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Can you recommend an economical car for my 60-mile commute?
I currently own a 2007 Aygo+, with three doors. Following a job change last year I am now commuting over 60 miles a day on the A5 and A38, both dual carriageways, between Tamworth and Derby. I am spending between £160 - £170 a month on petrol. My husband has suggested I buy a diesel car, recommending a Mazda 2. Your thoughts and suggestions on the matter would be much appreciated. My total budget would be the trade in value of the Aygo and up to an additional £5,000. Ideally I would prefer not to spend that much. I’d be looking for a car a couple of years old.
Asked on 5 February 2011 by LHS, Tamworth
Answered by
Honest John
New diesels run to three years old make sense. Older diesels not fitted with diesel particulate filters make sense. But these are some typical costs of a diesel between years three and six: Diesel Particulate Filter £500 - £1,200. Dual Mass Flywheel and Clutch £1,000 - £1,500. Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve £500 - £1,000. Turbo £1,000 - £2,000. Timing belt (where fitted) £500.
If I were you I'd sacrifice the saving on fuel for the better reliability of a petrol model, preferably with a chain cam engine. A new Mazda2 1.3TS2 is £30 tax and will do 45 - 50mpg. (An older one is £95 tax.) A new FIAT 500 TwinAir is £0 tax and will also do 45 - 50mpg.
If I were you I'd sacrifice the saving on fuel for the better reliability of a petrol model, preferably with a chain cam engine. A new Mazda2 1.3TS2 is £30 tax and will do 45 - 50mpg. (An older one is £95 tax.) A new FIAT 500 TwinAir is £0 tax and will also do 45 - 50mpg.
Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.
Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.
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Enjoyable and fun to drive with economical engines. Feels well built. Ride quality was improved for 2011.
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