When I used to do 90 miles a day, I did a lot of miles in a diesel, usually something from the VAG group, but by the time you factor in clutch/DMF costs, timing belt/water pump and the increased risk of car issues with more modern diesels, it became less and less attractive.
So if it’s pure economy that you want, it’s generally going to be naturally aspirated, chain driven and compact. For me that was a Yaris, the 1ltr was less awful than you would imagine, the 1.2 slightly less frugal, but a little less boring, the 1.4D was the exception, it’s reliable and frugal with a turbo, a Fabia SDI or MPi would be OK, but VAG just aren’t a reliable manufacturer and haven’t been for many years.
In my earlier and later IDGAF years, it was a 2ltr diesel RAV, what it costs me in increased fuel consumption, it makes up for in lower repair/running costs and being a nicer place to be. A current gen Yaris hybrid is also a personal favourite, and that means the Mazda 2 as well (same car), a Puris can be had for not a lot, but most will have been flogged to death as private hire or similar.
If I wanted to do big miles today, it would be one of the Tesla’s with free charging, it’d pay for itself.
Didn’t Diesel used to be a bit cheaper than Petrol, what happened?
