Which electric car to buy?

[Kayleigh]

Are UK drivers not allowed to drive manuals unless they are tested during their driver’s exam? Sorry, didn’t know. I’ve had car and motorcycle licences in the US, Mexico and Spain, and there was nothing during the exam or on the license that mentions if I can use a clutch. Sounds like a good idea.

We have two types of tests in the UK. If you take your test in a manual car you can drive a manual and automatic. However, if you take your test in an automatic car you can only ever drive an automatic.

 

[andyinluton]

Are UK drivers not allowed to drive manuals unless they are tested during their driver’s exam? Sorry, didn’t know. I got my first provisional driver’s licence at the age of 15 1/2 in Califòrnia using the automatic car provided by my city’s high school, which had also provided driving lessons and safety education as a regularly scheduled part of the currículum. I’ve had car and motorcycle licences in the US, Mexico and Spain, and there was nothing during the exam or on the license that mentions if I can use a clutch. Sounds like a good idea.

No, take test in an automatic and you are only allowed to drive automatics. Pass in a manual and you can drive either.

Her manual mini is currently £2k a year an electric car is £5k insurance.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

It could be related to the fact that they are automatic. A driving instructor friend told me that fellow instructors he knows are moving back to teaching on a manual car because there are more potential customers. He said the reason is insurance costs for automatics can be too high for youngsters.

My wife failed her driving test in a manual Fiat 500, so I bought the cheapest auto I could - a Toyota Aygo with a 1L engine, with which she passed first time. The insurance was a comparable price for each (both around £1200 with her as main driver and me as second, though we are both north of 40 years.

With the UK legally-mandated switch to hybrid and EV, ALL cars will eventually be auto, or as the pedant above mentions, at least have no clutch to operate. This is already the case with all PHEV and EVs.

Incidentally, I am so impressed with my Tesla, that I have just swapped my wife's car to a new Ora 3 Pro + EV to avail of the 7.9p per kWh overnight home charger tariff. I paid just £18k with a 5 year parts warranty and 8 year battery warranty. It has every toy possible, even has vented seats - something the Tesla doesn't! I for one am totally sold on EVs and the amazing smoothness and quiet, not to mention the minimal running costs.

 

[clarinetbcn]

 

[CaliGem]

3. BIK rates are very low currently so if you're employed or run your own business I'd lease one.

It's a bit of a no brainer VS buying one.

The depreciation on some electric cars is eye watering.

Exactly this. I am avoiding electric myself but if you must, lease one.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Exactly this. I am avoiding electric myself but if you must, lease one.

Or keep it for a period nearing the typical battery warranty of 8 years, by which time it will have paid you back in spades. This is my intention as with regular over-the-air updates, there is so little to go wrong other than the battery which is warrantied to 100k / 8 years.

 

[andyinluton]

Exactly this. I am avoiding electric myself but if you must, lease one.

I would for a £100k + taycan or the like, but for a £22k car I would rather pay cash & keep it till falls apart. The most I could loose is 22k.

 

[larrylamb]

They are regarded as automatic as far as driving licences are concerned.
Perhaps I should have just said my daughter wants a car where she doesn’t need to change gear, but then someone else being pedantic would have said you need to on all cars unless you never reverse.

I’m not after an old banger, she has had a manual licence for two years, and already has a manual mini. Her rush hour drive to either university, or her part time job is half an hour of queuing traffic both ways.

Have you looked at an E-Golf? Admittedly not the best range but might suit with home charging. Cracking car that has the familiar Golf cabin etc and good reviews. Good buy at £10kish for a 2020 with less than 40k miles.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I have just test driven a Leapmotor T03 which for £16K was very well equipped and with 150 mile range good enough to replace our commuting smart cars, the Spec far exceeds the Dacia Spring.