Long term shed - use v ulez - diesel v petrol - getting old

[DickyC]

So many balls to juggle.

I tend to keep my daily for years, ten years is not unknown. The next one has additional pressures on its purchase. It not only has to be reliable, it also now has to cope with the expansion of ultra low emission zones from the metropolitan areas to - presumably - everywhere eventually. If it is a ten year car, it may well be my last; I'm 69 and have just been diagnosed with heart problems.

With all that in mind, which fossil fuel will survive longer? In your opinion, will I still be able to buy either in ten years' time or will one be harder to come by than the other?

My best guess is that diesel will last longer because of the sheer number of diesel-engined commercial vehicles.

I'm selling my late life crisis car which is petrol, we are keeping my wife's recently refurbished petrol car (partly for me to tinker with) and it is for the replacement of the current petrol-engined daily car that I am seeking opinions.

We live on the outskirts of a town, quite a long way from any metropolitan area which may mean we won't be hampered by ulez for years. (Ulezes? What is the plural of ulez?) We have kids and grandchildren dotted about the country and visiting them means motorways.

My preference is petrol but a round trip to Greater Manchester, South Wales or Kent would be a lot cheaper in a diesel.

My other preference for a daily is an estate car but, cutting through the fog I've just created, the basic question is:

In your opinion, which fuel will be available longer, diesel or petrol?

[nipsips]

I believe in theory petrol will be around longer.

Diesel trucks/buses are a thing - but vans and other commercial use are steadily being pushed towards either petrol or electric.

Most petrol engines now aren’t exactly uneconomical, there’s still some benefits to diesel however but those benefits will soon be surpassed by ULEZ’s.

Personally if you’re in the market for an estate dependent on budget my money would go on a 1.2 Puretech 308 or Astra - or a hybrid Toyota Corolla maybe?

[braddo]

Agreed.

I have seen a few posts with staggering economy from stuff like petrol 1.8 insignias.

The petrol car will also retain more value over the long term and have lower running costs (excl fuel).

[DickyC]

Thanks nipsips and braddo. Much to consider there but petrol is leading so far.

amongst other considerations, I like nice under bonnet architecture and diesels rarely have it.

[Pica-Pica]

6 years ago, when I was your age, I had an old E36, that was 19 years old. I keep my cars for at least 10 years. I went for a 335d. At that time:
The BMW F30 has just undergone an update (LCI)
It was ULEZ (and still is) compliant.
It had a big discount.
The VED on cost above £40k was not due in for a few months.
It has massive torque.

So 6 years in, it was a great choice. I shall be keeping it for at least 10 years
But now, my wife’s car is 10 years old, and we will be looking for a simple, small petrol hatch, that will see us until EVs have sufficiently matured in range, size (smaller) and cost. I think EVs will need to improve drastically and rapidly for that to happen. If that never happens, we will keep her new petrol hatch, until neither of us wants a car at all.

We will be looking at a town car, that is also a relaxed motorway cruiser. Probably a 1.5 Golf or even a Honda Jazz. We will not be wanting an SUV at all.