Now that I've traded in my Panda Cross I have been able to estimate the cost of running this car over 4 years, 3 months and 41,000 miles. I haven't kept comprehensive records but have costed fuel at today's price and assumed 45 mpg. Maintenance and repairs are a good estimate as I can recall most of the bills. There have been no finance costs and I don't know how to calculate loss of interest on capital tied up in the car. In addition insurance is not costed in because that is the usual practice used in the motoring press in calculating pence per mile.
Anyhow, my figure comes out at

27.5 pence per mile.

Cheap 4x4 motoring in my opinion.

How often did you use the four wheel drive ? Is that a prerequisite for you ?

I have to admit that owning a car with four wheel drive is a bit of a conceit for me. A little bit of a fantasy that my car can go anywhere, do anything. Still, as you see it hasn't worked out that expensive, I can afford it and it's better than chasing women, drinking or smoking!
Mind, with all the side roads in Sunderland iced up just now it's a lot of fun driving around in a 4x4 with all-season tyres and feeling very secure.

I doubt you're the only one to have the 4x4 for conceit. We all buy cars for that reason to some extent. The 'height' and perceived indestructability of the SUV is what attracts most folks I guess. 4x4 is just for bluffing at the school gates.

The Dacia should be OK I think. Too big for my liking but not so bad. Cheaper than the Suzuki Jimny and significantly cheaper than the Panda.

As you said before, we lament the cheap 4x4 Panda with steel wheels. Nowadays the CD-radio comes as standard and the spare wheel is the cost option.

Weird old world.

Did you do a trade in against the Duster in the end?
How was the test drive and when is delivery date?

Edit.

Just read the other thread where you already answered all my questions. Enjoy the duster

I know it's early days, and the engine will still be tight, but what's the performance like with the 1.6 petrol 4x4 Duster, is it nice and flexible, or need to be revved hard to make decent progress?

Also, what all season tyres are fitted?

Ta.

dieselglider said:

I know it's early days, and the engine will still be tight, but what's the performance like with the 1.6 petrol 4x4 Duster, is it nice and flexible, or need to be revved hard to make decent progress?

Also, what all season tyres are fitted?

Ta.

Click to expand...

I haven't taken delivery yet, I've simply had a test drive lasting about 20 minutes. Revving any engine hard is not my style these days. However, whilst my practice with the Panda Cross is to change up a gear at 2000rpm, I found that with the Duster I was changing up at 3000rpm.
I didn't note the exact details of the tyres, in the brochure they are described as M+S which is fairly meaningless. From pictures on the internet they may be some type of Continental Cross Contact but there are several different types of that tyre.

A bit more research suggests the tyres are Continental Cross Contact LX. These are 80% tarmac orientated summer tyres. That sort of tyre is fairly standard fit on a UK market SUV. I shall probably live with them until they are worn, then change to my favourite, Vredestein Quatrac 3.