Hi all

We've got a diesel car at the mo but thinking of changing to a petrol one.  Anybody got any advice on whether to stick with diesel or make the change?

Thanks
Paula :-)

Well I wouldn't swap from diesel for economics! It's so much cheaper than petrol.
Karen ;-)

I once got told if you dont do more than 15k per year a diesel isnt going to save you money. And they are more expensive than petrols.
I dont know how true that is, but worth looking into
Lea.

See this is where the bugbear lies, we've seen a petrol version of the car we like for 1K less than the diesel version.

Our last car we've had since 2004 and we've only done 28000 miles in it so it's not as if we're huge travellers.

Thanks

Paula :-)

I have been told that you don't see the economy of diesel engines until you have warmed the engine up properly so if you do a lot of short trips, 10 miles or less, you might as well get a petrol car.

Yeah, all that's true. True, diesel cars are more expensive to buy but then they command better prices when you come to sell again so you have to bare that in mind. :)

Short journeys in a diesel will not see optimum fuel consumption but still probably better than in a petrol. Diesels do not come into their own and give their best mpg until they are fully warmed up (neither do petrols) and really start giving their best mpg at constant throttle settings ie on a motorway & not stop start around town.

That said, even with the slightly higher cost of diesel fuel, the overall better mpg in every day use far and away compensates for that. Weighing it all up, because of the better fuel consumption & because I know that I will get a better price when I come to sell my diesel vehicles means that I personally will remain a diesel convert ! :)

You could also consider converting the petrol to LPG.  Its supposed to be alot cheap as the fuel is around half the price.

I've got a diesel at the moment , but have  been debating changing to LPG.  Havent quite made up my mind yet though

Like the idea of converting to LPG in the long term but i think on balance we'll probably stick with a diesel. 
I'm used to diesels, but the cost of buying the petrol version was just so appealing. 

One thing i didn't think of was the resale value so thats a factor as well.

Thanks
Paula :-)

My friend and I have the same cars only difference is mine is petrol and hers is diesel, we do about the same amount of miles but I spend a lot more on petrol than she does every week. My next car is definitely going to be diesel.
Mary

Yeh....I would definately stick with a diesel. I have both a petrol and a diesel cars, I find the diesel lasts so much longer

Hi Paula

OH & I both have diesel cars. I for one would never have another petrol car again, I find diesel so much cheaper. Coming back from a show last weekend my car averaged 60mpg which I thought was pretty impressive :-D

I'm glad you all replied as you've really helped me decide to stay with diesel, i was a bit iffy but now i know for sure.

Thanks everyone :-)

Funny unless my vans faulty I find a diesel much more expensive, it just seems to eat the diesel.

Actually usually the diesel to Petrol car prices are generally a lot more than £1000 more probably min £1000 so if you can get the diesel for £1000 more go for it. The resale value alone would get it back for you. Diesels hold their price for two reasons, one they are cheaper to run so more people want them, and two, the diesel engine will out live a petrol one so they go on selling for years.

Yep it's definately only a £1000 more, i think partly because it's an ex demonstrater so it's got a couple of 1000 miles on the clock.

Hopefully it'll still be there at the end of the week so we can go ahead with it.

Paula :-)

Paula

It depends on the car really, generally you will get more mpg on a diesel but some of the more modern petrol cars are still economical. Ive had both but much prefer petrol, they are much smoother to drive and dont have that noisy start up!
My last petrol estate was a 1.8 and did just as much mpg to my 2litre diesel jeep, just have a look in the parkers guide to what your model does teh gallon, as long as its not some huge 3.5 v6 (like mine!) you will be fine

Thanks for recommending the Parkers guide, i've just had a look and to be honest there's not a huge amount of difference between both models.

I'd love a huge 3.5 like yours but my hubby would have a fit, he's not a car person but i am, cars & dogs, :D

Paula :-)