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From: Marts on 29 Jul 2010 16:58
An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000 adults
on driving and saving on running costs.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/motorists-clueless-about-costsaving-20100727-10t0l.html?posted=sucessful

How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?

I don't use shopper dockets as I have a fuel card which gives me some
significant savings, already. Plus, being on a novated lease the fuel is paid
for pre-tax. So for me, $1 of fuel costs me, nett, around 68 cents. (And each
transaction has a charge attached to it. So, if I were to partially fill up I'd
be paying more in transaction charges).

As for driving around looking for cheaper fuel isn't that a waste of fuel in
itself? Besides, where I live all of the servos sell it at the same price. And
price movements can be timed to the nano-second at all of the outlets (BP,
Shell, Caltex (formerly Mobil) and some indie mob the name of which escapes me).

The rest are no brainers (tyre pressures, etc.)

From: The Raven on 29 Jul 2010 17:58
I forgot to ridicule the 'short trips saves fuel' myth.

Citing two cars I've had for several years as examples:

450K per tank around town on short trips, 800K on long trips.
650K per tank around town on short trips, 1000K on long trips.

Admittedly the last figure is based on what the trip computer predicted
(after 720K on that tank) as I've not had the chance to drive it that far.

Both cars were large sixes.

For an old 1.5 turbo 4. Longer trips yielded the best milage at 7.48L/100 vs
the average of 10 around town.


From: Fraser Johnston on 29 Jul 2010 23:09

"Marts" <marts(a)ymail.com> wrote in message
news:b6j356taruhmebro3ghg2mj0tdkbqt0n5p(a)astraweb.com...
> An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000
> adults
> on driving and saving on running costs.
>
> http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/motorists-clueless-about-costsaving-20100727-10t0l.html?posted=sucessful
>
> How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
> example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?
>
> I don't use shopper dockets as I have a fuel card which gives me some
> significant savings, already. Plus, being on a novated lease the fuel is paid
> for pre-tax. So for me, $1 of fuel costs me, nett, around 68 cents. (And each
> transaction has a charge attached to it. So, if I were to partially fill up
> I'd
> be paying more in transaction charges).
>
> As for driving around looking for cheaper fuel isn't that a waste of fuel in
> itself? Besides, where I live all of the servos sell it at the same price.
> And
> price movements can be timed to the nano-second at all of the outlets (BP,
> Shell, Caltex (formerly Mobil) and some indie mob the name of which escapes
> me).
>
> The rest are no brainers (tyre pressures, etc.)

Buy a motorbike to commute on. My V-Strom uses 4.5l per 100km. Even with
higher tyre and chain expenses it is still way cheaper than a car.
Alternatively get an economical car and run it on gas. Get something cheap
from the auctions to avoid depreciation. Big killer expenses on cars are
depreciation and fuel. Followed by servicing and repairs.

Fraser



From: Mr.T on 30 Jul 2010 01:16

"Fraser Johnston" <ftrust(a)iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:8beu30FtedU1(a)mid.individual.net...
> Buy a motorbike to commute on. My V-Strom uses 4.5l per 100km. Even with
> higher tyre and chain expenses it is still way cheaper than a car.

Nope, many cars get that these days, and as you correctly point out, cost
far less for tyres, chains etc.

> Alternatively get an economical car and run it on gas. Get something
cheap
> from the auctions to avoid depreciation. Big killer expenses on cars are
> depreciation and fuel. Followed by servicing and repairs.

Yep, that "cheap" car costs more in repairs. And your motorbike
depreciation, servicing and repairs are just as much as for a car too.
Comprehensive insurance is *more*, registration about the same, however you
may save on parking and toll roads. You WILL spend far more on protective
clothing, boots, safety helmets etc. however.

As a long term owner of both, I'm sure a car is cheaper overall to run when
compared to anything more than the smallest scooters.
Get a push bike if you really want to save money :-)

MrT.


From: D Walford on 30 Jul 2010 01:50
On 30/07/2010 6:58 AM, Marts wrote:
> An article in the Age's Drive section today talks about a survey of 1,000 adults
> on driving and saving on running costs.
>
> http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/motorists-clueless-about-costsaving-20100727-10t0l.html?posted=sucessful
>
> How many of you would consider any of the points listed in the article? For
> example, do you think that the half full tank is a valid one?

It makes no sense because you could easily use more fuel by stopping and
starting plus spending more money buying something you don't need every
time you go into a servo.
>
> I don't use shopper dockets as I have a fuel card which gives me some
> significant savings, already. Plus, being on a novated lease the fuel is paid
> for pre-tax. So for me, $1 of fuel costs me, nett, around 68 cents. (And each
> transaction has a charge attached to it. So, if I were to partially fill up I'd
> be paying more in transaction charges).
>
> As for driving around looking for cheaper fuel isn't that a waste of fuel in
> itself? Besides, where I live all of the servos sell it at the same price. And
> price movements can be timed to the nano-second at all of the outlets (BP,
> Shell, Caltex (formerly Mobil) and some indie mob the name of which escapes me).
>
> The rest are no brainers (tyre pressures, etc.)


The best way to save on running cost is to buy a more economical car.
The fuel bill for our 2 vehicles this financial year compared to the
previous year dropped by $2500 and the main reason is trading a petrol
Hilux on a new turbo diesel Hilux.


Daryl



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