Would I save much running a derv?

digitalwolf · 19 May 2009 at 15:54

Captain_Slick said:
Why does it need to do 0-100 in 21 seconds? Where do you drive at 100mph regularly?

£5000 will get you a nice, comfortable, safe hatchback that'll pull more than enough on the motorway and backroads and have far more 'cred' than some crappy boy racer Saxo/Pug 106.

It needs to be quick. Having had a first car that was pretty nippy, then going to the VTS it needs to perform. I have changed my driving style to suit these cars.

Why do people buy Focus ST's and Civic Type R's? Just because they look good?

It's got nothing to do with street cred. I like hot hatches.

Captain_Slick · 19 May 2009 at 15:55

People buy Focus STs and Civic Type Rs because they are good cars to begin with, with a bit of extra oomph and slightly better handling, but mainly because they're already very good cars.

Changed your driving style to suit these cars? You're not an F1 driver, you plonker. Get your head out of the clouds.

iaind · 19 May 2009 at 16:06

Youre only 20/21 so I think you need to calm down a bit, with an attitude of wanting 0-100 times you're going to end up having an accident.

So are running costs no longer a concern? :confused:

OllyM · 19 May 2009 at 16:08

You want the moon on a stick with a relatively low budget, complain about performance but then want something more economical than a tin pot Saxo and every bit of advice you get given you just dismiss :confused:

Change your requirements!

Howard · 19 May 2009 at 16:18

iaind said:
For one thing, 0-60 times arent everything. If you compare a 130bhp petrol to a 130bhp diesel, the derv will probably have a lower 0-60 but will have noticably more mid range grunt - depends on your driving style. Case in point, the focus that I suggested. The 2.0 petrol has 8bhp more and 0.1s less to 60 but I'd prefer driving the tdci any day...

I've had acceleration competitions (going from 30-50mph up to 70-80) against (presumably - I'd worry if it was a V6 TDI

) low ish powered VAG TDIs before in my heavy old 2L 147bhp peaky VTEC Accord, and the old black plumes of smoke will confirm they've hooved it but they didn't exactly pull ahead at a rate of knotts, if at all.

I'd rather have a smooth 130bhp petrol over a rough 130bhp Diesel any day.

iaind · 19 May 2009 at 16:21

Personal taste I guess, in some situations it'll be quicker and some slower.

If I was buying a car as a performance machine to hoon about in, it would have to be a petrol...

Howard · 19 May 2009 at 16:23

I can't think of any situation other than if I was doing about 30k+ a year that I'd buy a Diesel, other than perhaps if I had to choose between a BMW 335d and a 1L 3cyl Corsa.

But like you say, each to their own of course

And BTW Diesel has a capital D, guys

iaind · 19 May 2009 at 16:26

Oh come on, I thought I was being pedantic

I would only capitalise it if I was referring to the person...

The OP probably has a 3cyl corsa and a 335d on his list of options

Howard · 19 May 2009 at 16:28

It's derived from the name of the bloke who invented it

Just saying

iaind · 19 May 2009 at 16:30

You had to make me go and search for it didn't you

Capitalize words named after geographic locations, the names of major historical or geological time frames, and most words derived from proper names. Note: The only way to be sure if a word derived from a person’s name should be capitalized is to look it up in the dictionary. For example, “Bunsen burner” (after Robert Bunsen) is capitalized, while “diesel engine” (after Rudolph Diesel) is not.

https://www.e-education.psu.edu/styleforstudents/c2_p11.html

Howard · 19 May 2009 at 16:32

weep

iaind · 19 May 2009 at 16:34

Have to say, I didn't know that and never considered it... I like being right by coincidence.

This thread is no longer about pointless car requirements for someone who will never buy one and is now about idiosyncrasies of capitalisation in the English language.

digitalwolf · 19 May 2009 at 17:54

I was considering the VAG / BMW diesels because I know what you can get out of them.

Remapping them can get you impressive bhp/torque figures.

Running costs are obviously a concern because i'd have purchased an EP3 Civic Type R or 6 pot BMW by now.

I want a quick car that will give decent MPG when i'm taking it easy and not crumble to bits.

35mpg +

OllyM · 19 May 2009 at 17:56

Which isn't possible, especially not for 5 or 6k. The turbo going pop will cost you at least a grand to fix on a BMW diesel - and at this end of the market it's reasonably likely unless it's already been done.

Howard · 19 May 2009 at 17:58

Remapping will only make the reliability and longevity worse, anyway

digitalwolf · 19 May 2009 at 17:58

OllyM said:
Which isn't possible, especially not for 5 or 6k. The turbo going pop will cost you at least a grand to fix on a BMW diesel - and at this end of the market it's reasonably likely unless it's already been done.

This is my concern on any high mileage diesel. The turbo is just something else to break and if it did i'd be in a mess.

35mpg is the average figure per tank that I would like.

OllyM · 19 May 2009 at 18:00

So go for a petrol then and accept the fact that generally decent performance in a decent car is going to mean spending a bit more on fuel? :confused:

One turbo failure will wipe out many years of fuel savings you'd make with a diesel.

Berger · 19 May 2009 at 18:01

digitalwolf said:
Forget the cost of the car etc, it would only be a 306 HDi anyway. I was wondering if i'd save much a month running a diesel out of sheer curiosity.

I'm doing about 400 miles every 1 week and 2/3 days.

To fill up the Saxo cost's about £37-£38 @ 88.9p and I get about 42-44mpg

A 306 HDi would do 50mpg? Would I make a *significant* saving?

Wouldnt a 306 HDI be the car that you slated me for suggesting last time you made a thread up?

See Here

:confused:

digitalwolf · 19 May 2009 at 18:02

OllyM said:
So go for a petrol then?

One turbo failure will wipe out many years of fuel savings you'd make with a diesel.

But what OllyM?

A Civic Type R would not give me 35mpg per tank. Would it even give me 30?

The Clio 172/182 is a standout favourite but both people I know who own them have plunged lots of money into stupid little faults like the climate control failing, the xenons failing and exhausts falling off.

digitalwolf · 19 May 2009 at 18:04

Berger said:
Wouldnt a 306 HDI be the car that you slated me for suggesting last time you made a thread up?

See Here

I want something modern.

The 306 is a great car but it's a downgrade in terms of handling and performance. The only two 306's i'd look at buying would be the Rallye or GTi.

They are both out of the question due to poor fuel economy.