Forum Topic

Petrol prices - what car to buy?

A friend is contemplating a new (to him) car - 2 to 3 years old.He is not overly worried about running costs.Therefore should he buy an economical to run vehicle or a large car, with engine to match, knowing he will enjoy greater comfort, and with petrol/diesel prices forcing the riff-raff off the road, realizing good fuel economy as he won't be stuck in traffic jams?Opinions please.  

Alan Brainsby ● 6700d7 Comments

Maybe he should join a car club instead...I think I might especially when all four of us are drivers - imminent - and the kids are at home.

Sara Nathan ● 6700d

Good idea, Sara.Trouble is that he's one of these people who thinks he needs a car 24/7.It's hard enough dissuading him from: electric, heated, leather seats; full air-con; electric mirrors; cruise control; electric sunroof; all electric windows; auto-extending aerial; external temperature thermometer, and whatever else a Honda Accord Executive might have.

Alan Brainsby ● 6700d

re :- and with petrol/diesel prices forcing the riff-raff off the road"            xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx        well I haven't gawn awf yet, but why is diesel so much more expensive than petrol. The difference is getting progressively  wider, and I thought petrol is far more refined than diesel  thus involving more processing?.

Tony Price ● 6699d

An answer to the price of diesel was given today on the Telegraph/Honest John websitehttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1&xml=/motoring/2008/05/31/mrjon131.xml    Why does diesel cost more than petrol?    S.M., London SW6  Demand in Europe slightly exceeds supply. Only a certain proportion of crude oil can be refined into diesel, depending on its quality and type. The rest has to be refined into petrol, kerosene and LPG. European refineries' diesel production capacity has not kept up with the explosion in demand.I would add the duty, and therefore VAT, is higher on diesel in the UK.

Alan Brainsby ● 6698d

Re :- An answer to the price of diesel was given today on the Telegraph/Honest John website "          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx        Thank you. I wonder if our Gordy ( or his darling side-kick ) will reduce the tax on diesel to save  hauliers going out of business. If he does I suppose there will be a haulage version of farmers' fuel so we can't also benefit. I switched to diesel 10 years ago  and prefer  the type of performance one gets, not only the much increased MPG but greater MPH per 1000 rpm. My car gives 35 mph for 1000 rpm, meaning at the legal motorway limit the engine is only at 2000 rpm, much more relaxing.

Tony Price ● 6698d

Sara, I warm to the idea of local car clubs. As I only do about 1000 mile a year in my 4 year old Honda Civic, I'm eagerly waiting for a car club parking place in my street to appear - then I'll get rid of my car and continue to use my bike, the buses and local minicabs. I'd probably save a fortune by doing so.  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 6697d

Duty should not go up. The treasury is already gaining from the higher prices. What I cannot understand is why we do not follow the lead of continental countries and tax lorries and coaches coming into the country. With a proper English parliament we could also tax vehicles registered in other UK countries too when they come to England so balancing out their unfair present fiscal advantages.

Graham Weeks ● 6697d