Newer Diesels...

[C.A.R.]

How many miles do you actually do Tom?

I'm just trying to figure out if you would be better off with a lower-emissions petrol car. Less to go wrong, cheaper tax, cheaper servicing and slightly increased fuel costs.

Isn't there a rule of thumb that if you do less than 15k a year, diesel is a false economy against a reasonably small petrol engine? I may be wrong.

Certainly is! It varies depending on who you ask, but I have been trying to justify a petrol and I do approx. 17k pa - it just doesn't work.

I reckon anything sub-15k should be where it levels out, with savings by going with petrol anywhere under that. Certainly these dickwads who lease a new diesel car and do 6000 miles per year are just asking for trouble!

320d makes sense for me. I considered a Vectra or Saab 9-3 but both are just a bit bland and are a league below in terms of quality. £3.5k will get me a 320d with ~ 100k on it, but I'd still rather that than a sub-70k Saab / Vauxhall as they just don't hold their value. There's BMWs out there with 160k+ on them still selling at over £3k!!

Rust concerns me but if I get one without any then I'm confident I can keep it at bay by removing the arch liners and giving them a damn good clean / treatment.