If petrol were free...

[simoid]

...would you drive any more frequently?

I don't think I would.

I do 10k-12k miles per year at between 30-35mpg for most tanks.

I drive 95 times out of 100 because and cheaper and easier than the alternative. I'm a few miles from a train station, and I work a few miles from a train station, so public transport is a NO.

If I fancy a drive/hoon, I've never once thought "nah, I'd rather spend the fiver/tenner on something else." I just do it.

Anyone else like this?

Should the government reduce taxes on petrol, to stimulate the economy in the knowledge that at least some of us won't pollute any more?

[Robb F]

Yes. Much much much more frequently.

[trashbat]

If you can afford to drive to places without worrying about the money, and wouldn't drive any further if it cost less, why would reducing your spend on petrol stimulate the economy?

[Benbay001]

simoid said:

...would you drive any more frequently?

I don't think I would.

I do 10k-12k miles per year at between 30-35mpg for most tanks.

I drive 95 times out of 100 because and cheaper and easier than the alternative. I'm a few miles from a train station, and I work a few miles from a train station, so public transport is a NO.

If I fancy a drive/hoon, I've never once thought "nah, I'd rather spend the fiver/tenner on something else." I just do it.

Anyone else like this?

Should the government reduce taxes on petrol, to stimulate the economy in the knowledge that at least some of us won't pollute any more?

If petrol was free id never stop driving. I certainly wouldnt be here now.
Id probably see how far i could get every weekend.
Expoloring new areas of france every sunday!

[Paul_M3]

I'd be driving more.

At the moment I car share with 3 other people. Only driving one week in four is obviously a massive reduction in fuel costs.

It also means I have to have a second sensible car as well as my toy.

If fuel was free I'd drive in by myself everyday in a sports car. (Maybe swap the Elise and BMW for a Cayman which could then be my everyday AND track car)

[chris7676]

A bit more, I wouldn't be driving just for the sake of it. Mind you I still go for fun drives if circumstances are suitable.

[pilchardthecat]

No, but i would have lots more money (£100/week) to spend on other stuff.

99% of my journeys are essential, too far to walk, and there's no public transport alternative.

[57Ford]

I'd definitely be doing more mileage because I'd enjoy it more ripping about in a car with a nice sized V8 instead of my current diesel daily-driver.
My pollution would therefore quadruple or more..

[Johnnytheboy]

Not a massive amount, maybe 5-10% more, tops?

It would make my business a lot busier as we'd be a lot cheaper!

ETA even if it was free in terms of how much the petrol companies charged it'd still be about 75p a litre anyway.

[kambites]

simoid said:

...would you drive any more frequently?

I suspect the roads would be so full that I'd probably give up driving completely.

[SpydieNut]

i may not be driving any more than i do now (although i probably would), but i would have a car with a nice V8 in it, instead of a poxy diesel

[McWigglebum3rd]

I wouldn't drive a single mile more

No thats a lie

I'd be driving around looking for a large V8 to shove in my landrover

[Johnnytheboy]

Actually that's very true. I bet it would influence people's car buying behaviour more than their driving behaviour.

[Hoofy]

pilchardthecat said:

No, but i would have lots more money (£100/week) to spend on other stuff.

99% of my journeys are essential, too far to walk, and there's no public transport alternative.

About right for me - most of my regular journeys would take 2-3 buses (about 1 hour give or take) or just 15 minutes by car.

I might not think about driving somewhere on the off-chance of doing something eg window shopping or taking a 20 minute detour just to pop in on a friend.

[simoid]

trashbat said:

If you can afford to drive to places without worrying about the money, and wouldn't drive any further if it cost less, why would reducing your spend on petrol stimulate the economy?

I drive places because it's the cheapest and easiest thing to do. I drive because I worry about the money.

Reducing my spend on petrol would mean, personally, I'd spend more on other things.

Would I buy a V8? Possibly, but I love my car as it is just now, and the other running costs would probably be higher for such a motor. So I don't know

Edited by simoid on Thursday 21st February 11:29

[Fleckers]

if it were free

maybe drive more

BIT its what engine or car that i would drive that would be different

[Johnnytheboy]

OK, so what would people trade their current car in for if fuel was free, and for comparison what are they actually considering next if anything?

I've got a Focus RS Mountune (24mpg ish), probably going to get an M135i or similar next time.

If petrol was free I'd be seriously considering a 2nd hand RS4 Avant.

[W00DY]

I'd drive a lot more. Not day-to day, but I'd do far more road-trips and think nothing of driving to Scotland on a weekend. It'd dramatically cut my use of public transport.

[Motorrad]

No, money is irrelevant if I want to use the car to go somewhere I will.

[Chris71]

simoid said:

...would you drive any more frequently?

God, yes.

In the past I'd quite often take the TVR out on a Sunday morning and return having used the best part of a tank of fuel. These days I'd struggle to justify that expense.