Help me with this car decision, have nobody to talk it through with

I think kids should learn In Manual so it won't restrict choices for renting cars later in Life

As for EV or ICE if your journeys are mostly local an EV is the way to go if you need to commute decent distances regularly ICE

Used or new if it is a EV I would go along the PCP route, tech is changing too quick to keep a 3 yr old EV for 10 years how many 10 year old Teslas do you see on the road?

I have an EV and I love it. It’s an absolute game changer. If it was just for you I’d say go for it. However, in your shoes I’d get a manual one just for a few years and then change it after they’ve passed their tests. My reasoning is that even if they choose to drive automatics in the future they’ll have a licence that allows them to drive both - so they can drive hire cars, other people’s cars, that classic Porsche they always wanted, etc. They will pass more quickly and cheaply if they have a car to practice in. The second reason is that in a few years second hand EVs will be a lot more common and therefore cheaper - we’re close to the tipping point but we’re not there yet.

In the long run you will save enough money to pay for them to have a few more lessons in a manual car for fluency with gears.

They can still do some practice in your car for road sense and confidence once they are good at gears.

Well if you are looking for a car to keep for 10 years Toyota and lexus do a warranty for 10 years or 100k miles so If you buy a 3 year old one it will be under warranty for 7 years.

Their electric cars are uninspiring.

You could

1. buy a petrol for the next 7 to 10 years then get an electric next time
2. Get a hybrid
3. get an electric albeits Toyota electric offering is uninspiring apparently and other warranties last 7 years ( 8 for the actual battery)
4. lease a petrol for 3 years then get an electric a

As for manual Vs automatic electric will become dominant in the next 20 years so driving manuals may be useful but less important than it used to be

This is a long term decision so any factors which will be history in a couple of months should be discounted. I didn’t get to practice in anyone else’s car before passing my test.

Re the technology - it hasn’t changed but the batteries are definitely better. We have a new EV and it has 350 miles when charged - the one it replaced had just shy of 200. It makes a huge difference. That said we were ok with the less powerful battery - just had to plan a bit more. And the out-and-about chargers are getting faster and faster.

Agree. I have a six year old EV too. Just as good as the day I bought it. The battery degradation thing is overblown. My dc will be starting driving lessons in a couple of years and we won’t be bothering with manual.

I say that as an erstwhile petrol head who used to be super snotty about automatics. Times and cars have changed.

I don't know why people restrict their choices by only learning and having a license for auto unless SN/disability.

What about in the future - holidays, jobs etc when you won't be able to drive in certain situations.

Electric batteries fail and are thousands to replace. I wouldn't buy a 3 year old EV expecting to keep it for many many years.

Can you get the old car fixed and then swap in a year or two when both DC have passed?. Do you really want them driving your new car with the potential of damaging it while learning?

If you are set on swapping I'd go petrol.

Just get it 🏎

Lease one by all means. Which may be cost effective for you once you break down the price of owning - car repairs, mot, servicing

But I wouldnt get an electric I have to say as we have too many long and unpredictable journeys

When its better, quicker and more accessible to charge then we will

Doesn’t mean it will still be in date next year, 2 years, 5 years. I personally think it’s too risky. When do they stop getting updated, like an iPhone for example - it won’t be indefinitely. There is more to come in the technology of electric vehicles, so my opinion would be it’s too risky to buy one.

Just get them to have an automatic licence

Thats what me and my OH have

learn automatic, pass automatic, practice automatic, buy automatic

I dont know why people faff about with manuals.

Do you just run your car and hope it will pass the MOT every year, or do you have it regularly serviced? If you keep it properly serviced, then the starting issues should have been addressed. I'd have it checked out by a reputable garage first, probably cheaper to repair than replace.

You will get quite polarised views on this thread as those who have converted to EV will mostly suggest an EV, and those still driving ICE and saying it isn’t worth buying an EV will say that.

FWIW we have a 6 year old EV bought at 4 years old with minimal battery degradation and plan to keep it for years yet

Aren’t electric car batteries designed to last about 8 years? It’s the price of a replacement battery that puts me off buying second hand. Also, most friends are buying hybrid right now, seems sensible to me.

A five year old electric car is already 5 years behind on electric car technology. Each year they’re better, with more power and better battery. It wouldn’t be risky to buy this way as they’re so new

Get the car YOU want and that works for you. The kids may be fine switching between both types or they may stick to lessons in an instructor car. They may pass quickly or they might be on and off learners for years. Basically there are loads of unknowns with the kids needs but yours are clear and you must prioritise yourself.

Can you charge the electric one at home because that would have a huge influence on my decision.

I have an EV, with a home charger, which I love. It’s a great car to drive and has saved us hundreds of pounds in fuel costs so I’d go for the EV.

If it was me personally, I wouldn’t buy an electric car. I do drive a hybrid, and would drive an electric but I lease. I think where electric car technology is at, it wouldn’t be worth buying to keep for ten years. Also, the truth is cars aren’t made to last any more, like mobile phones they’re bought to be leased and replaced. In your position I’d buy petrol. You can still buy an automatic though, as your children can learn how to drive both if they’re lessons are in a manual car. Driving an auto is so much nicer.