Second-hand EV for approx €20k - First Timer

markodaly · 13-11-2024 08:39PM #1

First time going EV and I need a second car given life is moving on

The use will purely be local. Going to the shops, dropping children off to school, collecting them, dropping them off to training, and activities, and visiting friends and family around the place (all in the same county)

We have a decent enough ICE car for all the major stuff, so we are keeping that. This will be a pure runabout car.

So, given the price point, I am looking at the following

VW ID3
- Can get a 3-year-old one at the moment from a little over €20k privately, so might be some room there to negotiate.
Hyundai Kona
- 2020 versions with a 64kwh battery for <€18k, millage does appear high on many of them, possibly used for taxis before
Nissan Leaf
- Can get a new one of these for approx €22-23k, so one of these say 2-3 years old should be a bargain, on donedeal I see them for <€15k e.g. https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-leaf-tekna-40kw/37372562
BMW i3
- These are pricer but they do look very nice in fairness and review seem very popular. Are they too old now? May possibly holds its value a bit more.

On paper, the Leaf seems the best buy from the pocket book sense, if you can get over the slow charging and the CHAdeMO charging.

The ID3 seems to be a nice car but let's be honest, most people are after that VW badge. Same could be said about the BMW to be fair.

The Kona seems to be a workhorse, and possibly a little drab?

Am I forgetting any obvious choices? Are one of these the obvious choice?

It is also noteworthy that I won't be making this purchase till Q1/Q2 next year, so some of these prices may get better in time, or I could get a slightly newer car for the same price.

I am also looking at some new options, the MG4, BYD Doliphin, Renault R5 and Hyundai Inster but tbh, id rather not spend so much (get into debt as well) and buy second-hand and let someone else eat the first few years of the deprecation given this is my first foray into the EV sector and I dont really do all that much driving anyway (I work remote 99% of the time).
My thinking is get something reasonably cheap for 2-3 years, see how it goes, and flog it for something better/bigger later. Maybe replace our big family ICE with a big EV then.

CMOTDibbler · 13-11-2024 08:43PM

Straight away, you could pick up a new Hyundai Inster from early next year. Starting just inside your price range. Loads of range (300kkm) and all the warranty.

markodaly · 13-11-2024 08:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122836080#Comment_122836080

Yea, that is one I am going to keep an eye on. I just need to see it and test drive it first to see if its suitable and if I like it but the mood music is good on that one.

CMOTDibbler · 13-11-2024 09:03PM

Also coming into the frame next year would be the Peugeot E2008. And there's also the Hyundai Ioniq 38kWh which by all accounts is an excellent car that's seemingly bulletproof.

Buddy Bubs · 13-11-2024 09:06PM

Might be able to get a 22 cupra born from next year for 20k. Currently at about 25k for the cheapest but talk here of auctions and they're going for 22k or so already.

fafy · 13-11-2024 09:08PM

the entry level ”Signature” Inster, smaller 42kWh battery, is at around your budget, 20k, metallic is probably extra€500 ish,

will do 300kms in summer, noting, its a 4 seater car

For the practicality it offers, i don’t seen anything else in this price range. Assume it comes with 5 years warranty on the car and 8 years on the battery, which is standard for Hyudai

CMOTDibbler · 13-11-2024 09:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122836175#Comment_122836175

You're a bit late…🤣

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122836152#Comment_122836152

cgorzy · 14-11-2024 10:55AM

There are a few other Stellantis cars available at under 20K. Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa/Mokka, Citroen e-C4 for close to that. Opels seem to be a bit cheaper. Not a recommendation from me as I know very little about those cars. Their relative value in 2-3 years to now is probably not great, just a guess. Of course an option to avoid losses through depreciation is to drop your budget. Plenty of suitable runaround EV’s way below that budget.

Megastreisand · 14-11-2024 12:15PM

What about a mini cooper se? Impractical for frequent rear seat use but the perfect runabout and lovely to drive as long as any daily driving is under 120km. Seen one for €23k.

markodaly · 14-11-2024 12:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122837649#Comment_122837649

To be honest, a part of me is thinking of getting a older Nissan leaf for approx €12k and save money that way.
E.g. https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-leaf-sve-model-leather-low-miles-new-nc/38132850

Blisterman · 14-11-2024 12:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122838010#Comment_122838010

Funny, I was in the EV show last weekend, and this car above all others seemed the one that would drive me up the wall with minor annoyances. There's no physical knobs or buttons for adjusting the volume. Everything's controlled off a touch screen. The cabin lights have a 2 second delay before switching on.

The Inster looked good. But it only has 2 seats in the back and the boot seemed tiny. Wouldn't get a folded buggy in there. So I wouldn't really recommend it for kids.

Miscreant · 14-11-2024 01:20PM

I always feel like a broken record on this one but the 2019 onwards KIA Soul is the most overlooked EV on the market. Yes, it has marmite looks, so you either like it or not but it has the same drivetrain as the more popular Kona and e-Niro of the same vintage and is a very versatile platform. Also, it has more kit as standard than the Kona or e-Niro.

They can be picked up from around €17k with not much mileage too and they will all still be within their 7 year warranty (unless their mileage has exceeded the warranty terms of course).

slave1 · 14-11-2024 02:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122838032#Comment_122838032

In that case go for the 64kWh Kona, vastly superior purchase for not much more than €12k ,we've actually seen them around that price bracket already, this is coming from a previous Leaf30 owner and current Kona64 owner

witnessmenow · 15-11-2024 03:57PM

I will make my typical recommendation for the Ioniq 38. Can be bought up North €16/17K for a 2022, which would still have a few years warranty on the car (5 years)

300km range in the summer ( if going 100K/h), Maybe 250 at motorway speeds.

The negatives of it are:

Not the fastest DC charging, doesn't sound like you'd be publicly charging a lot though.
Servicing is more expensive than other options if your going by the plan to keep warranty. Every 15K or every year (which ever comes first) and the 60k/4 year service is at least €500

User1998 · 17-11-2024 01:04PM

The obvious choice is a Tesla Model 3

Second-hand EV for approx €20k - First Timer

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