Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post

jacrider · 12-02-2009, 05:55 PM

Our family has always been urban dwellers and have worked in the same area, so we never have commuted before.

Just over a year ago, I moved to a great job, but it is a 100km round trip from the house. Immediately, I sold a great car (Audi S4 4.2L V8) to get a more fuel efficient car, 2009 Audi A4 (2.0T) Avant (wagon). The A4 uses about 60% of the fuel the S4 did.

Well, I have had the A4 for a year now and here are the numbers ...

Km's driven: 33,600
Average FE: 10.46 (22.4 mpg)
Aggregate cost: $3,600

First, the number of km's is astonishing, to us at least. Our other car is a 2000 Volvo V70 with 160km that we have owned for the last 7 years and put about 80km on in that time. The S4 I sold we put 9km on in 18 months. So we have never done much driving.

Secondly, the fuel economy is terrible in my opinion. The combination of the two is a huge cost both in fuel and depreciation.

So, some other background, we need two family-sized vehicles with three active kids and a dog.

Some options:

1. Drive the Volvo for work. Limited depreciation. Decent (albeit similar to the A4) fuel economy.

2. Get a used very fuel efficient small car, drive it to work. Leave the others at home and use them in the city or holidays.

In terms of #2, I would consider the original Honda Insight, Golf TDI, Civic Hybrid? If I can get a used car for $6K or $7K and take my fuel down by over 50% and dramatically slow the depreciation on my other vehicles - it seems like a good return.

Thoughts?

12-02-2009, 05:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
jacrider EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help Choose Right Car Our family has always been urban dwellers and have worked in the same area, so we never have commuted before. Just over a year ago, I moved to a great job, but it is a 100km round trip from the house. Immediately, I sold a great car (Audi S4 4.2L V8) to get a more fuel efficient car, 2009 Audi A4 (2.0T) Avant (wagon). The A4 uses about 60% of the fuel the S4 did. Well, I have had the A4 for a year now and here are the numbers ... Km's driven: 33,600 Average FE: 10.46 (22.4 mpg) Aggregate cost: $3,600 First, the number of km's is astonishing, to us at least. Our other car is a 2000 Volvo V70 with 160km that we have owned for the last 7 years and put about 80km on in that time. The S4 I sold we put 9km on in 18 months. So we have never done much driving. Secondly, the fuel economy is terrible in my opinion. The combination of the two is a huge cost both in fuel and depreciation. So, some other background, we need two family-sized vehicles with three active kids and a dog. Some options: 1. Drive the Volvo for work. Limited depreciation. Decent (albeit similar to the A4) fuel economy. 2. Get a used very fuel efficient small car, drive it to work. Leave the others at home and use them in the city or holidays. In terms of #2, I would consider the original Honda Insight, Golf TDI, Civic Hybrid? If I can get a used car for $6K or $7K and take my fuel down by over 50% and dramatically slow the depreciation on my other vehicles - it seems like a good return. Thoughts?