The Car Thread

[Elephant Pyjamas]

I have made what has turned into a timely step into the EV world this past week, had the home charger (Ohme home pro) installed last Thursday (after Eon really pissing me about by simply not turning up the previous friday - although they did give me £250 to make up for that) and I got the car - an IPace, delivered on the Wednesday.

So far so good, absolutely loving both the power (400bhp, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds) and the smoothness of EV driving, the IPace is by far the best car I have ever driven, let alone owned, and it's costing me about 3p a mile to drive rather than probably approaching the 20p a mile my diesel was costing me at the end.

Brilliant so far.

 

[Tredman]

I have made what has turned into a timely step into the EV world this past week, had the home charger (Ohme home pro) installed last Thursday (after Eon really pissing me about by simply not turning up the previous friday - although they did give me £250 to make up for that) and I got the car - an IPace, delivered on the Wednesday.

So far so good, absolutely loving both the power (400bhp, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds) and the smoothness of EV driving, the IPace is by far the best car I have ever driven, let alone owned, and it's costing me about 3p a mile to drive rather than probably approaching the 20p a mile my diesel was costing me at the end.

Brilliant so far.

Absobloodylutely loved my ipace when I had it. By far and away the best car I have ever driven. Lovely place to be and the power was amazing. If the charging speed had been quicker I’d have kept it forever.

We did a full family Europe trip in it, 7 countries in total. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

 

[jlo]

I think the recorded mileage on MOT date will work well, why wouldn't it?

But obviously it's the cars younger than 3 years they need to think about.

Going overseas shouldn't be included. Will have to record mileage on exit and re-entry to the country to cover this.

 

[EpsomWolf]

Did some number crunching over the weekend around the wife’s commuting and viability of using a cheap EV and was quite surprised at the results. Currently cycle > train > cycle, takes about 50 mins total (roughly same as if driving (11 miles)), cost £11pd (say £220 pm, £2500-ish pa allowing for holidays). Similar to a lot of people no doubt and nothing unusual about those commute times/distances and costs.

Could get an EV lease for less than that though, and be even cheaper if deciding to actually buy. Add on a bit of charging cost, getting the charging thing itself installed, insurance and whatnot and it’d likely be as close to current outlay as makes no difference, essentially gaining an EV runaround at no extra cost at all.

The missus enjoys the cycling part and not having wasted time by working on the train, but I worry about the safety of the bike and reckon it’d be nicer anyway in a car with the radio on than dodging diseases on a delayed choc-a-block train.

I mean ok, that’s just one specific scenario but seems to be something very arse about face and counter productive if it’s financially advantageous to get anyone off a bike/public transport and into an actual car

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Absobloodylutely loved my ipace when I had it. By far and away the best car I have ever driven. Lovely place to be and the power was amazing. If the charging speed had been quicker I’d have kept it forever.

We did a full family Europe trip in it, 7 countries in total. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

Yeah its quite old tech with regards to the charging. However, 99% of the time I will be home charging. It'll only be on those potential holiday drives where it might be an issue, and even then if I combine the charge with a stop in a city or for a meal it won't be a problem.

Looking forward to taking it for a good drive at the weekend. Only done about 20 mile journeys so far.

Did you have any reliability issues? I know there have been plenty of people with issues, I have gone into it with my eyes wide open though, and have warranties to lean on if something does go wrong. I know the older models have had a recall on them.

 

[Tredman]

Yeah its quite old tech with regards to the charging. However, 99% of the time I will be home charging. It'll only be on those potential holiday drives where it might be an issue, and even then if I combine the charge with a stop in a city or for a meal it won't be a problem.

Looking forward to taking it for a good drive at the weekend. Only done about 20 mile journeys so far.

Did you have any reliability issues? I know there have been plenty of people with issues, I have gone into it with my eyes wide open though, and have warranties to lean on if something does go wrong. I know the older models have had a recall on them.

I had the front windscreen leak, but it was fixed under warranty. Other than that not a single issue in 3.5 years. I did take out the extended warranty though.

If my twins hadn’t been so bloody big I’d have got another one.

Never need an excuse to break out my favourite ipace photo ever, charging in the Austrian Alps.

 

[machin05]

I do the whole cycle-train-cycle commute and experience far fewer delays compared to driving, tbh. Can pretty reliably get to work and get home at the same time every day. No chance of doing that by car (25 mile journey with a fair chunk on the M6). Only downside is how busy the commute home it.

 

[EpsomWolf]

You’re fortunate with the trains, it’s the complete opposite here. I doubt there’s 5 consecutive days where there are no cancellations or delays and I often get a call for a rescue mission to another station where she’s had no choice but to take an alternative line. The driving on the other hand is maxed at about 50 minutes and way quicker if travelling out of rush hour or on school holidays. Urban roads with no motorway involvement keeps that consistent.

I suppose that feeds into the need for good reliable public transport if there’s any hope of making this work. Just can’t see it happening or getting even remotely close nationwide. We’ve supposedly got it here hence the ulez expansion but in reality it’s still pretty shite.

 

[EpsomWolf]

Lovely summary of the current situation from the wonderful Harry Metcalfe. How, why, the winners, the losers and where we go from here.

 

[EpsomWolf]

No choice other than to bite the bullet and order a 2nd key to replace the one that was lost, £471 supplied, programmed and ready to go sir.

Ok we’ve moved on a bit from starting a Ford Cortina with an old coat hanger but come on. And apparently that’s not even hugely expensive by modern standards so am supposed to feel relieved.

No wonder people with older less complicated cars are holding onto them as long as possible.

 

[Kenny]

Key ppffft

Use your phone and get with the times

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

No wonder people with older less complicated cars are holding onto them as long as popossible.

EVs are far less complicated and require less maintenance than ICE cars.

 

[EpsomWolf]

EVs are far less complicated and require less maintenance than ICE cars.

Yes, that picture is becoming increasingly clear, I’ll be going EV at the next switch. I’ll need some sort of weekend ICE fix which would likely be some sort of old-skool, uncomplicated thing - manual, lightweight etc etc, but as for the main motor it’ll be EV, modern ICE’s are just an expensive pain in the arse.

 

[leedswolf]

Android Auto just got a major EV route planning upgrade — and improvements to autoplay settings have also been spotted | TechRadar https://share.google/thodf2GEfgQDCuiNA

 

[jlo]

You’re fortunate with the trains, it’s the complete opposite here. I doubt there’s 5 consecutive days where there are no cancellations or delays and I often get a call for a rescue mission to another station where she’s had no choice but to take an alternative line. The driving on the other hand is maxed at about 50 minutes and way quicker if travelling out of rush hour or on school holidays. Urban roads with no motorway involvement keeps that consistent.

I suppose that feeds into the need for good reliable public transport if there’s any hope of making this work. Just can’t see it happening or getting even remotely close nationwide. We’ve supposedly got it here hence the ulez expansion but in reality it’s still pretty shite.

Not far from you and completely the same issues with public transport. I decided last autumn bank holiday to get a motorbike instead and it's improved my commute immeasurably, and saved me money too. Sad state of affairs as I also didnt mind the cycle to station and train in, but except for the price and reliability.

 

[sycophantia]

Not far from you and completely the same issues with public transport. I decided last autumn bank holiday to get a motorbike instead and it's improved my commute immeasurably, and saved me money too. Sad state of affairs as I also didnt mind the cycle to station and train in, but except for the price and reliability.

Ooh, another biker on the forum

 

[jlo]

Ooh, another biker on the forum

On and off for years! Nicest bike yet too, Ducati Scrambler 800 (a scrambler by name, much more of an all rounder) - great thing is it's cost neutral/negative to the train commute and I own a bike too whereas the train money just goes down the drain!

And further related to Epsom's post, my partner is also now preferring to commute in on my bike than using the train too, although not in the office half as often as me thankfully, but saving even more cash.

 

[sycophantia]

On and off for years! Nicest bike yet too, Ducati Scrambler 800 (a scrambler by name, much more of an all rounder) - great thing is it's cost neutral/negative to the train commute and I own a bike too whereas the train money just goes down the drain!

And further related to Epsom's post, my partner is also now preferring to commute in on my bike than using the train too, although not in the office half as often as me thankfully, but saving even more cash.

Nice bike. Ducati seem to have got a handle on their serving costs in recent years, gone from eye watering to a bit expensive. I'm assuming you'll go back to car/train in the really shitty weather.
You've probably made an error telling me this, I'll be stalking the shit out of you on here now

 

[jlo]

Nice bike. Ducati seem to have got a handle on their serving costs in recent years, gone from eye watering to a bit expensive. I'm assuming you'll go back to car/train in the really shitty weather.
You've probably made an error telling me this, I'll be stalking the shit out of you on here now

Ha. I do most my own servicing but that's useful to know as it probably will benefit from one thorough go over.

Actually I've used it all winter (bar the fact I had a month overseas during that time) and only 4 or 5 complete soakings - helpful that my work has showers and underground parking etc.

What have you got? I don't think bike chat is derailing this thread...

 

[EpsomWolf]

On and off for years! Nicest bike yet too, Ducati Scrambler 800 (a scrambler by name, much more of an all rounder) - great thing is it's cost neutral/negative to the train commute and I own a bike too whereas the train money just goes down the drain!

And further related to Epsom's post, my partner is also now preferring to commute in on my bike than using the train too, although not in the office half as often as me thankfully, but saving even more cash.

What a terrific bike and a lovely personal gain there too. Have to have some pleasures and gains especially when it feels it’s all the other way at times and cost neutral is a right result. Nice one, enjoy.

Not had a bike for about 5 years and still hanker for one but find myself holding fire til making a decision on the EV switch and how best to get weekend kicks, bike, car etc. Funnily enough a contact in the cycling club mentioned his green-laning group and I really fancy that and can be done relatively cheaply, with just a fairly lightweight 250 or something like that required. That sounds like terrific fun too so will have to see.

Thinking out loud about your bike and your location, would thoroughly recommend a sunny weekend morning ride out to Rykas Cafe at Box Hill. Always lots of other bikes there, primarily a motorcyclist’s stop but normally a few nice cars too and always a friendly atmosphere. It’s a super ride through the Surrey Hills (Shere, Leith etc) and always worth taking in the views at the top of Box too. Have done it all on a MTB but would be fabulous on a motorbike.

You may well have already been there but anyway, it’s a real treat if not. Bit of a surprisingly close sanctuary from the madness of urban sprawl too.

Rykas | Cafe Boxhill | Old London Rd, Dorking RH5 6BY, UK

Discover the delicious world of Rykas food at our cozy café in Dorking. Explore our history, follow us on Instagram, and find out what's on the menu!

www.rykas.co.uk