What Car Thread
Discussion
New'ish Mitsi Colt?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Festa?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Festa?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Edited by john_r on Tuesday 11th January 10:49
Don't be fooled by the 'cheap to run' Diesel con; unless you are doing mega-mileage the (generally) higher servicing costs and additional purchase costs will not justify a diesel. On top of that Diesel is 5-6p per litre more than petrol so it takes a lot of miles per annum to make up the difference!
That 18 month old 1.4 Fiesta Zetec for £5k does 45mpg combined, however an equivalent diesel will be £7k-£8k and do 55mpg... And, given that we all prefer to make 'progress' when driving, the diesel will not do anywhere near 55mpg if trying to make the same progress as a petrol doing 40+mpg!
You'd have to do a sh!t load of miles to make a diesel in a small car be more efficient than petrol!
That 18 month old 1.4 Fiesta Zetec for £5k does 45mpg combined, however an equivalent diesel will be £7k-£8k and do 55mpg... And, given that we all prefer to make 'progress' when driving, the diesel will not do anywhere near 55mpg if trying to make the same progress as a petrol doing 40+mpg!
You'd have to do a sh!t load of miles to make a diesel in a small car be more efficient than petrol!
Mondeos rule, I am sadly looking to also replace my trusty mondy, had it ten years in feb, been a total work horse, trips to dumps, used it to build one house and renovate several. Bought for £5k in 2001 with 40k miles, 5 years old then, was mint now done 102k mile, reversed it into a car and a tree, been broken into but has been utterly reliable, total spent on it £1500 in ten years...But things are now starting to die.....
Need an estate so considering the Gallardo shooting break..ideal for building materials apparently......

Need an estate so considering the Gallardo shooting break..ideal for building materials apparently......

Edited by M3 on Tuesday 11th January 13:39
john_r said:
So, assuming 300 miles a week in the Fiesta; a diesel at 55mpg over a petrol at 45mpg would be approx £5.40 per week cheaper to run in fuel incl current price difference. The cheapest equivalent diesel Fiesta on AutoTrader to that petrol above is £7k, i.e. £2k more than the petrol...
So the savings gained by buying a Diesel Festa over a Petrol would become relevant after approximately... 7 Years and 111,000 miles .
If you did any weeks less than 300 miles, i.e. holidays, then it would take even longer to pay back the difference in purchase price. AND this does not take into account that Diesels cost more to service which would probably add another year at least to the payback time.
Even if the diesel averaged 60mpg it would still take 5 years and 90k miles to pay back the purchase difference over a petrol!
A diesel 'could' be worth more come resale time, but looking through the classifieds high mileage small diesels are no better priced than equivalent petrol cars... It only seems to be bigger diesel bargesque types that command a premium over equivalent petrols?
So the savings gained by buying a Diesel Festa over a Petrol would become relevant after approximately... 7 Years and 111,000 miles .
If you did any weeks less than 300 miles, i.e. holidays, then it would take even longer to pay back the difference in purchase price. AND this does not take into account that Diesels cost more to service which would probably add another year at least to the payback time.
Even if the diesel averaged 60mpg it would still take 5 years and 90k miles to pay back the purchase difference over a petrol!
A diesel 'could' be worth more come resale time, but looking through the classifieds high mileage small diesels are no better priced than equivalent petrol cars... It only seems to be bigger diesel bargesque types that command a premium over equivalent petrols?
Caveats: I am not a mathemetician; prices may go up as well as down; I have far too much time on my hands; Excel is a wonderful tool but it's only as good as the user (see first caveat)
should be made into a PH article if you ask me as it's not just relevant at sub 10k prices either.Might be worth a look at an Aygo too if you're going to Toyota, will be £159 a month without haggling at the moment. No car tax and 3 years free servicing too when you take their finance.
http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_...
http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_...
nonuts said:
Might be worth a look at an Aygo too if you're going to Toyota, will be £159 a month without haggling at the moment. No car tax and 3 years free servicing too when you take their finance.
http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_...
I'd seriously look at the 24 month deal on that car if the small cars at £8k float your boat dizee - the difference in monthly payments is only small and coupled with a shorter term, lower APR (by 2%) and higher GFV - it leaves you a lot more options for the future. In 2 years your circumstances should have improved and you could switch the car in for a better model (with higher GFV).http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_...
Personally, I wouldn't look at a small car on finance (and an £8k purchase price) but I understand the predicament.
As an aside, what have been the costs to date on the Mondeo (purchase, servicing, repair, etc) and over what term?
Good luck!
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