build quality/reliability is defo a concern, they (Tesla) have shown the way to some extent in terms of what is possible but i'd prefer a design by Honda once they'd torn s tesla apart

i might prefer the tesla software

there arent many mainstream options yet..
Leaf
Jag i pace is it? i'm not sure their rep beats tesla...
kia?
vw are launching next year and there is a new BM on the horizon, they should have good experience from the i3 but they never learnt the M5 throttle actuators were gash before they put them in the M3...

emerging tech i suppose

 

See I can believe they'll get the tech sorted eventually, although I don't believe Tesla have a future as a car manufacturer, which will render the cars nearly worthless idc

I just think I'd rather have established ice tech than (bloody expensive) emerging tech for the rest of my enthusiast years

 

Kia / Hyundai are where it's at for the bargain end of E / PHEV stuff. Kia E-Niro is genuinely pleasant for just transport. If you want small stuff then Renault Zoe and that VW ID3 seem to be very good.

Honda will retire to Japan and disappear from view at the current rate of UK progress.

BMW are faaaaaaaking expensive, Honda will be nearly as much.

You can keep all of them when a Fiesta ST is < 10k and a fast bike is 2/3rds of that.

 

My driving enthusiasm seems to be waning fast ATM.

I find the e-tech interesting, as they are all trying different things like in the earlier ICE days. Today's ICE cars have too much convergent evolution - ie, they're largely all the bloody same.

And I cannot quite muster the enthusiasm to spend £10K on a battery that will be as passe as a 5YO smartphone within a similar timescale.

 

i will keep the S2000 for exactly that reason that they are from the pinnacle of NA engine design for cars imho

so its really between a downsized turbo and an EV for family duty; dropping my 7yo off at school, runs to parks and other family stuff then the ease and running costs of an EV look attractive

the fiesta is a fair comparison.. the honda will cost a lot more up front but lower running costs probably by far. the fiesta is faster by far but higher maintenance

i can understand ignoring electric if you are not using a car like this. my want is a pleasant place to be, enough grunt to hustle a bit and utterly reliable. comfy.

the festa probably does 40mpg knocking around.. for 12k miles thats approaching £2k pa fuel, an electric car will be a fraction of that

 

You just wasted 400 quid fixing that Gurman wagon suspension and tyres, plus the insurance / tax and you don't even drive it ... other than to take it for repair :-P

 

i repaired it on my drive.. test drove it though

its been a failed family wagon i'll grant you but over rhe course of 6+ years its been reliable enough. it would probably work fine for most. good mile muncher but i dont rate them as a pure drivers car

tax.. another bonus for electric

BM being stripped of mods as we chatter.. wheels sold, exhaust maybe.. just the car then but i can happily trade it.. wgaf?

 

See if i was buying electric, it'd be comfort first and fun second - Kia E-Niro wins hands down.

Kia e-Niro key facts

Official range (WLTP)282 miles

What Car? Real Range253 miles

Top speed104mph

0-60mph6.9sec

But a price of almost £37k. You need to be saving a **** ton of money to make the purchase cost palatable. Unless you lease it at which point who gives a **** about what it's worth after 2 or 3 years. Equally, as a second hand buy it'll stink because people would rather lease it new than pay for old hat tech.

A computer year is 90 days ( or was the last time i worked it out) in terms of progress, E cars are going to age at about the same rate i'd guess.

 

may as well get a Tesla as you creep to 40k

i cannot get myself near a Kia. i worked with a dude years ago who was a total tool. he drove a Kia and I cant shake the association

its easy to obsess on range. this year our longest drive in one go was about 90 miles with a huge diversion due to M4 closure.. it took 4.5hrs. i've no compulsion to drive further

 

The tax benefits will evaporate once the govt sees a loss in revenue

Electricity companies will also raise costs to exploit demand

And just like with flying, the environmental crosshairs will settle on the true damage caused by the manufacture, running and disposal issues with electric cars