• Help! 29th Oct 2009

    Our much-loved black T-reg Ford Focus has gone over the 150K mark and may be reaching the end of its days.

    We need a new travel solution but we’re mired in a maze of choices, especially when it comes to sustainability.

    Do we go for a second-hand higher-emission car – or a more expensive eco-friendly lower-emission vehicle?

    It strikes us the debate about this is similar to the one between organic non-local food and non-organic local food. What’s best – if any?

    We need some help with this. So in case anyone’s got some sage advice…

    Buying second-hand appeals because it’s about recycling. But a new hybrid car will be cleaner and better for the environment. So how do we make our car choice?


    We’re in a quandary.

    With the needs of our developing business at Millican – as well as those of Archie, our yellow lab – an estate would probably suit us best. The lads down at Millbank Garage would be great with a Ford, though a Landrover Defender really quickens our pulses. Rugged, functional, and ready to get out wherever we are…

    But then as Nicky reminds me, life in the Lakes doesn’t really require a rugged car choice. We don’t get snowed in where we live. And, though a 4×4 might drive better and more safely, it doesn’t sit very well eco-wise, unless we get one on LPG gas.

    So let’s ditch the Defender idea and stick with the Ford.

    Our next consideration is how we get around to trade fairs and equestrian events. For this option, we need to be able to transport and sell our bags. We’d love to get some kind of mobile showroom. That probably means a combi of large car and trailer, with us sleeping in tents at events. This solution would also free up a reasonably normal sized car when we’re not towing or working.

    But let’s dream for a moment… We could go for a van plus caravan to sleep in.

    Or a horsebox combining storage and sleeping.

    Or, thinking outside that box, a funky branded van attracting a lot of attention.

    So any eco-consultants out there, how do we choose from the options? And how do we play off sustainability, emissions, fuel type and expense?

    We’d love to hear how anyone else has squared this circle.

    And, please, no votes for the Toyota Prius solution. Green, yes. But outside our price range. And a challenge to our love of beauty.

    Our T-reg Ford would never forgive us.

    By Jorrit

3 Comments

  1. Wesley said on 13th November 2009, 09:50:

    My vote would be on second-hand every time for four reasons:

    1: Recycling. Buying a new car, even a so-called eco-friendly car, means paying for the mining of heavy metals, the use of thousands of gallons of water and tons of Co2 for it's production. Meantime the car you would have saved from the scrapheap goes to recycling where tons of Co2 and thousands of gallons of water are spent feeding its raw materials back in to the same eco-expensive system.

    2: Fuel Economy. I drive a 1993 Vauxhall Cavalier. It does 37 miles to the gallon. It does this because it doesn't have the side impact bars, extra airbags, sound insulation, Air conditioning and gadgets crammed in to newer cars. It doesn't weigh as much. As the meercat says; Simples.

    3: Local economy: I don't pay £200 a month on leasing to a faceless international corporation's usury arm. I bought my car off a local dealer for £500 two years ago. Since then I've spent about £500 pound a year on repairs and MOT work. I don't have to go to a dealership to have the work done, there's a father and son garage at the bottom of my street. They'll do the work I can't do and tell me how to do the easy stuff myself. When I need a part I don't have one shipped from Indonesia. I go to the local scrapyard and pay a man who uses the money in my community. My car has 160k on the clock and starts first time, every time. When the engine goes I have a donor engine on a pallet at my local garage which cost me £80 and has 80k on the clock. It'll cost £100 to put it in. Then I'll have another 80k of cheap motoring.

    4: Ownership: Finally, when I get in my car I know it belongs to me. I don't think "If I don't make enough money this month they could take this off me." It might not be much but it's mine, and if I look after it it'll still be mine for a good long while too.

    I am biased. I don't like new cars. Sure I'd have a sporty executive type thing, a Bentley or an Aston if I had £100k to spend but I haven't. So why make myself poorer and more anonymous in the meantime with a tin box the same as everyone else? I'll keep my Cav thanks.

    PS: Really. Don't buy a new car.

  2. jorrit said on 14th November 2009, 21:50:

    Hi Wesley – loved your response and advice!

    I have 2 left hands, so would only trust myself with the odd oil check and topping up the water. Luckily we have 3 garages close to us similar to the one you described. Great guys. They know what they're doing, not linked with any specific car maker, and all very reasonable.

    I have to admit I have never owned a new car for the same reasons. I can't get myself to spend top-whack for a new motor, which will instantly depreciate as soon as I've driven it off the forecourt. Couldn't afford to anyway.

    So second-hand it'll be.

    Still the decisions to make about size, multi-functionality and ideally some "soul" – will keep you posted …

    Thanks again, much appreciated.

  3. Anonymous said on 4th December 2009, 13:25:

    Get a Volvo 245 – typical family car, but spacious, safe, sturdy – get a LPG one and your emissions are reduced. Spare parts shouldn't be a problem as the 240 range is/was quite popular.
    Get some professional decals (incl. your url), turning it perhaps into one of your bags? Daring, but people will notice… Although they will now know it is 'you', racing through town or visiting your maitresse :-)
    Starting your company, in this economic climate I would rather invest in the business than in luxuries – plus, it is just a car, which is no measure of success to me…

    And, as always, ask yourself: what would Millican do?

    Groeten uit Zuid Afrika (ik kwam hier terecht via je AoM artikel)

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