Car quandry for the wife

theone8181 · 9 Jun 2020 at 09:44

My mrs is looking to replace her 62 plate focus ST. She's wanting to downsize to something like the fiesta st (new model, but used). Spec wise we're looking at ST3 to make it comparable to what shes got. I know it rarely makes sense to change a car unless its costing a fortune (which it's not) so this is definitely a want not a need. So my question is, are we being daft? The other curve ball is going electric like the nissan leaf. I know its not as quick or as sporty but not sure if she will miss these things or not. We are going to get out there and hopefully do some form of back to back test. I'm just not sure what would be better for her, my reckoning is that a fiesta for ~£17k vs a leaf for ~£20k will take about 4 years to break even in fuel (which is fine as shes had this car for 4 years and is mainly changing due to not needing a big car anymore (i have one now). I say leaf as i can't justify her having a tesla

.

So thoughts/opinions?

sovietspybob · 9 Jun 2020 at 09:58

If you wanted to go electric look at the Hyundai Ioniq, they can be had under 20k now, down to about 16k if you're ok with higher miles (around 50-60k) and they're WAY more efficient than the leaf, in fact the only car as efficient as them is the Model 3 so don't be put off by the seemingly small battery.

theone8181 · 9 Jun 2020 at 19:47

sovietspybob said:
If you wanted to go electric look at the Hyundai Ioniq, they can be had under 20k now, down to about 16k if you're ok with higher miles (around 50-60k) and they're WAY more efficient than the leaf, in fact the only car as efficient as them is the Model 3 so don't be put off by the seemingly small battery.

I though the Hyundai had only been released recently and was like rocking horse poo.

sovietspybob · 10 Jun 2020 at 08:37

theone8181 said:
I though the Hyundai had only been released recently and was like rocking horse poo.

That's their SUV the Kona, the Ioniq has been around since 2016 and has really flown under the radar for some reason.

Dis86 · 10 Jun 2020 at 09:09

sovietspybob said:
That's their SUV the Kona, the Ioniq has been around since 2016 and has really flown under the radar for some reason.

I really like the look of it. Definite contender as a daily for me.

theone8181 · 22 Jul 2020 at 06:22

Just a bit curve ball, my wife has always wanted a mini and I notice you can get a works Cooper convertible for not much more than our original budget. What are they like to drive, I've seen pics with kids in the back so I know it's possible, I know there will be less boot space but as we don't use prams it shouldn't be an issue. Thoughts?

[TW]Fox · 22 Jul 2020 at 08:37

What do you mean by a Works Cooper?

Are you talking about the proper Cooper S Works or the regular Cooper with crap black wheels and a body kit?

theone8181 · 22 Jul 2020 at 12:38

A proper Cooper s works (TBH I wasn't sure if the works version was it's own model or was related to the Cooper).

[TW]Fox · 22 Jul 2020 at 12:43

They are great but there is virtually zero boot space and the rear seats are very small.

inflames · 22 Jul 2020 at 15:27

You considered getting a hybrid?

theone8181 · 22 Jul 2020 at 20:14

inflames said:
You considered getting a hybrid?

Too slow imo, she denies it but I think she'd miss the grunt of the focus. Plus she wants smaller not bigger.

Meaker · 22 Jul 2020 at 20:28

The VW up with the 1.0 turbo is not bad if you want city car size. Even better if you remap it.

Journey · 22 Jul 2020 at 20:37

theone8181 said:
Plus she wants smaller not bigger.

That is what she tells you then.

In all seriousness though the Leaf is a pretty big car, I am sure it is bigger than the Fiesta. Renault Zoe is small, and pretty cheap, but only fast(ish) from 0-35MPH, but isn't the best inside for features, comfortable enough for journeys that are up to 100 miles (in my experience), and now that the batteries can be bought out from RCI on older cars there are some bargains to be had if you are keeping it longer term.

How many miles is she covering now, and what sort of MPG is the average over the year?

The Running Man · 22 Jul 2020 at 21:06

Ask her why she wants a smaller car than a compact hatchback?

There's hardly any cars on the road anyway so parking isn't exactly a premium.

theone8181 · 23 Jul 2020 at 06:30

The Running Man said:
Ask her why she wants a smaller car than a compact hatchback?

There's hardly any cars on the road anyway so parking isn't exactly a premium.

Are you classing a focus as a compact car? She does about 8,000 a year at roughly low 30's mpg. It's more of a want than need, and I don't mind her replacing her car (especially as loans are so cheap).

Journey · 23 Jul 2020 at 06:46

theone8181 said:
She does about 8,000 a year at roughly low 30's mpg.

So about £1250 a year at 32mpg, and £1.10 per litre, or £5,000 over the 4 years you talked about keeping the car. I'd 100% be looking at something at the very least PHEV, with the electric picking up most of the mileage, or like you suggested a Leaf (or Zoe). My suggestion would be to go and get her to test drive either or both of those, or if you want a longer test you can borrow one for up to a week from MKEVEC for a small cost.

Akagi · 23 Jul 2020 at 06:54

The Running Man said:
There's hardly any cars on the road anyway so parking isn't exactly a premium.

Wait, was this post made in 1972? What?

mjt · 23 Jul 2020 at 07:11

Have you considered a BMW i3? Much quicker than a Leaf!

tom_e · 23 Jul 2020 at 07:20

The Running Man said:
Ask her why she wants a smaller car than a compact hatchback?

There's hardly any cars on the road anyway so parking isn't exactly a premium.

My commute this morning can confirm that is incorrect

J1nxy · 23 Jul 2020 at 08:49

theone8181 said:
Just a bit curve ball, my wife has always wanted a mini and I notice you can get a works Cooper convertible for not much more than our original budget. What are they like to drive, I've seen pics with kids in the back so I know it's possible, I know there will be less boot space but as we don't use prams it shouldn't be an issue. Thoughts?

We bought a John Cooper Works 3 door just before lockdown and like you found they were silly money with all the support from Mini on them. We picked up a JCW in Silver White with the black roof, both comfort plus and Nav plus, and Harmon Kardon for less than a Cooper S with less spec would have cost. Its a lovely little car to drive, boot is small, rear legroom is pretty limited but as a car to drive we love it and my wife loves it to bits. She had a Polo GTI before this and the Mini is so much better.