Food for children

[The PNP]

A) What doesn’t make sense is your comment as to adding to the financial burden of car ownership by actually using it, after already paying the main costs.

B) There are many reasons why people buy cars, but the scramble to have the latest plate is not remotely like it used to be, in fact the majority of private cars are bought 2nd hand, very often nearly new but certainly after the initial new car depreciation has gone.

A) Now I might be mistaken, but based on the usual comments from the usual suspects, local parking issues are massive. Price of fuel is also a highly emotive subject.....Neither of these disadvantages apply when turning out on a bike, which is my point.

B) Well, there goes the argument that cars have to be used because they are depreciating. Imo, adding unnecessary mileage onto the clock, can only detract from its resale value.

[silver fox]

A) Now I might be mistaken, but based on the usual comments from the usual suspects, local parking issues are massive. Price of fuel is also a highly emotive subject.....Neither of these disadvantages apply when turning out on a bike, which is my point.

B) Well, there goes the argument that cars have to be used because they are depreciating. Imo, adding unnecessary mileage onto the clock, can only detract from its resale value.

Of course parking and fuel costs are issues, but the main costs are purchase, tax and insurance, plus maintenance, once those are accounted for, why not use the car.

Follow your argument, buy the car pay all the standing costs, leave it on the garage or on the drive and watch it deprecate anyway???? of course mileage has an effect on residual value, but not as much as many think.

[The PNP]

Of course parking and fuel costs are issues, but the main costs are purchase, tax and insurance, plus maintenance, once those are accounted for, why not use the car.

Follow your argument, buy the car pay all the standing costs, leave it on the garage or on the drive and watch it deprecate anyway???? of course mileage has an effect on residual value, but not as much as many think.

Bikes and works vehicles aside, I also happen to have a camper. Bought secondhand some years ago for a modest sum, at an age where depreciation is minimal (I believe it may actually be appreciating in value now).

Insurance for it is very reasonable, at about £300pa, vehicle tax (VED) even less than that. I keep it under cover and give it a spin out every couple of weeks in Winter (when it's not raining!) to keep it mechanically happy. Of course it does see greater use in Summer. The point is, I don't feel any pressure at all to put more miles on it, in order for it to be cost-effective - quite the opposite.....Imo, a similar strategy would work equally well where a car is needed for personal transport.

[silver fox]

Bikes and works vehicles aside, I also happen to have a camper. Bought secondhand some years ago for a modest sum, at an age where depreciation is minimal (I believe it may actually be appreciating in value now).

Insurance for it is very reasonable, at about £300pa, vehicle tax (VED) even less than that. I keep it under cover and only give it a spin out every couple of weeks in Winter, to keep it mechanically happy. I don't feel any pressure at all to put more miles on it, in order for it to be cost-effective - quite the opposite.....Imo, a similar strategy would work equally well where a car is needed for personal transport.

A camper is a totally different vehicle altogether, very few use a camper as a normal mode of transport, yes campers do hold a good residual value, with campers condition is everything, even quite elderly vehicles can still command a good price dependant on condition.

[The PNP]

A camper is a totally different vehicle altogether, very few use a camper as a normal mode of transport, yes campers do hold a good residual value, with campers condition is everything, even quite elderly vehicles can still command a good price dependent on condition.

Agree.....But I wasn't suggesting to use a camper as normal transport, far from it. Rather, to adopt the same strategy, but with a carefully selected older car. Something with a reputation for longevity, good fuel economy and in a low insurance group.

[silver fox]

Agree.....But I wasn't suggesting to use a camper as normal transport, far from it. Rather, to adopt the same strategy, but with a carefully selected older car. Something with a reputation for longevity, good fuel economy and in a low insurance group.

Not going to happen like that is it? cars regarded and bought as a means of transport, camper vans are a "luxury" item, any buyer knows very well what they buy a camper for and it isn't for running to the shops or doing the school run/

[The PNP]

Not going to happen like that is it?

I don't see why not....If I wanted to add a car to my transport 'stable' for use as a runabout, I'd go for a sound but older model, to avoid losing out much with depreciation.

[local]

Bikes and works vehicles aside, I also happen to have a camper. Bought secondhand some years ago for a modest sum, at an age where depreciation is minimal (I believe it may actually be appreciating in value now).

Insurance for it is very reasonable, at about £300pa, vehicle tax (VED) even less than that. I keep it under cover and give it a spin out every couple of weeks in Winter (when it's not raining!) to keep it mechanically happy. Of course it does see greater use in Summer. The point is, I don't feel any pressure at all to put more miles on it, in order for it to be cost-effective - quite the opposite.....Imo, a similar strategy would work equally well where a car is needed for personal transport.

I presume it is equipped with a retro fitted catalytic converter and a DPF filter to keep the air clean.

Wouldn't want anyone to thnk you were an eco hypocrite would we?

[The PNP]

I presume it is equipped with a retro fitted catalytic converter and a DPF filter to keep the air clean.

Wouldn't want anyone to think you were an eco hypocrite would we?

Fyi, it's model year is 2010. It is a motorhome conversion based on an ex-Darlington Council 17-seater mini-coach, so was always professionally serviced. Since conversion, it has continued to be properly serviced and maintained, and never has any problem passing the stringent MOT emissions test each year.

[Mr B S Sniffer]

Fyi, it's model year is 2010. It is a motorhome conversion based on an ex-Darlington Council 17-seater mini-coach, so was always professionally serviced. Since conversion, it has continued to be properly serviced and maintained, and never has any problem passing the stringent MOT emissions test each year.

Bangers don't go through the same emissions test as newer vehicles.

The actual parts of the vehicle tested will vary somewhat depending on the age of the vehicle, and its classification. Older cars are not subject to the same strict emissions regs for instance, which is a good job as they were never designed with this in mind.

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/mot.htm#:~:text=The%20actual%20parts%20of%20the%20vehicle%20tested%20will,they%20were%20never%20designed%20with%20this%20in%20mind.

[said]

Not going to happen like that is it? cars regarded and bought as a means of transport, camper vans are a "luxury" item, any buyer knows very well what they buy a camper for and it isn't for running to the shops or doing the school run/

Does non road transport come into the argument? I have a diesel speed boat that I use now and again.

[local]

Fyi, it's model year is 2010. It is a motorhome conversion based on an ex-Darlington Council 17-seater mini-coach, so was always professionally serviced. Since conversion, it has continued to be properly serviced and maintained, and never has any problem passing the stringent MOT emissions test each year.

So that's a no then, typical why would we expect anything better from the number one eco hypocrite on here.

All you need is one of your lung-busting stoves in it.

[Little Londoner]

many get suckered by slick salesmen

Oh! buying a car is like buying a wood burning stove then.

[The PNP]

All you need is one of your lung-busting stoves in it.

No need, it came fitted with an eberspacer heater. Also has 'leccy hookup for on-site convector heating.

[salus.populi]

In the Northern coastal town of Southport, weather conditions are not always conducive for cycling.

With the year as follows...

Autumn:

September
October
November

Winter:

December
January
February

Spring:

March
April
May

Summer:

June
July
August

...which months in the Northern coastal town of Southport are conducive to cycling?

All of them, but not necessarily every day.
Today was perfect for cycling, yesterday wasn't.
The longer lighter days in warmer drier months will obviously see more cycling done than shorter, darker days in colder, wetter months.

Just like you see the roads are busier with cars on a summer bank holiday weekend than a wet Tuesday night in February.