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

[CARCARCARCARCARCAR]

My car is not safe, passed it’s MOT but does not reliably start and various light on dash intermittently, it’s a miracle it passed.
Test drove two cars this week, one electric and one petrol.
I really want the electric one and it will be so much cheaper to run.
I have two kids learning to drive at the moment. They are learning ina manual car and electric cars are automatic.
so far they have not practiced in my car but I hoped they could. I can’t keep the one I have as I think it is not safe and doesn’t always start.
I usually buy a five year old car and keep it for ten years. Should I buy the petrol one just so the kids can practice for a few months? Or get the one I think will be better in the longer run?

Appreciate any suggestions, feel I might be missing something

YABU - get the petrol
YANBU - go electric

Kids can learn in an automatic because automatic is the future of cars.

I think you'll be lucky to find a 5 year old electric car that will last properly for another 10 years. Are you looking at leased batteries or owned?

Yes but they are having lessons in a manual. Does it matter if they practice in the automatic ? Too confusing?

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.

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.

Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean?

Yes we can

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.

The one I looked at is actually 3 years old and only has 22,000 on the clock

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

I was told that this car hasn’t changed since being released and that the technology is the same. It’s an ID3

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Just get it 🏎

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.

It’s been to the main dealer garage and to two independent garages. They all say different things

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.

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.

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.