Is a diesel good for us?

marcarm

Thinking about a new car, currently have a 10yo Focus but looking at something newer.

I'm sure a big question when looking at a new car is Petrol V Diesel. I've read a few threads on here about DPF's and how expensive they are to replace, obviously something to be avoided if possible.

The car I am thinking about gives an average 40ish mpg petrol, and 50ish diesel. The VED is cheaper for the diesel as well.

The car would be used for my wife to get to/from work (5-6 miles each way), every few days I use the car to take our son out (I look after him during the day). At weekends we normally do some longer journeys of half hour plus.

There is not much difference in the second hand prices between a petrol and diesel model.

Also, what is considered high mileage nowadays? Seen a few cars at the bottom end of the price range that have done 100K plus, with regular servicing etc what should you expect to get out of a 5 year old car?

Thanks

bod1467

Based on your usage you'd probably be better with a petrol ... such short journeys wont get the engine hot enough to clean the DPF.

And fuel consumption is based on engines running at their optimum, which for a diesel means longer journeys so hotter engines. You may not get 50 mpg from the diesel based on your journey profile. (A petrol engine will warm up quicker).

To give some real-world figures ... I have Golf GT 2.0 Tdi Bluemotion (140 PS with Stop/Start). Manufacturer figure is 63 mpg extra-urban. My distance to work is 15 miles each way, and I do other longer journeys of 25 miles each way, 40 miles each way, 150 miles each way etc. My average consumption (over 25k miles) is 51 mpg.

Nodding_Donkey

I'd say get the petrol, fuel costs will end up very close considering you do low mileage and, as you mentioned dpf, repair costs should be lower on the petrol.

marcarm

Thought as much, thank you.

I used to do 2-3k miles a month with work, so that would have been a no-brainer, but now I'm at home with the little one that has reduced considerably.

I am aware that consumption figures are not certain, but honestjohn gives the same sort of figures.

Just got the convince the wife we NEED a new car, and I don't just WANT one!

Also, any ideas on the mileage question? this is going to be a car that hopefully will last a while, so would only look at one with service history etc, but where would you draw the line?

Nodding_Donkey

Whenever I've been doing a reasonably low mileage I've always been a fan of getting a higher mileage car with good service history then by the time you sell it it's back to average mileage again. Less depreciation for you that way

Strider590

5-6 miles is barely enough to warm the engine up.

You'd be looking at 10% to 20% (winter) worse fuel economy than the real world figures for whatever car you look at. I say real world because a manufacturer might state 40mpg, but the real world figure could be around 32mpg.

roonaldo

Like what others have said, forget about a diesel. There are plenty of decent size petrols out there that give good MPG eg Honda Civic. You haven't said what your budget it.

marcarm

I'm looking at a Passat CC. The reviews seem to suggest that it offers what my wife will want (practicality etc) and offer me what I want (I'm a bloke after all, so good looks and lots of toys!).

They can be picked up for <£9k nowadays, going to have a look at some and take them for a test run before definitely deciding it's what we want.

BeenThroughItAll

Petrol every time. Regarding the mileage question, 100K is no problem for a modern car, petrol or diesel, if it's been looked after (and by that I don't just mean a trip to the main dealer once a year for an MOT and service).

harveybobbles

Passat CC is terribly dull to look at, inside and out.

For that sort of money you could get something pretty and fun like a thumping V8 S80

marcarm

harveybobbles wrote: »

Passat CC is terribly dull to look at, inside and out.

For that sort of money you could get something pretty and fun like a thumping V8 S80

Really? I think it's lovely, but then again my car history is not something to be proud of!

And coming from a Mk2 Focus, it's bound to look better!