Seeking Advice on a Car for Infrequent Use [8k - 13k]

gnolan

I'm in the process of looking for a car that will primarily be used for occasional trips. Here are some details about my driving needs and budget:

Driving Patterns:

• I'll be using the car for about two short trips during the week, a few kms.
• I work from home so it won't be used every day, maybe an evening or two to go to the shops.
• One longer 15km drive at the weekend, typically not on the motorway.
• Occasionally, a longer motorway drive once a month.

Budget: €8,000 - €13,000

I'm looking for a vehicle that is reliable, fuel-efficient, and won't break the bank when it comes to maintenance. I'd initially been looking at older Prius models but I've read that the kind of infrequent use I've described above might not be good for the battery.

If you have any recommendations, personal experiences, or tips for buying a used car in this price range, please share them with me. What cars do you think would be a good fit for my usage pattern? Are there any models I should steer clear of?

User1998

Prius would be a perfectly fine car.

For such little use, I don’t see the need to spend more than €5k, but thats your choice.

the_amazing_raisin

If you have a driveway get an EV like a Nissan Leaf, you can pick one up for €5k with decent range remaining

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/price-drop-nissan-leaf-2015-11-bars/34240205

Spend a bit of the extra on a home charger, and start looking up electricity rates

It's literally the cheapest form of except walking or cycling

If you'd like to be able to go beyond 100km then consider getting a PHEV, however you'll still ideally want a home charger to make the best of it

gnolan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121055400#Comment_121055400

I'd love to spend 5k, I just haven't seen much at that price range. My main concern is reliability, but I've read that the infrequent usage I've described can cause issues with the batteries in hybrids / electric cars.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121055822#Comment_121055822

I should have mentioned, but we don't have a driveway where we can park the car so a home charger is out

User1998

I bought an 07 Prius with new nct for €2k recently. Plenty of them out there for less than €5k.

Its not as if your leaving the car sitting for weeks at a time.

Oops!

Yaris... Fits all your requirements.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121056056#Comment_121056056

Dang, having a home charger does make life a lot easier with an EV

If you're in an apartment block or managed estate then I'd enquire with the management company about installing your own charger

It only works if you have designated parking

Unfortunately the councils will likely say no to installing a charger for on street parking

Checkout a site called Plugshare and see what chargers are available in your area. With the mileage you're doing you could probably get away with one charge a week, so living off public charging is doable, although not necessarily the cheapest alternative

I would give serious consideration to a PHEV if there's a cheap charger nearby, you'll at least have the option of both

Regarding reliability, there's not much more reliable than an EV, many drivers have gotten through years of ownership without replacing any components, only minimal servicing

As for leaving the car for a few days without using it, there's a lot of myths around this so let me try to clear it up

Charging a battery up to full puts it under stress, and the longer it's left like that it will accelerate degradation

It's generally better to try to leave the car at a lower percentage (~80%) if it's sitting idle for a few days and only charge to full if you know you'll need it

Now begs the question, how big a problem is it? And the answer is, probably not a big one

If you were to charge the battery to full and leave the car idle for a week, every week, then after a few years you'd likely see a couple of percent more degradation than other cars

If you charge the car to full one night thinking you'll be doing a long journey the next day, then cancel your plans, don't worry about it. It isn't going to do any noticeable damage

gnolan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121056195#Comment_121056195

I've a concern about the size of the Yaris. I'm not looking for something big, but I'm 6'3" and it looks pretty compact

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121056183#Comment_121056183

Would you be able to advise on what to look out for when buying a used Prius around the 5 - 8k mark? For example, is there a mileage count that I should be wary of?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121056268#Comment_121056268

The engine itself is fairly bullet proof. I’ve bought a couple of them with over 230,000 miles.

There is a way to test the hybrid battery in the infotainment system, I would recommend doing that, and make sure it works correctly during the test drive.

Same with the gearbox, make sure it selects all gears and operates smoothly.

A Yaris or Auris is a safer bet, but I just much rather the Prius being an automatic hybrid.

gnolan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121056312#Comment_121056312

May I ask in what respect the Yaris or Auris is a safer bet in comparison to the Prius?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121056516#Comment_121056516

No automatic gearbox, no hybrid system, cheaper parts

gnolan

Appreciate your help @User1998

tabby aspreme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121056638#Comment_121056638

A hybrid Auris has the same engine and gearbox as a Prius

elperello

Just buy the lowest mileage Corolla or Auris petrol you can find, preferably with a recent NCT and service history.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121057265#Comment_121057265

Yes but the majority of Auris’s in OP’s budget will be manual petrols I’d imagine.

celtic_oz

2016 Aygo 1.0 petrol, manual, 3 door. 2 years NCT. 3 months tax. In excellent condition. Very low mileage, drives like new. Very economic engine 60mpg 3.9l/100km. Tax is low €170. Lifetime timing chain. The car was fully serviced with new oil and filters. Runs exceptionally well. It's an ideal first car or a local driving 2nd family car. Electric windows, bluetooth audio, aux, adjustable steering column, led headlights, daytime running lights, traction on/off switch, tyre pressure monitoring. 

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121066420#Comment_121066420

OP is 6 foot 3

yknaa

Would a 1litre petrol Skoda Octavia be an option? Not sure of the price range but more room for a taller person that the Aygo I imagine. I have one with similiar low kms and works out well on costs (servicing, fuel etc)

mckildare

This thread is right up my road. Looking to get a 2nd car as the main one (1.4Tsi Octavia) will be away at the office a lot more. Small runaround (possibly) needed to cart the sprogs around to activities and quick trips to the shops etc. 10km radius driving. Dont have a driveway so wont go EV route for this case.

Don't have the height concern and 5k was my initial budget so Yaris or similar. Never considered Prius but would they ultimately use a bit more juice being larger petrol engines or it tips in favour due to the lower speeds along the journey?

Would going up another 2k to get the likes of the Aygo above be sensible for generally younger car reasons like NCT?

Appreciate any help, thanks!