petrol or diesel?

[Hgrove]

I plan to buy a car, probably 3 or 5 years, something like a Punto, or Astra, or Peugeot 307 or similar. Mostly I use it for local driving (groceries, taking my child to gym/cubs etc.). I probably drive about 2000 or 3000 miles a year.

I have heard it said that although diesel is more expensive, it goes further.
Is it worth my looking for a diesel model instead of a petrol model?

Many thanks!

[chas2008]

my wife drives a pug 206sw 1.4 diesel sw(estate) 65+ per gall and �35.00 road tax, not startling performance but a cheap & reliable car to run,

[1rovert]

I'm Interested! How do you get �35 Road Tax?

[Ethel]

Good article here:

http://www.theaa.com/cbg/goodadvice/commongood advice.jsp?menu1=0&menu2=3&fileName=fuel

Considering the very low mileage you do, it probably won't be worth paying the extra money for a diesel car - they are generally more expensive than the petrol equivalents. They need more oil changes too, as a rule.

[chas2008]

services are based on time as well as mileage,2000 or 12000 makes no difference, 12,000 or 12 months whichever comes first so servicing cost remain the same,the modern diesels are virtually the same service intervals as petrol engines, just no spark plugs to change

[woodchopper]

We worked it out when we were changing my wifes car that it would only pay to buy a diesel if she were to drive in excesss of 20k per year.