At what point diesel start to make sence

italiastar

Murphy_The_Cat wrote:

personally, I think diesel makes sense because in my experience (Rover 75) it gives a much nicer drive than petrol (IMHO)

MTC

I agree. We've got a Fabia VRS and Alhambra with the same TDI engine and it is a fantastic drive with shedloads of torque.

jjames_3

> Diesel engines are generally much more reliable than petrol ones and also last longer - there is simply less to go wrong! Diesels tend to be more economical on fuel too.

What you have to bear in mind though is that avantra's petrol car is a Nissan, and a proven good one at that. Nissan petrol engines are proven high-milers, they can do many more miles than most engines of the early 90s, are chain-cam driven and extremely reliable. The 1.4 is a small-bored (and hence in many ways even more robust) version of the 1.6 which has been run to intergalactic mileages in the Bluebird and Primera in taxis. Long-term eliability is therefore not an issue with this engine, indeed I'd put money on that lump still having another ten years in it when the rest of the car falls apart around it.

And while it may well be true that in some ways modern diesels are nicer to drive than petrol ones (I personally don't agree but it's all just personal preference), what you have to bear in mind here is that (1) this is an older, 1990s diesel we're on about here, and diesels always get clattery with miles (but still soldier on), and (2) this is a question about what makes better sense financially rather than a driving experience thing.

As a general rule, I would always say that if you are happy with a car, and it is reliable (and both are very much true in this case), then you need a seriously good reason to get shot. I personally think avantra would be mad to get rid of a car which has served so well, and it seems he/she agrees with me.

matthwnm

BenL wrote:

Don't forget that Diesels have only just become good over the last few years.

The engine in that polo would be a load of rubbish.

You need a common rail diesel turbo engine, mainly from 2001 onwards.

Ben

Rubbish? Sorry I disagree.
But I do agree that common rail diesels are far superior. Manufacturers quote (official) figures over 60mpg for most polo-sized diesels with common rail diesel engine. And, according to the motoring press they give much better performance and low rev accelearation than the older diesels.
I'm looking to get one

Matthew