Diesel as a first car?

flyingscotno1

Lum wrote: »

I guess the insurance companies have improved a lot since I was that age then. When I was trying to get insurance on a variety of cars, it seemed that young person with an engine size over 1.4 litres == big money even on low insurance group cars.

Oh and the RX cars are a special case and you know it! In some countries if the car is a rotary you multiply the engine size by 1.5 for tax purposes and I guess this would also be valid for insurance purposes.

Insurance grouping is only a rough guide anyway since the insurance companies collect risk statistics for individual car models too. I guess because of this Skoda is a good choice since the chavs are unlikely to buy Skodas and thus they don't get crashed as often, though I do wonder if the number of Skoda minicabs may affect the statistics negatively?

My driving instructor at the time even had a 1.9 diesel. I think it is the same as anything, they collect the statistics and they know exactly what risk what car is- engine size for me is just a small factor.

goldspanners

cpdc1030 wrote: »

If you're not doing many miles (under 8,000 per year) then I'd say there's no point going with a Diesel. You're unlikely to recoup the increased purchase and maintenance costs through fuel savings.

its an older diesel,so the price differance wont be that much,so if the diesel suits you then thats what you buy.
maintenance costs on this engine compared to the equivelent petrol will be much the same.