Need a Diesel

Author
Discussion

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Hello... 1st post on here smile

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....

benjijames28

1,702 posts

107 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Diesel Alfa, take your pick.

Fleckers

2,878 posts

216 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Keep the ST

Or get a Nissan navara pickup and have fun

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
benjijames28 said:
Diesel Alfa, take your pick.
Yeah this seems like the smart choice in 159 guise if I can get the 2.4jtdm but I read some really off putting thing about the diesel engines Alfa made around this time!

caelite

4,282 posts

127 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Baby killing bd!

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Fleckers said:
Keep the ST

Or get a Nissan navara pickup and have fun
I did think this but I need something fairly low key, I dont want to rock up to a clients place in my ST, its loud & low etc

wemorgan

3,583 posts

193 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Honda Civic

Toltec

7,171 posts

238 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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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.

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
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..


And yeah thats also a good point re. the back box and I can get a stock one on there no problem

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
wemorgan said:
Honda Civic
I'd take the accord but was told the 2.2cdti was prone to HG issues?

anonymous-user

69 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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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.

Otispunkmeyer

13,366 posts

170 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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My condolences.

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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laugh
Otispunkmeyer said:
My condolences.

Borroxs

20,911 posts

262 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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How man miles are you going to do? If it's just 10k and they are paying you 45p a mile, keep the ST.

Only swap to a diesel if you are going to do 25k plus.

chrisga

2,128 posts

202 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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ZigM said:
Yeah this seems like the smart choice in 159 guise if I can get the 2.4jtdm but I read some really off putting thing about the diesel engines Alfa made around this time!
The 2.4jtdm is ok, but not very economical for a diesel!

Trabi601

4,865 posts

110 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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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.

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
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 wink

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

KieronGSi

1,111 posts

219 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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I'd go with leasing a diesel ST.

ZigM

Original Poster:

16 posts

134 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
KieronGSi said:
I'd go with leasing a diesel ST.
I'm thinking this too, never leased a car before. Need to chat to a few of the guys to see what they do.

wemorgan

3,583 posts

193 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
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ZigM said:
I'd take the accord but was told the 2.2cdti was prone to HG issues?
That's not accurate information. That engine is known for its reliability.