Death of performance ICE Coupes/Convertibles?

[AT3200AC]

The rise of the SUV report today is a little misleading. There is no full EV option SUV on volume sale and the report goes back for the last 3 years. The Tesla 3 will radically alter their car buying landscape. It will normalise EV and when you factor in whole life cost it’s not as expensive as you think. It’s the automotive equivalent of the I-Phone and there is no way the next 3 year car sales will match today’s report.

Would still love a big v8 saloon but at less than £100 roadtax and a tenner for a full tank of fuel there are compensations for going electric.

 

[Andyk]

I've never had a Skoda but would have no problem having one. I really don't give two hoots about number plates, age of car, mileage or the badge. I buy cars and enjoy them on their individual merits. I don't really care what anyone else thinks.

We've had two Skodas both Octavia VRS and they were excellent. My parents have the small hatchback and love it.

 

[Vampyrebat]

I don’t deny they’re remarkably good cars, but I still wouldn’t own one.

Your beginning to sound like me on a manual gearbox!!

 

[rockits]

Never say never Dicky. They could bring out a new Supercar to rival the very best.

 

[lifes2short]

skodas are bloomin good motors as I found out, daughter bought a new fabia 3 years ago and its a really nice drive with good options at a very reasonable price, she extended the warranty to 5 years for a mere £195, if skoda ever make an suv that I like and that can tow over 3 ton I would have one as I could hopefully rely on the thing being reliable, unlike the present german shite I have

 

[safrane]

Had a few Skoda on rent... look just like a old VW inside and are very black...and dull... to be honest I think VW aee the same and have far too much hard plastics... maybe the Maser has spoilt me.

 

[safrane]

The rise of the SUV report today is a little misleading. There is no full EV option SUV on volume sale and the report goes back for the last 3 years. The Tesla 3 will radically alter their car buying landscape. It will normalise EV and when you factor in whole life cost it’s not as expensive as you think. It’s the automotive equivalent of the I-Phone and there is no way the next 3 year car sales will match today’s report.

Would still love a big v8 saloon but at less than £100 roadtax and a tenner for a full tank of fuel there are compensations for going electric.

But the I phone is over priced and people just keep swapping them when a new one pops out.

As one who will not buy on credit or via a PCP my cars are bought at c3 years old. An EV battery will be shot by then... would you buy a traditional car knowing the engine needs urgent replacement.

 

[zagatoes30]

Agree both 4x4 Kodiaq and Superb Estate only have 2000kgs tow limit

 

[Hawk13]

I had a Fabia Monte Carlo as my daily driver about 8 years ago. Racked up 100,000 trouble free miles in less than 3 years.

Inside, it was exactly the same as the 3 year old VW Golf it replaced.

 

[Wack61]

The comments show that the vast majority of the population simply don’t give a toss. I’m all for recycling our rubbish, and not littering, saving energy etc. CO2 emissions is a global problem and it needs a global solution, which won’t happen til (arguably now) it’s far too late. Drive a V8/10/12 and enjoy it.

Exactly , it's a government issue not individuals, despite what they may say in public all governments are interested in is the economy of their country hence the manufacturers of everything being allowed to build whatever they like.

 

[DavidL]

Had a few Skoda on rent... look just like a old VW inside and are very black...and dull... to be honest I think VW aee the same and have far too much hard plastics... maybe the Maser has spoilt me.

We had a 2 yr old fabia vrs. The dsg gearbox was awful and it broke down.. Not a brand I'll do again at least not with that box. Heinous thing.

 

[AT3200AC]

But the I phone is over priced and people just keep swapping them when a new one pops out.

As one who will not buy on credit or via a PCP my cars are bought at c3 years old. An EV battery will be shot by then... would you buy a traditional car knowing the engine needs urgent replacement.

There are an increasing number of higher mileage cars out there and whilst I agree battery degradation is a thing I don’t think it will influence used buyers as the technology becomes tested and also cheaper to fix. The new Tesla comes with an 8 yr 120k warranty on the battery. I don’t know whether the EV revolution will change car buyers habits but given the relative simplicity and standardisation of parts buying a ‘new car’ may become upgrading the old one by 2040. At the risk going all futuristic why not have an EV platform with an interchangeable body. Estate for the week and coupe or convertible for the weekend.

 

[Andyk]

We had a 2 yr old fabia vrs. The dsg gearbox was awful and it broke down.. Not a brand I'll do again at least not with that box. Heinous thing.

Never understand a little car like that in VRS form with a DSG.....It only needs a manual.

 

[safrane]

There are an increasing number of higher mileage cars out there and whilst I agree battery degradation is a thing I don’t think it will influence used buyers as the technology becomes tested and also cheaper to fix. The new Tesla comes with an 8 yr 120k warranty on the battery. I don’t know whether the EV revolution will change car buyers habits but given the relative simplicity and standardisation of parts buying a ‘new car’ may become upgrading the old one by 2040. At the risk going all futuristic why not have an EV platform with an interchangeable body. Estate for the week and coupe or convertible for the weekend.

I admire you confidence in EV tech...but theee will have to be massive improvements before I would consider one.

8 years is just too short, as I would be purchasing at c4 years with an intention to keep for a further 10. Given my daily miles I would need to charge most EVs every day and a Tesla every other day... thats going to eat the life of any battery.

A fuel cell is far more interesting, would be far less weight and come with far less range worry.

 

[Rwc13]

Surely another case of horses for courses, with no single right answer.

I have recently bought a used Renault Zoe in Portugal as an everyday runaround. It is a 2014 with only the 22kw battery, but will do 100-120km on a full charge - more than enough for the daily local trips we do, and we have a second car for longer distances and towing the boat. The battery is still able to deliver 90% of its original power after 5 years. And the battery is leased so when it drops below 80% the battery is replaced with no cost to me. And in Portugal it makes sense since solar, hydro and wind power make up a significant proportion of electricity production - there are days when across Portugal all power comes from renewable sources. And next year, we will add more solar panels at our house so that we are self-sufficient for all our heat and electricity needs most of the time. So an EV of this type made perfect sense for us in terms of both purchase and operating costs and feeling like we are personally reducing our environmental impact.

 

[safrane]

Agree a EV for pootling about town makes great sence.

However if you are leasing the battery then you are paying for the replacement... or am I missing something?

Last time I checked the monthly lease was more than the fuel costs for me to do my commute.

 

[DavidL]

Never understand a little car like that in VRS form with a DSG.....It only needs a manual.

It was the only model that came with that box as well, all the lower bhp cars came as manuals. With a decent 6 speed it would have been ok (ish).

 

[Hawk13]

It was the only model that came with that box as well, all the lower bhp cars came as manuals. With a decent 6 speed it would have been ok (ish).

Seems to be a VAG preference. Have just bought a Polo GTI and there is no manual option.

 

[Rwc13]

Agree a EV for pootling about town makes great sence.

However if you are leasing the battery then you are paying for the replacement... or am I missing something?

Last time I checked the monthly lease was more than the fuel costs for me to do my commute.

No you’re missing nothing, but I didn’t say that I wasn’t paying for the battery. However the car doesn’t include the cost of the battery when you purchase it either, ie it’s about €5k cheaper than a non-leased battery Zoe. And the monthly lease charge is only €50 for my runaround use, so even when you add in the cost of charging, it makes it a very economical option........particularly if you charge using self generated solar electricity.

Also, that seems to often be the problem here. Quite often an environmentally friendly option will be more expensive than a traditional option. But if everybody (individuals, businesses and Governments) rule such options out on the basis of cost, we are very unlikely to make a great deal of progress on the global warming problem.

 

[safrane]

Its a fair point you make.

It just would not make sence for me with current tech and cost. The Zoe (sports) with unlimited milage would cost > £33k over ten years... I could have two fiestas for the same price or £16.5k for fuel and one fiesta.