Used Ford 1.4 - petrol or diesel?

[Trek98]

Evening,

I've just been shot of my 2002 Toyota Avensis which I bought 4 years ago - was a money pit, suspension sills came up twice on the MOT, electrics were weird, then the final nail was a timing problem and that was it. It was more of a novelty as a relatively uncommon car and to say the least I got what I paid for, but now I'm looking for a long-runner - something dependable that garages can have an easier time with.

I commute via train to London for work and live in a town up north - groceries and other shops are all within comfortable cycling distance, so I only really ever do long drives - seeing family, camping trips all over the country with friends, etc. Most of my driving is on an A-road or the motorway. Trips usually anywhere between 30-120 minutes, typically 3k miles per year.

I am looking at a Ford for my next car - late-2000s Fusions at the top of the list right now, any thoughts on those? Most on the market right now are petrols especially the 1.4s but do you think I fit the bill for a diesel? Would like to think the road tax saving is worth it for my profile.

Any takes and angles from PHers welcome, thanks.

[vw_99]

Why a fusion? What about a focus if you want to keep the ford side of things.

1.4 petrol better than 1.4tdci in my opinion (ford parts department 10 years)

[Trek98]

vw_99 said:

Why a fusion? What about a focus if you want to keep the ford side of things.

1.4 petrol better than 1.4tdci in my opinion (ford parts department 10 years)

Thanks. Just thought Fusion would be a little roomier for camping trips - packing space and what not.

[vw_99]

Never had a fusion. But they are based on a fiesta.
Not sure about boot size vs a focus as the fusion is boxyer so maybe more hight in boot but less length.

What about a c-max

[greygoose]

I wouldn’t bother getting a diesel for 3000 miles a year.

[ZX10R NIN]

You actually suit diesel usage although you don'r do many miles, a good 2.0d Focus will serve you well.

What's your budget?

[Trek98]

ZX10R NIN said:

You actually suit diesel usage although you don'r do many miles, a good 2.0d Focus will serve you well.

What's your budget?

I think 2.0 is excessive and I say that as a 25 year old, lol.

Between £1500-£1800 give or take.

[ZX10R NIN]

Trek98 said:

I think 2.0 is excessive and I say that as a 25 year old, lol.

Between £1500-£1800 give or take.

I say that because smaller diesels are less effective & therefore the benefit is diminished, at your price point there are some very good diesels that are worth looking at.

Take a good look at the 1.7d Astra:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402236...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402266...

2.0d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402206...

[culpz]

ZX10R NIN said:

You actually suit diesel usage although you don'r do many miles, a good 2.0d Focus will serve you well.

What's your budget?

Eh? For 3k miles a year?

[ZX10R NIN]

culpz said:

ZX10R NIN said:

You actually suit diesel usage although you don'r do many miles, a good 2.0d Focus will serve you well.

What's your budget?

Eh? For 3k miles a year?

All of which are long journeys a minimum of 30 minutes, usage as well as mileage are factors when choosing a drivetrian.

[itcaptainslow]

I’d go for the 1.4 Zetec petrol for that mileage, it’s a proven, simple, dependable engine.

The DV4 has some potentially expensive problems if it’s not been maintained correctly in a previous ownership.

[Trek98]

itcaptainslow said:

I’d go for the 1.4 Zetec petrol for that mileage, it’s a proven, simple, dependable engine.

The DV4 has some potentially expensive problems if it’s not been maintained correctly in a previous ownership.

Thanks. Do you think garages have an easier time with Fusions as opposed to Focuses in terms of part availability, easy to fix etc? Just looking at what's around and not too far from me on eBay / Autotrader right now.