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Buying a car - electric or petrol?

(30 Posts)
LaCrepescule Tue 26-Nov-24 14:21:43

I’m 67 and about to buy a car. I live in a street of terraced houses with on-street parking so couldn’t charge an electric at home and there are no nearby public charging points.
I love driving so the idea of an automatic doesn’t much appeal. I’m thinking of buying a used petrol car, no more than two years old. I don’t change my cars often (the last one went for 14 years,) so it may well see me out!
I’m all for protecting the environment but there’s a lot of debate about the harms done when disposing of electric batteries. I’d welcome your opinion!

vegansrock Tue 26-Nov-24 14:23:45

Well if you can’t charge an electric car easily then you can’t buy one , so not sure why you are asking this question .

OldFrill Tue 26-Nov-24 14:27:00

Bicycle

kittylester Tue 26-Nov-24 14:28:56

Buying a secondhand car is good for the environment.

ExDancer Tue 26-Nov-24 14:32:07

How many miles (on average) does an electric car travel between top-ups?
It already takes 6hrs to visit my daughter in the South, so how much time will it add to the journey if the car needs charging up a couple of times?
So, not for me.

Norah Tue 26-Nov-24 14:33:38

Petrol. Best as well for range.

LaCrepescule Tue 26-Nov-24 14:38:36

Yes, I think the pros for petrol outweigh the cons for me. It’s only to get me from A to B and a little Fiat 500 would do me fine.

Grantanow Tue 26-Nov-24 14:56:30

Petrol is the obvious choice.

Sago Tue 26-Nov-24 15:00:30

I would look at a Hybrid, there is no issue with charging and they are apparently better for the environment.

The Toyota Yaris hybrid has a good reputation.

Re driving an automatic, I would never go back to a manual.

Allira Tue 26-Nov-24 15:02:09

Sago

I would look at a Hybrid, there is no issue with charging and they are apparently better for the environment.

The Toyota Yaris hybrid has a good reputation.

Re driving an automatic, I would never go back to a manual.

Yes, I'd say go for a Hybrid.

Much as I resisted having an automatic, needs must and having changed mine, I love driving my automatic hybrid (not new but still seems in vgc).

joannapiano Tue 26-Nov-24 15:07:08

Our resident son has an electric company car. It is extremely heavy. When he got a puncture it had to be carried away on a low-loader truck. It has to have new tyres much quicker than our petrol car. Plus we have an electric charging point on our drive, watch the electricity meter whirr round and weep!

Dinahmo Tue 26-Nov-24 15:10:59

where I live in France most of the supermarkets have charging points so you can connect our car, do your shopping and maybe even use the large washing machines for duvets etc and then drive drive, fully charged.

Calendargirl Tue 26-Nov-24 15:12:04

joannapiano

Our son has an electric company car. He charges it overnight on a really good tariff( overnight only) especially for such vehicles.

Also saves a huge amount on what he used to spend on petrol, plus his tax code is better re benefits in kind as the emissions are so much lower.

Allira Tue 26-Nov-24 15:13:14

Dinahmo

where I live in France most of the supermarkets have charging points so you can connect our car, do your shopping and maybe even use the large washing machines for duvets etc and then drive drive, fully charged.

Yes, more and more are installing charging points in their car parks now.

kittylester Tue 26-Nov-24 15:16:07

We have a plug in hybrid which we love. And really love the fact that it's automatic.

Visgir1 Tue 26-Nov-24 15:39:57

Petrol and Automatic if you don't have a easy charge.
Automatics are the easiest cars to drive. We as a family all have them. My GC have them, they are just in early 30's.
Only know a few people now that have stick shift.
Try one out, you will be surprised how easy it is.

25Avalon Tue 26-Nov-24 15:46:08

We’ve had a Toyota Auris hybrid for 8 years now. The battery charges itself as you drive so you don’t need a plug in charger. If you drive carefully you can get up to 70miles to the gallon.

25Avalon Tue 26-Nov-24 15:46:53

We also don’t pay road tax.

NotAGran55 Tue 26-Nov-24 15:47:08

You could always buy an automatic car that also has manual mode - my mini does.
I was loath to get an automatic car as I love driving so much, but the dual option is the best of both worlds. You can still pretend to be a racing driver with the flappy paddles!

Ziplok Tue 26-Nov-24 16:02:01

A non-plug in hybrid may be the way to go, if you don’t mind driving an automatic car. We have one and find it very economical with the petrol. OH would never consider a manual car now and I’ve only ever driven automatics.

NotAGran55 Tue 26-Nov-24 16:16:43

My friend loves her non-plug in hybrid Honda Jazz for running around. She doesn’t go far and finds it very economical too.

David49 Tue 26-Nov-24 16:31:32

If you can’t charge don’t buy electric, a non plug in Hybrid, we had a Toyota Yaris Hybrid excellent car, also rented a Yaris cross on holiday even better.

Allira Tue 26-Nov-24 16:46:04

David49

If you can’t charge don’t buy electric, a non plug in Hybrid, we had a Toyota Yaris Hybrid excellent car, also rented a Yaris cross on holiday even better.

And it tells you how eco friendly your last journey was and how to improve your driving!

LaCrepescule Tue 26-Nov-24 16:49:20

Ooh, hadn’t considered a hybrid! And maybe I should consider an automatic after all.
Thank you ladies 🙏

Woollywoman Tue 26-Nov-24 17:00:47

I bought a 3 year old petrol Mini this year, my previous car (a Yaris) having lasted me 14 years.
I nearly bought a Yaris hybrid but am very happy indeed with my choice. All new cars seem to have computers, and the Mini manual is actually easy to read and understand!
It’s automatic and so enjoyable to drive. Good luck…