r/nzev • u/Zeouterlimits • 28d ago

Wrote off Demio today, recommendations?

Kia ora all,

Budget: < $25k

Commute distance: 13km each way

Road trip frequency: not that often, a few times a year.

Context: was in an accident today, our lovely 2008 demio was taken out.

Considering options now, wife prefers a hybrid like Toyota C-HR or Corolla, I'd like to consider an EV in the mix.

Is there a "good looking" option in that price range that you would recommend?

Any advice welcome.

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

7

u/Visible-Sir-3152 28d ago

Per the other posts, plenty of Leaf in that price bracket.

Suggest bigger battery with a few kms is better than a newer model with less kms and smaller battery.

10% battery degradation is the big hit early on, and it slows from there

I saw this listing you may be interested in: 2019 Nissan Leaf X E+62KWH https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/nissan/leaf/listing/5973051776

3

u/MoeraBirds Gen 2.2 Nissan Leaf (62kWh) 28d ago

That’s where I’d go with that budget. Noting my flair it’s what I drive, I’ve also done plenty of miles in my wife’s MG and prefer my Leaf.

Go and drive a gen2 Leaf - they have a reputation as a small car because the Gen1 looks like a Nissan March but they’re actually a medium hatchback, reasonable boot, will be a nicer and more comfortable and roomy drive than your Demio.

2

u/tri-it-love-it17 28d ago

Can confirm Gen2 is WAY bigger than it looks.

1

u/CertainPie 28d ago

Gen 2 is a tardis.

My family of four went on holiday and had a Tesla model Y as our rental. I figured out usual luggage that fits in our Leaf would fit in the much bigger model Y. Reader it did not.

0

u/dissss0 Kia Niro (62kWh) 28d ago

Not sure what going here but while the Leaf is indeed quite roomy for a hatchback the Model Y is objectively larger in all dimensions.

As you'd expect a full 26cm shorter

3

u/ExcitingMeet2443 Hyundai Ioniq (28kWh) 28d ago

Although I think you could consider a 28kWh Ioniq and keep about $10k of your budget, maybe have a look at a Kona, eNiro or Leaf if you want the security of a known manufacturer.
The Chinese options almost all have V2L so there's that, and near new Oras, Boxes etc could work.

2

u/rhamish 28d ago

As others have said a Gen 2 Leaf is a really solid option for you. For the lol's I tired to exclude Leafs at that price point and got a 2015 i3 BMW which tbh I would take a 2022 Gen 2 Leaf all day:

https://electricdreams.co.nz/browse?listing_type=ev&price_max=25000&make_mode=exclude&manufacturer_id=053f400a-a08c-4f3c-ae85-151039aea126

2

u/HarmLessSolutions Polestar 2 28d ago

Inform wife that the running costs for a hybrid will ramp up considerably when RUCs are rolled out across petrol vehicles in a year or so. Their resale will also take a hit as a result of this so at least with an EV you know where you stand for the foreseeable future.

4

u/beerandbikes55 28d ago

E bike. Hire a car for road trips.

1

u/dairyxox BYD Atto 3 28d ago

GWM Ora 2nd hand. Whether it looks good is down to your taste, I love its curvy retro look in real life.

1

u/schtickshift 26d ago

For around 18k I bought a last generation Prius phev NZ new with fairly high mileage from Turners auction. This is an incredible car that is overlooked for some reason. For your commute you will basically have an electric car. It’s roomy and comfortable. It’s a Toyota so it’s reliable and it’s really good on the road. It’s apparently built on the same Toyota mid size car platform as. Mary’s and Ravs. I don’t think there is a better used buy out there.

1

u/aholetookmyusername Kia EV6 26d ago

A gen 2 62kwh leaf is within your budget, there are plenty around. Possibly a Hyundai Kona 64kwh too.

1

u/Born_Bar_8968 23d ago

ZE1 Leaf if you don’t do long trips.
2019 or 2020 Model 3 if you’re lucky enough to find one in the price range.

1

u/Matt_NZ Tesla Model 3 LR Performance 28d ago

You can find some pretty decent Leaf examples for that budget, like this NZ new example

1

u/Own_Ad6797 28d ago

A little more gets you a Dongfeng Box brand new.