So my Mum wants to buy a small electic car.

AMKC · 21-06-2026 10:39PM #1

Specifically she asked me about the Dacia Spring and I told her it was not on sale new here anymore sadly.

But yet AI seems to think you can get them lol,

Shows how much it knows.

She would like a car a bit higher than the current and with physical controls for radio and HVAC if one can be got.

I know a big ask on a modern car.

SteM · 21-06-2026 10:46PM

What's her current car? The Spring has physical buttons for ac, heating etc but I'd be surprised if you find any EV with physical radio buttons.

appledrop · 21-06-2026 10:51PM

Those Hyundai Insters are popping up everywhere, seem to be very popular with retired people so maybe chexk that out?

SuperBowserWorld · 21-06-2026 10:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124569609#Comment_124569609

Seems there are common charging issues ...which is a shame ... since it gets great reviews ...examples on boards ...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355536/hyundai-inster

Grumpypants · 22-06-2026 07:55AM

The MGs have buttons for heating and volume. They are nice big switch style. So you move it up to to go up and press down to go down.

Dayor Knight · 22-06-2026 09:40AM

VW E-Up is a brilliant little car. No longer produced so you'd need to look for a 2024....no reason you shouldn't find a good two year old.

And it has physical buttons for radio, heating etc. No need for any touch screen at all (you plug in a mobile if you want, but we've had one for two years and never bothered).

derekreilly · 22-06-2026 10:47AM

Inster a solid option for buttons and switches.

New Spring announced and should see it late August.

MG4 Urban hard to beat on space and value.

Citroen eC3 has physical buttons for Aircon etc.

Dayor Knight · 22-06-2026 11:19AM

VW Id. Polo - orders being taken in July. Likely end of year before delivery. Reverting to buttons for some functions.might be worth a look.

LLewellen Farquarson · 22-06-2026 11:49AM

Another vote for VW e-up. Physical buttons and old style handbrake. Love my 2024. They were selling them new in 2024 for 18k as they had been discontinued so should be reasonable on 2nd market. One model was available, fully spec'ed with air-conditioning, cruise control, reverse camera and sensors.

AMKC · 22-06-2026 11:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124569594#Comment_124569594

Its an 08 KIA Rio saloon. Being super reliable, dependable and she just loves it. Probaply worth feck all know though so she wants to get an electric car under the scrappage scheme.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124569609#Comment_124569609

I don't think she or the Dad would be too impressed once it starts developing the ICCU issue.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124570010#Comment_124570010

No small electric car though.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124570189#Comment_124570189

Its second hand. She wants brand new under the scrappage scheme.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124570373#Comment_124570373

Thank you Derek. Yes I see Dacia even have the picture of the rear of the new Spring on their website.

I will mention the MG Urban and Citroen to her.

Urban might be to big for her.

The Dad has a Sportage hybrid and she has not once driven it even though she was delighted when he got it two years ago afrer trying to not let him buy a new one lol. It was his first auto voming from manuals. Took him a little while to master it but he drives it no problem now and he is nearly 80.

almostover · 22-06-2026 12:03PM

Kia EV2 could be a good bet. Compact yet a slightly raised ride height, physical buttons on steering wheel and dash for most functions and will come with a 7year warranty. Think that's what I'd be recommending.

eagerv · 22-06-2026 12:15PM

Can she stick it out until the new ID Polo, ordering supposed to be starting July.

AMKC · 22-06-2026 01:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124570583#Comment_124570583

Yes I will say that to her. Its a nice car too.

L1011 · 22-06-2026 01:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124570548#Comment_124570548

It's quite unlikely she can get the scrappage scheme unless a car has already been ordered. Massively oversubscribed.

AMKC · 22-06-2026 01:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124570756#Comment_124570756

Yes I said that to her. She left it a bit late. Just have to wait and see what happens now.

Buddy Bubs · 22-06-2026 01:51PM

My mam bought an inster last summer but unfortunately passed away early this year, the inster went to my sister but she was uncomfortable driving around in my mams old car and has just traded it for an ev2.....i think she got walloped on the trade in as the ev2 is quite a bit more expensive (SUV tax in full effect here!!)

Id personally go for the inster over the ev2 myself

Izy · 22-06-2026 02:01PM

MOL got an EV2, great car. She loves it. Physical buttons for Air con and a scroll wheel for volume but touch screen for selecting stations….

I need to go back to Kia with her tho as I can’t figure out how to move some of the presets from the infotainment screen….

€500 supervalue voucher sealed the deal for her 🤣

she test drove a Renault4 and 5 too but the dealer was offering her a ridiculous trade in before I walked in with her and Kia topped Renaults “improved” offer by 2k after a bit of haggling on top of the voucher.

She picks up the grandkids occasionally and the 5 would’ve been a squeeze for them, in case the back seats are a deciding factor

MojoMaker · 22-06-2026 04:25PM

Surely it has to be a Leapmotor AMKC?

AMKC · 22-06-2026 05:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571347#Comment_124571347

Yep could be or a BYD maybe. A pity that the BO3 or BO5 are not out yet.

Gumbo · 22-06-2026 06:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571347#Comment_124571347

why not a Renault 😂

AMKC · 22-06-2026 06:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571600#Comment_124571600

Too expensive 🙁. She said she liked the 5 but just too expensive.

My Mum is very tight with money the complete opposite to my Dad lol.

AMKC · 22-06-2026 06:45PM

Also whats so funny? The Megane E-Tech is a better car than the VW ID3 and ID3 NEO in every way as well as most other cars in its class. Its very underrated.

Buddy Bubs · 22-06-2026 06:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571721#Comment_124571721

Thats why you're getting the jokes about renault....megane is not better in wvery way than the id3 I am 100% sure of that.

Some ways it is, other ways it isnt

I do like it but sweeping statements like that will just result in ridicule.

AMKC · 22-06-2026 06:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571729#Comment_124571729

It has a better range its , its lower than the ID3 NEO and its lighter too. It also has s much nicer intetior and the niw gone from google operating system to Gemini AI. It was one of the best no idea what the new system is like supposdly it will be better.

Gumbo · 22-06-2026 07:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571706#Comment_124571706

The new Renault Scenic was launched today or so. Kinda looks like an iX3, which is a good thing looks wise.

Buddy Bubs · 22-06-2026 07:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571753#Comment_124571753

In a game of top trumps you'll be well beaten in many areas too.....cant just cherry pick a few stats and say it proves your point, which it doesnt

Gumbo · 22-06-2026 08:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571753#Comment_124571753

ID3 over any Renault any day unfortunately. Renault have a really bad legacy which they can’t shake IMO. The Renault looks well nowadays, kind aggressive but not a chance I’d spend my own money on one.

Buddy Bubs · 22-06-2026 08:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571922#Comment_124571922

My dad had some horrendous renaults back in the day, terribly unreliable

The new batch is properly good though, theres a scenic in work esprit alpine top spec I would put it up against any of the MEB cars we have, IDs, Enyaq, Tavascan and it deserves its place among them without a doubt.

I spent my own money on one R5 but purely based on looks and style, smart money in this small car sector is in kia or hyundai I feel.

eagerv · 22-06-2026 09:42PM

How about the BYD Dolphin Surf?

Pat734 · 22-06-2026 09:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124571706#Comment_124571706

If she buys the Kia ev 2 she could end up with one that has the dreaded ICCU issues, I was looking at them but that problem put me off the Kia and Hyundai brands. We put deposit on Renault 4, wanted the Renault 5 originally but only 1 white one in all of Ireland and didn't want white. There were 3 of the Renault 4's and took one of them in black. We're on the scrappage scheme too and fingers crossed we get accepted, all paperwork has been handled by my car dealer. Told today the car will be in the garage next tuesday.

AMKC · 22-06-2026 10:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124572165#Comment_124572165

Yes I mentioned that to her.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124572190#Comment_124572190

Yes I know. She said it was too expensive for her but if she did decide to buy it and had them issues at least the dealer is local and she has a free bus pass.

So my Mum wants to buy a small electic car.

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