Electric car depreciation

[Bobby Dazzler]

WRT test drives, in the last 21 years I've had 6 of them and bought 4 cars. It's dangerous. This is why I NEVER go to a hifi dealers listening room. Ever. I've learnt.......

I do quite literally buy pretty much every car I test drive, and more that I didn’t even drive before buying. I’m not one for wasting their time or mine, so I already know whether I’ll buy it or not - there would have to be something very wrong for me to get out and say no thanks.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

A close friend owns a Cygnet with its Bill Amberg luggage included, tucked away on the Island and never used along with a row other ‘investments’.

Ooooh I do like special luggage.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Excellent! Let us know how she gets on with it.

Will do

 

[davymead]

We have had small cars as a 2nd car in the household and I've always enjoyed driving them.

What a shame then that emissions regulations are rapidly reducing the choice. The Fiesta, VW UP, Audi A1 and Audi Q2 have already gone to mention just a few. MB are even dropping the A class. If I wanted to replace my C class with a premium smaller car in retirement there really isn't going to be much much to choose from.

Even the car manufacturers are becoming exasperated with effects of ill thought through policies that are forcing them to drop small cars.

Stop regulating us out of business and make a plan: Renault boss attacks politicians | Auto Express

Let’s expect rioting in France first then.
Fortunately for me anyway after a year of ownership I’m convinced that I’ve found the perfect small car that offers real quality, style and a rare ability to deliver huge grins on every trip. As allegedly it’s final year of production is 2025 I’m now in the process of ‘saving’ for the slightly more versatile Clubman in JCW guise of course.

 

[BPD07]

As allegedly it’s final year of production is 2025 I’m now in the process of ‘saving’ for the slightly more versatile Clubman in JCW guise of course.

How can you not like the F series Clubman. It’s got it’s own wine cellar!

 

[davymead]

How can you not like the F series Clubman. It’s got it’s own wine cellar!View attachment 154727

It’s all about lifting your lower flaps …….

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I really shouldn’t be allowed to take unaccompanied test drives because every time I do - and without exception - I end up buying the car, I can’t help myself…

View attachment 154722

…and this afternoon I wasn’t too far away from a FIAT dealer just as they were about to close, so I popped in and walked out with this track weapon.

It’s a FIAT Abarth 500e 795 Compezione Turismo Performance Pack facelift with Monza Record, Monte Carlo wheels with the very rare panoramic roof delete.

I’d never have believed it, but it’s even faster than the Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi facelift Powered by Brabus.

So let the experiment begin!

Insurance arranged, I’ve added it to my multi car policy and it’s costing £91for the balance of the policy, which is equivalent to £140 per annum. That includes EV recovery in the event that the battery flattens.

The car comes with the manufacturers warranty which is 8 years on the battery and 3 years for everything else. The battery warranty includes EV recovery too, again in case the car is stranded without charge.

The salesman tells me that annual servicing costs between £90 and £150 at today’s pricing, depending upon whether it’s due either a brake fluid change or cabin filter on top of the safety inspection.

On the face of it, the running costs seem fairly reasonable. I think EVs pay VED now so that will be on top of the above running costs. I am making enquiries about a Tesla charger at home too.

 

[ALFAitalia]

VED for EVs is from April 2025.... so you have a free year to go.

 

[markjay]

...It’s a FIAT Abarth 500e 795 Compezione Turismo Performance Pack facelift with Monza Record, Monte Carlo wheels....

You have to hand it to Italians, they know how to give motoring options exciting names

An AMG may be the better car (arguably....), but the name "C63s PP" sound like a damp squib in comparison

 

[Londonscottish]

So let the experiment begin!

Insurance arranged, I’ve added it to my multi car policy and it’s costing £91for the balance of the policy, which is equivalent to £140 per annum. That includes EV recovery in the event that the battery flattens.

The car comes with the manufacturers warranty which is 8 years on the battery and 3 years for everything else. The battery warranty includes EV recovery too, again in case the car is stranded without charge.

The salesman tells me that annual servicing costs between £90 and £150 at today’s pricing, depending upon whether it’s due either a brake fluid change or cabin filter on top of the safety inspection.

On the face of it, the running costs seem fairly reasonable. I think EVs pay VED now so that will be on top of the above running costs. I am making enquiries about a Tesla charger at home too.

Where do you get it serviced? If had to take mine to a Fiat place that could be a ball ache.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

A close friend owns a Cygnet with its Bill Amberg luggage included, tucked away on the Island and never used along with a row other ‘investments’.

Investment as in a 13 year old asset which at £30k is worth only £3k / 10% less than he paid. (Ignoring servicing and insurance costs)

Or just 20% of the £150k that his £30k would be worth now, had he invested his money back in 2011


(But we can't take it with us....)

 

[SmartAmg]

It’s all about lifting your lower flaps …….

If you pardon the expression.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Ooooh I do like special luggage.

Here ya go then.
This is tailor made for you.....
Travel bag set Fiat 500 2007-present 3-door hatchback

 

[SmartAmg]

Here ya go then.
This is tailor made for you.....
Travel bag set Fiat 500 2007-present 3-door hatchback

Jesus! What's wrong with a couple of Tesco carrier bags.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Jesus! What's wrong with a couple of Tesco carrier bags.

every little helps

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

T

Where do you get it serviced? If had to take mine to a Fiat place that could be a ball ache.

The sales person said you could easily skip servicing if you wanted. I like to use the main dealer. At those prices, it seems fair value.

 

[Dryce]

As an aside, a driving instructor we know says that a majority of young pupils are now wanting to learn in an auto rather than have the flexibility of being able to drive a manual transmission car in the future.

I acquired my car driving licence late in life - and went for an auto only licence. I had held motorcycle licence since my teens.

My view is that manual transmissions in cars were an anachronism by the early 2000s.

It's astonishing that anybody should think they are acceptable or normal in modern cars.

 

[Dryce]

View attachment 154731

Absurdly this reminds me of John Steed's Jaguar XJC in the New Avengers.

 

[Steveml63]

Hi,
Regarding test drives - we have bought quite a few cars over the years without test driving them first!
The ones that i can remember are as follows:-
2004 VW Golf Mk5 turbo diesel 140 hp (had that on a cheap lease for a year)
2004 Skoda Octavia vRS Mk1
2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
2007 Skoda Octavia vRS Mk2 estate
2012 Skoda Octavia vRS Mk3 (had that as a company provided car for 6 months - before we moved to Dubai)
2015 Mercedes ML63 AMG with performance pack
2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance

But - I do a lot of research before buying these cars - to know that they have the features, performance etc. that I require/like

Cheers
Steve

 

[ALFAitalia]

It's astonishing that anybody should think they are acceptable or normal in modern cars.

Each to his own.....but since you have never driven an manual over any distance or time you might not really be in a position to judge! I'm still of the belief that "real cars have three pedals".
I've had about 35 to 40 cars and all but two have been manual.....a Grand Cherokee and an Audi A8 4.2 V8...... both of which were cars I wanted but were never built with proper gearboxes!...... my next cars will also be autos.... but this time due to an ongoing left knee issue which is unlikely to ever really be fixed.
I still feel more in control of a manual.... and at a trackday there is no comparison.
I know its an old fashioned view now.... but I'm an old fashioned bloke! One that likes to really "drive".... something that only feels right in a good manual. An auto, no matter how good it is, loses some feel between your pedals and butt and the road. Not to mention takes away the need of a lot of long learned driving skills. Less and less people know what I'm taking about when I say "heel and toe down changes" or "clutchless gear changes" these day's... which is a pity. End of an era.