I'm after a practical estate car, I dont do more than 5-8K a year and only want an estate for its practicallity and ability to occasionally do dump runs and pick stuff up from wickes.

I ride a motorcycle for fun and to get somewhere fast, so I'm more focused on economy with the car, that said I dont want to torture myself with it.

I'm stuck on diesel (like the low road tax) vs petrol and the following makes.

Ford focus zetec 1.6 petrol or 1.8 diesel

Astra estate

golf mk4 130 tdi

I did fancy the toyota avensis tourer 1.8 petrol but was scared off by the talk of its oil consumption.

Any other make to consider?

Are diesels no more reliable than petrol engines, do they have higher servicing costs or is it just that you pay a premium for them?

Thanks in advance!

Edited by duncmac on 02/09/2011 at 20:02