There's always someone that claims to 'average' 30+mpg from a V8 petrol disco while towing a caravan etc. You could use statistical techniques to remove outliers from the data group, but this has its own problems.
I agree. Some people seem to quote the instantaneous consumption figure, or zero the MPG counter when they're up to speed, with the engine warm.
I saw someone on a caravan forum recently claiming an MPG figure (when towing) which was better than the manufacturers official figure for the car alone.
We've all seen fantastical figures that way, but long term averages are far more useful!
Its a little bit like when someone asks for advice on a car. Instead of listening to the requirement and advising, many forum members just pile with a recommendation of their favorite brand/model. And rubbish every alternative suggestion.
This phenomonon isn't just on here though - I remember reading research which said that most casual buyers of What Car? had just made their purchase, and were buying the magazine as some form of validation.
At its worst, this 'tribalism' descends into rubbishing other people's purchases. Often with scant evidence.
Edited by Marlot on 23/06/2013 at 10:29
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