Petrol or Diesel for me?

SLITHER99

So, looking at some new (cheap) wheels. Although I think petrol is the way to go for me, wondering if I'm definitely right on that one.

It's not a commuter car, it will be sat for several days at a time, but it won't be doing short journeys when it is used. Journeys will be approx 45 minutes - an hour, but I'll be doing a max of 8000 miles a year.

Am I still in petrol territory, or would diesel suit me better?

Cornucopia

Probably still petrol, but check the Road Tax for your eventual choice against a similar diesel car. You may be surprised at the difference.

If there is more than £200 per year difference in Road Tax, then you *might* want to look more carefully at a proper comparison. However, for a low-ish number of miles, the benefits (if any) will be slight.

fishpond

The oft banded about figure seems to be over 10000=diesel
less than 10000 = petrol.
But many other factors to take into account.
Not least what? and how old? is the possible purchase --Apparently, an old diesel will be cheaper to run than say a 3 year old one, as the older one does not have to comply with so many regulations.
Also, some makes are more reliable than others.

SLITHER99

Budget is around the £2000 mark given its use. Also need it fairly big-ish for carrying gear.

BertTheRaccoon

Personally, with those miles I would go for petrol.

Diesel costs more at the pump and unless you go out & buy a thirsty petrol car, you're unlikely to see the savings on a derv, in my opinion.

Also factor in the issue that old diesels and stuff that has done over 100k (which will probably be the case with your budget) are generally a hell of a lot more expensive to fix when they go wrong than petrol equivalent vehicles.

steve-L

Depends what you prefer as well.

Biggish lends me more towards a decent sized engine ruling out 1.2's etc. (assuming gear is heavy as well)

If something like a Fabia or Focus estate is biggish then you could be OK on a 1.2 or 1.4 depending what your gear weighs.

If you want bigger I'd go diesel as you'll end up wanting a 1.8+ petrol anyway.

One way to look at it is just look at equivalent MPG at the speed for your 45min-1hr trips.

i.e. 1.4 Petrol MPG in a car in the £2000 range is about the same (bit lower MPG) than a 1.9D or 2.0D.
The diesel will feel a lot less stressed fully loaded on the motorway.... but you'll be buying one with more miles than the 14 petrol for the same cash.

Examples of sub £2000
Rover 75 Diesel (Auto) £1295
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302255484549/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/estate/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/2000/model/75/make/rover/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/bb79da/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

Manual £1395
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301094850405/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/estate/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/2000/model/75/make/rover/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/bb79da/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

Fuel consumption (extra urban) 63.6 mpg

If the clutch and DMF not changed expect one in the next 50,000 miles, but £1000 will easily cover it.

Saab 9-5 (£1700)
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302245480049/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/body-type/estate/price-to/2000/make/saab/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/bb79da?logcode=p

Fuel consumption (extra urban) 52.3 mpg

PETROL
Civic 1.6 £1000
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302205425578/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/1000/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/2000/body-type/estate/engine-size-cars/1-4l_to_1-6l/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/2/radius/1500/postcode/bb79da?logcode=p

Fuel consumption (extra urban) 41.5 mpg

£1,150Skoda Fabia 1.4
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302165370852/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/1000/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/2000/body-type/estate/engine-size-cars/1-4l_to_1-6l/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/bb79da/page/5?logcode=p
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 50.4 mpg

flyingscotno1

I chucked diesel when I decided to change my car there, although I went to a petrol-hybrid as I got a good deal on one. I do about 15k in mixed town and motorway but also in hilly areas!

My first diesel was great in all conditions and happily got 50mpg nearly all the time- 60mpg + if on a run. My second more modern and supposedly more economical diesel was well short of the claimed figures. Regular peak commuting was 48mpg at best and motorway runs were about 57mpg.

Chucked it when an independent garage told me a bit of work was needed and they were concerned about a noise from the engine. With DPF/DMFs etc felt perhaps a big bill was around the corner. Equally diesels used to take ages to heat up in the morning- my car would be freezing until I was up to speed on the motorway and the engine was warm!