Which Car is Better for a Trip to Cardiff?

[Danger Phoenix]

My family and I are going from South London to Oxford to collect someone and then to Cardiff... and then driving back after midnight tonight.

Now we have two cars:
- Mercedes E280 (1997 Model)
- Toyota Corolla 1.6L (2005 Model)

Firstly which car would consume the least petrol on this journey (assume average speed on the motorway is 80mph)?

Secondly, since its going to be raining and generally bad weather tonight, what are the pros and cons of each car?

My argument with my Dad is that we should take the Corolla because at least then I can drive back at night (I am not insured on the Mercedes), rather than him driving for 6+ hours today (in his old age )

 

[paradigm]

Whichever is more comfortable and sod the running costs.

 

[Danger Phoenix]

Whichever is more comfortable and sod the running costs.

The Mercedes is obviously far more comfortable, but that means my Dad has to drive for 6+ hours tonight

 

[paradigm]

The Mercedes is obviously far more comfortable, but that means my Dad has to drive for 6+ hours tonight

So either get yourself added temporarily, or suck it up?

6 hours is nothing, I drove for 9+ hours on Thursday, or well over 15 hours when I drove to Slovakia.

 

[ZG002]

Take the merc and go to sleep on the way back. If he wants drive for many hours then let him.

 

[Danger Phoenix]

So either get yourself added temporarily, or suck it up?

6 hours is nothing, I drove for 9+ hours on Thursday, or well over 15 hours when I drove to Slovakia.

I am just saying out of concern for my Dad... plus he won't insure me on that car and I am not comfortable driving it.

 

[paradigm]

I am just saying out of concern for my Dad...

It's 6 hours.

 

[Danger Phoenix]

It's 6 hours.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that he hasn't slept much this week because he has been busy preparing for various meetings etc.

 

[ZG002]

How can you not be comfortable driving it? It aint hard . Its just a car a big easy cruiser. Doubt 6 hours driving it is going to kill him. Its built for long distance... 6 hours should feel like nothing.

 

[paradigm]

Then tell him to go to sleep now? I still don't see the problem. If he is so tired that staying awake for 6 hours is going to be a problem then perhaps he shouldn't be driving that distance at all.

I'll say it again, it's 6 hours.

 

[Danger Phoenix]

Anyways, my original post was more about fuel consumption and which car was better for the weather tonight

 

[PermaBanned]

Besides, you already seem to have made up your mind?

 

[paradigm]

Anyways, my original post was more about fuel consumption

As said already, comfort > fuel consumption. At most you're going to save what, £15 by taking the worse car. I'd rather be comfortable for 6 hours than get to the other end feeling cramped and sore.

and which car was better for the weather tonight

The heavier one.

 

[Danger Phoenix]

As said already, comfort > fuel consumption. At most you're going to save what, £15 by taking the worse car. I'd rather be comfortable for 6 hours than get to the other end feeling cramped and sore.



The heavier one.

So the Mercedes it is then

 

[ZG002]

If you are so worried just take the Toyota. Crazy question.

Use google to find the MPG of each car and work it out yourself.

 

[EddScott]

Take the Merc and stop somewhere overnight.

I guess your really only looking at the M4 and A34. Not really taxing roads just long and boring.

ProPlus and layby coffee should keep him awake for several days let alone hours

 

[chrislusty]

Just watch out for the new specs in the M4 around Newport, as its a 50mph limit now, even though the road works are not in the area!

 

[Danger Phoenix]

Ended up taking the Mercedes, but my Mum thinks she overheard my Dad putting me on the insurance for today and tomorrow.

I am not sure I would be comfortable driving that car. I have only had my license for just over one year and been driving for around 11 months.The Toyota is a fairly small car and the Mercedes is huge in comparison.

But it would still be fun (powerful on the motorway) to drive

(in Oxford at the moment on my Sister's laptop)

 

[stockhausen]

Whichever car has a roof-rack to load the sheep onto

 

[Howard]

Ended up taking the Mercedes, but my Mum thinks she overheard my Dad putting me on the insurance for today and tomorrow.

I am not sure I would be comfortable driving that car. I have only had my license for just over one year and been driving for around 11 months.The Toyota is a fairly small car and the Mercedes is huge in comparison.

But it would still be fun (powerful on the motorway) to drive

Honestly, there's nothing to it. You'll get 5 minutes down the road and wonder why you were fussing