2nd car for Commute - 1.25 MPG Qn!

[moorlander]

Hi, hope some one can help! I am now doing a 70 mile daily commute, so Im after a 2nd car, (wife will have the good un!) I was looking for a 2007 1.25 petrol punto/corsa/fiesta, something reliable & economical, but is it worth spending an extra 1K or so on a diesel version ? does anyone know “real world” MPG figures for a 1.25 on a “run” ? (I will be on the A50, which is a good duel carriageway) doing a v boring 60mph !

[jokerscrowbar]

I've got a 1.3i mk4 Fiesta that does around 35 to the gallon average but what you save on cruising you will lose by having to slow down and get the speed back up at every roundabout, junction or hill. It's nippy but 40mph up a steep hill is flat out. The wife saves petrol by drafting behind Ivecos and Transits to 'tow' her.

For the same money and running costs you may be able to get a slightly older CDTI Vec.

[moorlander]

thanks for the reply, I would have thought it would have been better than 35mpg!

[Rebellion]

I get 35 in my 2.0T

[northern lad]

youve got to remember thats a small engine working hard at 60 mph as opposed to a big petrol or diesel which is barely turning over, 70mile per day commute i'd go diesel, 30-40 mile commute i'd go big petrol saving money on the car rather than mpg, round the doors and the odd bit of 50 mph driving i'd go small petrol

[Chuff]

polo 1.4tdi

[m8internet]

Im after a 2nd car
is it worth spending an extra 1K or so on a diesel version ?

If the second car is doing less than 15K miles a year, then stick with petrol
If it is second hand then look at diesel, but haggle hard
If the mileage is going to be less than 10K miles then there is no point in even considering a diesel

Any small supercar (Fiesta size) should return 40mpg in petrol or 50mpg in diesel

[lee gsi]

Depends on what you want to spend really.

Clio 1.5 Diesel or Fiesta Diesel both give great mpg and cheap tax

[lee gsi]

If the second car is doing less than 15K miles a year, then stick with petrol

If the mileage is going to be less than 10K miles then there is no point in even considering a diesel

I never understand that argument.

Most people have a set amount to spend on a car so the cost of the car isnt a factor.

BUT as soon as you start to run it the diesel will save over the petrol. The equivalent car in petrol will do about a thrid less mpg but diesel doent cost a third more.


What about looking at getting a LPG converted car?

[Rebellion]

I never understand that argument.

Most people have a set amount to spend on a car so the cost of the car isnt a factor.

BUT as soon as you start to run it the diesel will save over the petrol. The equivalent car in petrol will do about a thrid less mpg but diesel doent cost a third more.


What about looking at getting a LPG converted car?

A new diesel car often costs more than an equivalent new petrol car because of all the extra gubbins needed to (a) make it go as fast as the petrol car, and (b) clean up the emissions. Second hand, diesels often cost more to buy because they're more in demand. Plus with some makes and models diesels need more frequent servicing (not with the Vec, I know). That's why it's not always cheaper to go with the diesel.