Bangernomics

Bangernomics is the ultimate in recycling

At its very simplest Bangernomics However, a Bangernomic approach means that a car is effectively recycled, rather than abandoned. The natural resources and energy used to make a new car is phenomenal, which makes prolonging the useful life of a car and then disposing of it responsibly decidedly ‘green’. So we found a Kia Pride 1.3 SX that no one in his or her right minds would want for £345, but a Bangernomicist would see that as the perfect station/shopping run car. 45mpg, minimal insurance and it will run forever, probably

What if a Greenie says that a modern fuel-efficient car is better than an older less fuel efficient one?

Well, the accepted view has been that about 80% of the energy used in a car’s lifetime is down to the fuel burned to make it move. That still means a substantial 15% is used to design, develop and make the car. The final 5% goes in recycling, so on the face of it that does make sense. But why does an older car have to be a much less fuel efficient one? Yes you could buy a nice new Prius from £17,777 to £20,677, which is supposed to do 65mpg, but most owners’ find 45mpg closer to reality. Better to find a 2002 Renault Clio 1.5dci 65 Expression for £2,175, which regularly returns up to 70mpg.

However, Bangernomics is all about whole life costs, so simpler cars could be greener for you

So whilst the conventional view is that all cars use up the same amount of energy, regardless of their size or in which country they are produced an American research company (CNW) dug a little deeper. After visiting factories in Japan and Europe, they concluded that traditionally built vehicles, such as Jeeps and big 4x4s, use a lot less energy to produce than high-tech green vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius. So effectively, their poor fuel economy is cancelled out so we can drive a Land Rover with a clear conscience. In fact the 1971 Series 3 we found was tax exempt, had only done 17,000 miles and was eligible for classic insurance at £115 a year and cost just £1,495.

Bangernomics equals Fairtrade Motoring

Hats off to Charles Ware who since the 1970s has championed the Morris Minor as the durable, economic and lovable alternative to a new car and in 1991 established a plant in Sri Lanka to make the complex rounded panels by hand. This is a proper partnership between Chares Ware’s Morris Minor Centre and local interests in the country. So long before Fairtrade became fashionable Mr Ware was doing his bit. Indeed owning a Minor would also help businesses local to you rather than benefiting the global conglomerates. Your friendly local garage can look after a Minor. Many of the Centre’s saloons had been sold but the entry level for one of their immaculate examples was £3,950.

Become a CARobian

If you intend to be an extreme Bangernomicist then the CARobics faction of the movement is for you. A CARobian is rather like a Vegan is to Vegetarianism and takes car ownership to its ultimate conclusion, running a car until it completely expires or until you can no longer economically repair it. Older cars, some may call them classics, lend themselves better to this approach as parts are cheap and easy to fit. But why not simply buy a Nissan, Toyota or Honda and running it until it is worn out? A 1999 Nissan Primera with 130,000 miles on the clock is only just run in, and at £325 for a lifetimes motoring, what could be greener than that?

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