what is your favourite green gadget?

tr3mor

DUKE wrote: »

My solar panels save me a fortune

He must've stolen them!

tr3mor

bj-sailaway wrote: »

Does this mean I'm an eco warrior?! I bought my 998 mini brand new when I was 17, I've kept it 24 years, and it's only done 39,000 miles! However, I'm now thinking of buying a new car. I like the idea of this MDI, but can you buy them yet? I don't really need a hybrid car, but can't find any details on electric cars, although our local car park does have charging facilities.

If anyone knows anything about electric cars, let me know, also, I promise to try to keep the new one for at least 24 years!

If you're only going to do 1500 miles a year I wouldn't have thought an electric car would be beneficial. The extra energy needed to build and dispose of the batteries and electronics would be greater than the energy you'd use driving around.

I can't imagine the batteries and motors lasting for 24 years either!

Get yourself a Lupo or something similar.

bj-sailaway

Thanks for the reply. What's a Lupo? I'll probably opt for a group 1 insurance, low road tax car. Think I deserve a new one after 24 years!

Cardew

DUKE wrote: »

My solar panels save me a fortune

How?

What did you pay for them?

Complete waste of money!

tr3mor

Cardew wrote: »

How?

What did you pay for them?

Complete waste of money!

He's got a 200 square metre array that fell off the back of a lorry!

tr3mor

bj-sailaway wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. What's a Lupo? I'll probably opt for a group 1 insurance, low road tax car. Think I deserve a new one after 24 years!

A really small VW, probably about the same size as your mini.

I don't think they make them anymore, and they're quite expensive second hand. Any small car will do really, are you looking to buy brand new or used?

bj-sailaway

I thought new, just because we bought the mini new and kept it, if I do the same again 2 cars will hopefully last me until I'm turned 65!!! The good thing about the mini is that there just wasn't much to go wrong on it, no electronics etc. It looks like this Toyota Aygo will do the job, but I'm open to suggestions.

tr3mor

bj-sailaway wrote: »

I thought new, just because we bought the mini new and kept it, if I do the same again 2 cars will hopefully last me until I'm turned 65!!! The good thing about the mini is that there just wasn't much to go wrong on it, no electronics etc. It looks like this Toyota Aygo will do the job, but I'm open to suggestions.

I had a Peugeot 107 as a courtesy car (basically the same car as the Aygo) and I thought it was pretty good.

I did feel uncomfortable when my mate was in the passenger seat, it made us look like we were partners.

You should go test drive a handful of cars and decide on what you like. I personally love the new Fiat Panda. Maybe have a look at the VW Fox too.

Or you could wait a few months and get the new Fiat 500 (very cute, like the original) or Ford Ka.

Some Pics of the new 500!

ailuro2

If you only do 1500 miles a year, how are you doing them?

If it is a little every week then you need your own car, but if it is for long trips to visit relatives, which is where our mileage goes up, have you thought about just hiring a car for the weekend when you need it?

No initial outlay, no maintenance,no tax,and an up to date car for years.?

maow425

My favourite "green" gadget has to be our 97reg 3rd or 4th hand Citroen Xantia. It's not new, so no massive amount of energy has gone in to making a new car just for me. It's full of bits from the scrappy, it's got remoulds, and its mpg isn't too bad when DH drives it, as he's really good at getting the most out of it for less. But best of all - it runs on veg oil. Recycled vegoil!

So not only do we have a recycled car (most of which can still be recycled), but it runs on recycled fuel that actually absorbed a considerable amount of CO2! Woohoo!

Apart from that, the favs have to be compost bin and 30 minute wash prog on washing machine!