Should I avoid diesel?

freida

I am changing our old zafira (petrol 1.8) for another seven seater.

I've been looking at smaller seven seaters like toyota, citroen, mazda, opels and peugeot. I have young kids and teenagers, who only journey with us sometimes. So I don't need bigger vehicles with seven full seats.

Almost all of the seven seaters I look at are diesel versions. From reading on here, it seems that diesels need a good run, often to keep them running smoothly.

I live in suburbs of dublin and use the car for after school activities runs once or twice a week, food shopping once, etc, all within 5 miles of where we live. It's not used daily for any run.

Should I avoid diesel.

Thanks

hallo dare

You don't have to "avoid a diesel", but for such short and minimal runs a petrol would do grand. If it's a thing that you intend to keep it until the backside falls out of it then well and good, cos these days there's not too many looking for Petrol unless they have the same circumstances as yourself, so you'd have to look at future resale.

You live on the outskirts of Dublin, so surely there's a Motorway close by that you could take a diesel out on once a week for a spin just to stretch it's legs.

freida

Thanks hallo dare.

During the summer I'd do a few long runs up and down to the country but otherwise not much at all. Our current 10 yr old car only has 80000 miles on the clock.

Would it suffice if I took it out once at the weekend like you say. What would happen if I forgot. Would it seize up. Why do they need these runs.

The lower road tax is a big plus but will the government hike it up now everyone is buying them.

micks_address

It's a problem with diesels, sister in law bought a diesel in similar situation only doing short runs and had problems with the dpf.

If you can get petrol you might be better off. At the mileage you are doing there wouldn't be any cost savings in buying diesel over petrol over the life of the car
Thanks

hallo dare

freida wrote: »

Thanks hallo dare.

Would it suffice if I took it out once at the weekend like you say. What would happen if I forgot. Would it seize up. Why do they need these runs.

The lower road tax is a big plus but will the government hike it up now everyone is buying them.

Yeah a good run up and down the motorway will burn off any build up in the engine. This is where petrol is cleaner and wouldn't really need the same treatment. Nothing would happen if you forgot. It takes time for any buildup to occur. As you say, you do be up and down to the Country so open her up on the way down the Motorway and it'll do the world of good, (staying inside the speedlimit ofcourse,:)).

The low tax is nice, but it won't last forever. It will go up in every Budget.

freida

Thanks micks address and hallo dare, lots to consider since most of the more recent models are petrol. I appreciate the help.

Karl Stein

Would a 6 seater do?

Honda FRV.

freida

Karl Stein wrote: »

Would a 6 seater do?

Honda FRV.

Thanks Karl but I wouldn't like having someone up near me It's a good option tho for some people.