Thinking of going "green" - advice

[hitman67]

The Big golfs would be an option, someone on here had the car I want, Golf PD150 tuned to 195, and fuel economy still stays up in the 40s as well as a car that'll trounce a GTi.

Other option, Mondeo ST TDCi? Pretty quick and look sweet.

[chriswood_7]

Yeah, I agree with you Nemeliza

Ive been trying to sell my car privately for months and now in the position where I have had a few enquiries but nothing has followed up. Ive just recently dropped the price, and willing to drop it another £250 or so to try and get a sale. The problem is that its not worth me getting anything cheaper unless I can sell my car, keep most of the capital and pay off a few debts, then buy another car with what I have left. Its just the selling thats the problem.

I think that there are a lot of people now being put off performance cars down to the running costs. Its only the really enthusiastic among us that want to go for them, and even then mostly as weekend cars. Its not economical to commute with a car like this (and its not the most comfy on our "well" maintained British roads).

I agree that Diesel is at a premium right now. Its only worth me getting a Diesel if I have no choice but to part ex my car. I know what part-ex to expect, and if I have to drop my sale price to anywhere near that its not worth me holding out for the sale.

Thanks for the advice all.

[Nemeliza]

Chris, how many miles are you doing a month/year?

[chriswood_7]

Im doing around 10000 a year

[Nemeliza]

Ok so for 10k a year:

1. Assuming you use super unleaded @1.17/litre and your Megane is averaging 27mpg, fuel alone is costing you £1967/year or £164/month
2. Assuming you use diesel @1.17/litre and your new car is averaging 40mpg, fuel alone is costing you £1372/year or £114/month. A saving of £1372/year or £50/month.
3. Assuming you use diesel @1.17/litre and your new car is averaging 50mpg, fuel alone is costing you £1062/year or £89/month. A saving of £905/year or £75/month.
4. Assuming you use diesel @1.17/litre and your new car is averaging 60mpg, fuel alone is costing you £886/year or £74/month. A saving of £1081/year or £90/month.

I guesstimated fuel prices so actual figures may be +/- a few £.

That should help you decide which sort of car to go for and weather the saving is worth it.
You will also need to take into account insurance, purchase costs, depreciation, any finance costs and maintenance costs.

Nemz.

[chriswood_7]

Nemeliza, thanks for that.

I had already created a spreadsheet of all the cars on my "wishlist" to compare like for like. Thats what made me go down the diesel route as im not buying brand new. Second hand diesels around 3 years old are very very close to petrols, depending on mileage of course... This is what led me to the Fiesta TDCi, as it does 60mpg combined and is saving me a lot on fuel alone. Also add to the saving the extra £180 per year road tax saving (this year at least, that will be £265 in 2009), the insurance saving (prolly few hundred quid there alone) and the lower maintenance costs (std service on the Meg was £249 inc VAT, last service was £450).

Its only worth my while getting a petrol that does over 40mpg, and even then the saving is not that great

[Nemeliza]

Petrol is a definite no no, you would have to drive a small petrol like a granny to get 40mpg, where as you could drive a diesel like a hooligan and probably get 45mpg.

Purchase cost of the diesel will be greater than the petrol, however it will likely hold its residual better when you decide to get rid of it. More importantly if you are averaging 60mpg in a diesel as opposed to 40mpg in a petrol then you will likely make the difference back within a year or two at your current mileage.

It's clear savings are can be made but at a serious cost to your soul.

[chriswood_7]

Hi again,

Yeah, I agree with you. Its going to hurt having to get rid of my car, however, it is only that. A car. I can always get another when Im on my feet, but I seriously need to get a house within the next year. That is my priority, and therefore many sacrifices must be made

Just a side note, there is £50 difference between the Petrol and Diesel Fiesta on an 05 plate. Both have lost most of there value. So to be honest its saving all the way!

[chriswood_7]

Well the car has just gone today. Ended up with the Zetec-S and cant say im "loving" it LOL However, once im in my house ill be much happier

Thanks for the advice all,

P.S Halved my carbon footprint already

[Howard]

Carbon footprint

Good on you for cutting back to save cash though. I can think of worse cars than a Zetec S!

[Guy]

Pics!

I hate to say it, but soon I might have to something about the 200, its starting to cost the earth to keep going.

[Nemeliza]

Well the car has just gone today.

Tis a sad day. My commiserations to you sir.

Best of luck with the humble abode.

[Nemeliza]

Pics!

I hate to say it, but soon I might have to something about the 200, its starting to cost the earth to keep going.

Not you too, the world is turning in to a bunch of fairies

[chriswood_7]

Ill try to get some pics up tomorrow its not that bad. Apart from turning the air-con on everytime I come to start the car. Not sure how many of you know the Meganes, but they have a start button at the bottom right of the centre console where the cd player is. And its right where my AC button is right now.

So i get a nice blast of cold air everytime I come to turn the car off HAHAH

Its growing on me though, I suppose its not that bad. It could be worse, It could have been a clio with 68bhp or a corsa with 74bhp LOL

Edit: Ive said its not that bad twice in that post, the more I say it the better I feel. Its not that bad. Its not, i tells ya.

[chriswood_7]

Hi all!

Six weeks in: Update

Well, the going green lark isnt all its meant to be. After having the car and doing 1000 miles since I have had it (including two or three long journeys) I am starting to regret getting this car. Its just not me, and I dont know who I was kidding by getting it.

The plus side is that I think ive put about £110 diesel in since I got it (which is 11p/mile) and I think I average about 55mpg and I even got about 65mpg on a trip to Whitby. I can also fit my golf bag in but thats about it. But thats about it.

To add insult to injury I was given a really good payrise two weeks ago. So I could have kept my previous car! Noooooooo....

I dont think this little car is a long term fixture for me, and I so wanted it to be!

[Howard]

Time to sell up and get a nice car again then