ROF car heads

So I've decided to buy a Nissan Qashqai.

I'll get a 2/3 year old car.

Given the way the world is turning do I want petrol rather than diesel.... It's very strange to me, cos when I last bought a car (8 years ago) it was all "you must buy diesel".

And what engine size should I go for?

I am a motorway miles kind of gal :)

* if you wanna talk about what other car I should buy start another thread... I'm not that engaged in the decision, I'm happy with the Qashqai

It’s not a small car so you might find anything less than the 1.6 frustrating

Rof Car Heads --> me getting interested

So I've decided to buy a Nissan Qashqai. --> losing interest rapidly

If you are going to be driving into london a lot then take the new regs into consideration, otherwise its much of a muchness

Mr Hargreaves.... motorway miles are work and, as I have a "work from home" gig, I get paid for every mile I travel from the time I leave my house. Does that make a difference.

Archie, I never drive into London except to pick up carcasses, once or twice a year :)

you should buy petrol or better a hybrid

diesel fumes kill people, all the time, every day

(so does petrol, but less)

diesel will up your insurance

the better the emissions its amazing how low that can go, you can save hundreds

Obvious thoughts, but:

There is a chance the government will clobber old style diesels in tax or locally through congestion charging/banning from city centres - this could mean the used values plummet so you've little to no resale value - is that an issue or will you just run it till it drops?

To make the higher cost of diesel worthwhile in terms of economy, rule of thumb (cribbed from Honest John) is 12K+ miles. The more you do above that, the more you will save over petrol (this could all be moot if you can claim mileage as well on top)

Diesels go wrong more and are more expensive to fix, but see above, should be offset by economy savings, and motorway miles are the easiest on the engine anyway

As they said, I wouldn't want less than a 2.0 petrol, think it would be underpowered otherwise.

On balance, and assuming "motorway mileage" means 20K+ a year, go for the diesel.

I'd say if you're getting something flasher, new, go for petrol or lease a diesel, but buying a 2nd hand qashqai, think you'll be fine.

Nice car doggers. it's a similar size to my car and I think you would want at least a 1.8 and with a turbo if diesel.

I dont imagine they do hybrids do they? and I doubt there are sufficient charge points where you drive/live to make leccy an option.

heff has put me in mind of the south park episode when kyle's dad buys a toyota pious (sic) and then moves to san fran where everyone smells their own farts

I have a diesel Quashiqui that I loves, I do about 600m a week, so diesel was the sensible option. It is a 1.4 and has enough poke for me.

Hargo it is to do with emissions and engine management stuff, particularly the DPF. If buying a three year old you may be better getting one higher mileage that has been used on the motorway rather than for pootling to the shops and nursery and back.

I know, that is the point I'm making - if you do 12K plus p.a. it will be fine. If you're doing 5K plus at sub 30mph it may well not be. Something to think about if you're getting one used.

i know of people who pay miniscule insurance on smaller emissions cars

you should not buy a diesel vehicle

the evidence is clear

diesel emissions are carcinogenic. they kill people of all ages and they retard infant development

driving a diesel car should be as unacceptable as smoking around other people

In terms of mileage.... I pretty much set my own day.

I am however coming into our head office voluntarily twice a week because they have made me manage loads of people recently ... which I find awful. that is 250 miles a week

My own core roll is national and I am usually in the frozen north once a fortnight... about 500 round trip.

I am also required to go to a ridiculous amount of other meetings, but I'd put my work mileage, averaged out, at about 500-600 a week.

Other times it gets crazy and I'm everywhere.

That said, I'll get petrol cos it's all paid for.

I currently have a diesel 9-3 saab which I've had for 8 years (ex display) that hasn't given any problems and have 370,000 on the clock now. This weekend the engine warning light came on, engine is fine so I'll take out the fuse and reset the ECU later... but it reminded me it was time to change... she owes me nothing...

get a skoda karoq petrol - qashquais too ugly and karoq an outstanding motor in that range

yeah, did nothing about this. I just can't get the enthusiasm to sort out a car. I have tended to buy on impulse. A friend choose the saab for me. It's been perfectly functional but I don't like it.