Cars.Msn Long Term Report

[richardaucock]

Hi all,

Just got the latest link through for my LT report, month 1... http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-documentid=9067863

So, is anyone else out there running an Ecomotive? Or am I alone amongst the FRs and Cupras?

Would be good to catch up with any fellow Ecos/1.4 TDIs! If only to compare eco notes..!!

Best,
Rich.

 

[Leigh15]

67mpg is not bad for normal everyday driving - should easily be able to make book with some care.

I can get around 58-60mpg from the Sport if I'm careful with the go pedal.

How far are you getting on a tank?

 

[richardaucock]

Hey Leigh,

Haven't stretched it too far yet - 600 miles with way over a quarter still left. It just nudges 400 miles on half a tank. That'll do me, seeing as mu daily commute is 215 miles!

The everyday average is around 69mpg... a few late night runs up the M40 did for the overall average. There's little stopping it once it gets in its stride!

Rich.

 

[Leigh15]

That's pretty impressive stuff - I considered the ecomotive, but the initial purchase cost put me off - £11,000 is a lot of money - I instead bought the Sport which still returns pretty impressive mpg and it's quicker too!!

 

[Elfman]

you commute 215 miles a day!!!!!! jeeeezz thats a long haul man, supose you got the right car for it!

i got 70 out of my TDI FR that was sitting at 50 though haha!

sounds like the ecomotive is doing what it's meant to with 65+ mpg!

 

[Saul]

nice article richard, glad the eco is paying its way

2 mistakes though

1) 14lb/ft ?

2) no mention of the worlds #1 resource for SEAT information

 

[richardaucock]

Yeah, the Eco isn't cheap... guess that's the price you pay for a specialised, low-vol model that's surprisingly bespoke in quite a few areas. Don't worry, I'll be quizzing SEAT's marketing man about all this when I see him!

I know he'll immediately respond with the fact it's a lot cheaper than the Bluemotion...

So do you chaps organise any meets and what not? Keen to come along and have a chat with a few of you, if there are any coming up over the next few months. Certainly, I remember seeing you all at Brands Hatch BTCC last year: I was there doing a feature for Auto Express, and was impressed at all the SEATs I saw parked on the grass behind the pits!

 

[Mr_Dave]

Pretty impressive amount of miles you return there, is that all motorway @ 70mph stuff??

There's meets all over and all the time really, though the amount of names on lists generally don't mean a lot!

A lot of people attend BTCC days and such though, think most stuff is shown in the meet section!

 

[richardaucock]

Will be checking out the meets list for sure. Thanks!

Most of my miles are indeed motorway, sat at 70-80... I know the M6 very well. And the M1. And teh M5. Oh, and the M42.

Did I mention the M40..?

Part of the plan for this car is to see if downtrading is a viable escape route for the credit crunch/financial doom & gloom. So far, it's been pretty pain-free. And I always love the sound of a good triple. Must really get onto Triumph, for a twin test with a twist...

 

[cornerstop]

Yeh - I'm running an Eco - a replacemernt for my 7 year old Ibiza - generally very pleased with it though given my old one was doing 60mpg with an official combined of 56 I was hoping for a little better than the 67 I'm getting from the Eco but only done 5k to date so it may loosen a bit yet.

Although I do like the car I do think Seat have been a bit naughty - for the money no trip computer! - they advertise that they have (by some sort of magic) reduced the drag but all they have done is fitted thinner tyres and that they have reduced the wieght which simply means that not only have they done away with the spare wheel they've also got rid of the wheel brace and the jack!!

 

[richardaucock]

I must admit, not having a t/c is frustrating... I've still to perfect judging it from the odo and fuel gauge. I was also surprised when I looked at the empty spare wheel well, too - extreme weight saving! Maybe I'll fill it with helium balloons...

Oh, and update on eco - not that I'm taking it too seriously, but I capped my top speed to 65mph on the way back last night. But, and I assure you, drove at normal speeds down the m'way to work. Overall? 75mph. Getting better all the time! Dammit, I WILL get 80mpg on one tank...

Here's my inspiration, by the way: http://cars.uk.msn.com/greenmotoring/article.aspx?cp-documentid=8454441

 

[Leigh15]

Here's my inspiration, by the way: http://cars.uk.msn.com/greenmotoring/article.aspx?cp-documentid=8454441

That's Richard's old car!

 

[richardaucock]

Very much in the SEAT fold now! Just drove the new Ibiza, too - I'll be blogging it on MSN Cars soon. Rather liked it...