Good choice as a first EV?

[Frsc]

Firstly I’ll admit I’m trying to rationalise an inherently irrational choice (buying an expensive car)

Over the last decade or so I’ve been driving less and less (~2k/y now) and been dragged to more “sensible” cars. My last sensible choice was a Cayenne 9YA at launch.

Culmination of very low mileage and restriction on options as I got a very early slot means the residuals have held up really well. But interim oil changes, excessive front tyre wear, silly servicing costs (almost 50p/mile), poor economy on my short journeys (more inconvenience factor then cost) has made me think it’s time for a change.

Sensible choice would be to Uber it everywhere given my mileage. Especially given most of my journeys are really boring and slow these days. But instead I thought I’d meet Mr sensible halfway and grab a Tesla Y (Cayenne sale would pay for a new one).

But then I noticed Taycan residuals and my not so sensible side is wondering maybe I can persuade myself it’s a sensible choice.

TLDR - my questions start here

Expensive servicing, “ducts need clearing” (I use Brooklands now)?
Excessive tyre wear?
Recalls (given my low mileage pointless having a car for convenience if I regularly have to take it to the OPC)?
What is the extended warranty cost (~£1k?)?
Is the base RWD Taycan/battery a good choice or should I aim for 4S?

Also with the MY25 due soon, is it a bad time to buy? I was considering a higher mileage (30k) MY22, the logic being my low mileage will offset that over the next 3y.

Looking at approved used, the spread seems to be really tight. There are some in the mid 40s now. Then a few in the 50s, but surely they will have to drop given the number of nearly new cars for not much more?

Anyone care to share if they’ve managed to negotiate hard with an OPC? Given how many are available I was contemplating trying my luck (offer mid way between asking and WBAC price). Not something I’d normally try with Porsche, but this seems like a rare opportunity where they may behave like other brands

Sorry for the long winded post, I’ll stop there. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

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[Fish Fingers]

Yes - buy one. ?
......as long as you can charge at home.

Absolute bargain used prices at the moment! And loads of choice to drive a bargain.

Model choice is personal - but I'm happy with my RWD on UK roads.
Ignore 0—60 as real world (overtaking speeds) it is nippy enough.

But the AWD on the 4S may appeal - as well as more speed.

Warranty just over £1k and Connected Drive a bit extra pa.

Tyres can wear, but I still got 16k on my first set.

Servicing is dirt cheap - if you avoid the drains.
Say about £500/2 years.

Recalls / niggles / software can be a PITA - but most here think it's balanced out with all the positives.

 

[jonjon808]

So for me, I would have a hard time, even with man-maths, of justifying a Taycan is I was doing less than 2k miles a year, but I am sure there are plenty that will have the car for that sort of use.

To your questions that I have experience of. Servicing costs seem to be hugely variable between dealers and I had £1,000 for my local one, or £450 for one a little further away for the 20k mile service. I went with the latter and there was never a mention of duct checking or any of the other nonsense, but this was with Porsche Reading, rather than a franchise.

Tyre wear seems to be hugely dependent on how you drive. Having had B7 Rs4 and C7 RS6 from Audi, the Taycan seems to be the most variable.. I am on 27k miles after 14 months and am just replacing the first set of rears. Fronts are still on 6mm and the tyres are Michelin PS4s.

Maybe I have been lucky with recalls, but there were a couple of software ones that were dealt with on the first service. Brake hose one is being dealt with when I get the rear tyres swapped, and that has been it.

Warranty, I can't speak to.

I have a 4SCT, but some do say that the RWD on steel springs is a hoot. Bigger battery would seem something you wouldn't need if you're doing 2k miles (unless they are 4 500 miles trips of course ). I would imagine a lighter RWD Taycan could be a great drive, probably the cheapest way in to the Taycan world and could well be a good spot.

 

[007]

It’s the best car I’ve ever owned… and with crazy deals out there on pre-owned ones, you won’t regret it.

I went from a 9YA base Cayenne and that thing sucked. Head gasket changed twice due to leaking oil, brakes were scary in any wet/snowy conditions (wouldn’t work on first push) then squeaked when not pushed (high pitch sound), headlights sucked (albeit they were the standard ones), constant pcm crashing, mismatched colors on front & rear bumpers vs body (from the factory!), and twice died in the garage for no apparent reason.

Just when shopping, be mindful of the options in the car you choose… some make a huge difference (ie full leather, PDCC plus, rear steer, etc). I also wouldn’t buy under a 4s, both in terms of power and regen braking (and, in my case, winter traction). Turbo will be even more fun to drive when conditions permit.

Good luck!

 

[007]

So for me, I would have a hard time, even with man-maths, of justifying a Taycan is I was doing less than 2k miles a year, but I am sure there are plenty that will have the car for that sort of use.

Life is short… it will look pretty in the garage.

 

[Frsc]

It’s the best car I’ve ever owned… and with crazy deals out there on pre-owned ones, you won’t regret it.

I went from a 9YA base Cayenne and that thing sucked. Head gasket changed twice due to leaking oil, brakes were scary in any wet/snowy conditions (wouldn’t work on first push) then squeaked when not pushed (high pitch sound), headlights sucked (albeit they were the standard ones), constant pcm crashing, mismatched colors on front & rear bumpers vs body (from the factory!), and twice died in the garage for no apparent reason.

Just when shopping, be mindful of the options in the car you choose… some make a huge difference (ie full leather, PDCC plus, rear steer, etc). I also wouldn’t buy under a 4s, both in terms of power and regen braking (and, in my case, winter traction). Turbo will be even more fun to drive when conditions permit.

Good luck!

Wow, you got really unlucky with the Cayenne, I hope Porsche showed you some goodwill.

Im in London, so not to bothered about snow. Plus I prefer RWD normally. However, used the difference isn’t that big so wouldn’t mind the extra power of the 4S.

 

[Frsc]

So for me, I would have a hard time, even with man-maths, of justifying a Taycan is I was doing less than 2k miles a year, but I am sure there are plenty that will have the car for that sort of use.

To your questions that I have experience of. Servicing costs seem to be hugely variable between dealers and I had £1,000 for my local one, or £450 for one a little further away for the 20k mile service. I went with the latter and there was never a mention of duct checking or any of the other nonsense, but this was with Porsche Reading, rather than a franchise.

Tyre wear seems to be hugely dependent on how you drive. Having had B7 Rs4 and C7 RS6 from Audi, the Taycan seems to be the most variable.. I am on 27k miles after 14 months and am just replacing the first set of rears. Fronts are still on 6mm and the tyres are Michelin PS4s.

Maybe I have been lucky with recalls, but there were a couple of software ones that were dealt with on the first service. Brake hose one is being dealt with when I get the rear tyres swapped, and that has been it.

Warranty, I can't speak to.

I have a 4SCT, but some do say that the RWD on steel springs is a hoot. Bigger battery would seem something you wouldn't need if you're doing 2k miles (unless they are 4 500 miles trips of course ). I would imagine a lighter RWD Taycan could be a great drive, probably the cheapest way in to the Taycan world and could well be a good spot.

Expsive cars are always an irrational choice, but you’re right I am nuts. I really should just Uber it everywhere.

I wish those 2k miles were 500 mile road trips, but then id probably start looking at some really silly choices

I had similar thoughts wrt the RWD with standard battery. It’s plenty fast enough. But residuals seem to have closed the gap so tempted to go for more power I’ll never use

 

[Frsc]

Life is short… it will look pretty in the garage.

Along the lines of my thinking.

Even though I don’t drive much, it still puts a smile on my face seeing my nice car as I leave/return home.

Plus, relative to some of the things my friends do for kicks, I figure it’s a relatively benign glitch in my programming.

 

[Frsc]

Yes - buy one. ?
......as long as you can charge at home.

Absolute bargain used prices at the moment! And loads of choice to drive a bargain.

Model choice is personal - but I'm happy with my RWD on UK roads.
Ignore 0—60 as real world (overtaking speeds) it is nippy enough.

But the AWD on the 4S may appeal - as well as more speed.

Warranty just over £1k and Connected Drive a bit extra pa.

Tyres can wear, but I still got 16k on my first set.

Servicing is dirt cheap - if you avoid the drains.
Say about £500/2 years.

Recalls / niggles / software can be a PITA - but most here think it's balanced out with all the positives.

I can charge at home, wouldn’t go EV otherwise. Realistically I’m not so bothered about 0-60, just as long as it feels special and fun to drive when I get the chance.

Im also not overly bothered about options. Other then 4+1 seating and minimum of rear view camera (standard?). Then it’s a case of which dealer will shift the most.

I’ll likely annoy some salesman ?

 

[D00notD00d]

Interesting take in the video above on how the EV market may develop.

Best to proceed eyes wide open!

My big spec MY2021 Taycan 4S was bought at 2.5 years old at around £30k less than the new list price, just before the collapse in residuals. In the last 15 mths it has depreciated another £35k. It was with a dealer for 3 of those months. I also have a 2018 Cayenne diesel, pre-registered on the last day they were sold in the UK. New car inflation means the Cayenne value has held up well. Next year I expect my Taycan value will drop past the value of my Cayenne.

Whether you need to or not, buying on a PCP or lease will give you certainty on residual value. Just getting a quote will tell you how Porsche sees the future value.

When I bought mine I originally wanted a Panamera Hybrid. That would have retained its value far more - compare the prices.

One significant factor affecting EV depreciation is the manufacturers 8 year 100k battery warranty limitation. The follow-on Porsche extended warranty does cover HV battery manufacturing defects, but not wear and tear. What constitutes a battery defect after 8 years use is judged on a case by case by case basis. Not the advertised peace of mind. Despite that uncertainty, the extended warranty is still worthwhile. The UK Porsche annual extended warranty cost is the same for Taycan as others, circa £1k. Slighty cheaper the more years you buy.

The 111 point check conducted on an approved used Porsche does not include the Battery State of Health. It also isn’t checked as part of any scheduled service. Porsche regard providing a State of Health certificate as a chargeable item. Walk away from any dealer who won’t give you a battery health cert with any used hybrid or EV. The range shown vs new range will be a good battery degradation indicator. Note the range quoted in approved used ads is the range when new, not the degraded range. Try to get the next 2 year service cost included in your purchase price. And more than 2 years warranty, either by buying one still under manufacturers warranty or by negotiating. It’s a buyers market, follow your head, take your time.

Cayenne and Taycan tyres are around the same price. The Michelins on my Cayenne wear evenly and last far better. Cayenne drains also need cleaning, but every 4 years rather than 2 if I remember rightly. It’s worth shopping around on service & maintenance costs and avoiding regional cartels.

Note a RWD Taycan will give a better range than a 4WD. That also means degradation is less impactful. I bought my car on specification, generally a 4S or Turbo will have more options.

Charging at home, my Taycan costs me about a fiver for 200 miles of fuel. If it wasn’t for the £2k+ monthly depreciation (that’s a lot of servicing) it would be cheap to run!

The continuing stream of recalls, the rattles, the certain depreciation and battery reliability unknowns are big negatives. If you can get over those, for me there’s nothing that looks as good and is as practical and comfortable.

Swapping your Cayenne for a Taycan is a head vs. heart decision. I’m still hedging. I’ll see how J1.2 used values go - there seems to be an over supply of those with dealers.

Hope some of the above helps. It’s the stuff I wish I had known.

 

[Fish Fingers]

I can charge at home, wouldn’t go EV otherwise. Realistically I’m not so bothered about 0-60, just as long as it feels special and fun to drive when I get the chance.

Im also not overly bothered about options. Other then 4+1 seating and minimum of rear view camera (standard?). Then it’s a case of which dealer will shift the most.

I’ll likely annoy some salesman ?

I would strongly advise surround view option for parking in the UK, as a must have option.

Visibility is minimal when parking - and it's quite a big car.

 

[Frsc]

I would strongly advise surround view option for parking in the UK, as a must have option.

Visibility is minimal when parking - and it's quite a big car.

I have surround view on the Cayenne. Since I specd the diamond cut Satin 21s, I hoped it might help save them from some scrapes

It’s a great option, but not so popular, otherwise I’d prioritise it. This is the issue buying second hand (particularly Porsche who are miserly with their equipment). It’s also why car shopping is dangerous, I’ve often ended up buying new in the end (having started out looking for a used bargain).

 

[Frsc]

Interesting take in the video above on how the EV market may develop.

Best to proceed eyes wide open!

My big spec MY2021 Taycan 4S was bought at 2.5 years old at around £30k less than the new list price, just before the collapse in residuals. In the last 15 mths it has depreciated another £35k. It was with a dealer for 3 of those months. I also have a 2018 Cayenne diesel, pre-registered on the last day they were sold in the UK. New car inflation means the Cayenne value has held up well. Next year I expect my Taycan value will drop past the value of my Cayenne.

Whether you need to or not, buying on a PCP or lease will give you certainty on residual value. Just getting a quote will tell you how Porsche sees the future value.

When I bought mine I originally wanted a Panamera Hybrid. That would have retained its value far more - compare the prices.

One significant factor affecting EV depreciation is the manufacturers 8 year 100k battery warranty limitation. The follow-on Porsche extended warranty does cover HV battery manufacturing defects, but not wear and tear. What constitutes a battery defect after 8 years use is judged on a case by case by case basis. Not the advertised peace of mind. Despite that uncertainty, the extended warranty is still worthwhile. The UK Porsche annual extended warranty cost is the same for Taycan as others, circa £1k. Slighty cheaper the more years you buy.

The 111 point check conducted on an approved used Porsche does not include the Battery State of Health. It also isn’t checked as part of any scheduled service. Porsche regard providing a State of Health certificate as a chargeable item. Walk away from any dealer who won’t give you a battery health cert with any used hybrid or EV. The range shown vs new range will be a good battery degradation indicator. Note the range quoted in approved used ads is the range when new, not the degraded range. Try to get the next 2 year service cost included in your purchase price. And more than 2 years warranty, either by buying one still under manufacturers warranty or by negotiating. It’s a buyers market, follow your head, take your time.

Cayenne and Taycan tyres are around the same price. The Michelins on my Cayenne wear evenly and last far better. Cayenne drains also need cleaning, but every 4 years rather than 2 if I remember rightly. It’s worth shopping around on service & maintenance costs and avoiding regional cartels.

Note a RWD Taycan will give a better range than a 4WD. That also means degradation is less impactful. I bought my car on specification, generally a 4S or Turbo will have more options.

Charging at home, my Taycan costs me about a fiver for 200 miles of fuel. If it wasn’t for the £2k+ monthly depreciation (that’s a lot of servicing) it would be cheap to run!

The continuing stream of recalls, the rattles, the certain depreciation and battery reliability unknowns are big negatives. If you can get over those, for me there’s nothing that looks as good and is as practical and comfortable.

Swapping your Cayenne for a Taycan is a head vs. heart decision. I’m still hedging. I’ll see how J1.2 used values go - there seems to be an over supply of those with dealers.

Hope some of the above helps. It’s the stuff I wish I had known.

Thank you that is really useful and sobering (haven’t watched the video yet).

The surreal times we’ve been through can make you forget how painful expensive cars can be when you come to sell I should have sold the Cayenne 2y ago when WBAC offered me almost all my money back. Forgetting the fact I’ve only done 5k miles since then, just the satisfaction of a depreciation win for once would have made it worth it

As an illustrative example here’s the cheapest 4+1 currently listed at £45k with 34k on the clock:

https://finder.porsche.com/gb/en-GB...n&interior=2-plus-1-rear-seat&order=price_asc

WBAC suggests trade is £35k. Not sure when the OPC bought it, but my experience has been they aren’t as generous as WBAC if it’s recent.

I’d be tempted to bid them ~£40k based on the WBAC estimate. After 3 years I’d possibly be selling with 40k on the clock. Just under 2y of the battery warranty remaining. My worst case guestimate would say ~£20k loss. Not great for driving 6k, but equally what else could I look at that would tick the same boxes and cost me less?

If that car had surround view, folding mirrors and was white I’d be sorely tempted to try my luck lol.

 

[Redhot2474]

Firstly I’ll admit I’m trying to rationalise an inherently irrational choice (buying an expensive car)

Over the last decade or so I’ve been driving less and less (~2k/y now) and been dragged to more “sensible” cars. My last sensible choice was a Cayenne 9YA at launch.

Culmination of very low mileage and restriction on options as I got a very early slot means the residuals have held up really well. But interim oil changes, excessive front tyre wear, silly servicing costs (almost 50p/mile), poor economy on my short journeys (more inconvenience factor then cost) has made me think it’s time for a change.

Sensible choice would be to Uber it everywhere given my mileage. Especially given most of my journeys are really boring and slow these days. But instead I thought I’d meet Mr sensible halfway and grab a Tesla Y (Cayenne sale would pay for a new one).

But then I noticed Taycan residuals and my not so sensible side is wondering maybe I can persuade myself it’s a sensible choice.

TLDR - my questions start here

Expensive servicing, “ducts need clearing” (I use Brooklands now)?
Excessive tyre wear?
Recalls (given my low mileage pointless having a car for convenience if I regularly have to take it to the OPC)?
What is the extended warranty cost (~£1k?)?
Is the base RWD Taycan/battery a good choice or should I aim for 4S?

Also with the MY25 due soon, is it a bad time to buy? I was considering a higher mileage (30k) MY22, the logic being my low mileage will offset that over the next 3y.

Looking at approved used, the spread seems to be really tight. There are some in the mid 40s now. Then a few in the 50s, but surely they will have to drop given the number of nearly new cars for not much more?

Anyone care to share if they’ve managed to negotiate hard with an OPC? Given how many are available I was contemplating trying my luck (offer mid way between asking and WBAC price). Not something I’d normally try with Porsche, but this seems like a rare opportunity where they may behave like other brands

Sorry for the long winded post, I’ll stop there. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Dang , for <5 miles per day get a bicycle!! …..or a Taycan !

 

[Fish Fingers]

Thank you that is really useful and sobering (haven’t watched the video yet).

The surreal times we’ve been through can make you forget how painful expensive cars can be when you come to sell I should have sold the Cayenne 2y ago when WBAC offered me almost all my money back. Forgetting the fact I’ve only done 5k miles since then, just the satisfaction of a depreciation win for once would have made it worth it

As an illustrative example here’s the cheapest 4+1 currently listed at £45k with 34k on the clock:

https://finder.porsche.com/gb/en-GB...n&interior=2-plus-1-rear-seat&order=price_asc

WBAC suggests trade is £35k. Not sure when the OPC bought it, but my experience has been they aren’t as generous as WBAC if it’s recent.

I’d be tempted to bid them ~£40k based on the WBAC estimate. After 3 years I’d possibly be selling with 40k on the clock. Just under 2y of the battery warranty remaining. My worst case guestimate would say ~£20k loss. Not great for driving 6k, but equally what else could I look at that would tick the same boxes and cost me less?

If that car had surround view, folding mirrors and was white I’d be sorely tempted to try my luck lol.

Its also has the smaller battery - which may be fine for you.

Bigger battery was about a £4k option and gives some extra performance as well as range.
Most people specced/want it.

But the smaller battery is lighter and attached to the RWD may be the best for handling/feel of all models.

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