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False economy?

I am hoping to swap my 54 plate 1.8 auto Almera for a new car that will be cheaper to run. I have looked at the Chevrolet Aveo and ruled that out due to poor crash testing and very high depreciation. I am now considering the Corsa 1.3d EcoFLEX active that is very fuel efficient and priced at £11,100 at my local garage. Can you advise if this car is good value for money or are there any other new fuel efficient cars around I could consider? My price range is around the £10,000 mark and I would not consider anything below a 1.2 litre engine unless it is quite nippy.

Asked on 21 November 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
The latest Corsa ecoFLEX is under 100g/km, so free of of VED. Only buy a diesel over a petrol if you intend to drive 15,000 miles a year or more. Most modern diesels have diesel particulate filters that are prone to cause the engine to fill up with fuel oil, especially when the cars are driven short distances. For town work and short runs from cold petrol makes far more sense. FIAT 500 1.2, Hyundai i10 1.2, Hyundai i20 1.2, Suzuki Splash 1.0 or 1.2, Mazda 3 1.3 TS2, etc.

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