Craig,

Basic economics, a new car between 8,000 - 10,000 assume 9,000 miles pa, currently costs (including dep) 280 - 310 per month.

In 1972 when oil prices spiked the average cost of running a similar "priced" vehicle moved from 16 - 72 per month. Because it was not only the price of fuel that moved it was everything, insurance, servicing, road tax, and depreciation. Remember Oil prices were responsible for inflation running at over 15 % for much of the seventies.

Maggie came to power because the oil price rise had lead to the trade deficit at record levels.

Always remember that (mainstream) cars have never been so cheap to buy as now.

Bamford

Always remember that (mainstream) cars have never been so cheap to buy as now.

The operative word is NOW, remember the average company vehicle gets an effective 3,500 subsidy from the taxpayer (current depreciation rates), will any government feel constrained to keep that if the vehicle is a "perk".

I believe the White Van man will be one of the few, who will be able to run a vehicle, not necessarily a car.

Listerialouie I assume you are talking a new car (as stated in an earlier post), the vast majority of new cars a company cars - I'd still say that people will be able to run s/h cars just as they do now - and not at the prices you indicate.

If you get to the point where you cant afford what you want in life then its time to get off your butt and do something about it. Many people stick in the same job for years where their pay rises, inflation and interest rates mean that in real terms their purchasing power all those years later is less. If thats not what your willing to accept then think of how you can change the situation rather than moan about what you cant afford.

I will stop before i convince myself i sound like a rich snob lol

Rich git.

Not really. Kiddin'!

I agree that to a big extent we get what we earn in life.
(It isn't always the case and i don't want to go down the road of the genuine hardship in the world, etc.)

But i drive the cars i drive and go where i go in the world, not because anyone gave me money, they never have done, my parents died penniless, but from setting goals and going for them from an early age.

Any healthy person who really wants that Lancer Evolution, or TVR Tuscan, can get one, if they want it badly enough!

I agree if you really go for something, you can achieve almost anything.

And there was me thinking I was going to get flamed out of existence with a comment like that!

quote:

Originally posted by Listerialouie:
I agree if you really go for something, you can achieve almost anything.

There are some excellent books and CDs by Dr Wayne Dyer of America. 'Being in Balance' and 'An Inspired Life' are just two of them.

His basic principle is that you get what you think about. Far too many people reinforce negative thoughts 'I can't do that' 'It's not going to work' 'I've never been good at that' and that is then what happens.

By thinking that you can do anything and having a picture in your mind of what you want to be or do (and keeping it in your mind) - the difference in the outcome is considerable.

quote:

Originally posted by Alfisti147:
Sorry Palmy. It wasn't aimed at you.
It was aimed at Craigjm and Wobbly who seem to believe it's a way of making people with big cars pay more.

Well it’s not intended to make them pay less is it?

quote:

Originally posted by Bamford:
Wobble, you know you want a Kia hatchback 7-seater which runs on cat poo and does 0-48 (limited from satellite) in 7 minutes!

You got me… it’s secretly my dream. I want one with elephants bum effect door trim!

I followed a Kia this morning - I had wondered what the foul smell coming from the exhaust was - Now i know!!

Phew youre right about you reap what you toil for.

Hence why Ive been up ages already & feel a bit unwell! Back to bed for me for a few hours I think...

What does more harm to the environment, a Porsche, Range Rover or Ferrari doing 4000-5000 miles a year or a Prius doing 50,000-60,000 miles a year? I have a Nissan Micra diesel which is very efficient but since it does 25,000 miles a year it cause a lot more pollution then my big engined Alfa Romeo.

I have no time for this BS as if politicians were serious they'd have coherent and logical policies on energy, recycling, consumption, public transport etc., but it's just so much easier to "prove" you're green by going off on a rant at SUV drivers isn't it?