Vehicle suggestions for very short commute
Discussion
I’m about to move into a new house about 2 miles from my place of work and I’m interested in people’s opinions on what I should use for my commute.
I’ll keep my current V8 for SDP but I’d rather not use it for the ~500 short trips a year to and from work. The idea of the water never getting up to temperature (let alone the oil) really puts me off.
As much as I would genuinely love to walk or cycle to work, the road is a busy, NSL, narrow, twisty country road with no footpath or safe places to overtake a cyclist. Consequently most vehicles using it take silly risks going round bikes and I’m not keen on putting myself in danger, especially on dark mornings or evenings.
Favourite option so far is to pick up a used early Nissan Leaf (with a non leased battery). No worries about warmup on short trips, practically free to run based on my mileage and no trips to the petrol station required. Perhaps I’m being naive, but being that I should be able to carry out the servicing myself, the only time it will need to drive more than 2 miles is for it’s MOT.
Yes it would probably make more sense economically to pick up a cheap, small engined petrol car but I don’t particularly like the idea of buying something just to potentially ruin it with the short trips. Plus I don’t particularly want to be spending too much time and effort keeping a banger on the road.
It doesn’t have to be a car mind so silly suggestions welcome!
I’ll keep my current V8 for SDP but I’d rather not use it for the ~500 short trips a year to and from work. The idea of the water never getting up to temperature (let alone the oil) really puts me off.
As much as I would genuinely love to walk or cycle to work, the road is a busy, NSL, narrow, twisty country road with no footpath or safe places to overtake a cyclist. Consequently most vehicles using it take silly risks going round bikes and I’m not keen on putting myself in danger, especially on dark mornings or evenings.
Favourite option so far is to pick up a used early Nissan Leaf (with a non leased battery). No worries about warmup on short trips, practically free to run based on my mileage and no trips to the petrol station required. Perhaps I’m being naive, but being that I should be able to carry out the servicing myself, the only time it will need to drive more than 2 miles is for it’s MOT.
Yes it would probably make more sense economically to pick up a cheap, small engined petrol car but I don’t particularly like the idea of buying something just to potentially ruin it with the short trips. Plus I don’t particularly want to be spending too much time and effort keeping a banger on the road.
It doesn’t have to be a car mind so silly suggestions welcome!
50cc scooter seems the logical choice, just do some training first and buy a security chain to lock it up, these are almost disposable;
https://www.sinnismotorcycles.com/product/sinnis-e...
https://www.sinnismotorcycles.com/product/sinnis-e...
Evanivitch said:
Is there not a slightly more scenic route you could ride an e-bike or even e-scooter?
Otherwise, anything like a Leaf24, Zoe22 or even a Twizzy will make that easily. Question for the Twizzy really is can you get it to service station? You might get a little wet too.
The Twizy has some appeal. The thing that puts me off is the cost compared to the Leaf and I think I’m right I saying there is the battery lease to factor in as well.Otherwise, anything like a Leaf24, Zoe22 or even a Twizzy will make that easily. Question for the Twizzy really is can you get it to service station? You might get a little wet too.
It's hard to beat a scooter in these circumstances they're cheap great on fuel nippy lots of fun I mean what's not to like? If it has to be a car the a Smart Fortwo Passion is the one:
Scooter
Peugeot Speedfight 3
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEUGEOT-SPEEDFIGHT-3-12...
f:0
Fortwo Passion being 4k cheaper than the cheapest Leaf you'd have to be going through some amount of fuel (which you won't for the
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Scooter
Peugeot Speedfight 3
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEUGEOT-SPEEDFIGHT-3-12...
f:0Fortwo Passion being 4k cheaper than the cheapest Leaf you'd have to be going through some amount of fuel (which you won't for the
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 4th March 08:38
Pica-Pica said:
Cylon2007 said:
push bike or walk
Indeed. 2 mile is half an hour walk. From my experience, it is better to incorporate exercise into your daily routine rather than have to go out separately to walk or run. It’s an NSL road, dangerous for cycling. He’s already considered and discounted that option.
Personally I’d go for a Smart Car. Cheap as chips to run and maintain.
PurpleTurtle said:
Pica-Pica said:
Cylon2007 said:
push bike or walk
Indeed. 2 mile is half an hour walk. From my experience, it is better to incorporate exercise into your daily routine rather than have to go out separately to walk or run. It’s an NSL road, dangerous for cycling. He’s already considered and discounted that option.
Personally I’d go for a Smart Car. Cheap as chips to run and maintain.
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