Would you buy another diesel?
One of the two cars we own is a diesel and getting on in years now.I have had a number of diesels over the years and love the torque they deliver even from way down the power band.However, it appears the tide is fast turning against diesel cars with many towns and cities across the world and here in the UK looking to impose pretty heavy charges on them for entering city/town centres etc. due to pollution concerns.I notice that sales of new diesel cars have dropped dramatically over the last twelve months and residuals are going the same way.
As a private buyer would you now consider/be brave enough to make your next car purchase a diesel or would you play safe and opt for petrol? Just “bought” a big engined diesel a month ago (low mileage ex dealer demo rather than new), never drive into London, but have an old petrol that I could use if I had to.
Would still buy a brand new diesel if the deal was right.
Don’t care about residuals on the current car as it’s on pcp and will be handed back to Audi at the end of the term Given that I haven't yet driven a petrol hybrid so can't comment), and on the assumption that a full EV isn't part of this question - on the basis of my experience with an old diesel, a newer diesel (rented) and a relatively small petrol, the petrol engine wouldn't be in the running here at all.If I had to go out and buy a new or recent ICE vehicle right now, it would be a diesel manual. When turbo charged petrol engines come in to increase mileage the same NOx issues will be there so no wonder cure there.
At least one manufacturer has already build such an engine. "When" turbocharged petrol engines come in? They're here - with some manufacturers it's almost impossible to buy a non-turbo petrol engine. No chance. Just bought a new petrol C4 Grand Picasso. Don't trust the Govt on what they might do against Diesel drivers - whether it be through access restrictions or the price of diesel. Just bought a petrol car.I have driven diesel cars for the last 15 years but I'm never going back.Too many unknowns about the future of tax etc and the noise they make is awful once you get used to petrol again.
Also no more DPF and EGR valve issues to worry about with petrol engines. While there are definitely unknowns for the future, imo it will affect all ICE cars rather than just focusing on diesels.
On the other points, my current diesel is smooth and quiet (at least from where I sit) and I’ve never had a DPF problem over the last 6 years of car with DPFs fitted (I only average 5000-6000 miles a year with lots of short journeys) Long-term I agree but in the short-term, diesels are definitely going to become more expensive to run and later diesels have more expensive repairs due to the nature of how the euro 6 standard is achieved.
If you only do short journeys then the extra fuel efficiency of diesel goes out the window as they take a long time to warm up. Yes, I'm pretty much in the same camp myself.When it comes to changing the diesel I have now I don't think another will be on the radar.As you say and as I also commented, legislation is likely to force them off the road within the next decade if not sooner.It's simply to big a of a risk to take.Besides which I have now retired and not doing anywhere near the same mileage.
We have also got a small three cylinder petrol 'city car' and it's a revelation just how far technology has pushed these smaller vehicles.It's actually a much better car than our previous four cylinder petrol.