The rising cost of petrol - options?

Mark_Hewitt

Even driving a tank the MPG couldn't be *that* bad?

tiff

The car computer states an average 18 mpg. Saabs are know for being gas guzzlers I think. The £220 quoted is petrol + insurance + car tax per month.

We bought the car because we go camping and it has a huge boot, but think we need to look at getting a smaller car like some people on here have mentioned.

Those arent the only journeys I make every week, but thats the routine. Its just local trips.

Mark_Hewitt

tiff wrote: »

The car computer states an average 18 mpg. Saabs are know for being gas guzzlers I think.

Mega ouch! I assume you aren't driving everywhere using 100% acceleration?! Normally the cost of trading in a car outweighs savings from fuel but 18mpg is exceptionally poor. Perhaps see about trading it in for a small petrol engined car - Fiesta or similar.

The £220 quoted is petrol + insurance + car tax per month.

Ah, that makes more sense. If you get a smaller car (especially a diesel) that should bring down the tax bill, if not the insurance too. Even with a heavy foot you should be able to get double that MPG.

We bought the car because we go camping and it has a huge boot, but think we need to look at getting a smaller car like some people on here have mentioned.

Sounds like you are paying a heavy price for camping!!

System

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Take the children one at a time like?....;)

"like a smart" - i.e. small with small engine, and did smart not do a four seater for a while?

but anyway, the point still remains that running a big car with a big engine on short trips is going to be expensive - the op needs to work out whether the extra money they are paying to run a large car has any value (which it sounds like it doesn't)

tiff

Yeah, paying the price for camping once a year and a DH who likes quality cars but we dont have the income to support them at the moment lol

Will be having a word I think, thanks everyone.

Mark_Hewitt

tiff wrote: »

Yeah, paying the price for camping once a year and a DH who likes quality cars but we dont have the income to support them at the moment lol

Will be having a word I think, thanks everyone.

I think the point you need to make is that; even if you hire a car once a year to go camping, it'll still work out cheaper than paying for a big car for the whole year.

I know you won't but -- please let us know if you decide to make a change

Bean_Counter

Does the local authority provide transport to get the kids to school? Where we are they consider providing transport if you are more than two miles away from school.

POPPYOSCAR

As you live 3 miles from the school, do your local education department not provide a free bus ticket or transport?

tiff

Its 3 miles here and we are on the border, and classed as ineligible for free transport. They have walked (secondary school) from time to time but my 11 y/o has a heart condition that is expected to worsten so I am concerned about her regularly walking to school, its 3 miles uphill on the way to school in the morning.

POPPYOSCAR

tiff wrote: »

Its 3 miles here and we are on the border, and classed as ineligible for free transport. They have walked (secondary school) from time to time but my 11 y/o has a heart condition that is expected to worsten so I am concerned about her regularly walking to school, its 3 miles uphill on the way to school in the morning.

So sorry to hear that. Surely they would take that into consideration?