Here We Go - 2025 Formentor VZ2 in Herts...

[trew]

Well, I've gone & done it.

Having spent days with a massive itch,yesterday I scratched it and got me a nice Formentor VZ2 (facelift). I didn't eat yesterday - the adrenalin kept me going! Are any of you in the Herts area?

BATTERY CHARGING
Quick question - can I charge the 12v battery myself? I got a 'low battery' warning last evening and I really don't want to go back to the dealership if I don't have to (although they have been excellent). Please only answer if you actually know - I don't want to damage my nice new car.

 

[Syphon]

Welcome to the community! Congrats on the Formentor.

Yes you can, and I had to on my Leon. It seems they are putting crummy batteries compared to the amount of power these "always" on cars use these days.

I bought a NOCO GENIUS5 5-Amp Battery Charger which has been fine.

Don't let it get too flat though or you'll need to call out CUPRA assist as the NOCO can't revive a flat battery (well it didn't with mine anyway).

Scott

 

[trew]

Welcome to the community! Congrats on the Formentor.

Yes you can, and I had to on my Leon. It seems they are putting crummy batteries compared to the amount of power these "always" on cars use these days.

I bought a NOCO GENIUS5 5-Amp Battery Charger which has been fine.

Don't let it get too flat though or you'll need to call out CUPRA assist as the NOCO can't revive a flat battery (well it didn't with mine anyway).

Scott

Thanks Scott.

 

[Loadmaster748]

Welcome along to the community.

 

[trew]

Welcome along to the community.

Thank you. I've had the car about a week now and I keep finding excuses to drive it. Having been in love with Nissan Z cars for 25 years and witnessed their gradual demise in the UK, this Formentor is filling what had become a painful gap in my life - enjoying a drive.

The 12v battery charged up beautifully while still attached to the car, from a VERY low state, and my mpg is proving to be most acceptable (significantly better than the Z's). I'm enjoying investigating all the modern tech this car possesses - and the vintage stuff too (it's got a sunroof lol).

The forum seems to have a few members who really know their stuff and are happy to give their time - always appreciated.

Enough from me - I need to go out for a drive...

 

[Loadmaster748]

Thank you. I've had the car about a week now and I keep finding excuses to drive it. Having been in love with Nissan Z cars for 25 years and witnessed their gradual demise in the UK, this Formentor is filling what had become a painful gap in my life - enjoying a drive.

The 12v battery charged up beautifully while still attached to the car, from a VERY low state, and my mpg is proving to be most acceptable (significantly better than the Z's). I'm enjoying investigating all the modern tech this car possesses - and the vintage stuff too (it's got a sunroof lol).

The forum seems to have a few members who really know their stuff and are happy to give their time - always appreciated.

Enough from me - I need to go out for a drive...

Well that's a coincidence, I sold my 370Z Nismo which I'd owned for five years to buy my Leon VZ3. I mostly have no regrets, but I wanted a change and a more practical 'hobby' car. I do miss it though and its analogue simplicity! Yes and as you say above, better fuel economy than the Z - I averaged 22 locally and at best 32 on a run whereas the Leon is giving 30 ish locally and over 40 on a run.

 

[trew]

Well that's a coincidence, I sold my 370Z Nismo which I'd owned for five years to buy my Leon VZ3. I mostly have no regrets, but I wanted a change and a more practical 'hobby' car. I do miss it though and its analogue simplicity! Yes and as you say above, better fuel economy than the Z - I averaged 22 locally and at best 32 on a run whereas the Leon is giving 30 ish locally and over 40 on a run.

I had Z's from 2003 (four in total - 2x350 2x370), when the 350 first came out. Total Z freak, me! My favourite was the last one - a 2016 automatic 370 (God I miss those flappy paddles!). One of the saddest moment of my life was watching someone drive it off down the road, having just bought it.
I did buy a BMW M135i, between Z's 3 & 4, but sold it after 4 months because it was just too damn boring.
For the past year and a bit I've been trying to convince myself I'm old, and okay with a PHEV, but the novelty's completely worn off and the good old petrol fumes have made a comeback.
Like your Z, by the way! Did you get to any meets?

Edit - never managed more than 19.6 (long term) mpg in any Z.

 

[Loadmaster748]

I had Z's from 2003 (four in total - 2x350 2x370), when the 350 first came out. Total Z freak, me! My favourite was the last one - a 2016 automatic 370 (God I miss those flappy paddles!). One of the saddest moment of my life was watching someone drive it off down the road, having just bought it.
I did buy a BMW M135i, between Z's 3 & 4, but sold it after 4 months because it was just too damn boring.
For the past year and a bit I've been trying to convince myself I'm old, and okay with a PHEV, but the novelty's completely worn off and the good old petrol fumes have made a comeback.
Like your Z, by the way! Did you get to any meets?

Edit - never managed more than 19.6 (long term) mpg in any Z.

It could be argued that my Leon is boring compared to my Z, if you know what I mean. Yes the Leon is extremely quick and the DSG is a dream, but I did have a few wobbles after selling it, missing the sound, silky smooth V6 and manual gear changing. But, overall no regrets changing.

I went to numerous meets, not just Z or Jap related, so I do miss that sort of thing. However, I just cadge a lift with mates who do have appropriate vehicles for meets so no issues there.

 

[trew]

It could be argued that my Leon is boring compared to my Z, if you know what I mean. Yes the Leon is extremely quick and the DSG is a dream, but I did have a few wobbles after selling it, missing the sound, silky smooth V6 and manual gear changing. But, overall no regrets changing.

I went to numerous meets, not just Z or Jap related, so I do miss that sort of thing. However, I just cadge a lift with mates who do have appropriate vehicles for meets so no issues there.

I put an Invidia Gemini catback on my last 370, because the stock exhaust didn't sound as beautiful as the 350's. That did the trick!

 

[mrtoomanytoys]

Hi..
Interesting to read that someone has gone from quite a performance car to a Formentor..

Similar situation for me.. currently drive a Subaru outback 3.6.. (rare beast), looking at my options... The Formentor PHEV 272 seems to hit the mark from a fun car to drive and from BIK advantage too..

 

[trew]

Hi..
Interesting to read that someone has gone from quite a performance car to a Formentor..

Similar situation for me.. currently drive a Subaru outback 3.6.. (rare beast), looking at my options... The Formentor PHEV 272 seems to hit the mark from a fun car to drive and from BIK advantage too..

I had a PHEV for a year. After the initial novelty value wore off, the constant plugging in bored the tits off of me.

 

[mrtoomanytoys]

Mmm..
Well. It will only get plugged in at each end of the 140 mile commute and perhaps once in the week at work (14 miles per day round trip)..

From a performance/driving point, any good??

 

[trew]

Mmm..
Well. It will only get plugged in at each end of the 140 mile commute and perhaps once in the week at work (14 miles per day round trip)..

From a performance/driving point, any good??

My PHEV was a Renault. I have no idea what the Formentor PHEV drives like.
My petrol-engine Formentor is a much more engaging car than the PHEV Renault was - it did everything, but in a very dull way. It's main good point was the 100+mpg fuel figure, but that relied on regular charging which, as I said, got very tedious.

I think your plan to try driving one is the best idea. It's the only way forward really, isn't it? Nobody else can tell you if a car ticks the boxes for you. It's a personal (and to be honest, emotional) thing. Well, it is for me, anyway.

 

[mrtoomanytoys]

The mpg doesn't bother me, needs to be an engaging drive...
A dullard Renault won't be any comparison from the research so far.. lol...

Unfortunately the only way a company car makes any sense is to go PHEV with good range and low BIK.. or full EV.. (I am not really ready for full EV just yet).. Lots of dull PHEV out there, the Formentor appears to be the only one with spice .

Will search out some used Formentors to try too.. that way I can tot the time up.
Would be a complete git to be stuck with something I won't get on with for 2 years..