Many thanks for the reply the other day about downsizing from a Vauxhall Zafira to a new shape Fiesta. Your advice most welcome but the wife has thrown a spanner in the works, and now quite fancies a 2008 Ford Focus diesel.

I would be using the vehicle daily (30 miles a day motorway at about 60mph, and 10 miles town). To me it doesn't warrant buying a 1.6TDCi doing around 12,000 miles a year, including leisure. I agree with her that it's more refined and comfortable than a Fiesta, but have warned her about potential problems DPF - hence me going for a lower powered petrol.

I've always had cars (petrol) that are cheap to run and inexpensive to repair - if i give in and buy a diesel Focus, I'm worried about future bills.

What to do?