Controversial
Sticking with my temperamental 30-year-old Golf, using the argument that I'm offsetting the raw material use and energy expended in its manufacture by extending its use, rather than scrapping it after max 10 years (probably get shot down for that one!)
[Edit for typos]
No, I think that using an old petrol car is probably the least bad option, provided you don't go far and plan to desist altogether in the next few years.
I rather admire your dedication to keeping the thing running, tbh.
There's probably a point where the best solution to the perennial carburettor problems is to retrofit an electric drivetrain, thobut.
Some old cars just keep going with minimal upkeep. I was given a 2001 Citreon Saxo (1.1L petrol) when my mum stopped driving. It's happily continued running with no problems for the 3 years I've had it. It obviously gets an MOT each year and I treated it to a proper service after owning it for 3 years, other than that it's never had to go to a garage. The tyres will be good for thousands more miles. If it dies (unlikely as it has only done 50k miles) then I'll get rid of it and not replace it with anything, I'll just switch to Zipcars/cabs, more use of public transport or just not do the trip at all. And despite it being 19 years old it is ULEZ compliant, which is useful as I live half a mile from the edge of the proposed ULEZ extension area.
Anyway, on the positive side:-
* I try to reuse and recycle as much as possible (the local council make this quite easy)
* We use public transport a lot (living in London makes this easy)
* I/we have cut down red meat
* No more long haul flights (I used to live in the US and probably flew 300+ hours a year)
* Most holidays are by train (either in the UK or France)
* My car (I'm a monster!) does less than 500 miles a year, if I got rid of the car I'd probably still do the same number of miles in a car that belonged to someone else (either Zipcar or cabs)
* No pets (ever)
* We don't rattle around in a property that is too big for us, the "spare bedroom" is now a study to allow one of us to work from home on any given day which cuts down on commuting
* I commute 75% of the time by human power (bike or running), the remaining time by train, never by motor vehicle
* I try to buy used/second-hand items rather than brand new
* Heating limited to a max of 19 deg C (luckily it's a warm flat given we have neighbours above and beneath us) and all of us more likely to put a jumper on than turn it up
* Using more tupperware instead of clingfilm
But I'll switch it around to point out what I still do that I could cut down or stop:-
* We still take one or two return flights a year (mostly short haul to Europe) - have looked into going skiing by train and may give it a go next year
* I still have a car, and it is parked on the street
* I have procreated, but only have one and it's quite green aware
* We still eat too much meat (more poultry than red meat)
* Buying too much fruit/veg from supermarket (albeit the options with minimal/no packaging) - should use local shops more despite the higher prices
* I don't keep enough of an eye on food miles
* Still too many things delivered from ordering online
* Haven't got around to using the "refill station" at the local charity shop for household chemicals