Help, I have a dilemma.

Silent Running

I took a test drive in the 64kWh Niro today. Liked it a lot. It has been pared back from the UK spec, but not as much as the Kona. Smaller screen, halogen headlights and no front parking sensors.

The front sensors wouldn't bother me, but I would miss the Ioniq's LED headlights, and the screen feels really small in the Niro. On the plus side, 64kWh battery, savage power, much more room and higher driving position.

The Niro feels much better than the Kona, much nicer place to be. I can have one for the start of July, choice of two colours I like, with a good deal on the Ioniq as a trade in.

Now the dilemma... I have a deposit on the ID 3 and my local dealer reckons we could see them as early as April next year. No information on the ID 3 will be available until September. It's likely to be the next level in terms of toys and innovation. But the price for the top spec might be more than I'm willing to spend on a car.

So, a bird in the hand versus a pig in a poke. What do you think lads?

fricatus

Silent Running wrote: »

So, a bird in the hand versus a pig in a poke. What do you think lads?

I think you’ve answered your own question there!

We’re all a little sceptical of the dates given by dealerships for new EV launches. They’re indicative at best. That April date that you’ve been given could well turn into April 2021. I hope I'm wrong because we need to be buying more EVs in this country, but I suspect I’ll be proved more or less right.

The Niro seems to be an excellent vehicle and I’d imagine residuals will be strong. Unless you stand to lose your deposit on the VW, I would go for the Niro. There will be something else wonderful to trade up to in another two years if you’re not 100% happy with the Kia.

Silent Running

fricatus wrote: »

I think you’ve answered your own question there!

We’re all a little sceptical of the dates given by dealerships for new EV launches. They’re indicative at best. That April date that you’ve been given could well turn into April 2021. I hope I'm wrong because we need to be buying more EVs in this country, but I suspect I’ll be proved more or less right.

The Niro seems to be an excellent vehicle and I’d imagine residuals will be strong. Unless you stand to lose your deposit on the VW, I would go for the Niro. There will be something else wonderful to trade up to in another two years if you’re not 100% happy with the Kia.

Yep, the VW deposit is completely refundable. My thinking is that I could drive the Niro for a couple of years and trade it against the ID 3 with the bigger battery, or even one of the other cars in the ID range, like the Crozz Or Buzz.

Soarer

How much are they giving as a trade in for the ioniq?

amcalester

I’d a deposit on a model 3 but cancelled it and bought a Kona instead last week (for delivery in July) because a bird in the hand...

unkel

You really like the eNiro and you're getting a good deal. I doubt you will regret it The range will be fantastic. It might be possible to upgrade the headlights to LED

I would keep the ID.3 reservation for the moment though, unless your cashflow forbids it

slave1

How much?

Silent Running

I'll hold on to the ID 3 reservation until at least September anyway. I would love to get one relatively soon, but the lack of any detail on cost, toys and availability is kind of forcing my hand. I think VW are making a mistake in keeping the details of the ID 3 a secret. I know it builds suspense and anticipation, but it also keeps potential buyers in the dark. They have to make decisions based in information. If VW keep everything under wraps (camo) we have nothing to go on when making decisions today.

I haven't decided whether to go for the eNiro or not. I have to make the call tomorrow, when figures will become more clear. There's a metallic red one (don't like red), a dark blue metallic that I like, it picks up the sun and has a great sparkle in the paint, and then there's the gunmetal grey metallic that I haven't seen yet, but will tomorrow.

I also drove the new Kia Soul yesterday. While it was lovely to drive and had more toys, such as HUD, LED heads, front sensors and a big infotainment screen (10+"), it's a bit Marmite in the styling department and could be hard to move on when the time comes.

10 marques had EV and hybrid cars to drive at the Newbay hotel in Wexford, and you could jump from one to the other and bring it for a drive around the area. What a great idea!

I was very disappointed with the EGolf. Not what I was expecting at all. The Audi Q Tron was nice and felt solid to drive, but a starting price of €102k is not in my comfort zone. I didn't bother with any of the hybrids.

Marques were Kia, Hyundai, Mini, BMW, Ford, Nissan, Volvo, VW, Renault and Audi. The place was packed and the test cars were constantly running in and out. All in all a great day out.

fricatus

Silent Running wrote: »

10 marques had EV and hybrid cars to drive at the Newbay hotel in Wexford, and you could jump from one to the other and bring it for a drive around the area. What a great idea!

...

Marques were Kia, Hyundai, Mini, BMW, Ford, Nissan, Volvo, VW, Renault and Audi. The place was packed and the test cars were constantly running in and out. All in all a great day out.

I wish I’d known or I’d have gone along!

Anything similar in the pipeline elsewhere in the SE any time soon?

Soarer

Silent Running wrote: »

I'll hold on to the ID 3 reservation until at least September anyway. I would love to get one relatively soon, but the lack of any detail on cost, toys and availability is kind of forcing my hand. I think VW are making a mistake in keeping the details of the ID 3 a secret. I know it builds suspense and anticipation, but it also keeps potential buyers in the dark. They have to make decisions based in information. If VW keep everything under wraps (camo) we have nothing to go on when making decisions today.

I haven't decided whether to go for the eNiro or not. I have to make the call tomorrow, when figures will become more clear. There's a metallic red one (don't like red), a dark blue metallic that I like, it picks up the sun and has a great sparkle in the paint, and then there's the gunmetal grey metallic that I haven't seen yet, but will tomorrow.

I also drove the new Kia Soul yesterday. While it was lovely to drive and had more toys, such as HUD, LED heads, front sensors and a big infotainment screen (10+"), it's a bit Marmite in the styling department and could be hard to move on when the time comes.

10 marques had EV and hybrid cars to drive at the Newbay hotel in Wexford, and you could jump from one to the other and bring it for a drive around the area. What a great idea!

I was very disappointed with the EGolf. Not what I was expecting at all. The Audi Q Tron was nice and felt solid to drive, but a starting price of €102k is not in my comfort zone. I didn't bother with any of the hybrids.

Marques were Kia, Hyundai, Mini, BMW, Ford, Nissan, Volvo, VW, Renault and Audi. The place was packed and the test cars were constantly running in and out. All in all a great day out.

I love the look of the Kia Soul. Never drove one, but always seemed kinda plasticky on the inside. Is the new one the same?

unkel

Silent Running wrote: »

I was very disappointed with the EGolf. Not what I was expecting at all.

Care to explain? I found the eGolf to be an excellent EV. Of course not built from the ground up as an EV, so space isn't the best. But it's a Golf, like any other Golf. Well built, drives really well (although sluggish compared with say an Ioniq), nice place to be in and doesn't look like an EV, which for many people would be a good thing

It is also very efficient and it gets close to its WLTP range in real life

Silent Running

unkel wrote: »

Care to explain? I found the eGolf to be an excellent EV. Of course not built from the ground up as an EV, so space isn't the best. But it's a Golf, like any other Golf. Well built, drives really well (although sluggish compared with say an Ioniq), nice place to be in and doesn't look like an EV, which for many people would be a good thing

It is also very efficient and it gets close to its WLTP range in real life

Efficiency wasn't in focus during the test drive, but it felt very sluggish after driving the Niro, Soul and even the Leaf. It had the digital dash, but that was the only thing that saved it from feeling old fashioned. Definitely felt well put together and materials used felt quality. Just felt like yesterdays car. Just my opinion, of course. People have different needs and wants.

Silent Running

Soarer wrote: »

I love the look of the Kia Soul. Never drove one, but always seemed kinda plasticky on the inside. Is the new one the same?

I was impressed with the cabin of the Soul and it's crammed full of gadgets. It's just the Marmite looks that would stop me from buying. I haven't ruled it out yet, mind you.

Into Kia today to look at colours.

unkel

Yes, eGolf is quite conservative. And sluggish was also the word I used

Silent Running

unkel wrote: »

Yes, eGolf is quite conservative. And sluggish was also the word I used

Yes, but I expanded to very sluggish.

unkel

I only have an Ioniq that I compared it to. Hence just sluggish. Compared to Tesla / i3 / Kona / eNiro / eSoul and even Leaf40 it's indeed very sluggish