Will diesel be massively more expensive than petrol?

Red29

I'm currently looking to buy an auto Astra elite or Hyundai i30 (new design) max 2 years old.

I know petrol is right for me as I do about 250 miles per month and its 99% normal road driving.

However, due to the models I'm and the fact I'm looking for an auto there's not much availability around but if I widen the search to include diesels there's a lot more on offer.

Would I be making a big financial error considering diesels?

Costs to purchase both petrols and diesels is pretty similar.

alleycat`

If the prices come out the same it really comes down to what the journeys are.

If you go out 2 or 3 times a week and do 20 plus miles on the journey i'd have the diesel.

If you go out every day and do 2 miles total i'd have the petrol.

Red29

Sorry should have said the journeys are about 6 miles per day in the week and every other weekend slightly longer journey of 10 / 20 miles. So all local driving really.

alleycat`

If the cars not really getting a good run out at speed i'd stick with a petrol.

It'll keep you warmer in winter as well as the petrol engine warms up faster.

That is just my opinion obviously

I have a lot of sympathy about availability as my other half only drives autos and has the same problems in finding good cars in the right size bracket.

nickcc

Diesel app 4pence per litre more than petrol. Better mpg with diesel which should equal out the extra cost per litre. Initial cost new, usually more expensive with a diesel engined car. More Petrol engined automatics than diesels so greater choice. Diesels are lower revving than petrol so usually have a longer life expectancy. In my opinion I prefer diesels to petrol especially automatics but as a diesel mechanic I probably would. I'm sure you'll get plenty of fors and against but with the modern diesel there is little difference in drive ability. I hired a new diesel mini a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed, acceleration was as good if not better than the petrol engined version.

Foxy-Stoat_3

I wouldn't buy a diesel car if I was only driving 3,000 miles a year with all short trips.

Strider590

You have nothing but trouble doing such low mileage in a diesel.

Just to raise the most obvious issue, the DPF (diesel particulate filter) needs a good run to start it's regeneration cycle, thats a good long 40+mph run, which you won't be doing. A DPF can cost thousands to replace.......

Using a modern diesel for short journeys is a VERY bad idea.

Ultrasonic

nickcc wrote: »

Diesel app 4pence per litre more than petrol. Better mpg with diesel which should equal out the extra cost per litre.

The improved diesel economy will more than compensate for the additional pump price (something like 5% higher price vs 25% higher mpg), but the concern is in relation to DPF problems with low mileage use. Sticking with a petrol is the safer bet.

Prothet_of_Doom

Very quickly assuming :
40 MPG and £1.38 a litre for petrol = 16p a mile = 482 a year
30 MPG and £1.40 a litre for petrol = 22p a mile = 653 a year
60 MPG and 1.45 a litre for diesel = 11p a mile = 338 a year
50 MPG and 1.43 a litre for diesel = 13p a mile = 397 a year

So worst case the petrol car will cost you an extra 250 a year, and at best an extra 85 a year

Given that a Diesel Particulate Filter will cost you alot more than £250, I'd seriously avoid a diesel, given that the cost difference is marginal.

Strider590

Glad i'm not the only one mentioning the DPF

OP, take note..... A lot of people mindlessly go out and buy diesels, an awful lot of people then end up complaining that they didn't know it needed decent mileage and specific conditions to keep the DPF from failing.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-guide/cbg_fuel.html
and
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html

We used to recommend a diesel engine for frequent short journeys

OddballJamie

3,000 miles a year? Cheaper getting a taxi.