Eco trip

I currently drive a VW Golf 1.9TDi Sport 56 plate. It's on a PCP contract and is due for renewal in November 09. I will probably pay the GMFV of £5,800 and use that as a deposit to lower the payments on a future new car. The Golf has proven very reliable. I currently drive approx 20k miles each year: 15k business, 5k private. My dilemma is this. I have test driven a Scirocco Diesel and really liked it, but I am also conscious of MPG, emissions (tax), environment and have considered a Fiesta ECOnetic. I would like something sporty like the Scirocco but also something environmentally friendly. Any suggestions? I liked the SEAT Leon FR, and Audi A3. If I use the Golf as a deposit my budget is up to £18k.

Asked on 15 August 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

I just did 1,100 miles in a week in a SEAT Exeo with the current piezo
injected common rail VAT TDI 143 engine and averaged 48mpg (brim to brim, 49.9mpg on the computer) at average speeds between 59 and 67mph. I think that's almost as good as it gets. Less speed gains better economy. More speed means worse economy. I averaged 55mpg over 8,000 miles in a Focus ECOnetic 110. Both of these cars handled really well. Could be that the new VAG 1.6 TDI just introduced to the Golf, the new Polo and the SEAT Ibiza will prove even more economical. (Golf S TDI 105 PS 5-spd manual 3dr: 119g/km, 62.8mpg combined £16,050.) The best I have done recently was 64.6mpg in the new FIAT 500C Multijet diesel, and that was driving normally, keeping up with another car.

Tags: buying executive cars diesels leasing

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

Similar questions

Leased of his troubles

I have a leased Audi A6 Avant, which is due for changing. Its a diesel 2.7 and has been very good. I do about 25k miles a year, am self-employed and need to lease another estate car to do the same job...

One to one?

I currently drive a company BMW120d that is coming to the end of its lease. To be honest, I have not been that impressed. There has been an element of politeness on the road for a BMW and the power is...

Dies foolish things?

I have owned a Jaguar S Type from new since October 2003 and am now considering changing to a new XF Premium Luxury 3.0 diesel. I have never thought Diesel before but a salesman tells me that 9 out of...