The hunt is on for a winter hack

[keysl]

Bargain though considering. You'd get a few years out of it instead of having to do this again next winter...

 

[kwakdonut]

Hideously overpriced!

 

[kwakdonut]

I actually have a little 125cc bike sitting in the garage unused (anyone want to buy it?).

For sure I'm dismissing most of the proposals here and the reason for this is that I believe when you work out the total cost of running a car for commuting it is a very complicated thing to work out.

If I am to establish the cheapest means possible whilst also trying to mitigate or reduce where possible the potentially expensive costs of mechanical failure it gets even harder to work out.

In terms of a second hand Smart car (which was my first thought), I would have to factor in the fact that Smart cars have very common engine problems and I would almost certainly have to factor in an engine rebuild or even rebuilds into the overall running costs.

Fuel consumption is probably the biggest single cost therefore in my circumstances, a £50 car that does 25mpg will be a more expensive solution than a £2000 car that does 50mpg even if both cars have zero worth after 12 months.

Cheap road tax, cheap insurance all help but they are by no means a priority compared to the other costs.

There must some way of calculating be a mathematical equation to combine all the running costs, the odds of costly mechanical failure and the depreciation. If only I knew what it was?

In the immediate term I'm going to try and find out why my 1200 bandit only gets 26mpg. If I can solve that, it takes the immediate requirement away but once the frosts set in, I want the combination of a roof and a heater and 40mpg which probably means BlackC555's Diesel Fiesta suggestion is the closest so far. Perhaps a Skoda Fabia Diesel even - plenty of them for less than a grand.

What is it exactly?

 

[Sp!ke]

What is it exactly?

What is what?

 

[aka$h]

Think about a ford focus, a 2000 plate 1.8 tdi will average 50 mpg. It will probably cost you around £2000 to buy. A petrol one will be cheaper to buy but less economical to run. I drove one recently and was impressed by how good they actually are.

 

[Sp!ke]

This morning I shook hands and did a deal on a car. :bannana:

It turned out to be quite the opposite of what I was expecting to get in that it wont be particularly economical (I'm convincing myself that compared to the SL500 it will be) and it isnt a small hatchback either.

But it was *very very* cheap.

and it is a Mercedes. :bannana:

...and apart from a little ding on the nearside is in timewarp condition. The interior literally looks like new with no wear anywhere not even on the drivers bolster.

 

[BaldGuy]

You cant leave us hanging Spike....... 123? 124? 140?

 

[Sp!ke]

It is a 190E 2.0L Auto.

Pictures wont be until I pick it up (thursday)

 

[grober]

A 190E 2.0L auto!------ Cue quick intake of breath thro clenched teeth!---------------------- Only kidding! I sense a cheap and cheerful LPG gas conversion is in the offing.

 

[Sp!ke]

I wonder what it does on fuel?

I'm guessing it will be slightly better than my 230CE? (I used to average 26mpg in that on my commute)

 

[d w124]

I don`t get why you gave away your 124 though?!!
And yet we still don`t know who bought it

 

[jaymanek]

good choice!

 

[Sp!ke]

Like many things in life it is all about timing. I had to shift the W124 as its MOT and tax was running out and I was tied up at work travelling and unable to put the time in to sorting it out at that critical time.

Besides, I had just got my SL500 and had totally lost interest in the CE at the time.

This 190 has under half the miles on it, has no rust anywhere and apart from a slightly rumbling rear wheel bearing I cant find any faults on it whatsoever. I've yet to get it on a ramp to look at it properly mind but as far as I can tell its got at least 5 years of commuting left in it.

BTW, I didnt pay much more for this than I sold the CE for.

 

[d w124]

Fear enough but whoever got your CE is a lucky one
One of the stars got sold last week on ebay.de for 500 euros

 

[jaymanek]

I dont think that star would actually have sold at that price... just crazy..

 

[d w124]

I dont think that star would actually have sold at that price... just crazy..

Why would I lie Jay?!!It was on ebay.de on w124 brabus items

 

[jaymanek]

no not saying that mate, all im saying is it was probably shill bidding.

 

[d w124]

no not saying that mate, all im saying is it was probably shill bidding.

It was not bidding,it was buy now for 499 euro and someone bought it

 

[grober]

I wonder what it does on fuel?

I'm guessing it will be slightly better than my 230CE? (I used to average 26mpg in that on my commute)

My 2 averaged out at around 27 mpg overall with a fair mix of open road and town driving. Used the E transmission setting all the time.

 

[219]

My 2 litre 190E auto did high 20s / low 30s most of the time - it was an early one ona B plate with 14" wheels , for whatever difference that might make .

On one long trip to Cardiff and back ( returning with 3 ponton doors in place of the back seat , which I had left at home , and a fourth one on the roofrack , besides a boot full of smaller parts and my tools ) all done at the legal speed limits , I averaged 43 mpg over 2-1/2 tanks of fuel .

Moreover , although it was no ball of fire , that car was just as nice to drive as any of my much more expensive and upmarket Mercs , always imparting a feeling of quality and wellbeing , as they all do . Even though mine only cost me £300 , and was bought as a stopgap after the demise of one of my 124's , it was very reliable and I ended up keeping it for about three years until I got a 190E2.6 and SWMBO decided I had too many cars , so one had to go