Recommend me 2k's worth of diesel estate for short commute
Discussion
Hello all,
I just started a new job this week and a shorter 20 mile commute. My old job was mostly motorways but on this new one my time is half spent blasting around B roads and the rest queuing on A's.
I'd like a cheap diesel estate (for occasional load lugging) that averages better than 40mpg and is reasonably comfortable. Not sure if auto will be an option but with the amount of time I've spent queuing this week, stop-start is becoming a pain.
Right now, I'm running a VW T4 caravelle and its just not up to the job on twisty roads. The lights are also pretty dire so if like to add a decent pair of lamps to the spec.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Cheers!
I just started a new job this week and a shorter 20 mile commute. My old job was mostly motorways but on this new one my time is half spent blasting around B roads and the rest queuing on A's.
I'd like a cheap diesel estate (for occasional load lugging) that averages better than 40mpg and is reasonably comfortable. Not sure if auto will be an option but with the amount of time I've spent queuing this week, stop-start is becoming a pain.
Right now, I'm running a VW T4 caravelle and its just not up to the job on twisty roads. The lights are also pretty dire so if like to add a decent pair of lamps to the spec.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Cheers!
Sounds like diesel will be a complete waste of time and money, especially at that end of the market. Diesels excel with time cruising at part throttle - ie, your previous motorway run. 20 miles of twisties will probably see little/no better mpg from a diesel than a petrol, while costing more to fuel up and being much less nice to drive. And, due to all the "gotta have a diesel for economy" people pushing prices up, you'll get less car overall for your dosh if it's got a diesel lump in the front.
Citroen C5?
Been looking for one myself as an occasional tow car. Massive amount of room & the suspension is just made for our blacktop, potholes & all. 1.6 or 2.0 HDI face lifts appear to be in your price range & some seem to be low miles too. Should achieve your desired MPG figure.
My only worry would be DPF issues, I assume it has one, but maybe your commute would be sufficient. Ours will do long trips when used so no issue I hope.
Been looking for one myself as an occasional tow car. Massive amount of room & the suspension is just made for our blacktop, potholes & all. 1.6 or 2.0 HDI face lifts appear to be in your price range & some seem to be low miles too. Should achieve your desired MPG figure.
My only worry would be DPF issues, I assume it has one, but maybe your commute would be sufficient. Ours will do long trips when used so no issue I hope.
canonbeck said:
Good question, I had assumed that the mpg would be awful on older petrol motors. Of course, I'm here for advice and am very happy to be put right.
Um, being reasonable when given advice other than what you've already decided you want to hear? I'm not sure you'll fit in here 
Anyway, welcome!
It could be worth totting up your annual mileage and figuring out what fuel will cost you what.
Eg: My 2002 1.6 petrol Alfa 147 @ 35 mpg. If petrol's £1.03/l like I paid yesterday then that's 13.24p per mile.
In a diesel doing 40mpg on £1.12/l, you're looking at 12.6p per mile.
If you're doing 20,000 miles a year, that 1-2p's difference might be worth it, but if you're on a short commute and just popping to the shops, it may not.
Plus there are expensive things that can go wrong on a modern 2k diesel, which short trips might not help with. And the price like-for-like tends to be more for the diesel.
Of course, when you start talking about those little 1.5 diesels that do 70mpg against a 30mpg petrol, the difference becomes a lot more pronounced!
I'd go for petrol. I run a VAG Cr 170ps diesel and my brother runs an M135i. I averaged 44ish on a motorway cruise, he averaged 38ish on the same trip (80miles). I was surprised considering the extra 150+ps he's running, not to mention the aural pleasure he experiences over my clatter. It wasn't just a gentle cruise either...
However I like my car and it's not available as a petrol so I'm stuck with it.
However I like my car and it's not available as a petrol so I'm stuck with it.
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