Sorry to do this but what car...

[*Fletch*]

First of all, sorry for the usual boring 'what car' thread but the search engine is not functioning brilliantly at the moment, and not many threads about this are being brought back. I thought it would never happen being a hardened petrolhead but thinking of selling my cars and replacing them with a cheap diesel to run for a year while i get sensible, debt free and settled on the property ladder. It's a real wrestle to even consider a diesel and I keep changing my mind but needs must and sacrifices must be made. I currently use a 106 GTi for everyday commuting (30 mile round trip) and have something silly for weekend blasts. The pug is quite cheap to run but it only does 27-30mpg and had a couple of big bills lately, having had it for two and a half years and GTi-6s before it which are similar, I also fancy a change. I'd really like Air con too. Budget is 1-3k really.

Any suggestions welcome, thanks.

[300bhp/ton]

*Fletch* said:

First of all, sorry for the usual boring 'what car' thread but the search engine is not functioning brilliantly at the moment, and not many threads about this are being brought back. I thought it would never happen being a hardened petrolhead but thinking of selling my cars and replacing them with a cheap diesel to run for a year while i get sensible, debt free and settled on the property ladder. It's a real wrestle to even consider a diesel and I keep changing my mind but needs must and sacrifices must be made. I currently use a 106 GTi for everyday commuting (30 mile round trip) and have something silly for weekend blasts. The pug is quite cheap to run but it only does 27-30mpg and had a couple of big bills lately, having had it for two and a half years and GTi-6s before it which are similar, I also fancy a change. I'd really like Air con too. Budget is 1-3k really.

Any suggestions welcome, thanks.

I'm sort of struggling to see how this will save you money? What's your weekend car and would selling it save you money or only offer a return on your asset?

30 miles a day is nothing really. And assuming you work 5 days/week and have the normal holiday allowance, it means you only commute for around 235 days/year.

Which means an annual average of 7050 commuter miles. No idea how many social miles you do, but an easy way to safe would be to cut down on them.

Either way 7050 miles a year at say 28mpg (petrol) is £1557 or approx £130/month on commuter fuel.

Now given a 106 GTI is only worth £1-2k and your budget is £1-3k for a diesel. It would seem like either a straight swap or you'll actually be down £1000+ to start with.

As for what diesel - well does it really matter??? For this money any diesel will be higher mileage and usually worse condition than an equivalent petrol. And you'll probably buy more Mondeo diesel for your money than Fiesta diesel.

Personally any car from almost any car maker will be fine for what you are asking.

Lets assume you look at a Golf Tdi or a MG ZR diesel as both are in budget. Either of these will do 45-50mpg range.

So lets say a 46mpg average, that works out to £1017/year or approx £85/month.


There is a potential saving of around £45/month for this distance - will this be sufficient to actually see any real benefits? Not too mention that potentially your diesel car will have you more to buy than what your current 106 is worth. On this basis it might take you two whole years worth of fuel savings to even break even

And if it ends up being your only vehicle - will it be fun enough, or will you be bored within 6 months?



I'm certainly not saying don't change vehicles. And better mpg is of course always good. But do it for the right reasons and the right way. What appears to be an easy quick gain, might actually save you nothing and even cost you more.

[sawman]

Cant see how you will save money on this. Whilst you have had some big bills recently you might as well get some utility out of your investment.

Of course if you just want a new car then go ahead, but I cant think swapping a cheeky 106 gti for a dull diesel is going to cheer you up any!

[*Fletch*]

Thanks for expressing the actual potential savings which are not massive! I'd expect Insurance and road tax for a diesel to be a little lower than the pug though - currently £370 and £205 respectively so there would be a little saving there. It seems however, that I'd be better off selling the weekend car then (Evo V) which would save a hefty chunk in insurance, tax and maintenance.

I don't do many social miles to be honest, maybe average of 4-5 at the weekend. The problem is the pug is quite dated now, has no air con and although its been fun, I feel like I need a change. Perhaps selling both cars and finding a cheap petrol like a 206 GTi 180 or Clio 172 (30-35mpg) might be the right answer, as they have reasonably fuel economy and still have a element of fun for country lane blasts. But obviously all I'd be gaining is a more modern car, with a couple of extra creature comforts, the savings would come from selling the Evo.

Hmm decisions!

[Vitorio]

sawman said:

Cant see how you will save money on this. Whilst you have had some big bills recently you might as well get some utility out of your investment.

This, unless there are more big bills coming that you know off, keeping the 106, which you know was well maintained up to now, is a safer bet then buying a new unknown car. Also, diesel-repairs tend to be more costly when they happen.