[slowmover]

First tank (well 3/4 tank) - about 30% city and the remainder motorway at limit + 10/15 MPH as we were in a hurry. So under "EPA" (ECE combined really) by 20%, going to take some time to recover On the plus side it handled 4 of us + dog + luggage in comfort through the monsoon that is Cumbria. About 500 miles in 2 days - which is why we bought it in the first place.

Looks good. The maintenance/repairs would be of more concern to me as well. The rest of this you know, but . . . .

The F150 comparison is worth exploring

Will your trips include roads where long stretches are similar to our Interstates? That's where the cruise control and a slightly lower travel speed really pay off with an otherwise high cpm vehicle on essentially non-stop highways in my 18-wheeler experience, not just personal vehicles.

Trip plan for best use of needed rest breaks, food, fuel, etc. Legs to accomplish, not the total distance to be minded . . and leave earlier, too (on at least one trip where "knowing" the lowest fuel burn for later comparative purposes is the point).

Weigh that thing as well. Solo, and loaded for a trip. Each wheel position. Imbalances really show up at highway speeds in changed steering, etc.

How heavy can you go and how much roof load? The point to such a vehicle is to use it to its maximum . . learning what that is and how well it does is part of ownership. I can load my truck with over 450-kg before it starts to trend downwards in mpg in the South Central US, for example. Living in hurricane country tends to keep that set of related thoughts high, but I'd put any vehicle through the same paces. Few around here do: what mpg at what speed with maximum load?

With an understanding of my true fuel costs (and keeping to FE principles) being able to predict fuel costs (cents-per-mile) is one business reckoning that works for the private owner. All the more so when the vehicle is being used to recommended limits. It is what one is paying for, after all.

The ton-mile calculation

Or, one might say that with any vehicle high mpg is really nothing more than a stunt where the vehicle is in no way being used well.

Besides, as in line with concerns about reliability, I would rather know NOW -- at my leisure -- if tire/wheel weight ratings are par with vehicle limits, and whether transmission, etc, were up to the job.

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