Arborbridge wrote:AF62 wrote:Arborbridge wrote:
But I've had my B-class 6 years - so what happens then?
It has depreciated even more, cost more in fuel and RFL, plus MOTs and the gamble that anything breaks!
And the electric version? All cars depreciate. And the battery failure cost? Did I read a possible £10,000 somewhere?
I suppose one of my problems is that the I find the finance model you are proposing is baffling. Not something I have been brought up with, indeed it's something I am averse to. It seems complex and putting your fortune in someone else's control. I come from a time when the buying something outright was lways cheaper that being in hock to someone else and giving them a cut, so it'll take a mountainous rethink to throw modify that life time of thinking.
If I buy a car, I know what I am doing. If I go into some fancy contract with a grey suit, I do not know what I'm getting into as regards clever clause designed to rob me, or t least some sort of doubt hanging ocer me for seversl years.
And all that on
top of the "electric hesitancy" I feel from the genuine downsides or unknown areas, along with the obvious problems of finding anything out about any car just now. I mean, gone are the days you could just wander round showrooms and casually poke around.
Arb
Arborbridge wrote:For instance, someone here was writing about taking delivery of a new Kia - I think the cost is around £36k. A quick glance at the Merc site shows I could buy a replacement for my B-class - another new car - for around £25-26k, either petrol or diesel. I'd have to be dedicated to justify the difference in cost between the two.
Arb.
I’m probably the guy you referred to who has just leased a KIA Soul EV.
It’s our second car, so won’t do a high mileage.
Leasing isn’t for everyone, but if one is a consumer who changes their car every three years or so it has a lot of benefits.
I understand why people buy second hand cars but we are all different. This is an investment site and some of us long term investors are happy to use our investment income to finance shiny new cars. If one fits into that category, leasing might be a good idea. Especially if one wants trouble-free motoring.
The KIA (after UK subsidies) costs around £250 a month to lease over three years with six months up front. So it’s a 6 + 35 deal. It replaces a Golf 1.4 petrol auto which was leased for three years and cost almost exactly the same per month. Both cars costs include a maintenance contract and road tax if applicable. So there’s nothing more to pay except the insurance which is the same as if I owned the car. And, of course, the electricity!
A new B Class Mercedes B250e AMG Line Premium 5dr Auto, would cost around £350 a month for a 6 + 35 lease including maintenance. So a lot more than a KIA EV. (See leasing.com for rates.)
All prices above are for a low mileage car, under 10k miles per year.
I have had a couple of punctures in the last five years. Both times on leased cars with unusual tyres. With a maintenance contract, it’s a quick call to the leasing company and very quickly a Tyre company van turns up and replaces the tyre (free of charge). On both occasions I asked the tyre fitter how much I would have had to pay as a private customer. Both times they laughed and informed me that, no way would a private individual get an immediate home replacement service - and the cost would be over £400. Leasing companies are such huge customers that they get premium service for their clients.
If like us, one is happy with a car with a claimed range of 280 miles the KIA is a brilliant vehicle. I was amazed at the high spec. And fun to drive. Just say “take me home” to the SatNav and it sets itself. With warnings if there are delays ahead.
With a home charger, I doubt if we will ever charge at a Motorway service station, except for fun. In theory, if we want to go on a 350 mile journey then, yes, it will take around half an hour to top up the battery on route. To be honest at the moment, we’d go in my ICE car with a range of 600 miles!
My brief experience of motorway driving in the KIA at 70 mph is that the range will drop to around 250 miles and probably less if facing rain plus strong headwinds.
Using a 7kW charger in my garage, topping up the car overnight takes around four hours to put in around 100 miles.
I have to admit it is a fun car to drive. Quiet and very comfortable for a fairly small car. And, of course acceleration at all speeds is impressive!
So this type of car would be suitable for someone who can charge at home and who travels up to 200 miles a day and who seldom travels on journeys over 200 miles. I guess this makes it viable for a large proportion of motorists who have the benefit of off-road charging
regards
Howard