Convince me NOT to buy a diesel

[Acehood]

I have a Clio 182 at the moment. While it's great fun to drive when there's no traffic about on a nice B road, I find myself stuck in traffic all the time or barely able to crack 60mph even on a dual carriageway due to traffic volumes. As I work 9-5, the majority of the time that I'm on the road it's rush hour. My route to work is pretty much all on a dual carriageway that grinds to a halt every morning and evening. Taking a more interesting route would add way too much time to my journey.

I rarely have the urge to just go for a random drive any more. The weather is always st and I just don't feel like driving fast a lot of the time. Every time I do go for a drive there's some idiot who thinks it's fine to do 33mph everywhere, including NSL roads. I can usually overtake them but a lot of the more fun roads haven't got the necessary visibility to do so. I'd be happy doing 40-50mph on them but apparently people in Nissan Micras also enjoy these roads albeit at a slower speed. It could just be a case of the winter blues but I'm really thinking I might sell up and buy some sort of diesel commuting vehicle. It'd be cheaper to run and insure, plus it may be a bit more comfortable when driving up the dual carriageway at 3mph at 8.20am. I love the Clio, it's the most fun car I've had so far but I rarely find myself exceeding 3000rpm any more.

The other thing is the Clio seems to like pissing me off by breaking itself every few weeks. I'm living without the functionality of a screen-wash pump at the moment because it decided to pack in. Last month it was suspension coils snapping. No idea what it's got planned for me at Christmas time but I bet it'll be expensive. Plus it costs me something like £230 a year for tax! I know some of you are paying £400 odd but for a small hatchback it seems expensive. I'm aware it's relatively powerful but you'd think a 2.0 engine in a tiny car would have fairly low emissions?

What should I do?

[adycav]

You need to put the joy back in your driving.

I would recommend something small, tactile, light, rwd, reliable (let's say Japanese), relatively economical, affordable, and with a hood that folds away to enjoy the crisp fresh air/smells of the autumn.

If only such a car existed...

[Acehood]

adycav said:

You need to put the joy back in your driving.

I would recommend something small, tactile, light, rwd, reliable (let's say Japanese), relatively economical, affordable, and with a hood that folds away to enjoy the crisp fresh air/smells of the autumn.

If only such a car existed...

I don't want a convertible again, ever.

[v8will]

I'll get flamed for this. Maybe.

Small diesel (or petrol) to commute, 60MPG and £35 tax

Buy something fun (Clio Williams, Kit car, MX-5 etc) and do a few trackdays or have a bit of fun at the weekends

[Acehood]

v8will said:

I'll get flamed for this. Maybe.

Small diesel (or petrol) to commute, 60MPG and £35 tax

Buy something fun (Clio Williams, Kit car, MX-5 etc) and do a few trackdays or have a bit of fun at the weekends

I think having 2 cars would compound the problem. I don't really have room for 2 cars anyway - it's hard enough to find parking on my street as it is.

The 2nd car would probably end up never being used and 2 insurance policies at age 24 is never going to be cheap! Good idea though, in theory

[adycav]

Acehood said:

adycav said:

You need to put the joy back in your driving.

I would recommend something small, tactile, light, rwd, reliable (let's say Japanese), relatively economical, affordable, and with a hood that folds away to enjoy the crisp fresh air/smells of the autumn.

If only such a car existed...

I don't want a convertible again, ever.

Oh dear, why not?

[Acehood]

adycav said:

Acehood said:

adycav said:

You need to put the joy back in your driving.

I would recommend something small, tactile, light, rwd, reliable (let's say Japanese), relatively economical, affordable, and with a hood that folds away to enjoy the crisp fresh air/smells of the autumn.

If only such a car existed...

I don't want a convertible again, ever.

Oh dear, why not?

Leaky, squeaky, cold, condensation on the inside of the windscreen.. in my experience anyway. I'd probably never take the roof down as we have rain for the majority of the year in england. I like having a roof over my head, makes me feel safer.

[frosted]

Your problem is that,sadly your growing up . So , diesel golf you say ???

[T84]

I have EXACTLY the same dilemma, do I get an ST220/Mazda6 MPS and spend 90% of the time chugging up the motorway or driving to the shops, or do I get a derv Accord and enjoy wafting up the motorway with all the toys, and get it remapped for a blast?

Clue: I'm _very_ close to buying the Diesel. Diesels remap and generally they are cheaper to insure, too.

[thinfourth2]

Take a long weekend off from work set your sat-nav to a little village called applecross

Then come back and say you still want a wiesel

[anonymous-user]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Tell us what sort of diesel you need talking out of and I am sure we can see what we can do....

[nottyash]

The Crack Fox said:

Do the maths on a small diesel versus a small petrol. Unless you're doing mega miles, it probably isn't worth the noise/stink.

That said, the old Fabia VRs looks good.

What he said...and the Fabia VRS is a crackin car

[adycav]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

There's much sense in this post.

[theironduke]

Acehood said:

v8will said:

I'll get flamed for this. Maybe.

Small diesel (or petrol) to commute, 60MPG and £35 tax

Buy something fun (Clio Williams, Kit car, MX-5 etc) and do a few trackdays or have a bit of fun at the weekends

I think having 2 cars would compound the problem. I don't really have room for 2 cars anyway - it's hard enough to find parking on my street as it is.

The 2nd car would probably end up never being used and 2 insurance policies at age 24 is never going to be cheap! Good idea though, in theory

I'm 25 and have two policies, have done for ages. The combined cost for the daily snotter and weekend barge is less than 500 quid a year...doesnt have to be scary.

[volvoforlife]

Buy a diesel at your peril. You have become a sheep and want to follow the flock. But little do they know that they're going to abattoir.

[v8will]

Acehood said:

v8will said:

I'll get flamed for this. Maybe.

Small diesel (or petrol) to commute, 60MPG and £35 tax

Buy something fun (Clio Williams, Kit car, MX-5 etc) and do a few trackdays or have a bit of fun at the weekends

I think having 2 cars would compound the problem. I don't really have room for 2 cars anyway - it's hard enough to find parking on my street as it is.

The 2nd car would probably end up never being used and 2 insurance policies at age 24 is never going to be cheap! Good idea though, in theory

Do what I did for a while then, Commuter car + motorbike for fun or Fun car + commuter motorbike

[Smirnoffmark]

Have you got slippers and a pipe already?

[marlinmunro]

Convince me NOT to buy a diesel

Sorry no can do, bought a 130 tdi Golf as a daily snotter love it 50 to the gallon and enough torque to pull trees out by the roots. Just such a relaxing drive, especially on the motorway.

[Crafty_]

What economy are you getting out of the Clio?

Wondering if a turbo car will give you better economy on the basis of commute = (mostly) off boost, little fuel used.
Weekend or empty roads = fun.

I don't think the Focus ST is great on fuel cos of displacement, but its rivals should be - I'm thinking 2 litre turbo hatches.

My commute is 30 miles of b-roads, when clear I can make progress, but often get stuck behind dawdlers/tractors/lorries, a regular 40mph sees 33-35mpg, I average 30/31mpg over a week.

Best of both worlds? a little more comfort, lower running costs (on the basis it wont break every time you look at it).

Edited by Crafty_ on Wednesday 3rd November 21:53

[to3m]

volvoforlife said:

Buy a diesel at your peril. You have become a sheep and want to follow the flock. But little do they know that they're going to abattoir.

Is this a threat, and should I call the police on behalf of all the diesel car owners?!

Or do you have something else to say (that you didn't)? I have been driving a diesel car for 4 years now and so far have yet to be chopped up into steaks... would like more information, if you happen to know that this is definitely on the cards.