Car choice woes
Discussion
Excuse me if there's a thread on this already (I couldn't find it despite best efforts) and send me on my way if there is.
Want to get general opinion here. I've changed jobs and I went from an occasional 60 mile drive to stansted, to every day trudging in traffic of Cambridge (about 15 miles a day). I have a 2010 335d which is clearly not meant for the task (it averages 26mpg at the moment
).
Would PHers go with a small petrol? like an ecoboost fiesta or something, or just a small weedy petrol ? Or maybe a far more modern small diesel ?Needs to be able to host a isofix chair.(4 seater minimum).
Penny/cent for your thoughts
Want to get general opinion here. I've changed jobs and I went from an occasional 60 mile drive to stansted, to every day trudging in traffic of Cambridge (about 15 miles a day). I have a 2010 335d which is clearly not meant for the task (it averages 26mpg at the moment
). Would PHers go with a small petrol? like an ecoboost fiesta or something, or just a small weedy petrol ? Or maybe a far more modern small diesel ?Needs to be able to host a isofix chair.(4 seater minimum).
Penny/cent for your thoughts
Depends on a lot of factors. Sitting in traffic generates poor economy for any car.
You have to ask yourself, are you spending to save? I bet that BMW is a really nice car, and how much are you going to lose to move to something which will be cheaper to run. How long will it take to offset the cost?
You have to ask yourself, are you spending to save? I bet that BMW is a really nice car, and how much are you going to lose to move to something which will be cheaper to run. How long will it take to offset the cost?
Are you planning to stick with the job? Given that Cambridge is on a crusade to ban all motorised transport, it will only get worse. No doubt the city fathers would consider that 15 miles is well inside "bicycle" territory.
As others have said, with the commute now being half the distance your fuel economy being half what it was just means you have the same fuel cost.
If you can't agree some flexible hours (to avoid the worst of the traffic, e.g. get to work at 0530 and leave ... well, don't leave) and there's no public transport option (preferred by Cambridge, ideally walking or if necessary cycling) then I'd suggest actually looking at a motorbike. You can carve through the traffic, a bit, and will hence keep the fuel economy up.
As others have said, with the commute now being half the distance your fuel economy being half what it was just means you have the same fuel cost.
If you can't agree some flexible hours (to avoid the worst of the traffic, e.g. get to work at 0530 and leave ... well, don't leave) and there's no public transport option (preferred by Cambridge, ideally walking or if necessary cycling) then I'd suggest actually looking at a motorbike. You can carve through the traffic, a bit, and will hence keep the fuel economy up.
Flooble said:
Are you planning to stick with the job? Given that Cambridge is on a crusade to ban all motorised transport, it will only get worse. No doubt the city fathers would consider that 15 miles is well inside "bicycle" territory.
Yes, I got the job I dreamed of, not changing anytime soon..Grrr, don't get me started on Cambridge City Clowncil retarded ideas. That's a whole new thread separately. A motorbike could be an option, the issue is small children needing to get to nursery :s
On other posts, thanks, i think the beemer will remain to live another day. Electric car was another route, had a good look at an i3 but was deterred by the price (40k? say what? with 5 options?). Zoe and Ioniq are another ones, haven't driven them yet, though.
Edited by cvega on Monday 12th December 09:42
15 miles, is that there and back? If so, you could consider a bicycle for at least the better half of the year, free exercise and all that! And if you'd be sitting in traffic with a car, chances are the bike isnt (that much) slower.
Eitherwise, small slow underpowered shed with an NA engine, something Fiat most likely. Low weight and no turbo stand the best chance of producing something resembling economy
Keep the BMW for the family duties, run a tiny, light easy to park shed to work.
Eitherwise, small slow underpowered shed with an NA engine, something Fiat most likely. Low weight and no turbo stand the best chance of producing something resembling economy
Keep the BMW for the family duties, run a tiny, light easy to park shed to work.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff