Next Car Issues

Ev fan

I was thinking of changing my 231 Cupra Born in 2025 for a new car - probably another Born or else something similar in size in hatchback form. Am retired so it's only for myself with the missus occasionally as she has her own car. Don't like SUVs as I think they don't make sense aerodynamically but I know plenty of people like them particularly I guess for the high riding position. Given rapid changes in the EV space it is tricky to know what to do to try to future proof my purchase versus arrival of eg solid state batteries/ much more efficient EVs/ cheaper batteries/ EVs etc etc. The only thing I think to do is perhaps to go with a PCP to try to retain value? Any thoughts on this?

zg3409

PCP has fixed known cost of depreciation. It's typically only on brand new cars and the actual cost can vary a lot. It is also limited in mileage and damage etc. You don't own the car. Some people consider this as a lock in where after saying 3 years you need to make a decision to keep car or go again.

Buying outright with a loan means you own the car but may suffer from deprecation when you go to sell.

Either way there is a cost. The final cost is easier to know with PCP but it may be higher or lower than a loan. It depends on the maths which varies by car and which PvP deal and which loan and for when you go to sell how the used demand is at the time.

There is no one answer.

Buddy Bubs

Why not keep the Born you have? You will lose a lot changing within 2 years, the price of a new one has dropped though so maybe cost to change will be the same as it ever was

But still, you are looking at a fair whack to change and I could never change into an identical car anyway.

Retain value and not losing too much are more or less the same thing, only way to do this is not to change it so soon.

Ev fan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122605919#Comment_122605919

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122605919#Comment_122605919

Thanks for this. I have no willpower when it comes to cars- if I go into a dealer I find it very hard to wait and walk away. Mind you I won't do a deal unless I get a reasonable trade on my own. I was thinking 12k - to 14k with my car for the new 59kWh E-Boost with electric massage seats, Better infotainment system etc etc - I'm a sucker for extras and bling. Also it is possible that the grant could be reduced in 2026? Would have to get a good PCP deal as well.

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122606214#Comment_122606214

Yeah I was thinking 15k myself, I have a Born too. No idea on the grant really, could go any way. I'll be shopping for used cars again in the future