Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 16,099
- Location
- The land of milk & beans
I've made similar points through the thread but OP seems set on an EV.
Suggestions for small city car for the missus
- Thread starter danlightbulb
- Start date
- Joined
- 14 Jul 2005
- Posts
- 9,388
- Location
- Birmingham
We went and saw some EVs yesterday.
We saw:
Peugeot e208
Mini electric
Honda e
Renault Zoe
Her favourite was the Honda e. Terrible range though so it's not worth it.
She liked the Mini next. Very cluttered inside though, I wasn't that keen on it. Also another poor range.
Zoe came bottom of the list. Yeah it's quite basic looking inside (just a normal car really I guess). I thought it was ok.
What grabs me is none of these cars are small. My MG5 estate is 4.6m long, the Zoe and Peugeot are both over 4m which is crazy big for a small car. The Honda e is narrow because of the camera wing mirrors but still quite chunky.
She is coming round to a small petrol now. But we both agree it is not worth spending £10k on a petrol nowadays so need to find something better value.
We saw:
Peugeot e208
Mini electric
Honda e
Renault Zoe
Her favourite was the Honda e. Terrible range though so it's not worth it.
She liked the Mini next. Very cluttered inside though, I wasn't that keen on it. Also another poor range.
Zoe came bottom of the list. Yeah it's quite basic looking inside (just a normal car really I guess). I thought it was ok.
What grabs me is none of these cars are small. My MG5 estate is 4.6m long, the Zoe and Peugeot are both over 4m which is crazy big for a small car. The Honda e is narrow because of the camera wing mirrors but still quite chunky.
She is coming round to a small petrol now. But we both agree it is not worth spending £10k on a petrol nowadays so need to find something better value.
Last edited:
If you can find a Honda-e for around £10k and it’s not a complete dog, just buy it! At town speeds the range will be great. At 5000 miles PA you may need to charge once a fortnight.
If she is doing no more than 5k miles per year then I am not sure how big a deal is having 120-140 miles range in the Mini, unless lots of those are 200+ miles round trips, if you are doing it two/three a year then you add a couple of short charging stops. As for the size of the car, if you are including wing mirrors in the width then you'll find most cars are wide, you mentioned the length of if now as well, so is that a factor?
Great car, not sure why you are judging the cars on the range.
Underboss
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 34,535
- Location
- Oxfordshire / Bucks
so you've decided on an EV Dan ?
- Joined
- 14 Jul 2005
- Posts
- 9,388
- Location
- Birmingham
Id assumed these small cars would be ...small. if they are nearly the length of my estate car then yeah it becomes a problem.
I think we're going back to small petrol like i10/Picanto or Aygo/107/C1. All around 3.6m length I think.
Just really want to have lowest possible running costs and maximum reliability with this.
Last edited:
It's all relative to what the current market is, though there are very few 'small' cars for newish models.
You seem hyper focused on warranty and maintenance etc. If you really want least hassle then get a Leap T03 for £199/209 per month.
Personal Contract Hire Offers | Leapmotor UK
Check out Leapmotor’s personal contract hire offers and enjoy electric driving with fixed monthly costs and no worries about vehicle ownership.
www.leapmotor.net
Or one of the new BYD Dolphin Surf's - deals aren't listed until June I believe, but should be ~£200.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF: Compact Electric Car from £18,650 | BYD
Discover the BYD DOLPHIN SURF, the all-new compact electric car that’s perfect for urban driving. Prices start from £18,650.
You are putting out little to nothing upfront, and will be saving a good chunk per year on fuel costs, yes it will be more expensive than buying a used car with an unknown history, but again it seems like that is what is bothering you after the size.
Two juxtaposed desires, with lots of thought and work needed to achieve, which given you said you "I bloody hate thinking about cars." make me think the cheaper new cars would cause you less sleepless nights.
Soldato
- Joined
- 16 Aug 2009
- Posts
- 8,202
At 5k a year you don't even need a new car and servicing will barely require an oil change at that mileage but if money is no object then go for it...
Yes 2017 Prime Sport, although looking at moving on unfortunately as really need something bigger now
It’s been a great car though for town and urban driving. Turning circle is hilarious.
Previously had a LHD one in 2000 when they first came out out, then a cabrio, then this one.
It’s been a great car though for town and urban driving. Turning circle is hilarious.
Previously had a LHD one in 2000 when they first came out out, then a cabrio, then this one.
Yeah I bought mine new in February 2019 for £15000. I wanted a Prime Sport the but dealer couldn’t get hold of one. Got a better deal on it anyway. Good thing about 2017 onwards is that it supports Android Auto.
I’ve been using Android Auto since late 2019 firstly with a Samsung Galaxy S5 mini that I got off eBay for £54 which was rubbish then a Motorola G8 Power using a wired connection.
Then I bought a Motorola MA1 wireless AA adapter and needed a phone that supported 5ghz WiFi so bought the Samsung Galaxy A34. Used that quite happily until February this year when I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S25.
Was solely an Apple iPhone user for 8 years but had to get an Android phone as the factory Smart head unit only supports Android Auto. Really pleased with my Samsung Galaxy S25 it’s as good as an iPhone and is my main phone now.
Last edited:
@ajf I see you bought yours in March 2017. I don't think Android Auto was enabled until later that year so the chances are yours won't support it. You can enable it with a laptop and some software if you know what you're doing.
Not that you're bothered as you are looking to move on.