Discussion
Hello... 1st post on here 
I'm in need of a little advice. I just changed job and I'm gonna be doing over 10k business miles a year. I get a standard allowance of 45p a mile... so I think its time to chop in the ST and get something a little more practical!
I want something reliable, although I'm pretty handy with a spanner and can look after servicing and basic maintenance.
I really want something with a bit of style which isn't going to bore me to death. I've owned and modified hot hatches for years so like a car that's fun to drive.
So any advise would be great!! I've never owned a diesel before.
The budget is really tight as my ST is only worth about £3.5k due to its high mileage... so I will only have a max of $4.5 to play with....

I'm in need of a little advice. I just changed job and I'm gonna be doing over 10k business miles a year. I get a standard allowance of 45p a mile... so I think its time to chop in the ST and get something a little more practical!
I want something reliable, although I'm pretty handy with a spanner and can look after servicing and basic maintenance.
I really want something with a bit of style which isn't going to bore me to death. I've owned and modified hot hatches for years so like a car that's fun to drive.
So any advise would be great!! I've never owned a diesel before.
The budget is really tight as my ST is only worth about £3.5k due to its high mileage... so I will only have a max of $4.5 to play with....
The difference between a 35mpg petrol and a 50mpg diesel is only about £400 over 10K miles so changing your car may not really be economic.
If your ST is reliable and you like driving it then swapping for a cheap unknown diesel may end up costing you more.
ETA: Put a quieter backbox on it.
If your ST is reliable and you like driving it then swapping for a cheap unknown diesel may end up costing you more.
ETA: Put a quieter backbox on it.
Toltec said:
The difference between a 35mpg petrol and a 50mpg diesel is only about £400 over 10K miles so changing your car may not really be economic.
If your ST is reliable and you like driving it then swapping for a cheap unknown diesel may end up costing you more.
Yeah I see what your saying but I only get 27mpg out the ST.. I can squeeze 30 on a good run. It is reliable though so you got a fair point..If your ST is reliable and you like driving it then swapping for a cheap unknown diesel may end up costing you more.
And yeah thats also a good point re. the back box and I can get a stock one on there no problem
If you're set on an Alfa, avoid the 2.4JTDm - it's not economical enough to make the swap worthwhile. You'll potentially only see 35mpg out of one.
The 1.9 and 2.0 4-pot diesels are much better.
However, have you considered LPG for your ST? - if it's in decent shape, £1k spent on an LPG conversion could be money well spent - the 'cost equivalency' of LPG vs petrol is around 60mpg on your petrol consumption.
The 1.9 and 2.0 4-pot diesels are much better.
However, have you considered LPG for your ST? - if it's in decent shape, £1k spent on an LPG conversion could be money well spent - the 'cost equivalency' of LPG vs petrol is around 60mpg on your petrol consumption.
charltjr said:
Do the maths - how long will it take you to get the cost to change back in fuel savings? 10k p/a isn't a lot of miles so I'd bet it will be several years.
The way I see it is like this....say I do 15,000 miles a year for work
This will cost me about £3200 ish depending on fuel costs (ave £1.30/L) at 27-30 mgp
At 45 mpg this falls to around £2000
Work pay 45p a mile... working out at £6,750.
This figure also goes to consumables (tyres brakes etc) which at a rough estimate might be....
£400 for a good set of boots
£120 for six monthly oil changes
£50 MOT (if no issues)
£200 back up/fun pot

Maybe round that up to a grand.
Take that off the original amount = £5,750
Take off fuel leaving me with £3,750(yr)/£312(month) diesel
£2,550(yr)/£212(month) petrol
Also need to consider tax which is steep for the ST and insurance which is really not a lot either way.
I suppose its really about how much I can make back from work...
Plus as well its obviously not a flat payment and is claimed back on expenses or I might consider just leasing something with the money.
(Disclaimer..My maths may be well out?)
Edited by ZigM on Saturday 14th January 22:50
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