Is diesel vehicle suitable for me?

[abhijitaparadh]

Hi all,
I own a Ikon 1.6ZXI which is due for change. I have never owned a diesel before but this time around I am considering to buy a diesel car due to increasing costs of fuels.

The only option I am considering is Octavia 1.9 TDI rider.

I have some doubts regarding diesel cars in general.
1) Many of my friends told me that diesel engines are high on maintenance as compared to petrol engines. Is it true?

2) Also i have been told that diesel engine requires constant running.
My daily running is negligible. I stay very close to my workplace and prefer to walk the distance than drive. But on weekends I like to go for long drives (about 80-100 Kms). So the car may be stationary for 3-4 days at a stretch.
Will this pose any problem for the diesel engine?

3) I heard that now a days, diesel technology is progressing a lot and diesel engines are as refined as petrol ones. Is it true? Still I guess there will be noticable difference between noise levels and performance of a diesel and a petrol engine.

Given my requirements, will a diesel vehicle suit me?

Thanks!

[tsreekaranrao]

A diesel car makes sense if u travel for atleast 1500 kms a month.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

Given my requirements, will a diesel vehicle suit me?

Simple answer - NO. Stick to petrols.

[porsche_fan]

Hi there,

To answer your questions,

1.) Diesels are more expensive and more difficult,expensive to maintain than petrols.
2.) They however, are more fuel efficient and on long drives, which would mostly involve highway driving, will give you good mileage.Also, diesel is cheaper.
3.) New technology such as CRDi, Variable Geometry Turbocharging, etc are makings diesels much smoother and fun to drive.

The Octavia is a great car and is supposed to be fun to drive too.
Its got good boot space, so camping and all shouldnt be a problem
Its also a tough-as-nails-take-it-anywhere kinda car.

If it fits your budget, i think you should go ahead with it. For actual maintainance and running costs, maybe an Octy owner can help you out.

[goldie_malhotra]

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

1) Many of my friends told me that diesel engines are high on maintenance as compared to petrol engines. Is it true?

Yes.

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

2) Also i have been told that diesel engine requires constant running.
My daily running is negligible. I stay very close to my workplace and prefer to walk the distance than drive. But on weekends I like to go for long drives (about 80-100 Kms). So the car may be stationary for 3-4 days at a stretch.
Will this pose any problem for the diesel engine?

No problems for the diesel.
But, diesels are economical if you run them 80-100 kms in every day, and not every week.

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

3) I heard that now a days, diesel technology is progressing a lot and diesel engines are as refined as petrol ones. Is it true? Still I guess there will be noticable difference between noise levels and performance of a diesel and a petrol engine.

They are getting close - ride the Fiesta tdci or the Octy and see

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

Given my requirements, will a diesel vehicle suit me?

No way - stick to a good petrol, maybe one with good FE like Corolla - or wait for the Civic.

[mnemonic]

Diesel cars like to run and that too marathons, not just from a cost recovery perspective but also from an engine maintenance perspective. An ideal upgrade would be into the optra/corolla zone.

cheers

[jkdas]

stick to your 1.6. I doubt if you would get a nice price for it now. Maybe you drive about 1000kms/month. Be a petrohead.