1.6 Petrol or Diesel?

[Old Jim]

I am considering two same cars, one is a 1.6 petrol other is a 1.6 diesel. The price difference is ~1500 extra for the diesel. I would do average miles, ~10/13K pa. Would the fuel savings make up for the increased cost?
Is there more to consider than cost? Would the diesel be considered a nicer drive than the petrol. The car in question is a Mazda 3.

 

[RS2K]

Go for the diesel. Running costs, driving itself (in gear pull), and resale will all be much easier.

 

[Mad_Lad]

yep go for the Diesel. for same reasons!

 

[CCOVICH]

What about acceleration/performance of a diesel 1.6?

 

[RS2K]

Both are good. Well if it's 110bhp HDI/TDCI unit in any event.

 

[Mad_Lad]

2.0D would be faster acceleration but 1.6D would be good enough. better than 1.6 petrol.

 

[EddyG]

A friend of mine bought a Citroen C5 1.6 HDI, drove from Dublin to Kilkenny and got 63MPG, according to the on-board computer. It's cheaper to tax and insure that 2.0 engines.