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Posted: Tuesday 30 December, 2008

by Rosemary at 9:18am in Anything goes 1 comment Comments closed

We have two cars - at one time, that would have been a boast. Now it feels like a source of shame. Dan has a diesel Nissan X Trail, which we bought so that we could tow a trailer. I have a petrol Ford Focus, which also has a tow bar but in truth couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. Neither of us do many miles - Dan works at home and his only miles are to Edinburgh Airport or the railway station, and back. The Nissan is so greedy we don't use it much otherwise. My workplace is one mile from home, so I can walk if I have time, although I do usually take the car because I'm usually going on to the stables immediately after work.

It's unusual for both cars to be in use at the same time, so I've been wondering if we could manage with one or if we can reduce our usage further. In truth, in current circumstances, I don't think we can go to one car. If Dan's away on business, I need a car.

However, we are trying to plan our journeys to reduce mileage. We don't go into Stirling often - except that our vet is there - so when we do, we try to combine it with a visit to WCF for animal feed and supplies. Dan's planning to get a bicycle which he will use when he can as an alternative to the car - although maybe not for the Airport run!!

The Focus will need replaced at some point, and I'll certainly be replacing it with the smallest, most economical car I can afford. Two colleagues of mine have Toyota Aygos and think they are fabulous - and the road tax is only £35 a year. By the time I can afford a replacement car, there will be second hand ones available!

It's not easy being green, of any shade!

Comments

DominicJ

Friday 2 January, 2009 at 12:38pm

The Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 are all the same car, but the 107 is about £500 cheaper than the rest.

Just thought you might like to know.

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