In general terms, how much more expensive is it to run a biggish car (2.0 litre Mondeo) than a smaller car (Focus or Fiesta at 1.4 litre)? The user is a low mileage user (4,000 miles annually). The cars would be about 4 to 6 years old.

There isn't much in the service costs; the Mondeo will be slightly more expensive for brakes, tyres, etc. simply because they're all bigger. Engine management is pretty much the same, like for like.Typically there isn't much difference in fuel consumption, especially where driving is mostly long distance; in fact the Mondeo may well use less fuel on long high speed motorway runs.For short local trips, especially where the engine is not likely to warm up, the Fiesta is a much better bet. It will warm up faster and, being lighter, will use less fuel in the cut and thrust of town driving.So, logically, the Fiesta is a better bet. But, of course, you may consider the extra running costs outweighed by the better comfort, safety, status and performance of the Mondeo.If you want the Mondeo, get it and just accept that it's going to be a little more expensive.

Is a big car really much less economical than a small car?

Jun 07, 2007 62 Replies

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Chris Whelan 19 years ago

Indeed. Not outrageous at around £1,200 per year as I see it.

In one sense, I don't see that I've lost much given that I have no intention of getting rid of the car.

I only do 5 or 6k a year now, and it's not impossible to imagine that I might get another 3 or 4 years out of it. It would then be worth nothing, but the depreciation would have been £1k a year or less.

I had been buying cars at two years old, then changing them when they were four years old. I found that for me it was the best balance of costs versus hassle. (I needed something that I felt was fairly reliable as I used to work in a situation where I was on-call 24/7/365 to a site 15 miles away.)

I had an Escort that was coming up to change time when the Focus came out. I either had to keep the Escort until it had no value, or buy an almost new Focus. I chose the latter.

How many of those were new? And over what period of time? From what you have just said, it would seem that some of your cars have been supplied by others, which is not an option I've ever had. Had that been possible, I would have done it.

Chris

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SteveH 19 years ago

That's quite significant, IMHO.

You make it sound like a long way. 15 miles is sod-all. I've never had a car that I wouldn't trust to do 15 miles.... and my purchases have always left me with at least one alternative if something went wrong with the main vehicle.

None were new - that's just a waste of money.

Period of time..... I've had the VFR for just under 5 years, the 156 for just over 2 years, my 75 for 4 years and the Hondgou for just under a year.

If I strip out the resto. money for the 75, I could add my Marea at 700 quid (got 600 back), my Passat at £2k (got £1600 back), my 155 at £600 (got £400 back), my Primera at £400 (Got £300 back), my Golf at £500 (Got £300 back), my Spider at £2k (Got £1500 back) and I'd still be ahead.....

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Chris Whelan 19 years ago

But tiny when compared the losses if buying new, then replacing every three years or so.

15 miles is a long way to walk in the middle of the night if your car won't start! It's also a long way to try to travel without a car. As well as being on-call, I also worked a lot of different shift patterns, so public transport or scrounging lifts were not an option. Part of the site had a big LPG installation, and I was responsible for the associated alarm and safety element of it whilst on call.

I've run much older cars whilst working there, and kept a small-capacity motorcycle as backup. Once I got to 50 years old, that suddenly seemed less appealing...

But it's nice to have done so at least once in your life!

It's not something I will ever do again, and would not have done so had my need for a replacement not coincided with the release of the Focus.

By buying something with moderate depreciation, and keeping it for a long time, I've mitigated much of the waste.

I didn't realise we were in a race :-)

I think I'm somewhat older than you at 61. I've run cars very cheaply in the past, sometimes because I've wanted to and sometimes because I've had to. There comes a point where you just want something you hope you can rely on.

Chris

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