Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my extra money?
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return following week.
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm >wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol >Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my >extra money?
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my extra money?
Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm >> wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol
Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my
extra money?
Have you considered a 2- to 4-year old VW e-ep!?
These will have the 36kWh battery and a range of goodies, from about £11k. >The battery capacity should easily be enough for you to do the return trip
in winter (heaters, headlights, wipers, six-speaker stereo all going).
For £20 VW can offer a collect-and-deliver service for servicing and MoT,
so that saves a lot of hassle.
Downside is said to be ‘dated’ display and the crude phone cradle; I don’t >know if any vital info or controls
are via the phone.
I believe they have a max 7kW AC input, but given your limited use charging >at home from a 10A supply will keep the battery topped up between trips.
It’s said there’s an app that lets you defrost the car and heat the
interior ready for when you want to go out, or cool it on a summer’s day.
A review here:
<https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/e>
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return
following week.
On 19/02/2025 09:56, Jeff Gaines wrote:
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, >>looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return following >>week.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
When you get to a certain age, the ability, ease, and cost
of getting to and from decent shops and NHS facilities
should be top of your list when looking at somewhere new
to move to.
Jeff Gaines wrote:First UK Ami buyer
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
https://www.citroen.co.uk/ami £7,695 OTR
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my extra money?
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return following week.
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my extra money?
I am looking at the electric Micra (which is retro style based on my
existing Micra K14). I understand it is/was due to be built by Renault
in France as a joint venture with Nissan. However, reports suggest
that the Nissan Renault partnership has ended and Nissan has fallen
out with the French government. Meantime, Nissan and Honda entered
talks about a possible merger, but Nissan has walked out as Honda
wanted Nissan to be a subsidiary, not a true merger. Maybe they need
Mr Trump to chair the negotiation! To confuse matters further, the
former Nissan CEO allegedly embezzled money from Nissan, an arrest
warrant was granted in Japan and he arranged to be airfreighted in a
double bass case to a country with no extradition treaty (allegedly)
to live in a Nissan house he bought while CEO. Is there any realistic >prospect of this vehicle being built in the near future?
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my extra money?
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return following week.
Following the interest in the EV thread I thought it timely to ask for comment on replacing my wife's 2009 60k miles diesel Fiesta. About 2000m/year of local trips so the MOT smoke test a burden. (overcome so
far by a preceding long motorway trip!)
For several years, we have talked about changing to a new, battery, 4
seater vehicle. Range 150 miles would do.
Neither of us (80 just and 81) have ever driven one! From the passenger
seat, the complexity of the electronic display gadgetry is
incomprehensible! One of us is still struggling to operate her new TV!
On 19 Feb 2025 13:29:43 GMT, "Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com>
wrote:
On 19/02/2025 in message <vp4lho$289lv$4@dont-email.me> Andrew wrote:Why not? Have you something against them?
On 19/02/2025 09:56, Jeff Gaines wrote:
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, >>>> looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return following >>>> week.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
On 19 Feb 2025 13:29:43 GMT, "Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com>
wrote:
On 19/02/2025 in message <vp4lho$289lv$4@dont-email.me> Andrew wrote:Why not? Have you something against them?
On 19/02/2025 09:56, Jeff Gaines wrote:
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, >>>>looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return >>>>following
week.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
On 20/02/2025 in message <coverjlvone3ccaivb1bfkgh07a868de58@4ax.com> Dave
W wrote:
On 19 Feb 2025 13:29:43 GMT, "Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com>
wrote:
On 19/02/2025 in message <vp4lho$289lv$4@dont-email.me> Andrew wrote:Why not? Have you something against them?
On 19/02/2025 09:56, Jeff Gaines wrote:
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, >>>>> looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return
following
week.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
The last time I went on a bus I was travelling to school. I love trains,
best breakfast I ever had was on a train, but there is nowhere I need to
go on one and I would need to get to Salisbury or (I think) Brockenhurst
to catch one.
I have a feeling that either now or very soon they will no longer be
totally free to holders of he National Bus Pass .
On 20/02/2025 in message <coverjlvone3ccaivb1bfkgh07a868de58@4ax.com> Dave
Why not? Have you something against them?
No, don't use them.
The last time I went on a bus I was travelling to school. I love trains,
best breakfast I ever had was on a train, but there is nowhere I need to
go on one and I would need to get to Salisbury or (I think) Brockenhurst
to catch one.
On 19/02/2025 14:48, Marland wrote:
I have a feeling that either now or very soon they will no longer be
totally free to holders of he National Bus Pass .
Busses will be devoid of passengers then.
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
Andy Burns wrote:
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
That depends. If you're going into a city with dedicated bus lanes it
can be pretty quick.
Also you've got to find a parking space, which
could be a challenge at busy times.
Add to that the cost of parking (and
a small amount for fuel), and if you've a free bus pass the difference
can buy at least a couple of coffees.
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out bus routes
and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
That depends. If you're going into a city with dedicated bus lanes it
can be pretty quick. Also you've got to find a parking space, which
could be a challenge at busy times. Add to that the cost of parking (and
a small amount for fuel), and if you've a free bus pass the difference
can buy at least a couple of coffees.
On 20/02/2025 in message <coverjlvone3ccaivb1bfkgh07a868de58@4ax.com> Dave
W wrote:
On 19 Feb 2025 13:29:43 GMT, "Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com>
wrote:
On 19/02/2025 in message <vp4lho$289lv$4@dont-email.me> Andrew wrote:Why not? Have you something against them?
On 19/02/2025 09:56, Jeff Gaines wrote:
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, >>>>looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return >>>>following
week.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
The last time I went on a bus I was travelling to school. I love trains,
best breakfast I ever had was on a train, but there is nowhere I need to
go on one and I would need to get to Salisbury or (I think) Brockenhurst
to catch one.
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:
On 19/02/2025 14:48, Marland wrote:
I have a feeling that either now or very soon they will no longer be
totally free to holders of he National Bus Pass .
Busses will be devoid of passengers then.
Just to clarify You have snipped the URL I gave to J Gaines which may
give the impression I meant on all buses.
The URL linked to a local ”charity• run transport service of which there
are quite few around the country. Rules are not standardised over them
all but many of the services operated are not stage carriage and require
the passenger to be pre registered with the provider and book in advance. Some accept the ENBP ,some don‘t ,others accept the pass but still charge
a small fare. The one that serves the village J Gaines lives in at
present accepts the ENBP but has indicated that because some subsidies
from the County Councils have been reduced they will start to make a
charge to ENBP Holders soon, that charge will still be less than the fare
for non pass holders. Quite a number would have no choice but to pay it
if they want to get out of their village for a weekly shopping trip.
Though a trio of old boys now down to two went out to the various destinations and spent most of the time before the return journey in a Wetherspoons.
I‘ve no doubt the ENBP could be under threat at some time but at the
moment I don‘t think there is any plan to charge holders of it on the
normal stage carriage services. AFAIK that needs a change in law,
Hampshire CC were making noises that they would like to have their passholders pay a small charge like a £1.00 to ease their finances but cannot as the law stands at the moment.
GH
The last time I went on a bus I was travelling to school. I love trains, >>best breakfast I ever had was on a train, but there is nowhere I need to
go on one and I would need to get to Salisbury or (I think) Brockenhurst
to catch one.
my two grandsons are geting to Woking by train from Bournemouth this >afternoon ;-)
Buying used, various models like the Fiat 500e, Mini, etc might fit your garage.
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
Yes. My journey to a previous workplace took 20 minutes by car, but an
hour by bus - and then you've got to add on up to half an hour each way, because the bus doesn't arrive or leave in line with your start of
finish times.
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
In article <vp9q45$3cips$2@dont-email.me>,
Andrew <Andrew97d@btinternet.com> wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
This village has a very good charitable service to provide lifts for those who are "stuffed". I'm still one of their drivers.
The Guildford P&R services charge Bus Pass holders a reduced fare.
On 21/02/2025 12:04, Andrew wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:Round here you use taxis or stay at home enjoying the dream home
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
Most of what you need can be bought online anyway.
On 20/02/2025 20:55, SteveW wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
Yes. My journey to a previous workplace took 20 minutes by car, but an
hour by bus - and then you've got to add on up to half an hour each
way, because the bus doesn't arrive or leave in line with your start
of finish times.
Nothing. For 30+ years I spent anything from 3 hours to 4.5 hours every
day commuting from Sussex up to Croydon or the City of London or KingsX
or Hammersmith.
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:
On 19/02/2025 14:48, Marland wrote:Just to clarify
I have a feeling that either now or very soon they will no longer be
totally free to holders of he National Bus Pass .
Busses will be devoid of passengers then.
You have snipped the URL I gave to J Gaines which may give the
impression I meant on all buses.
Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
Dacia Spring £15k
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511 mm >> wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*. >>
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol
Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my
extra money?
The Spring is actually cheaper.
TBH the best value is to buy slightly used. EVs have favourable tax
treatment as company cars, so after 2-4 years they get auctioned off. The leasing company takes the depreciation hit (rhey probably got a bulk deal to begin with) and you can buy them from a dealer for ~40% of the new price. Most of them have long warranties so you're covered for issues other than regular msintenance (tyres etc) and servicing (which is minimal).
Jonathan Porterfield:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbTH9H1oI3IUSTMoGJDk5TQ
has a good series of videos of recent EV auctions and what they're fetching each month. You might not want tp buy sight unseen at an auction, but you
can look up similar models on Autotrader to see what dealers are charging.
Buying used, various models like the Fiat 500e, Mini, etc might fit your garage.
Theo
You seem to have researched this; are you aware of a car or car derived
van that is an EV or PHEV and is utilitarian and 4WD. I know there was a
pug 308 hybrid where the electric motor drove the back wheels and the IC endgine the front but it didn't seem to be charged from the mains.
On 20/02/2025 23:36, Marland wrote:
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:
On 19/02/2025 14:48, Marland wrote:Just to clarify
I have a feeling that either now or very soon they will no longer be
totally free to holders of he National Bus Pass .
Busses will be devoid of passengers then.
You have snipped the URL I gave to J Gaines which may give the
impression I meant on all buses.
It was just an observation that most of the passengers I see on local
buses seem to be over 60, or does one need to be older to qualify now.
I have only used my pass in 3 cities and then only a handful of
journeys, for its convenience really rather than cost saving. Locally I
can walk the mile to town quicker than the circuitous bus journey. I generally cycle though.
I do understand buses are an essential service to people less able than
I am.
Jonathan Porterfield:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbTH9H1oI3IUSTMoGJDk5TQ
has a good series of videos of recent EV auctions and what they're fetching each month. You might not want tp buy sight unseen at an auction, but you
can look up similar models on Autotrader to see what dealers are charging.
It was just an observation that most of the passengers I see on local
buses seem to be over 60, or does one need to be older to qualify now.
On 19/02/2025 09:56, Jeff Gaines wrote:
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group
recently, looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations,
return following week.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
When you get to a certain age, the ability, ease, and cost
of getting to and from decent shops and NHS facilities
should be top of your list when looking at somewhere new
to move to.
charles <charles@candehope.me.uk> wrote:
The Guildford P&R services charge Bus Pass holders a reduced fare.
Another variation , At Salisbury the P&R services are free to Bus pas
holders , there is no charge to park the car either so that is another
option we sometimes use if we are going in and not collecting too much.
On 19 Feb 2025 at 15:36:42 GMT, Theo wrote:
Jonathan Porterfield: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbTH9H1oI3IUSTMoGJDk5TQ
has a good series of videos of recent EV auctions and what they're fetching each month. You might not want tp buy sight unseen at an auction, but you can look up similar models on Autotrader to see what dealers are charging.
Not sure if I'm missing something, but most of those appear to be VAT payable,
plus a c.£1k buyer's fee.
Which makes the few I checked (e.g. at 8.45) more expensive than Autotrader - despite being described as 'good price' on the video.
RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
On 19 Feb 2025 at 15:36:42 GMT, Theo wrote:
Jonathan Porterfield:Not sure if I'm missing something, but most of those appear to be VAT payable,
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbTH9H1oI3IUSTMoGJDk5TQ
has a good series of videos of recent EV auctions and what they're fetching >>> each month. You might not want tp buy sight unseen at an auction, but you >>> can look up similar models on Autotrader to see what dealers are charging. >>
plus a c.£1k buyer's fee.
Which makes the few I checked (e.g. at 8.45) more expensive than Autotrader -
despite being described as 'good price' on the video.
Most car auctions are VAT qualifying, which means you pay VAT on the fees
but not on the vehicle, ie the hammer price has no extra VAT.
Commercial
vehicles are often sold VAT exclusive, meaning private buyers must pay VAT
on top if they can't reclaim as a business. This is shown in the listing.
Auction fees are often set high to discourage private buyers, but you can go via an auction buying service who qualify as a high-volume trader and pay much lower fees, even including the fee to the buying service. Can be ~£500 depending on what price bracket you're in
On 20/02/2025 20:55, SteveW wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
Yes. My journey to a previous workplace took 20 minutes by car, but an
hour by bus - and then you've got to add on up to half an hour each
way, because the bus doesn't arrive or leave in line with your start
of finish times.
Nothing. For 30+ years I spent anything from 3 hours to 4.5 hours every
day commuting from Sussex up to Croydon or the City of London or KingsX
or Hammersmith.
On 22 Feb 2025 at 11:13:29 GMT, Theo wrote:
Auction fees are often set high to discourage private buyers, but you can go
via an auction buying service who qualify as a high-volume trader and pay much lower fees, even including the fee to the buying service. Can be ~£500
depending on what price bracket you're in
Thanks - I'll take a closer look come the time.
What do you want it for? For cargo?
On 20/02/2025 in message <coverjlvone3ccaivb1bfkgh07a868de58@4ax.com> Dave
W wrote:
On 19 Feb 2025 13:29:43 GMT, "Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com>
wrote:
On 19/02/2025 in message <vp4lho$289lv$4@dont-email.me> Andrew wrote:Why not? Have you something against them?
On 19/02/2025 09:56, Jeff Gaines wrote:
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, >>>>>looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return >>>>>following
week.
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
The last time I went on a bus I was travelling to school. I love trains,
best breakfast I ever had was on a train, but there is nowhere I need to
go on one and I would need to get to Salisbury or (I think) Brockenhurst
to catch one.
On 21/02/2025 23:24, Theo wrote:
What do you want it for? For cargo?
You have seen me on my way into work a year or so back. You probably
didn't see all my kit I had with me. I often need to get fairly close to machinery in the woods to repair or service.
On 21/02/2025 12:07, Andrew wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:55, SteveW wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
Yes. My journey to a previous workplace took 20 minutes by car, but
an hour by bus - and then you've got to add on up to half an hour
each way, because the bus doesn't arrive or leave in line with your
start of finish times.
Nothing. For 30+ years I spent anything from 3 hours to 4.5 hours every
day commuting from Sussex up to Croydon or the City of London or KingsX
or Hammersmith.
But most people don't want to live life like that. With a disabled wife
and three children, I value my time too much to spend large parts of it commuting.
On 21/02/2025 12:07, Andrew wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:55, SteveW wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
Yes. My journey to a previous workplace took 20 minutes by car, but
an hour by bus - and then you've got to add on up to half an hour
each way, because the bus doesn't arrive or leave in line with your
start of finish times.
Nothing. For 30+ years I spent anything from 3 hours to 4.5 hours every
day commuting from Sussex up to Croydon or the City of London or KingsX
or Hammersmith.
Fairly early in my career I decided that I wasn't going to commute 30
miles each way to work taking total of 1.75 hours a good traffic day to
3+ hours on a bad traffic day, by car.
I ended up living around 14 miles away from my place of work with the
(round) journey taking an hour on a good traffic day and twice as long
on a bad traffic day. The travelling times got longer the more years I
did it, partly due to the increase in traffic but mainly due to the
constant road improvements designed to cut journey times which in fact
did the opposite. Since I retired many of these road improvements have
been adjusted, with 3 months of lane closures, to improve them :)
I had the option of doing the 14 mile journey by bus or by train and
bus. The train bus option would have taken around 2 hours each way and would have included 30 minutes of walking. The bus option was around 2 hours each way mainly because the route wasn't direct, wandering through various A and B side roads with multiple bus stops.
Hmm, most of the commercial vehicles are more for deliveries than
offroading.
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 21/02/2025 12:04, Andrew wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:Round here you use taxis or stay at home enjoying the dream home
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
Most of what you need can be bought online anyway.
Another factor is if when you moved to your dream home you just enjoyed the view and did not attempt to make new friends you can end up very isolated when the faculties go and you can no longer visit friends in old haunts. Whereas if you get to know a few people and are not shy then when stuck you can always ask somebody for a lift to that hospital appointment for that
eye test with drops in that prevent you from driving yourself.
We regularly ferry a couple of older residents around, hopefully if or when
I get to that stage others will do it for me.
GH
ajh wrote:
It was just an observation that most of the passengers I see on local
buses seem to be over 60, or does one need to be older to qualify now.
In England (but outside London or Liverpool) you need to be pension age rather than 60, which I think is 66 for anyone retiring now. Wales and Scotland are 60.
I daresay there are some minor wrinkles in those rules somewhere ...
On 22/02/2025 19:37, Theo wrote:
Hmm, most of the commercial vehicles are more for deliveries than offroading.
As I said peugeot used to make a hybrid that was all wheel driven but I
would like something that I could charge at home.
I wonder what happened to those conversions to conventional cars some
east Europeans were developing.
On 21/02/2025 12:04, Andrew wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:Round here you use taxis or stay at home enjoying the dream home
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
Most of what you need can be bought online anyway.
I think the point is that below a certain density public transport is
fucking useless.
When I were a lad the bus at the bottom of the road that took an hour to
do 8 miles into town, ran every hour. The train that took ten minutes,
was every half an hour but was 15 minutes walk away.
As a teenager I could cycle faster than the bus, later a car took about
15 minutes.
Public transport outside of a town simply belongs in the age of
leisurely coach rides across 1950s countryside - when it took a day to
get anywhere at all.
Living in London, i ended up *walking* everywhere as it was more
pleasant and scarcely slower than the underground.
The last time I went on a bus I was travelling to school. I love trains, >>best breakfast I ever had was on a train, but there is nowhere I need to
go on one and I would need to get to Salisbury or (I think) Brockenhurst
to catch one.
What you should be a doing in the retirement years is driving the train!
Not cheap but bloody good fun:)
I'm waiting until one of the 3,300 horse Deltic's are up there again the >sound of that engine is superb:-)..
If you've got both 1650 HP units running at the same time..
https://nvr.org.uk/section.php/3/1/
The traffic in the South East is horrendous.
Following the recent discussion in here I have started exploring EVs.
Price comparisons:
Kia Picanto £15,845 to £18,695 - PETROL
Renault 5 eTech £23,000 to £27,000
Fiat Grande Panda Electric £20,975
Citroen e-C3 £21,990
My 1983 built bungalow has an Austin A40 size garage, the A40 was 1,511
mm wide from what I can discover, I want something that will fit in it.
My motoring is limited to doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, all
within 15 miles but I need my own transport so I can get out if I need to*.
The cheapest small EV is about £4K more than the most expensive petrol Picanto. I m 77 so probably limited payback period, what do I get for my extra money?
* There was a question about buses on our local Facebook group recently, looks like one a week to a couple of local destinations, return
following week.
On 21/02/2025 12:14, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 21/02/2025 12:04, Andrew wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:Round here you use taxis or stay at home enjoying the dream home
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
Most of what you need can be bought online anyway.
I think the point is that below a certain density public transport is
fucking useless.
When I were a lad the bus at the bottom of the road that took an hour
to do 8 miles into town, ran every hour. The train that took ten
minutes, was every half an hour but was 15 minutes walk away.
As a teenager I could cycle faster than the bus, later a car took
about 15 minutes.
Public transport outside of a town simply belongs in the age of
leisurely coach rides across 1950s countryside - when it took a day to
get anywhere at all.
Living in London, i ended up *walking* everywhere as it was more
pleasant and scarcely slower than the underground.
Not Victoria to Kings X on the Victoria line you wouldn't. That
line really belts along when it is running smoothly.
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 21/02/2025 12:04, Andrew wrote:
On 20/02/2025 20:02, Andy Burns wrote:Round here you use taxis or stay at home enjoying the dream home
Dave W wrote:
You moved there fairly 'recently'. Did you not check out
bus routes and railway lines first ?.
No, don't use them.
Why not? Have you something against them?
Journeys involving buses and trains end up taking /much/ longer
But if financial or medical reasons prevent you from driving and
you live alone or your partner doesn't drive, then you are
totally stuffed if (many years earlier when fit and capable with
20/20 vision) you moved to that 'dream house' out in the sticks.
Most of what you need can be bought online anyway.
Another factor is if when you moved to your dream home you just enjoyed the view and did not attempt to make new friends you can end up very isolated when the faculties go and you can no longer visit friends in old haunts. Whereas if you get to know a few people and are not shy then when stuck you can always ask somebody for a lift to that hospital appointment for that
eye test with drops in that prevent you from driving yourself.
We regularly ferry a couple of older residents around, hopefully if or when
I get to that stage others will do it for me.
GH
I'm waiting for lower prices, which probably means more cheaper vendors (probably Chinese) to enter the market.
On Sat, 2/22/2025 5:57 PM, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
I'm waiting for lower prices, which probably means more cheaper vendors (probably Chinese) to enter the market.
https://insideevs.com/news/730788/why-evs-arent-cheap/
Competing forces are at play. Let's see who wins.
On Fri, 2/21/2025 9:16 AM, Marland wrote:
We regularly ferry a couple of older residents around, hopefully if or when
GH
The anecdotal evidence is, you live a longer life, if you
are still independent and have wheels of your own. It *does*
make a difference, if you're isolated.
If you only have the one vehicle, you're old and you
need reliable transport, the ICE solution is perfect
for you. As it's most likely to go when you need it
to go.
Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> wrote:
On Sat, 2/22/2025 5:57 PM, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
I'm waiting for lower prices, which probably means more cheaper vendors (probably Chinese) to enter the market.
https://insideevs.com/news/730788/why-evs-arent-cheap/
Competing forces are at play. Let's see who wins.
That's a US problem. Tariff imports so high to protect your domestic companies, with the result they get bloated, lazy and uncompetitive in the rest of the world. Exactly this happened in 1970s where the Japanese ate
the Big Three's lunch.
There are plenty of cheap EVs coming out of Europe and China - yes, some
even cheaper than $25k.
Theo
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