Would it be worth going diesel?

Sypel · 27 Jan 2018 at 15:16

I'm moving soon and will commute to work by car, I've worked it out as around 24000 miles a year back and forth, 90% of which is motorway. I currently drive a 1.4 petrol 207 which gets around 40MPG. Would a frugal diesel be wise for this sort of situatation in OCUKs eyes?

I'm not looking for exciting or fast, just a car that'll give decent economy really and reliability on this sort of mileage.

fastwunz · 27 Jan 2018 at 15:52

Yes at that mileage I would

Jonnycoupe · 27 Jan 2018 at 16:11

Perfect example where a diesel remains an appropriate choice. Forget the media circus.

NooBish AbbZ · 27 Jan 2018 at 16:15

Absolutely

Dis86 · 27 Jan 2018 at 16:20

Hawk Tuah · 27 Jan 2018 at 16:24

Yes. That or an Insight.

paradigm · 27 Jan 2018 at 16:25

I think I'd get a new job rather than travel 24,000 miles of commute a year. But failing that, a diesel I guess.

Sypel · 27 Jan 2018 at 16:39

Great, I figured likely it would make sense but all I've seen lately is costs of running a diesel are going to increase and that you'd be foolish to buy one and all that. Figure I should start working out a game plan since I don't see my 207 surviving that kinda use long term, on 99,000 or so miles already though has been reliable thus far.

The travel figure doesn't really bother me, I currently walk to work which takes longer than the drive would, I'm fortunate in that I travel outside of rush hour both ways so the drive is actually faster. It just costs more than walking of course.

ci_newman · 27 Jan 2018 at 17:05

If you've already got a car that actually manages 40mpg, jumping to a diesel to save money isn't going to offer much cost saving when you accout for the cost (and unknown maintenance) of the new vehicle.

You can change because you want something different, but dont do it for false ideas about cost saving

Kenai · 27 Jan 2018 at 17:35

If you get something that'll return 55 to 60, then you could see nearly £1000 ish in savings on fuel

As ci newman points out, this obviously needs to be viewed alongside the cost of changing and the risks that come with getting a new car

Sypel · 27 Jan 2018 at 17:50

That’s a fair point, I plan to run it for now and see how it fares for the mot in a few months. Partly fancy a change as this was my first car but it has been very reliable thus far despite the stereotypes of French cars. The other factor is may be starting a family and it’s not the biggest vehicle if you have car seats or prams to worry about.

andicole0 · 27 Jan 2018 at 18:12

Just be prepared for our well informed government to make some radical decisions on diesel fuel and engines in the coming years.
At the moment it makes sense to go diesel but who knows who is pulling the strings.
Andi.

stopper · 27 Jan 2018 at 19:25

ci_newman said:
If you've already got a car that actually manages 40mpg, jumping to a diesel to save money isn't going to offer much cost saving when you accout for the cost (and unknown maintenance) of the new vehicle.

You can change because you want something different, but dont do it for false ideas about cost saving

To get that kind of mileage, I bet that 1.4 petrol isn't doing 70mph on a motorway every day though. So a diesel will be better, not to mention tax.

Nasher · 27 Jan 2018 at 23:18

But it will suck when city centers start banning diesels in a few years time.

[TW]Fox · 28 Jan 2018 at 09:16

Nasher said:
But it will suck when city centers start banning diesels in a few years time.

Read the government's clean air strategy where it outlines how emissions zones will work.

The problem with diesel now is people parroting things with no basis in fact. Half the country is convinced something like that will happen.

If you want a clue as to how it'll work just look at the London ULEZ.