If she does 8k a year, it works out that the 1.8tdci will cost almost £400 less than the 2.0 petrol to run, not including servicing or depreciation. I'm looking at 08ish cars, the difference between petrol and diesel is about £1k to £1.2k so almost even with running costs, but the diesel will be worth more when I come to sell it.

The only thing I'm worried about is the potential of big bills due to doing short journeys with a turbo diesel? It seems most peoples experiences are good though?

 

Touran Tdi may be an option?

I'd probably say S-max for residuals though.

 

Yeh, Mum has the VW Tiguan 2ltr TDI Sport (140bhp I think) which is the same chassis as the golf, just built like a SUV and 4WD. Great car, loads of space inside but the boot is annoyingly small.

The TDI is amazing though, when it is linked up with the DSG auto gearbox it is absolutely sublime, you don't feel it changing gear and it is soooooo smooth. We had to go and pick up my brothers new car today so it went for a bit of a run, but normally it does short runs and it is fine with that.

Good economy too if you are into that sort of thing. We just have it as we live in the sticks and need some sort of off roader, even if it is VERY soft!

 

The Ford 2.2 TDCi does and has issues with it even on long journeys. I had one block twice on a 40k mile/year car. Good engine other than that though!

 

Firstly........... if I had a commute to 3 miles then I'd run or cycle and then have a hot car in the garage for the weekends! I'm 17 miles from work and still cycle in once a week!

However back on topic, we (my wife) has just ordered a Tiguan Match BlueMotion 2WD 2.0 TDI - wow that's a long name!

We looked at all the options mentioned above and even the new 320d Efficient Dynamics but they only come in saloon

If you're looking at an MY08 then I reckon a Tiguan could be a good move but the 2WD BlueMotion wasn't available

 

I've got a Civic diesel. All of them are 2.2 litres and have good lowdown torque, I get about 52 mpg. Not had any issues with it yet.

 

Good choice, Mum has been very pleased with her Tiguan!

Welcome to the club, haha!

 

Cheers for the replies everyone, I'd not thought of either a Touran or a Tiguan, will have a look this weekend.

Although she only has a 3 mile journey, she drops the kids off at before school club on the way so has to take the car. I was told 3 miles was too far to make the kids walk or cycle in the morning!