I do 40,000km per annum, in a 2017 diesel Golf estate GTD, a wonderful car – best I’ve ever had. It’s practical, neat, efficient, as quick as anyone would need. Now with 311,000km on the clock, I’m interested in whether a switch to electric makes any sense.
I could charge at home: not set up yet, but the scope exists. I’m particularly tempted by the value available in some high-end EVs that have been hammered by depreciation, tempted by low running costs, fuel, and servicing, but spooked by the prospect of zero residual value.
From: John S from Co Westmeath
Now, this is a challenge. A Golf GTD estate is one of the best all-round cars of recent years. It’s such a shame that VW Ireland dropped the Golf estate from Irish price lists.
RM Block
The challenge here is to find something to replace that GTD in terms of performance, but also in terms of practicality and, the really tricky part, in terms of the range that a diesel fuel tank gives you.
When it comes to “zero residual value”, you can probably relax. The worst depreciation that any car, electric vehicle (EV) or otherwise, will ever suffer is in the first couple of years of its ownership, so that curve will be flattening out.
Equally, you’re far from the only person to have cottoned on to the fact that used EVs are temptingly cheap and often come with long warranties, so those values are starting to firm up a bit now, especially as more people feel the sting of volatile oil prices.
There’s something of an obvious elephant in this particular electric room and it’s the Tesla Model Y.
You will have your views about the company’s chief executive, but there’s no denying that the Model Y has an exceptional blend of performance, space, and range, allied to fast charging. The downsides are that its quality and sense of driving fun are nowhere near what you will have been used to with the Golf.
What about staying within the VW family, but casting your net a little further? We found a 2024 Skoda Enyaq Sportline 85x (that’s the four-wheel drive version) for a hair over €35,000, which is a lot of car for the cash. True, it’s not quite as long-ranged as the best of the Teslas, but it’s massive inside, exceptionally comfortable, good to drive, and well-made. It could be a cracking choice.
Or what about a Hyundai Ioniq 5? Now, it’s not an overtly sporty car like your Golf GTD, but it’s actually got some seriously impressive deportment on a twisty road, and there is the halo effect of the mighty 650hp Ioniq 5 N sitting next to it in the showroom.
An early 73kWh model should give you more than 450km on one charge, and it’s massive inside (although the boot’s not as impressive as the cabin, in space terms). We found a 2022 version – which will still have a year of its original factory warranty left to run – for just €26,995.
For our final recommendation: what about a Ford Mustang Mach-E? This is a bit of an unsung electric car, not least because it’s long been hamstrung in the Irish market by a foolishly high price, but thanks to the magic of buying second-hand, you can pick up a two-year-old example quite cheaply.
It’s reasonably roomy inside, and if you get the big 91kWh battery version, then its range is competitive (although it’s slow to charge above 80 per cent battery level).
The best part, though, is how the Mustang Mach-E drives. True, it’s a bit stiff on its springs, but it has livelier steering and more precision in its chassis than most other EVs, and on the right road, it’s an absolute riot.
Obviously, this all comes with the big caveat that – as you’ve mentioned – you can charge at home, to take advantage of the massive drop in running costs that goes with switching from diesel to electric power. Also, on your regular driving routes, you need to ensure there are sufficient fast-charging and/or destination charging locations for you to be able to get a top-up when needed.
Make sure that any second-hand EV you’re considering comes with a full battery health report, as well as a full service history. Don’t trust any former owner who says that “EVs don’t need servicing”.
