Ive driven the Astra 1.9 diesel and that was akin to walking pace and im really not a fast driver, anybody who's driven on the A12 will know you cant get anywhere anyway so theres no point in trying.

I never drove the unit in the yaris, mainly because I had driven a petrol yaris as a hire car and really wasn't impressed

When we researched and eventually bought a smallish second car one of the criteria was £30 VED, but neither of us can stand sluggish cars.

Petrol cars with any sort of go were way over the VED band and didn't get the economy, most small Diesels with any sort of go either went up into the next band (no big deal) or looked plain horrible...Fabia for example.

2 cars stood out as ticking all the boxes, gave good if not sparkling performance, good economy and low VED.

Citroen C2 VTS 1.6HDi which we bought, but the alternative is the Grand Punto 1.6 Multijet.

The C2 is surprisingly quick, in local dodging about its returning around 53mpg, on a longer run it gets over 60 but only if you keep it around 70mph or just above, if you push it to 80 or beyond the economy plummets.

The Punto might have been better for interior room, but SWM loves here little pocket rocket...nearest she's come to her teenage days with her real CooperS.

Agree about the 1.7 litre in Corsa, mate had one and he regrets selling it, lots of guts that engine had.

I think the newer Citroens are better cars, certainly the Eolys injected system for DPF miantenance seems to be doing its job, don't hear of the problems plaguing other makes in this respect, though fluid renewal time might be an expensive business.

As is often the case with some makes, its the dealer experience that lets the brand down, this is where Toyota win hands down..

The dealer made it clear in no uncertain terms that the warranty was out when a dash light came on literally a couple of days after the warranty expired, this was before they had even laid eyes on it.

No problem, they never did lay eyes on it and the dealer network will never see another penny of my money, nice of them to be so up front about lack of customer goodwill, and the light went out after a decent blast up the dual carriageway, so presumably it only needed a run to clear the DPF properly.

Course if they like some customer aware makes put their money where their mouths are and upped the warranty to 5 years, it would give potential buyers a feeling of more confidence.

Edited by gordonbennet on 09/01/2012 at 08:44

Returning to the symptoms question. My 2009, 45,00 mile 2.0L diesel Mondeo has no rattle but I do find that about 2000 revs under medium load (e.g accelarating with four passengers from 65 - 75 mph) there is slight lumpiness developing - as if it wants me to change down. Its OK below those revs so its not appropriate to change down. I'd welcome veiws as to whether this is possibly DMF related. I will mention at next service but thats not for a while.

Incidentally Gordon Bennett - Talking about warranties. My Corsa which I have had for 2 months was purchased under the Network Q scheme. The first time I used the heated rear window it did not work. It turns out that the elements in the window had gone, Naively I thought i would get the work done under warranty - however Network Q wasted no time in telling me to get lost. Thankfully the main dealer from which I purchased it from have footed the bill. Whilst the episode has left a slightly sour taste I am impressed with the dealer.Having now read the small print on the Network Q warranty it appears that very little is covered. Thats not what they tell you when they are selling the car.........