Hi everyone
For various reasons I have to change car. I have been a hybrid driver for 10+ years and was thinking of moving to EV in the next 2-5 years and then keep the car for 10 years. However a surge in catalytic theft has pushed my plans forward. When looking at my various criteria, price and stock availability in the market, my choices really come down to:
- an MG ZS EV (Trophy or Connect) for something like £33k
- a used Tesla M3 for £38k (standard) or £44k (long range)
- A £15k older but high specced car
The thing is about 3) is that the cost of ownership over 10 years is actually higher than an electric car. So 3) would realistically be for 2-5 years until I change to an EV, but I will hate having to spend again a fortune at the pump after 10+ years of hybrid driving.
I have test driven the ZS EV and overall find it a really enjoyable, practical car at a very decent price. It feels like the rational choice, while the Tesla feels more like an emotional choice.
For a £5k-£11k differential (which is a lot of money!!!) it feels I'd get more range, faster charging (both points only matters maybe 20 times a year), more luxury, more safety, more convenience and much more power (though this could lead to more dangerous situations).
On the other hand, the ZS feels like a car wanting to show off as luxury but not quite there. A cursory read of the forum this morning tells me of:
- no auto-dim on the rear mirror
- sensors that go bonkers
- ACC not useable on country roads, and no way to use a regular cruise control (I often use it on roads that are sprinkled with villages and you have to go 30-40-60 constant)
- I also read that some safety features (like the one about traffic jams) doesn't have the array of sensors that a Tesla has and so will miss out motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians
- A crappy satnav (not a real point as I'll use my phone I guess). When test driving it often showed me in a field nearby rather than on the road.
- Lane assist generating a lot of complaints (but it also seems it is due to people not configuring properly?)
- auto high beam being either erratic or bad on B roads
I really think my sensible choice is the ZS, but I am getting a creeping feeling that it is slightly misleading with some of its features, and that many people end up de-activating these features which were a selling point for me (I am not getting younger, and feel that more car assistance will improve my overall safety. Had friends raving about how their Tesla saved their life from a bad motorway decision due to tiredness). If I can't have ACC, proper collision detection, auto high beams, robust lane control, etc... a Tesla seems suddenly more attractive and justifiable.
So as owners or prospective owners of ZS, what was your decision process and what information would you think will help me make a decision?
(btw, I also need to spend quite a bit of money to build a driveway with charger)