHEV to a customer last year and it's turned out to be unsuitable for their requirements, due to the Petrol engine (long story) so we had to price around to find out what it was worth, to give the customer a (sizeable) figure to return it early from the lease. Value was pretty low as Mitsi dealers were only prepared to pay slightly more than they could land one from the UK.

Based on that, and without looking at any in the UK, you may be able to land a 161 for less than €30k, and possibly even less than that depending on grants & VRT relief.

VRT Rebate only applies on imports

goz83

patsryan wrote: »

VRT Rebate only applies on imports

So, no SEAI grant then? Not surprised tbh.

I was looking at 2016 Outlander PHEVs on autotrader.co.uk and used a belfast postcode, which of course listed the ones up north.

Just as a price point guide, I looked at 2016 models (preference for the GX4H) and if I paid full price (which I wouldn't) for one advertised at £28k (€32.7k), the VRT calculator gives me a rate of just under 3k, using mileage of 7k and guessing October registration. It goes up to nearly 5k nov/dec.

Would I get the 2.5k rebate off this? Not sure how it works, but I am leaning toward buying in the uk, as it seems like a nice saving

Cupra280

I was thinking Mits Outlander PHEV when I read the OP's post.

Given the lower back issue, I would definitely suggest solely looking at SUVs for ease of access, and also heated seats.

As for models, the new Peugeot 3008 is one fine looking car. Also the SEAT Ateca/VW Tiguan could be worth a look. The Pug is available with a 1.2lt turbo petrol engine, and the Ateca has a 1.4 TSi.

patsryan

goz83 wrote: »

So, no SEAI grant then? Not surprised tbh.

I was looking at 2016 Outlander PHEVs on autotrader.co.uk and used a belfast postcode, which of course listed the ones up north.

Just as a price point guide, I looked at 2016 models (preference for the GX4H) and if I paid full price (which I wouldn't) for one advertised at £28k (€32.7k), the VRT calculator gives me a rate of just under 3k, using mileage of 7k and guessing October registration. It goes up to nearly 5k nov/dec.

Would I get the 2.5k rebate off this? Not sure how it works, but I am leaning toward buying in the uk, as it seems like a nice saving

No the price on revenues website includes any rebates. You'd be stuck for VAT on a car registered in October as it's less than 6 months old. I got caught with it as I bought a Car with less than 6000km but over 6 months old. Easiest thing to do if importing is look for a car over 6 months and over 6000km

goz83

patsryan wrote: »

No the price on revenues website includes any rebates. You'd be stuck for VAT on a car registered in October as it's less than 6 months old. I got caught with it as I bought a Car with less than 6000km but over 6 months old. Easiest thing to do if importing is look for a car over 6 months and over 6000km

I forgot the 6 month rule. That's an important one alright. So, I will be looking for one that is 6-12 months old really. It looks like a UK imported outlander phev is the leader right now.

I will be looking closer when the time comes to buy, but i'm happy out so far, having gone through a good few reviews and comparisons to the old model.