Are diesels bad in a city?

[rozzac99]

Been in the market for a new car recently with around 2k budget, looking for a fun hatchback to drive with more speed than my 55hp polo which is on its last legs. Most of the options that im finding seem to be disels, I like the look of them but have heard issues of using diesels only for small journeys.

I live on outskirts of manchester but am not driving frequently, I do a 3 hour motorway run to back home to wiltshire once or twice every month or so which is where the diesel sounds appealing, would the lack of long journeys cause problems with a diesel?

Edited by rozzac99 on Monday 6th December 12:01

[stargazer30]

Modern sooters have DPFs which can clog and get expensive if the car does lots of short journeys. A good motorway run twice a month should keep it right though.

Personally I have never and would never buy a sooter regardless. NOX spewing, cancer in a can things that need pig pee, no thanks. But that’s me, each to there own…

[dmsims]

Ask Stephen Holgate

[ZX10R NIN]

If you can get a decent car for 2k then buy it if it's diesel so be it as long as your usage suits a diesel get one.

[Trackdayer]

I prefer them around town. That burst of torque is useful at traffic lights, roundabouts. Point and squirt.

£2k I'd be looking at something VAG from around 2003-2008

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's a link to a thread that may help:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[georgeyboy12345]

rozzac99 said:

Been in the market for a new car recently with around 2k budget, looking for a fun hatchback to drive with more speed than my 55hp polo which is on its last legs. Most of the options that im finding seem to be disels, I like the look of them but have heard issues of using diesels only for small journeys.

I live on outskirts of manchester but am not driving frequently, I do a 3 hour motorway run to back home to wiltshire once or twice every month or so which is where the diesel sounds appealing, would the lack of long journeys cause problems with a diesel?

Edited by rozzac99 on Monday 6th December 12:01

I'd sooner you didn't get a diesel - I don't want be sat behind your car belching stinky fumes in the Manchester traffic!

[InitialDave]

I wouldn't buy a diesel. I'd get a small warm hatch for that kind of use.

[rozzac99]

InitialDave said:

I wouldn't buy a diesel. I'd get a small warm hatch for that kind of use.

thats what im looking for I think, cant decide what yet though!

[ChrisH72]

At that price most of the diesels you’d be looking at would be to old to have DPF.

For mainly urban use and only a couple of longer runs a month I’d still be going for petrol though.

Fiesta ST 2.0 maybe?

Or even a 1.6 Zetec S?

[Jag_NE]

Something like a golf mk4 with the 1.9tdi. No dpf, very solid engine and the mpg is brilliant.

[georgeyboy12345]

rozzac99 said:

InitialDave said:

I wouldn't buy a diesel. I'd get a small warm hatch for that kind of use.

thats what im looking for I think, cant decide what yet though!

Not sure if these are quite warm hatches, but they are not woefully underpowered, so should be alright on the motorway without being too bad on fuel as well. Edit - then again, if you are coming from a 55 bhp Polo, they'll feel pretty fast!

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111039...


Ford Focus 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111290...


Renault Megane 1.6 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111259...


Kia Ceed 1.6 SR7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...


Vauxhall Astra 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...

[InitialDave]

Panda 100hp is always a good shout.

[Jag_NE]

Just checked google maps, Manchester to Wiltshire twice a month is 10k miles a year. Add your other driving and it starts to add up. I’d say you are firmly in diesel territory, you could save a packet on fuel.

[ZX10R NIN]

rozzac99 said:

InitialDave said:

I wouldn't buy a diesel. I'd get a small warm hatch for that kind of use.

thats what im looking for I think, cant decide what yet though!

Manchester to Wiltshire twice a month adds up & seeing as the OP isn't really using it in between I'd say a diesel makes a lot of sense.

[NicheMonkey]

Don't forget, the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone comes into effect in 2022 so if you are going to get a diesel make sure its compliant.

[Brett748]

Driving an old diesel in a city is irresponsible. Get a petrol.

[PH User]

A Civic 2.2 diesel might be a good option, I think they were made without dpfs

[Mo28]

NicheMonkey said:

Don't forget, the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone comes into effect in 2022 so if you are going to get a diesel make sure its compliant.

That's not for private vehicles, only for commercial, but I can see it eventually including private vehicles.

[anonymous-user]

Brett748 said:

Driving an old diesel in a city is irresponsible. Get a petrol.

Ah yes, good clean petrol fumes - remember to pollute responsibly kids