Age old topic I know and shy of the odd i6, owners on here are diesel drivers of course. Anyway, I have no preference, it depends on the car I am buying. Diesel suits larger cars IMO and especially the FL2 for more than one reason. Petrol suits hatchbacks and smaller city cars - sports cars too of course.

Diesel can be a false economy unless covering many miles though because it costs more to buy the car and more to fill it up. I have always found diesels easier to accelerate low down because of the turbo but an NA petrol needs to be revved for quick progress (but at least they can rev). Diesels are cheaper to tax though.

Luckily my Fiesta brings a great blend of abilities. Very cheap to fill, economical on petrol and tax free. With the turbo, I have low down shove and it will rev too. Short of high running costs, I would argue that a petrol turbo is the best of the bunch.

What are your thoughts? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I like diesel for bigger cars like the FL2, as its a great motorway cruiser. Petrol is better for smaller cars and people that do short journeys. SWMBO currently has a 2008 Audi A3 2.0TDI that we used for long motorway drives, but now she doesn't travel as far as she used to so a large Diesel engine is not nessessery anymore. So we will be changing it soon for an Alfa Romeo Mito or Peugeot 208.

Chris, don't want to go off topic here but just a quick mention about my car as you have mentioned about small cars there. If a new shape Fez fell into your budget, I can highly recommend the new one. The shape is very striking indeed and the engine is splendid. As above, low down shove from the turbo plus silky smooth petrol refinement. It's the best small car to drive and free tax is a great bonus.

With you on the motorway cruiser comment  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Personally, I love the Fiesta. It would be great to get SWMBO into buying one, but she "doesn't like fords ". I love the look and styling of them and I think yours looks great, especially with the black and red seats. I would like SWMBO to get one in like green (my favorite colour) but I can't see that happening. I test drove the Fiesta and I was surprised at the great handling, and the smoothness of the Ecoboost engine.

At least you changed the FL2 for a great little car and not for a wags car called an Evoque.

Cheers Chris

A lot of people buy small city cars and opt for diesel with economy in mind but forget about the DPF. Many posts on here tell of the need for long motorway pace drives to burn off the crap and auto regenerate the DPF. Driving a diesel car on short city type driving makes no sense. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I agree.

My ex-neighbour had a 2010 FL2 TD4.e GS in Stornoway grey. She only did very short journeys and it hardly ever went on the motorway. That can't be good for the DPF, or the MPG.

Although the L/R experience guys state they have no problems from the DPF's on their vehicles.

Similar point Chris to those people who buy a 4x4 so they can get about when it snows. Waste of money and fuel! Buy a 4x4 because its a car you like in itself not just for snow. Winter tyres provide enough peace of mind for all but deep snow so you can save fuel costs by being sensible with purchasing.

The FL2 has always been a sound all rounder because it offers decent MPG for a 4x4 but rides superbly over rough surfaces and is comfortable over long distances. With the added peace of mind of winter performance. If 4x4's aren't your thing and you want excellent value for money, a mondeo estate offers practicality with great MPG. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I like diesels for the same reason that I like old flat-twin BMW motorbikes - low rev torque. For everyday driving it's just so relaxing to drive something that pulls from low down and doesn't need revving everywhere. It's also ideal for towing and mates perfectly to an automatic gearbox. I like the throaty sound they make and, rather oddly, much prefer the smell of diesels to petrols. It's a warm, sooty smell rather than a sharp acrid one.

Mind you, the manic scream of my 200cc 2-stroke twin when it's maxing out in third gear (at about 45mph ) is pretty addictive - brings out the 68-year-old hooligan in me  Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

Good point rjc. Interestingly, the new engine in my fiesta replaces the previous shape 1.6 NA petrol. I drove one once and wasn't that impressed. To make swift progress it needed revving all the time and felt rather flat low down.

Ford played a masterstroke with the new petrol engine. Amazing how dropping from a 1.6 to a 1.0 equates to a superior engine on all fronts. More economical and free tax, faster acceleration, faster top speed (not that top speed will ever be tested) and as you say, pull from low down. I would have greatly missed the turbo if the fiesta I purchased had the old 1.6 petrol. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

The fuel type doesn't bother me in the slightest - only that the engine/technology is suitable for my needs

So my high mileage company car is actually petrol...but personal low mileage car is a diesel. But when they get replaced that may switch around as modern diesels are rarely suitable for lots of town driving 'cos of the DPFs.

I'd have a petrol, diesel or a hybid...jusy want thje right car and engine suitability for driving style.

I can't see any reason to buy a modern diesel if you do less than 15K miles per annum to offset the extra purchase and running costs.

But I'd never buy a Fraud fiasco lol - it ain't made in the UK