Help me choose a car please!

[SuperSange]

Im considering updating my car in the next six months or so. I currently have a 1.2 Polo which I love and has great fuel economy. Id like a VW, but I don’t know whether to stick with a Polo, change to a golf, go electric, hybrid or what. I’m getting confused about it all. I’d also like to have a nicer interior than I could usually afford.

I’ll have around 25k to spend, typically do up to 15k miles a year commuting with a 300+ mile journey 3-4 times a year. I don’t have a home charger, but there’s one at work and they seem to be around a lot more now. I do just need a smaller car, for bigger stuff I can use my husband’s truck.
it’s more money than I would ever usually have, and I’m wondering whether to make the jump to electric while I have the cash, but I don’t know if the battery life is an issue if I were to buy used.
If anyone could please help me through my decision making, I’d be so grateful!

Hi @SuperSange I've been looking at buying an electric car,smaller budget than you, but the biggest issue has been battery warranty. Some makers require a set service schedule to keep the warranty valid and the majority of cars I've looked at haven't got this. So whatever you choose, make sure you know the warranty terms. And the battery state of health.

Have a look on autotrader and use the filter options to narrow down your search. Battery range, and loads of other items, can be specified. See what comes up and what you like. Then find those models locally and do some test drives.

There's an overfacing amount of choice so it's hard work. So many makes, models and specifications. When you narrow it down check reviews. As with ice cars, electric ones come with issues.

Good luck.

77kwh Cupra born and it’s great to drive. You’d easily get one for your budget.

I wouldn’t buy electric if you don’t have a home charging point. Could you get one installed or is that not an option?

MG’s seem to have the best offers based on the number of people I know with brand new ones, I’d definitely recommend seeing what they have. Otherwise I would be looking at buying a pre registered one from a dealer (around time the plates change often), or one that was used for test drives only, you get better deals.

Why are you changing and what year is the Polo?

My first advice would be to put it in saving and keep the polo

My advice would be to test drive a few. I had a golf hybrid courtesy car and it was nicer than I thought it would be but almost to many mod cons for my liking but I guess you can switch them off.

I’m very tempted to keep the polo; it’s v low mileage, just the right size really, it’s a 63 plate and only done 39000 miles. It’s only a 3 door and doesn’t have remote locking. My head says to keep it for four years until my son is 17 and it’ll be a great car for him. But sometimes, I’d like something a bit more fancy and grown up.

I have a new mini countryman. Fully electric.
It's automatic and is really tech loaded. It's doesn't have electric side mirrors is my only grumble.

We charge from a cable through our garage window as we don't have a drive way.
£15 for 100 miles
I'd avoid the MG as they only have a 1* crash rating (the lowest).

Battery life is good if you stick to slow charging

Try for an ex demonstrator. Above your budget otherwise.

Im definitely an A to B person and if a car is still going then I'll drive it until it dies.
So I would probably keep the Polo.

However, after a very bad accident where my ancient Clio was written off and I now require an automatic to drive I bought a hybrid Nissan Juke. (Persuaded to buy new by DH who was more freaked out by the accident than me and he wasnt even in it)

I save at least 1/3 on petrol. I go through fits and starts of just town driving and longer journeys but the fuel saving is brilliant. At the minute (this is my obsession) im getting 72/mpg

I have a 18 year old learning to drive…. I’d definitely keep the Polo. A low mileage 1.2 Polo is very much an asset in the world of parents of learner drivers.

@Elvisisahero I agree the Nissans are great. We have an ex- trail. Our second.

We also had a Golf soft top for 16 years. Still got a good price for it and it was 27 years old!

Honestly you would be crazy to change cars in that case.

New cars have so much more to go wrong with them, they are not built as well and cost more over time.

Keep the car at least until your son can drive and then rethink then.

I think you’re right, I just need for the money not to burn a hole in my pocket. It’s the sensible thing to do, keep the polo. You’ve talked sense into me!

Ill be in the same position as you next year. I usually do pcp but tired of the constant monthly payments.
As im buying ill only buy Japanese. Im really unlucky with cars. Ones ive owned in the past all needed work done every year. This time im choosing reliability. Im considering a rav4. Bullet proof apparently.

I drove my Audi a3 12 plate for 14 years, but last week went electric with a Cupra born. Whilst I’m enjoying a brand new car, I’d have another a3 in a heartbeat. But it had 175,000 miles so it was time to move on. If you love the polo why not stick with it, just look for a newer version although with just 39,000 miles I’d keep yours! Assume you keep on top of maintenance and sort the cambelt etc? They launch the electric polo this month maybe check it out?