Taxi Driver Online

for 57mpg i wouldnt bother with a hybrid, even WITH cheap or free road tax

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Dunno, I haven't worked out the economy of it yet, but it's an interesting experiment.

and yes, I DO watch the engine/battery picture sometimes. the punters are amazed at how it works.

Having taken five minutes to compare the costs of a conventional small diesel car with the same mpg as the hybrid (say 56 mpg) saying the diesel car costs £250 a month and the hybrid £402 a month, the difference is 2p a mile in favour of the diesel car over 30,000 miles a year. BUT, my figures don't take into account less stress driving the hybrid with no gear changes, no clutch to replace if you're heavy with the left foot etc.

Repair bills assume they are new cars serviced at maker's intervals.

Then comparing the figures with my Chrysler Voyager which is fully paid for and is quite reliable but now needs steering joints and the like replaced and does 28mpg, there is quite a bit of difference. again, it depends if you want to get a new car every couple of years on lease or are content with something "older" that may give less of a good impression to the punters.

do punters care what turns up for them? i dont think so, many getting my old mondeo comment how spacious it is

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

OK, the 2 years lease on the auris Hybrid is almost up.

Overall view, a nice nippy little car, easy to drive very quiet , quite cheap on the servicing. a set of tyres has done more than 60,000 miles, and virtually no brake wear! So, do we keep it or back it?

Running the costs through my calculator again, it's a close thing. I got some prices for the Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel auto, and with a better mpg than the hybrid and cheaper monthly lease fees, the Skoda wins! Again, the price difference is only 1p a mile over the Auris and the Voyager!

I looked at getting a used Skoda, but the monthly payments worked out at more than the leasing charges!! And I can't get the VAT back if I BUY a car.

So, the Toyota will go for its final compliance check 4 days before it goes back(hehe, gotta cost the LA a bit more ). But then I don't write the rules.

The hybrid may well do better on mpg in an urban operation than a rural one.

I got the VAT back on a Tourneo

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most