I want a Renault Twizy!

lip

lip

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
3,450
Location
Switzerland
Car(s)
Renault Twizy
I'm the perfect user:
  • I have a short 4x daily commute of 5 min (by car, and 10min by bicycle)
  • I have to ability to plug it in directly at 220V at home and at work.
  • I'm getting older and I'm fed up with the daily bicycle commute during rush hour. (There are no short cuts, I have to use the main roads).
  • I'm fed up with short-trip-misusing a 435hp V10 when the road- or mood- or weather- conditions makes using 2 wheels impossible.
  • I most likely will keep this job and hence this short commute for the upcoming years. I love my job.
  • I have a over-long parking space at home which would allow me to keep the S6 and the Twizy in the same space without the need to rent extra parking. Probably a bit of a tight faff but hey.
The reason for my current "I-want-this!"-buzz is the fact that I test drove a used one recently. Non-existing suspension, but less gocart-y than I imagined, but I liked it anyway:
Testdrive.jpg


Limitations of the Twizy I don't mind:
  • A smalish range of 60-80km (37-50mi): - Not a a problem for me, my commute is 3km (1.85mi) 4x day = 12km (7.5mi), I only work 4 days = 48km (30mi) per week = 1 charge a week is enough! So even a cheap used Twizy with a worn battery would suit my needs.
  • Cold feet and wet arms: - I'm used to wear rain/winter gear with the bicycle , and I have to change clothes at my workplace anyway as I'm in the metal industry which demands safety shoes and pants. Also there is a windows option and while not blocking all air, it will atleast stop rain or snow coming in sideways.
  • Nimble but not fast: Can be worked around with a power box upgrade from the standard 17hp and 80km/h (50mi/h) top speed to 26hp and 100km/h (62mi/h).

Limitations of the Twizy I find annoying:
  • Apart from the 1-seater cargo version (which I would prefer but it is hard to find) there is no lockable space.
  • Battery rent hurdle. I want to buy the car once, not twice, you greedy buggers.
  • Renault makes these things since 11 years, totally unchanged. Upgrade it. More range, or a watertight heated luxury version. Give it one solid door instead of 2 shitty ones. Do something.
So here are my options:
  • Buy a cheap used one for 5'000.- with a 80% battery.
  • Buy a nice used one for 10'000.- with a 90% battery.
  • Buy a new one for 18'000.- with a 100% battery.
  • Lease a new for around 250.- per month.

Anyhow, one of these options will happen. I'm set to buy one.
 
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I totally get your wants. I've wanted one for years, but
a) don't really need it
b) don't have a place to charge it conveniently

As for which option to pick, if the 250 includes the battery rent but the others don't then just lease it.
 
Since going on a Twizy tour in Lanzarote in 2019 I’ve wanted one too, not that I have a practical use for one. They’re a hoot to drive, without doors even low speeds feel fast.

There’s also a Nissan branded version in Japan, not sure if imports of those are cheap. It’s not like you have to worry about LHD or RHD, after all.
 
I'm collecting real world lease quotes for new ones in the coming days, but the option of just buying a older used one with battery included looks fine to me.
 
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I want a Renault Twizy!​

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giphy.gif



:p

Go for the cheapest one that includes a battery.
 
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gaasc said:
Go for the cheapest one that includes a battery.
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+1 for this. I didn’t even know Renault was still doing the battery rental thing! I thought they switched to always selling it a few years ago, but maybe that was just for the Zoe?

In any case, especially with a twizy and looking at your needs: I’d say just go cheap. The battery should be fine still. It’s not like those things collect a lot of km do they? 😜
 
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^ Renault switched to selling the battery with the Twizy too after 2019. Hence the inflated looking prices of current new ones.
^ Yeah, probably going to simply buy a used one in the 6000-7000 SFR/EUR range.

Would really like to have the cargo version with the lockable rear boot, so you can go to two different shops without the stuff you bought in the first shop going AWOL while you're visiting the second one. LOL - But they are really rare. - Only 1 Cargo edition on Autoscout for the whole of Switzerland! But with low milage and hence at 10'000 SFR, and with the dreaded battery rental on top of that: https://www.autoscout24.ch/de/d/renault-twizy-kleinwagen-occasion?vehid=10299546&accountid=66381&backurl=/autos/renault--twizy?make=66&model=1831&sort=price_asc&vehtyp=10&make=66&model=1831&vehtyp=10&eventLabel=vehiclePosition:11 | sortingOption:price_asc&packageName=member:as24_basic&sortingPosition=11
 
Do these also make an annoying dying souls noise as they drive along below 30-40km/h?
 
^ Haven't even thought of that. I missed a opportinity to be utterly confusing. :ROFLMAO:

Nope, I'm serious. The 10min test drive I made this week was a random opportunity, and at first I was "yeah it's nice for what it is, but I wouldn't...", but during the last few days it started to make sense in my head. I give myself about a month for searching for the right one, then I go for it.
 
93Flareside said:
Do these also make an annoying dying souls noise as they drive along below 30-40km/h?
Click to expand...

Nope, but there is a distinct gearbox/electrowhizz whine as you go along. Not too loud but it is there.
 
What about VW e-Up!?
 
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93Flareside said:
What about VW e-Up!?
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Yeah, good one. It's about the best alternative when it comes to small electric, in terms of being a genuine car.

But the fact that it is a full sized car is a minus in my case. I would have to rent a second parking space. - The one I have is right next to one of my windows, and it's quite cheap at 35.- per month. Which means the S6 would have to be parked in a underground garage about 200 Meters away, for a additional 150.-/ per month. I love the S6, but it's not cheap to run, and 1'800.- per year on top of that is a bit much.
 
lip said:
Yeah, good one. It's about the best alternative when it comes to small electric, in terms of being a genuine car.

But the fact that it is a full sized car is a minus in my case. I would have to rent a second parking space. - The one I have is right next to one of my windows, and it's quite cheap at 35.- per month. Which means the S6 would have to be parked in a underground garage about 200 Meters away, for a additional 150.-/ per month. I love the S6, but it's not cheap to run, and 1'800.- per year on top of that is a bit much.
Click to expand...

ooooooof, yeah I understand your viewpoint. I suggested because you don't seem thrilled about the door situation with the Twisty.
 
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^ It seem they got the door situation it a bit better with the successor, the Mobilize Duo.
But it looks like it has only a sorta 2CV-style flapup as a openable window and in general it still looks quite shite, like a background car from a 1980's "future" movie. I just don't get that Multipla like front:
1.jpg


And would you look at the Cargo version. *Barf!* :oops::ROFLMAO:
2.jpg
 
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