My first electric car

pad406

So, looks like after 5 years or so as a 1 car household we now need to move back to 2. Very low mileage house, c. 12k p.a., 8k for me, 4k for wife. Current car is a 2014 Lexus IS300H which is still perfect and will be kept. Budget about 35-40k max, 99% will be home charging, so range and high speed DC not really an issue. Main pre-requisites are build quality, reliability, premium 'feel'. Must haves are memory electric seats, apple carplay, ability to pre-heat/cool car (all electric cars have this?).

I had a Polestar 2 rented for a week recently, really liked it for the most part, but the cabin was very dark and rear visibility was awful, though with the camera system wasn't really an issue. I think I'd really want the plus pack with the panoramic roof, but there's none around within budget anyway.

Tesla's won't be in the mix. Really dislike the minimalist interior, and although their efficiency, range and charging are top notch, none of those pluses are a selling point for me and would be so rarely used, if ever, they really don't even count as pluses in my book.

So favourites at the moment are
Volvo XC40 or C40, 2022 or maybe 2021 if I decide to satisfy the hooligan in me and got for the dual motor.
Jaguar I-Pace, have to be 2020 likely, so warranty and mileage a consideration here
Audi e-Tron, might get the right spec in a 2022, might have to go to 2021

EV6 and Ioniq 5, possibly, build quality should be fine, not sure about the premium feel though.

Any others worth short listing? Comments, good or bad on the above?

There is one other possibility I stumbled across, the Lexus UX300e. Probably save me 10k, big concerns on that car seem to be range, charging and size. Range and charging won't be a problem for me, practicality, maybe, not sure. Likely have to get the top spec though, screen on the others is small. Understand the infotainment is way behind others but I don't think that'll be a major issue for me though.

Soarer

Perfect car for you here.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/polestar-2-2023-lrsm/36213898

Light grey interior with plus pack (panoramic roof), so should feel plenty airy.

Plenty of warranty left, and below your budget.

You can Revolut me a few quid with all the money I've saved you! 😉

pad406

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122461160#Comment_122461160

Cheers, wonder why they're selling so soon.

At least the plus pack come with fully electric seats, the rental had the 'semi' electric, no idea who thought that was a good idea.

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058362770/my-first-electric-car

Based on your listed requirements, a Q4 eTron or the 2020 onward eTron might suit best. Mercedes EQA or EQC might also be an option at the upper end of your budget ?

User1998

That Polestar looks like a good option

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122461199#Comment_122461199

Any number of reasons for selling. DD is full of year old cars for sale. Wouldn't be concerned about it since it's under warranty for another two years and free servicing for that period too. And the warranty is extendable.

Decent price. Polestar are selling a new one with that spec (2023 model) for just under 50k. Basically a 30% haircut.

pad406

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122464969#Comment_122464969

Yes, but the vast, vast majority are dealers not private. About 98%. Nct is Feb 2027, so warranty and servicing is 18m not 2yrs. And 2 owners in 18m too. Just wish it wasn't so far away, is certainly worth a look but a 7hr round trip… Maybe they'll be in Dublin or nearby, don't think it's going to sell that fast.

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122465049#Comment_122465049

Ask the seller to meet you halfway to view the car. Unlikely they’ll refuse unless they already have an offer for it.

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122465049#Comment_122465049

True about the warranty, where did the year go? Still extendable though.

It was probably a pre-reg, same as mine. Polestar sold a lot of those in the last 8 or so months. So first owner was likely Polestar Ireland and then the seller is the second. That's a genuine 400km+ range car I reckon. Have clocked 350kkm on my performance, not sparing the horses and would expect 400 out of mine with a lighter foot.

Definitely a bit of work to view alright, but I reckon it's worth it. There have been very few of these up for sale privately.

There's a LRDM for sale in Tyrone for £25k too. Other than that, there's none with the plus pack and 78kWh battery for around that price. There's another one from ZuCar in Cork, but no pictures or description yet.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2020-polestar-2-long-range-plus-pilot/36939924

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122464969#Comment_122464969

I’d still be asking the seller why they are selling so soon as a private sale. Most likely they’re changing for something different and can’t get a decent trade in offer on it.

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122465435#Comment_122465435

That would be my guess too. They could be trading down too which would make a trade in difficult. Definitely would be my first question too.

MakersMark

I'm not 100% that the polestar linked to is a private sale.

The advert says Trade considered.

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122465607#Comment_122465607

Unlikely it’s a trader. Only 7 previous ads on DD since 2012. Photos taken in the driveway and no fleet of cars in the background. When selling an expensive car privately, it can be prudent to take a trade of something cheap if it closes the deal by making the transaction smoother for the buyer.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122465373#Comment_122465373

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122465792#Comment_122465792

Agreed, although I do think its a very big ask to meet halfway for a viewing. Me personally I would only consider it if I was given a non refundable deposit to pay for my time if they didn’t end up buying it. I wouldn’t let the location of the car put you off tho. Seems like a great deal and a better option than anything else that was considered.

redlead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122462162#Comment_122462162

Premium feel would rule out the Q4 etron imo as its lacking the usual Audi quality you would expect. They seem to have done the same as they did with VW and the ID4 and cheapened the interiors a bit. I was very surprised when I got into one as was a strong contender for me when looking.

There isnt a whole lot there at that price range that is genuinely premium as these are still very overpriced. The mercs would have it alright but will be pricey. Considering how low your mileage is going to be, I'm not sure electric is the best option for you considering the premium you are going to have to pay to get "premium". There's very little value out there for that class of car. Polestar above probably the best bet.

davidivad

Just to let you know the prices for the brand new Polestar 2's online are not inclusive of VRT relief. I recently got one new which was coming in new at €45,500 new but after VRT relief, which I haven't received yet I might add, the car was only €42,500 new. So that was a nice saving which convinced me to purchase. Mine is a LRSM

There's another nice one here you'd get for €37,000 I'd say.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/polestar-2-lrsm-231hp-78kwh-5dr/37054886

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122465373#Comment_122465373

That car has been on DD a long time now..

pad406

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122540374#Comment_122540374

That's good to know, but for a new one I'd want to be able to specify the exact spec and colour, and there's such limited availability at the moment. I was there yesterday with them and the never mentioned the VRT relief, which is a bit of a miss on their part.

The 2 cars I went to see couldn't be found, but I drove another with the plus pack, and the roof does make a big difference. But after I also went to have a look at the XC40 as it's so similar, body apart, and that was a really nice car. I think the interior is better designed and more practical, so that'll be definitely in the mix now.

I'm keeping an eye on that one in Navan, judging by the photos and blurb they had at €42 originally. Polestar have similar (if they can find them 😀) for the same(ish) price. SM only, but that's ok by me.

pad406

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122540531#Comment_122540531

Must be due a drop in price soon, I think

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122543442#Comment_122543442

Expensive EV which has little presence in Ireland being sold in a relatively remote location. The seller is in a very weak position.

I reckon if you arrived there ready to buy but ready to walk you'd knock several thousand off it. €30k

JPA

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