Making the right decision

[Romana-S]

I have, a very nasty habit in life, of almost always making the wrong decisions.<br> If there is a decision to be made, you can garuntee I'll make the wrong one. So<br> I am very worried about doing so soon when it comes to choosing the vehichle to<br> live in long term. But not sure which one to choose to keep.<br> <br> I guess I am lucky enough to be in a position to make a choice though.<br> I have my much beloved Mazda T3000 motorhome, a small bus:<br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.vandwellers.org/forsale.html">http://www.vandwellers.org/forsale.html</a><br> If I sold it I would get about $25,000 - $28,000<br> <br> And my big old Bedford:<br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.vandwellers.org/bigbus/">http://www.vandwellers.org/bigbus/</a><br> If I sold it I would get about S13,000 - $15,000<br> <br> The Mazda is essentially road worthy, and could be made road ready for $2,000,<br> including registration and insurance. The Bedford is almost fully fitted out<br> now, but would require about $4,000 - $8,000 worth of work to get registered.<br> <br> The Mazda has a 3.0 Litre diesel engine. Diesel in Australia costs about $1.56 a<br> litre / $5.90 gallon US. Fuel economy is about 8 km / litre or 18 miles /<br> gallon. It has a 70 litre diesel tank which costs over $100 to fill.<br> The Bedford has 200 litre LPG tank. LPG is around 88 cents per litre / $3.45 per<br> gallon. I'm not sure what the fuel econnomy on it is, but it has a V8 5.2 litre<br> engine.<br> <br> Currently both vehichles have the same stove, toilet and sink. The Mazda has<br> just 4.5 litres of gas bottle storage for the stove and hot water. The Bedford<br> has 2 x 9 litres for stove and hot water.<br> <br> The Mazda has 272 watts of solar power installed at the moment, but I estimate I<br> could increase that to about 500W if required. The Bedford has no installed<br> solar, but I have 300W or panels inside, ready to install. I could easily<br> install 600 W or solar on this bus, or more.<br> <br> The Mazda has a 70 Litre water tank, installed and already used. There is room<br> for another tank of the same size. The Bedford has an 86 litre tank, and room<br> for more. They are not installed yet.<br> <br> My life choices at the moment are to either stay local and look for work. Or<br> give up on work and travel. I have been applying for heaps of jobs, but have not<br> been sucessful at anything but part time work. I am about to quit university as<br> I am so far behind it is not worth studying any more.<br> <br> Living in the big bus would have plenty of storage, a bath, and room to move<br> around in. Living in the Mazda would mean a smaller but still livibale space,<br> easier steering and parking, and some degree of stealth. But it would also means<br> some massive downsizing.<br> <br> I would love to be able to do a fuel cost comparison on the two, as I think that<br> will be a major factor. When it comes down to it, the bus that can be moved for<br> less cost would be the more economical one to drive.<br><br>Also, there are a few sentimental things I want to keep from overseas trips.<br>

 

[Seraphim]

Which would you prefer to spend long periods of time in? How much moving do you intend to do, and is it city or rural/highway driving?

Can't help you with LPG information, but it seems like either vehicle would be a good choice - just a matter of what you personally like.

 

[rattlesnake joe]

<p>Downsize now, the economy will get worse and fuel will sky rocket.</p>