30 to 40k to spend on electric, diesel or petrol

kala85

I have a budget of 30 to 40 k to spend.

I currently drive a diesel saloon with a weekly commute of 500km. Getting 4.5 to 5.2 litres per 100 km (about 54mpg)

Looking to change my car to a new car, or one or two year old car with a manufacturers warranty for piece of mind.

It seems to be very hard to find a diesel to trade into other than dacia duster, puegoet 3008, skoda octavia.

Supply in the garages for new or nearly new cars seems to be small.

The other options are petrol hybrid - are these good on fuel.

If I buy the car, I want a good warranty to cover any potential issues and also something that won't cost a big weekly cost to run. I'm worried if I trade in a diesel and buy a petrol the running costs would increase.

Is electric an option.

I'm looking for recommendations.

mcburns07

Aside from fuel type, what other considerations do you have? Do you need space for kids?

kala85

Not really.. Only occasionally will be bringing two other people in the car.

Would like something with high spec and comfort.

Also running cost would like to be low.

Oscar_Madison

I’m assuming you’re driving a small saloon car so you’d like to keep to small ?

Fiat 500 electric assuming you have charging along the way sound like a reasonable suggestion

wotzgoingon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011090#Comment_120011090

How would a Fiat 500 electric work he would have to stop on the way to and from work to charge. He does big enough mileage.

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011090#Comment_120011090

Have you ever been in a fiat 500? They are tiny inside definitely not suited to carrying 4 adults

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011191#Comment_120011191

The request was bringing TWO other adults “occasionally” and economy - Fiat 500 is a popular car and will maintain value over time in terms of resale value -

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011182#Comment_120011182

The OP does 500km per week - that doesn’t negate a Fiat 500 at all

RainInSummer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011182#Comment_120011182

They do 500km a week commute, which is 100km a day, they'd have to charge at home every few days with the Fiat's range.

Not sure where the changing to and from work is coming from.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011191#Comment_120011191

And yes I have been in a Fiat 500 - plenty room for two adults full time and 3 occasionally

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011521#Comment_120011521

I wouldn’t do 500km a week in a petrol Fiat 500 never mind an electric one.

OP, there are some nice hybrid/plug in hybrid options available now to replace diesel saloons.

VW Passat, BMW 3/5 series, Mercedes C/E Class, Audi A4/A6, all have hybrid versions now. Running costs would be similar enough considering diesel is more expensive now. If you were willing to charge at night you’d probably make some good savings

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276246/30-to-40k-to-spend-on-electric-diesel-or-petrol

Is that one 500km journey or 5x 100km journeys per week?

Do you have a driveway and can install a home charger? Or access to a charger in work?

If its the 100km and your can get a charger then a Nissan Leaf 40kWh, Hyundai Ioniq, Peugeot e208 or Opel Corsa E should all work for electric options with range to spare

If you go electric, you'll want to talk to your electricity supplier to get a Day/Night meter if you don't already have one.

Cheapest night rate at the moment is the Energia EV plan which costs 13.75c/kWh

Assuming an average consumption of 17kWh/100km your weekly commute will cost you around €11.69 in electricity

kala85

Thanks for all the responses.

Fiat 500 is too small for me.

Another diesel seems hard to source but if I do get one, will it hold its value when I go to sell it in a few years time.

Will the petrol hybrid be as good on running costs as the diesel.

I can't find a one year one low mileage passat diesel or skoda octavia. I could go petrol hybrid but I'm worried about running costs. I had petrol before and couldn't believe how much better the diesel was on running cost .

Although petrol is currently 10c cheaper than diesel, there is no guarantee it will stay that way.

Electric might be an option but will the wall plug on the house be unsightly.

Its 5 x 100 km journeys to work i have at the moment and maybe the odd long spin at the weekend

budhabob

EV chargers on houses will be the norm going forward so wouldn't consider it's visual impact a blocker at all.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011914#Comment_120011914

The EV charger can be very low profile, check out the EO Mini for an example

If you have a side passage you can put it there, that's where both of mine are

the_amazing_raisin

Also checkout the Kia Niro EV, they're not the cheapest but if you can stretch your budget it should have all the range and space you'll need

newmember2

Does Fiat 500 and "high spec and comfort." belong in the same sentence?

bazz26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011914#Comment_120011914

The current Passat was discontinued at the end of 2021, anything registered in 2022 would have been limited stock that dealers already had. Most new cars are in short supply since Covid-19 because of chip shortages and supply chain issues meaning used ones are in short supply too.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120012011#Comment_120012011

….does a budget of 30-40k and “high spec and comfort” belong in the same sentence?

Maybe it does maybe it doesn’t- depends on what you view as “ high spec and comfort” - I’ve been very comfortable in a Fiat 500 - it came with a high spec commensurate with what I drove- it was certainly comfortable at 500km per week

OP has emphasised economy and guarantee in subsequent posts.

What’s your take on guarantee, economy, high spec, comfort, ? 🙂

bazz26

Jesus, the OP has already said the Fiat 500 is too small for them, move on.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120012550#Comment_120012550

I replied to a post directly connected to what I posted previously but not time bound on the subsequent post of the OP- I think I’m entitled to reply to it.

newmember2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120011927#Comment_120011927

Really cannot see how that's ever going to be a thing, seeing as everyone doesn't live with their own off-street driveway where they can plug in their electric car.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120012515#Comment_120012515

Just to reply...OP has already said a Fiat 500 would be too small for him, and is also talking about buying a car less than two years old so it should be well inside warranty periods. For 40k I'd be hoping to get something nicer than a Fiat 500 - any reviews I've read about them say the ride quality isn't great.

budhabob

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120012784#Comment_120012784

Considering all new houses are required to have them installed, it will start becoming standard.

rawstorage

I'm currently in Rav4 hybrid and the mileage is about 5.2L/100Km on average, suspect with the new Yaris Cross Hybrid you'd get even better mileage. Very happy with mileage on Hybrid and a good interim before going all in on Electric. Doing similar commutes 100KM round trip 4 times per week, Currently fill about once a week unless taking a longer spin, the thing with Hybrid is all how you drive it, noticed the mileage go down a bit on colder days as heater/seats running for extra comfort. Worth looking into, Had a CH-R hybrid and wasn't a fan, lovely looking car but the back seats were too small and small windows weren't great for the passengers.

Eire885

BMW 330e.

kala85

Thanks very much for all the replies.

I'll have a look at the rav4.

What about the Renault arkana hybrid? Has anyone any experience of these?

It's only now that I see the shortage of diesels when I go looking.

Would a petrol passat be very hard on fuel.

What about a 2.0 octavia diesel.

Or will the diesel be taxed to the hilt in the next few months.