Is it cheaper to have one large car or two smaller cars? Which is more environmentally friendly?

Question

My husband often travels long distances, in our large family car. In a smaller car we could not travel with our whole family at weekends, and would therefore need two cars. Is it better for the environment to have two small cars or one large car? Which is cheaper?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

well since your family is large i would say the larger car

Answer 2

Well, I do know that my parents put more miles on 1 car in a year than my wife and I do on 2 cars in the same time. Check miles per gallon, maintenance schedule, and so on. Can you afford to insure 2 cars? Maybe 1 on full coverage and the other on liability only? If you do decide to get another car, it would probably be a good idea to get a smaller car for your husband's long trips, one with 30+ miles per gallon that lasts forever (150-200,000 miles), but it seems you're already thinking that way.
Good luck!

Answer 3

you have not give enough info for a answer. what type of car you driving now ?

Answer 4

a large car that gets 15mpg on the interstate is actually cheaper than two cars that get 30mpg

because you have to figure in maintenence and insurance and a second car payment

i would recomend the larger car for the long run

i would actually say it is better for the environment to drive a large car because if you are getting good fuel economy you are going to drive more and therefore more polution

Answer 5

cheaper - probably one large car. Only one lot of insurance, road tax etc. (assuming it's not a 10mpg Hummer). Environmentally - two cars, if you drive the least polluting car for the journey you need to do.

You could also consider a motorcycle. This would use less fuel (assuming apt choice) and would get you through the traffic more quickly. A friend of mine learned in his 50s.

Answer 6

In 1943 it was common to see the French private auto owner in German occupied Europe drive about in pre-war models
each bearing large bird coops perched above rear portion upper bodywork. The engines were adapted to utilize methane for fuel extracted from chicken dung. The point is, it isn't what you drive that gets you someplace cheaply but rather how much excretion one requires to make it happen.