Am I mad? (Warning: Fuel Economy Related Content Inside)
Poll: Am I mad? (Warning: Fuel Economy Related Content Inside)
Total Members Polled: 55
Discussion
I'm currently driving a cheap diesel car but after four months of budget motoring, I think I'm finally at my wits end.
I now have the opportunity to purchase a lovely petrol motor, complete with a 5 cylinder inline 5 engine.
What do I do?
I can afford it - but am I mad to move from a car that does 50mpg all day long into a car that might struggle to hit 25mpg?
For what it's worth - I currently average 10k a year.
Answers on a postcard.
I now have the opportunity to purchase a lovely petrol motor, complete with a 5 cylinder inline 5 engine.
What do I do?
I can afford it - but am I mad to move from a car that does 50mpg all day long into a car that might struggle to hit 25mpg?
For what it's worth - I currently average 10k a year.
Answers on a postcard.
That sounds like an ST and if those 10k miles are stop/start/town driving...25 is a pipe dream.
fwiw, I did buy an ST, but I sit on high speed a-roads for most of my commute miles so it is more manageable (over 30mpg if I behave) and I LOVE it. Do not regret it for a moment.
Comes down to where your priorities sit really.
fwiw, I did buy an ST, but I sit on high speed a-roads for most of my commute miles so it is more manageable (over 30mpg if I behave) and I LOVE it. Do not regret it for a moment.
Comes down to where your priorities sit really.
Tonberry said:
For those wondering, the car in question is a Volvo 850R.
What else would I buy with the money? Possibly a nice pedal bike and few other bits and bobs but I should be able to purchase those at some point down the line too.....
Fuel alone would get you the bike - you're talking about buying a new car (as I read it you already have the diesel) so what could you do by not shelling out for a new car?What else would I buy with the money? Possibly a nice pedal bike and few other bits and bobs but I should be able to purchase those at some point down the line too.....
Leads me to option 3 - keep the diesel, save what you 'save' on fuel costs and buy something mental for the weekends?
roachcoach said:
That sounds like an ST and if those 10k miles are stop/start/town driving...25 is a pipe dream.
fwiw, I did buy an ST, but I sit on high speed a-roads for most of my commute miles so it is more manageable (over 30mpg if I behave) and I LOVE it. Do not regret it for a moment.
Comes down to where your priorities sit really.
sorry in advance for the derailfwiw, I did buy an ST, but I sit on high speed a-roads for most of my commute miles so it is more manageable (over 30mpg if I behave) and I LOVE it. Do not regret it for a moment.
Comes down to where your priorities sit really.
RoachCoach = have you driven any of the Volvos at all? how did the driving experience compare to the ST?
I've driven all the Volvos and loved them but now looking for something with a bit more cornering ability.
It depends on what your margin of 'affordability' is really. If it's towards the 'just afford it' then no. If you've got quite a big margin then yes! YES YES YES! You have also got to consider, you've got to modify these cars lightly to get the best out of them as a daily.
Like I've said, if you can afford it by some margin then go for it. Myself and y2blade will always try and help you as much as possible and there are a few forums which will do the same regarding common problems and maintenance
(Btw, even though I can afford my car by some margin, I HATE putting a full tank in an getting 300miles when I know I could be saving money by using a small car and then using that saved money on go faster parts! POWER
)
Like I've said, if you can afford it by some margin then go for it. Myself and y2blade will always try and help you as much as possible and there are a few forums which will do the same regarding common problems and maintenance

(Btw, even though I can afford my car by some margin, I HATE putting a full tank in an getting 300miles when I know I could be saving money by using a small car and then using that saved money on go faster parts! POWER
)Stedman said:
It depends on what your margin of 'affordability' is really. If it's towards the 'just afford it' then no. If you've got quite a big margin then yes! YES YES YES! You have also got to consider, you've got to modify these cars lightly to get the best out of them as a daily.
Like I've said, if you can afford it by some margin then go for it. Myself and y2blade will always try and help you as much as possible and there are a few forums which will do the same regarding common problems and maintenance
(Btw, even though I can afford my car by some margin, I HATE putting a full tank in an getting 300miles when I know I could be saving money by using a small car and then using that saved money on go faster parts! POWER
)
Thanks for the input.Like I've said, if you can afford it by some margin then go for it. Myself and y2blade will always try and help you as much as possible and there are a few forums which will do the same regarding common problems and maintenance

(Btw, even though I can afford my car by some margin, I HATE putting a full tank in an getting 300miles when I know I could be saving money by using a small car and then using that saved money on go faster parts! POWER
)I think it's also worth mentioning that I'm 22 years old, in case this factors into some peoples opinions.
At the moment I'm thinking to hell with it - you only live once and I may never get the chance to own such an 'odd' car ever again. No children at the moment so I feel I need to get certain cars ticked off the list as soon as possible.
I know I'll only regret it if I don't buy it as these 850 are becoming rare, especially in manual R spec with a decent colour combination.
What mods have you done to yours Stedman?
Tonberry said:
At the moment I'm thinking to hell with it - you only live once and I may never get the chance to own such an 'odd' car ever again.
That was a large part of my mindset, it remains to be seen if such devil may care thinking was smart long term!Mind you, if the mrs hadn't banned 2 seaters, I'd probably have something even MORE stupid so....yeah.
At your age I'd reckon it's worth a punt personally.
Tonberry said:
Stedman said:
It depends on what your margin of 'affordability' is really. If it's towards the 'just afford it' then no. If you've got quite a big margin then yes! YES YES YES! You have also got to consider, you've got to modify these cars lightly to get the best out of them as a daily.
Like I've said, if you can afford it by some margin then go for it. Myself and y2blade will always try and help you as much as possible and there are a few forums which will do the same regarding common problems and maintenance
(Btw, even though I can afford my car by some margin, I HATE putting a full tank in an getting 300miles when I know I could be saving money by using a small car and then using that saved money on go faster parts! POWER
)
Thanks for the input.Like I've said, if you can afford it by some margin then go for it. Myself and y2blade will always try and help you as much as possible and there are a few forums which will do the same regarding common problems and maintenance

(Btw, even though I can afford my car by some margin, I HATE putting a full tank in an getting 300miles when I know I could be saving money by using a small car and then using that saved money on go faster parts! POWER
)I think it's also worth mentioning that I'm 22 years old, in case this factors into some peoples opinions.
At the moment I'm thinking to hell with it - you only live once and I may never get the chance to own such an 'odd' car ever again. No children at the moment so I feel I need to get certain cars ticked off the list as soon as possible.
I know I'll only regret it if I don't buy it as these 850 are becoming rare, especially in manual R spec with a decent colour combination.
What mods have you done to yours Stedman?

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