05-10-2016, 11:54 AM
Yes, I fill up so infrequently that I have no idea about petrol prices! I remember following them closely when I did 20,000 per year. Of course, life is just a series of different phases, and in a few years time, I could easily be back to doing high mileages again. Right now, I'm just grateful for my current lifestyle, but take nothing for granted 
I get around 35 to 40mpg, so about 420-450 to a tank miles. So yes, I might only fill up 2 or 3 times a year when it's quiet. Perhaps 5 times at most.
In theory, this is a terrible way to treat a car. It's usually stored in a horribly damp concrete sectional garage, and mostly comes out in the winter when it's too horrible to cycle (I'm not as dedicated as some!). Why didn't it fall apart years ago? I've been doing these very low miles for about 4 years, but for the previous 7 or so years - before I took up cycling - I was only doing about 5,000 per year, and mostly short-distance stuff...
Even the paint is good. I gave up washing and polishing cars when the kids arrived (10 years back) - it gets a wash once a year at the garage - but it still looks lovely. Metallic silver is a good "low-maintenance" colour. Black might be fashionable now, but needs to be kept scrupulously clean - no good for me!
A retired gentleman down the end of our road has a mint 45 in bright red (non-metallic). He's really cared for it. There's no off-road parking there, so the fact he's managed to keep it so clean and dent-free is impressive. And a former colleague is a Rover fan - I've lost count of the number he's had. I admit to having a soft spot for them. My in-laws had an early 214, and that was an amazing car in many ways (until the engine did the usual - the garage gave him a "sympathetic" trade-in against a Honda Concerto, which was also lovely). I was once given an 800 for the day, and that was less good, unfortunately. Only travelled in a 75 as a passenger, and that was lovely (rather more tyre noise than I expected though - perhaps the type matters? The OEM-fit Firestones on my car were a *lot* noisier than the Pirelli P6000 that I've used ever since).
Having had a few hire cars that were auto, I can really see the attraction, and would consider it for my next car. But these were big cars (e.g. Mondeo, Merc C class - not my choice, but we were supplied them at no extra cost!). I've never tried an auto in a small car. The in-laws presently have an old Renault Scenic that is auto, and as a passenger, I'd say that box is a bit crude by comparison... Once I was given a manual Vauxhall Insignia, and after doing ~300 miles in one day, my left leg stopped working (honestly - I had to give up cycling for a couple of weeks). Never had that in any other manual. So I'd say that the feel and action of the clutch pedal is what tips the balance; a good manual might be fine for you, but an auto would definitely be better than a bad/heavy clutch. That Mondeo was especially impressive, but wouldn't fit my garage!
I get around 35 to 40mpg, so about 420-450 to a tank miles. So yes, I might only fill up 2 or 3 times a year when it's quiet. Perhaps 5 times at most.
In theory, this is a terrible way to treat a car. It's usually stored in a horribly damp concrete sectional garage, and mostly comes out in the winter when it's too horrible to cycle (I'm not as dedicated as some!). Why didn't it fall apart years ago? I've been doing these very low miles for about 4 years, but for the previous 7 or so years - before I took up cycling - I was only doing about 5,000 per year, and mostly short-distance stuff...
Even the paint is good. I gave up washing and polishing cars when the kids arrived (10 years back) - it gets a wash once a year at the garage - but it still looks lovely. Metallic silver is a good "low-maintenance" colour. Black might be fashionable now, but needs to be kept scrupulously clean - no good for me!
A retired gentleman down the end of our road has a mint 45 in bright red (non-metallic). He's really cared for it. There's no off-road parking there, so the fact he's managed to keep it so clean and dent-free is impressive. And a former colleague is a Rover fan - I've lost count of the number he's had. I admit to having a soft spot for them. My in-laws had an early 214, and that was an amazing car in many ways (until the engine did the usual - the garage gave him a "sympathetic" trade-in against a Honda Concerto, which was also lovely). I was once given an 800 for the day, and that was less good, unfortunately. Only travelled in a 75 as a passenger, and that was lovely (rather more tyre noise than I expected though - perhaps the type matters? The OEM-fit Firestones on my car were a *lot* noisier than the Pirelli P6000 that I've used ever since).
Having had a few hire cars that were auto, I can really see the attraction, and would consider it for my next car. But these were big cars (e.g. Mondeo, Merc C class - not my choice, but we were supplied them at no extra cost!). I've never tried an auto in a small car. The in-laws presently have an old Renault Scenic that is auto, and as a passenger, I'd say that box is a bit crude by comparison... Once I was given a manual Vauxhall Insignia, and after doing ~300 miles in one day, my left leg stopped working (honestly - I had to give up cycling for a couple of weeks). Never had that in any other manual. So I'd say that the feel and action of the clutch pedal is what tips the balance; a good manual might be fine for you, but an auto would definitely be better than a bad/heavy clutch. That Mondeo was especially impressive, but wouldn't fit my garage!
