15-20k to spend but what fuel type

antseanoifig

Hi,

So my darling wife has decided it's finally time to give up on her 2011 mk2.5 Focus. The last year or two have just been repair after repair.

We're in the market to spend 15-20k but struggling to understand what the best fuel type is to go with now for her needs.

Her needs:

• 25km each way rural roads to work daily
• Weekend use limited as I tend to drive
• Large boot space would be preferred
• A car that she can get another 5-7 years from before we consider EV for her.

If anyone has input on what we could potentially get joy from within that range that would be appreciated. Not too keen on the mk3 Focus.

Thanks 😃

kirving

At around 13k km (€1500 @7.5l/100km and €1.55/l) per year, your fuel savings on a EV won't be much, so no point paying a premium for one IMO , particularly as you need a large boot. But

Absolutely not a diesel - that's prime territory for DPF issues. The person doing 10km per day to the shops may never have a DPF issue as they do a long run every few months and it's enough to clear it out, but 50km/day is relatively high mileage, but the car won't ever get up to temperature to burn off the DPF.

bazz26

You certainly don't need a diesel anyway.

Hard to beat a Skoda Octavia hatchback for boot space or as a faimily car. Don't let the 1.0 litre engine put you off either, they are nippy enough and have decent fuel economy:.

For example:

https://www.carsireland.ie/3235361

antseanoifig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119996230#Comment_119996230

Agreed that right now for EV the cost/benefit isn't there yet. This is why we need an in between before making that jump.

Re the DPF, this is what we were trying to understand better. Are we likely to run into issues. She'd do the odd longer run, but really not enough to avoid the risk I would think.

Appreciate the input!

ELM327

15-20k I'd look at an Ioniq or egolf. Plenty of scope to have an EV. If you're planning to spend 15-20k anyway why not reduce fuel costs and maintenance?

antseanoifig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119996784#Comment_119996784

Good point re that 1 litre. Had heard okay reviews on it!

I fear she might be a bit averse to a larger hatchback but it's worth considering 😁

kirving

It very much depends on the car and driver to be honest, and there are no guarantees one way or another.

A friend of mine had a 22km, 80km/h commute twice a day, 220km per week, but majority of that was at low engine temp. Went through two DPF's in a year in her Volvo before realizing it was a bad fuel choice.

Colleague had the same issue on a similar commute in an A6.

bazz26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119999173#Comment_119999173

I'm not sure your going to get a larger hatchback. Most of the segment above that is either discontinued and replaced with a SUV of some sort or is a saloon/estate only.

antseanoifig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119999170#Comment_119999170

I had a brief look at the eGolf as an option, not too many floating about within that price bracket? Ioniq real range is somewhere between 250-270km maybe? Could work maybe.

ELM327

The real range of the Ioniq is 200km-220km summer and 170-200km winter, depending on driving habits (eg around town will be more and motorway at 120 will be less). I've had 2, great cars!

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119999173#Comment_119999173

The Skoda Octavia is not much bigger than a Focus and thet are a great car with a huge boot. Definitely sounds like it would be the perfect car for ye.

They are well built and reliable too as well as good to drive. Actually they are better to drive than the Golf. Always have been because the Octavia is a bigger car all around. But its no Passat or Mondeo by that I mean its not there size.

cnocbui

Petrol Honda Civic. Big 'boot'.

almostover

Maybe a hybrid is a good bridging car for now? I have a Lexus hybrid, IS300h, and it's an excellent car. The CT200h would be similar size to your focus but perhaps the boot would be tight. Worth checking out as the 1.8 hybrid would be very economical on for the driving described and would be uber reliable.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-ct-200h-low-mileage-exceptional-condition/32516044

Honda Jazz was always a great car, if it's an appropriate size.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-jazz-daa-gp5-hybrid-5dr-auto/32464976

Prius is a great car, any car the taxi drivers have will be reliable and economical.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-hybrid/32658738

E-golf if you want to go fully electric now. Have zero knowledge of them myself but I'm guessing they're a good car.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2014-volkswagen-golf-e-golf/32902463

Auris hybrid, identical to the CT200h and Prius from a mechanical perspective. Can't go wrong really and would be easy to move on in 5-7 years.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-auris-auris-hybrid-luna-sport/32664129

Just don't buy a diesel. With your driving profile the risk of DPF and EGR valve issues would be high.

wotzgoingon

If you want a brand new and aren't a badge snob you could pick up a Dacia. Very reliable cars.

They don't have huge boots but they aren't small boots either.

kanuseeme

Phev

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/kia-optima-2017/32303270

Smallish boot. Probably do 40 km, charge in work for zero petrol use or with just charging at home should return around 100mpg for the work commute.

Kia niro cheapest I see is 24k. should do close to 50 km, don;t know about the boot.

Mitsubishi outlander. 30 to 40 km, huge boot.

BorneTobyWilde

Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In

antseanoifig

Lots of great advice here, thanks.

Regardless of make/model, leaning towards a phev or hybrid. The Auris looks a relatively safe bet for 5ish years.