Feeling the pinch

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Ever since I picked up the Zed, I’ve been closely monitoring my fuel consumption. This is the first time I’ve had a car with a trip computer and it’s an evil mistress. I can’t tear myself away from the damned fuel consumption read-out and it’s making me drive like someone’s grandma. Or rather, the figures coming out of it are doing so:

  • Motorway cruising: 34mpg
  • Weekday commute: 25mpg
  • Weekend socialising: 19mpg

And, other than the weekend stats, those figures are all weighted by me driving as gently as possible. It’s eye-watering stuff. And driving like a granny isn’t what I bought the car for. Combining this with my blatant disregard for the cost of tyres and brakes, and with the mortgage I acquired last year, I’m finally having to keep a careful eye on my bank balance. For the first time in my life, I’m no longer in the comfortable position of being able to save money without even trying. This year may well see the first April in which my ISA doesn’t hit its quota.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking - hard life! I’ve not really got an answer to that. I know I’ve had it easy in the past. I guess I just have to sit here and take any mocking you care to offer. It’s just… I’m thinking perhaps I should’ve checked all this before I took the plunge. The Elise’s 41mpg fuel economy looks a lot more attractive now. :-/

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