Sporty diesel Vs light weight petrol
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm looking at changing my car as I'm now doing ~1500 miles a month. Initially I thought about a VW/Audi tdi estate but depreciation puts me off a bit (as well as the fact I don't have kids or a dog to cart about) so I started to look at something like an A4 2.0tdi convertible or BMW 330Cd convertible. But it seems a lot of people are lucky to get anywhere near the claimed mpg from them.
With petrol being cheaper than diesel something like an elise would actually be cheaper to run!
I'm currently using a pick up which gives me ~30mpg if I'm lucky so most things will be better. I want to avoid a 1.2 petrol micra and that sort of thing as I think I'd rather walk!
Is there such a thing as a half way practical car that's fun to drive, gets 40+mpg in the real world, looks good and isn't depressingly slow?
Budget is fairly flexible (£8-15k) and i don't mind 'tweeking' it to get it to meet the requirements above.
Totally confused! Any advice welcome!
I'm looking at changing my car as I'm now doing ~1500 miles a month. Initially I thought about a VW/Audi tdi estate but depreciation puts me off a bit (as well as the fact I don't have kids or a dog to cart about) so I started to look at something like an A4 2.0tdi convertible or BMW 330Cd convertible. But it seems a lot of people are lucky to get anywhere near the claimed mpg from them.
With petrol being cheaper than diesel something like an elise would actually be cheaper to run!
I'm currently using a pick up which gives me ~30mpg if I'm lucky so most things will be better. I want to avoid a 1.2 petrol micra and that sort of thing as I think I'd rather walk!
Is there such a thing as a half way practical car that's fun to drive, gets 40+mpg in the real world, looks good and isn't depressingly slow?
Budget is fairly flexible (£8-15k) and i don't mind 'tweeking' it to get it to meet the requirements above.
Totally confused! Any advice welcome!
It depends on how much value you place on 'sporty' handling.
For me I would go for a petrol every time as the extra mass in a diesel drives me nuts when after a spirited drive. I think you'd be lucky to get 40mpg out of anything bar an MR2/MX5 although the 1.4TSI Scirroco or Fabia VRs is supposed to return 40mpg (as are some of the other hot super minis).
For me I would go for a petrol every time as the extra mass in a diesel drives me nuts when after a spirited drive. I think you'd be lucky to get 40mpg out of anything bar an MR2/MX5 although the 1.4TSI Scirroco or Fabia VRs is supposed to return 40mpg (as are some of the other hot super minis).
Tommy Kaira said:
Elise is certainly do-able! No doubt it'll be a pain on the odd occasion I when I need to carry stuff (trip to Le Mans, etc). Is there anyone on here that uses one as a daily driver?
Lots of people on here use them as daily drivers. There are a few Caterham daily drivers too (I used to be one of those). Packing for a trip to Le Mans shouldn't be too tricky - it's trips to the tip/Ikea/etc that are more annoying in a small car 
I think the answer is going to 'go and drive one' but what are they like to live with? They seem very small, low and uncomfortable. I've got a Tommy Kaira ZZ and wouldn't even consider using that as a daily. It's way too 'focused'. I'd always assumed the Elise was the same (based on total assumption alone!). I'd be very happy if I was wrong!
Tommy Kaira said:
I think the answer is going to 'go and drive one' but what are they like to live with? They seem very small, low and uncomfortable. I've got a Tommy Kaira ZZ and wouldn't even consider using that as a daily. It's way too 'focused'. I'd always assumed the Elise was the same (based on total assumption alone!). I'd be very happy if I was wrong!
Small - the exterior isn't particularly small - about Focus sized, I suppose. The interior is very narrow - if you regularly carry a male passenger you might find shoulder room a problem. The boot isn't really tiny, but access is severely restricted by the small opening. Low - yes, your head is about level with the tops of Lorries' wheels on the motorway.
Uncomfortable - The ride is pretty reasonable (probably better than many "sporty" hatches and saloons), although the suspension makes a lot of noise over bumps. The seats on later cars are quite comfortable and the driving position is good unless you're an unusual shape. The big problem from a comfort point of view, is the noise levels; I'd be investing in a good set of ear plugs if I was doing long trips. The later the car, the better the sound deadening.
The Crack Fox said:
Sporty + diesel. Does not compute.
Or rather sporty + currently available diesel models does not compute. Nothing wrong with diesel powerplants. I still think in many ways they are far closer to the old school ohv sports car engines from yesteryear in terms of power and character. E.g.
Rx-7 sized and styled car with an Audi 4.2 V8 Tdi and 320hp on tap. Personally I reckon that'd be quite a sporty package.
Parrot of Doom said:
I've just bought a 4 litre Lexus, and in a week or two it'll be converted to LPG. £0.69 a litre and 20% max less fuel economy than petrol. The maths is easy.
How much is the fuel conversion and do you know how it'll affect resale value of the car? I'm intrigued to know if it makes financial sense when other factors are known.
The Crack Fox said:
Sporty + diesel. Does not compute.
Yes it does.Mine revs with the enthusiasm of a petrol, has 200bhp+, 300lb/ft of torque, RWD, 0-60 in 6.5sec and a handles like a go-kart. Bar the noise, it's more fun to drive than my Focus ST was, all whist returning twice the economy - 35-40mpg is my current average.
Not all of us live in a world where £50 notes rain down on us, and with fuel prices doing what they're doing we have to find fun where we can whilst still keeping an eye on fuel outlay.
Funk said:
Yes it does.
Mine revs with the enthusiasm of a petrol, has 200bhp+, 300lb/ft of torque, RWD, 0-60 in 6.5sec and a handles like a go-kart. Bar the noise, it's more fun to drive than my Focus ST was, all whist returning twice the economy - 35-40mpg is my current average.
Have you ever driven a go-kart? Even saying an Elise handles like a go-kart is pushing the metaphor; applying it to a 1-series is just daft. Mine revs with the enthusiasm of a petrol, has 200bhp+, 300lb/ft of torque, RWD, 0-60 in 6.5sec and a handles like a go-kart. Bar the noise, it's more fun to drive than my Focus ST was, all whist returning twice the economy - 35-40mpg is my current average.
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