Discussion
HellDiver said:
A 1.1 106 will go 55mpg around town, is light and chuckable so is reasonably good fun. I had a 2001 1.1 Independence, no spec to speak of, but consistantly low fuel consumption. I'd nearly buy another (though go for a 2002/3 for ABS and power steering).
I use to thrash the guts out of my Saxo and get a true 48mpg average. A friend with an identical car and a lighter right foot got over 50, and it was one of the best handling 'ordinary' cars I've driven. I've got old and spoilt now though. I'm not fussed about PAS, but I do want air con (preferably climate), good motorway refinement and comfortable seats (preferably leather) with a good driving position. It's getting easier, but still not that easy, to find a small frugal car with those 'big car' toys. A MINI quite appeals - the Cooper D claims over 60mpg combined and drives beautifully.
My Mini Clubman D with the PSA lump averages 58.7 mpg according to the on board computer. I do around 40k per year so quite a bit of it is spent on the motorways.
I can't get anywhere near the claimed figures but that's hardly surprising! It is very comfortable and refined for that kind of mileage though I must admit.
I can't get anywhere near the claimed figures but that's hardly surprising! It is very comfortable and refined for that kind of mileage though I must admit.
MB A Class A170 CDI Manual
High gearing gets the high MPG of at least 50 but around 60 if you are sensible.
It has a flat floor inside and the rear seats come out so its very practical. Easy to maintain and very reliable in my experience.
I think it was originally designed to be electric as it has space under the floor not used and many of the panels are plastic and aluminimum. The one I had had an original cost of nearly 20k in 2001!!!!!
Nice car butt no sports car!
High gearing gets the high MPG of at least 50 but around 60 if you are sensible.
It has a flat floor inside and the rear seats come out so its very practical. Easy to maintain and very reliable in my experience.
I think it was originally designed to be electric as it has space under the floor not used and many of the panels are plastic and aluminimum. The one I had had an original cost of nearly 20k in 2001!!!!!
Nice car butt no sports car!
k-ink said:
There are always other costs associated with running a modern, complex, stressed out diesel. These consumables are usually ignored when working out total running costs:
Replacement turbo
Replacement water pump
Councelling
Prozaic
That's not really all fair...Replacement turbo
Replacement water pump
Councelling
Prozaic
... the turbos and water pumps don't always fail.
kambites said:
k-ink said:
There are always other costs associated with running a modern, complex, stressed out diesel. These consumables are usually ignored when working out total running costs:
Replacement turbo
Replacement water pump
Councelling
Prozaic
That's not really all fair...Replacement turbo
Replacement water pump
Councelling
Prozaic
... the turbos and water pumps don't always fail.
Lupo TDi Sport?
sebdangerfield said:
I never understand why people do this whole 'on private roads' thing or substitute miles per hour for leptons when talking about being slightly naughty on a road. They must constantly look over their shoulders incase the 'net police are onto them for admitting to speeding on an Internet forum. Pangs of paranoia to me.
Think it's more tongue in cheek rather than they think the police are monitoring every single person's online forum profile.matthewg said:
sebdangerfield said:
I never understand why people do this whole 'on private roads' thing or substitute miles per hour for leptons when talking about being slightly naughty on a road. They must constantly look over their shoulders incase the 'net police are onto them for admitting to speeding on an Internet forum. Pangs of paranoia to me.
Think it's more tongue in cheek rather than they think the police are monitoring every single person's online forum profile.Edited by Chris_w666 on Thursday 6th January 12:11
Chris_w666 said:
matthewg said:
sebdangerfield said:
I never understand why people do this whole 'on private roads' thing or substitute miles per hour for leptons when talking about being slightly naughty on a road. They must constantly look over their shoulders incase the 'net police are onto them for admitting to speeding on an Internet forum. Pangs of paranoia to me.
Think it's more tongue in cheek rather than they think the police are monitoring every single person's online forum profile.Edited by Chris_w666 on Thursday 6th January 12:11
I quite fancy a Fiat 500 multiair, insurance and tax costs should be low, and it's power output isn't bad considering the engine size. I guess the only other aspect is proving reliability over time.
I don't believe depreciation is quite as painful either compared to other cars in the same class.
I don't believe depreciation is quite as painful either compared to other cars in the same class.
m4tthew said:
I quite fancy a Fiat 500 multiair, insurance and tax costs should be low, and it's power output isn't bad considering the engine size. I guess the only other aspect is proving reliability over time.
The response seems to be 'less economical than hoped - comparitively - but surprisingly good fun'. A decent compromise IMHO.matt21 said:
What cars will average 60mpg+ in normal day to day driving than can be bought for around £5,000? For 65 mile commute of mixed A-roads and motorways. Comfort, bit of space and few toys are key.
My 2004 Passat TDI will average 55mpg+ with extreame caution but want something that will do 60mpg day in day out whilst keeping up with the traffic - if such a car exists.....
But you have to factor in the cost of changing said vehicle (apologies if this has already been said). It takes years and high mileages to recoup the difference in fuel costs.My 2004 Passat TDI will average 55mpg+ with extreame caution but want something that will do 60mpg day in day out whilst keeping up with the traffic - if such a car exists.....
Guyr said:
The big point a lot of people miss (but has been mentioned) is now that cars have made big leaps up to the 50-60mpg level, that there is little extra financial benefit of going to higher levels as you are trying to save money on a ever smaller percentage of the running costs.
eg 10,000 miles at £5.80 per gallon (£1.30/l)
@20mpg = £2,895
@40mpg = £1,447
@60mpg = £965
@80mpg = £723
So jumping up by 20mpg from 20 to 40 is well worth some expenditure as it saves £1,447 per year, but if you are at 60mpg, then jumping 20mpg only saves you £241!
So the point really is that once you are above the 50mpg or so level, then what really matters is not the extra fuel economy, but the other running costs, such as servicing, tax, insurance, repairs and depreciation.
Higher mpg is great for the planet, but may not be best for your wallet!
Well said. I was considering flogging my Scoob for a mega frugal wagon (Seat ecomotive), but once I'd done my sums, it made little sense financially.eg 10,000 miles at £5.80 per gallon (£1.30/l)
@20mpg = £2,895
@40mpg = £1,447
@60mpg = £965
@80mpg = £723
So jumping up by 20mpg from 20 to 40 is well worth some expenditure as it saves £1,447 per year, but if you are at 60mpg, then jumping 20mpg only saves you £241!
So the point really is that once you are above the 50mpg or so level, then what really matters is not the extra fuel economy, but the other running costs, such as servicing, tax, insurance, repairs and depreciation.
Higher mpg is great for the planet, but may not be best for your wallet!
Edited by Guyr on Wednesday 5th January 23:16
My mate's new shape Fiat Panda gets great fuel economy and isn't anywhere near £5k to buy. It does make him look like a massive bender though.
Of course for less than a grand you could get any number of diesel golfs, escorts, fiestas, passats even and the money you'd save in depreciation there far outweighs spending £5k to get your extra 5mpg. In fact, you should just stick with the Passat if you've already got one.
Of course for less than a grand you could get any number of diesel golfs, escorts, fiestas, passats even and the money you'd save in depreciation there far outweighs spending £5k to get your extra 5mpg. In fact, you should just stick with the Passat if you've already got one.
Stig said:
Guyr said:
The big point a lot of people miss (but has been mentioned) is now that cars have made big leaps up to the 50-60mpg level, that there is little extra financial benefit of going to higher levels as you are trying to save money on a ever smaller percentage of the running costs.
eg 10,000 miles at £5.80 per gallon (£1.30/l)
@20mpg = £2,895
@40mpg = £1,447
@60mpg = £965
@80mpg = £723
So jumping up by 20mpg from 20 to 40 is well worth some expenditure as it saves £1,447 per year, but if you are at 60mpg, then jumping 20mpg only saves you £241!
So the point really is that once you are above the 50mpg or so level, then what really matters is not the extra fuel economy, but the other running costs, such as servicing, tax, insurance, repairs and depreciation.
Higher mpg is great for the planet, but may not be best for your wallet!
Well said. I was considering flogging my Scoob for a mega frugal wagon (Seat ecomotive), but once I'd done my sums, it made little sense financially.eg 10,000 miles at £5.80 per gallon (£1.30/l)
@20mpg = £2,895
@40mpg = £1,447
@60mpg = £965
@80mpg = £723
So jumping up by 20mpg from 20 to 40 is well worth some expenditure as it saves £1,447 per year, but if you are at 60mpg, then jumping 20mpg only saves you £241!
So the point really is that once you are above the 50mpg or so level, then what really matters is not the extra fuel economy, but the other running costs, such as servicing, tax, insurance, repairs and depreciation.
Higher mpg is great for the planet, but may not be best for your wallet!
Edited by Guyr on Wednesday 5th January 23:16
Currently spend about £340 a month on fuel
Banger costs £500 to buy, £200 tax, £300 insurance, allow another £300/yr for consumables, MOT, servicing (it will probably be more) - total £1300
Assume banger gets 50mpg instead of the 25 i get from the M = monthly fuel saving of £170
Even if i use it for 6 months/year it still costs me money in year 1 and saves me a couple of hundred quid a year after that (assuming it only costs 300/yr to service/maintain/mot/consumabkes/tyres,etc)
So car #3 might as well be something more interesting, like a JE Zulu Defender
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