Cheapest and most economical 4x4 - also considering LPG conversion?

SarahLou

Thanks everyone - very valid posts by all

So on the topic of LPG - can someone work out how much it would cost to fill up (say, for example), a Daihatsu Terios (34mpg being the quoted on "combined" cycle with normal unleaded petrol in) - its 51p for LPG around here. How many miles would I get from a tank of LPG?

And am I right in thinking that it would be converted to allow for unleaded also? I hear they just put an extra tank (in the boot?) for the LPG? In which case, a question for the blondes amongst us here, but where do you put the LPG "pump" to fill it up? (I'm a complete notive in this area - I don't know anyone with an LPG vehicle to ask!)

newbie007_2

Cannot help you MPG, but will get less than petrol. Tank size varies.
A hole will be cut on the opposite side to the petrol for the gas fill up. You can still use petrol at a switch of a button, car engine start up will be petrol and it changes into gas after.

Bob_the_Saver

SarahLou wrote: »

Thanks everyone - very valid posts by all

So on the topic of LPG - can someone work out how much it would cost to fill up (say, for example), a Daihatsu Terios (34mpg being the quoted on "combined" cycle with normal unleaded petrol in) - its 51p for LPG around here. How many miles would I get from a tank of LPG?

And am I right in thinking that it would be converted to allow for unleaded also? I hear they just put an extra tank (in the boot?) for the LPG? In which case, a question for the blondes amongst us here, but where do you put the LPG "pump" to fill it up? (I'm a complete notive in this area - I don't know anyone with an LPG vehicle to ask!)

Tank fitted (often but not always) in the boot, this is filled to 80% of quoted capacity then it automatically shuts off. This is also fitted with an electrically operated safety valve which closes it down if the engine stops or is turned of manually or the ignition is turned off.
Special pipe - correctly fitted to another safety valve (same deals as the first one). It then goes to the 'regulator' to basically drop the pressure, this is also fitted with an electrically operated valve.
Low pressure gas is then fed into inlet side of engine. Ways of doing this vary from car to car. There are also electrical bits to let the engine use gas and modify the timing - this will vary from car to car. Older vehicles with carb rather than injection are much simpler. Throw in a few switches, a valve to turn the petrol on and off some special pipes and there you are, so you see it's not just an extra tank. The vehicles should be capable of running on un-leaded petrol.
Depending on vehicle 12.5% is less power (will vary from vehicle to vehicle).
Saying all that the conversion was the best thing I ever did with my vehicle.
Mine starts on gas and runs on gas, I just use petrol a bit to keep the petrol system in good condition.

Hintza

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-MITSUBISHI-OUTLANDER-SPT-SE-D-FUEL-GREY-/290459814162?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43a0c10912

Dual Fuel Outlander might be worth a look, this is a manufacturers conversion

SarahLou

Thanks for that explanation about LPG conversions.

And I do like the Outlander too. Ta

AlwaysPondering

Hi Sarah

I think you need to work out what size of vehicle you want, big, medium or small.. and also what type of vehicle, in that do you want the off-road type, or more the more just a normal estate car with 4 wheel drive, or somewhere in between..

For your budget £11k to £18k, will get in you anything from a new Panda 4x4, up to second hand Discovery/Range Rover (although these are not cheap to run)...

From reading the posts it seems that you're prob more interested in a normal-ish car with 4 wheel drive.. that maybe has a little extra ground clearance.. In which case I would be suggesting you look at the Skoda Octavia Scout, or maybe a Subaru Legacy Outback (not sure if you'd get a diesel one for the upper end of the budget, and will cost more to service)

Food for thought

BillScarab

I know you said you're not keen on the styling of the Yeti but I've got as my current car and it really is a nice car. Very good to drive considering it's reasonably tall, well made and well equipped. Mines a 2wd as I have no need of 4wd (and I have a Land Rover Series III in the garage). They're low on emissions and pretty economical too, even the 4wd versions are.