Yes well it is a pretty good car to drive, excellent handling and roadholding and it is very economical. The acceleration is pretty impressive too.

Les

 

It would be too good a car for my needs!

 

I don't know your needs of course!

Les

 

Short trips almost exclusively. Fortunately I have a "fun" car also.

 

I don't know why poepl get so **** over car tax....I mean even cars in the higher tax bracket cost less than the averge annual Sky HD subscription (after the first year penalty charge - of course ), and in the grand scheme of things swanking round in a Band K car is a whole lot more useful than a TV, and alot nicer than driving a £20 or £0 a year eco-box.

On teh otherhand, Fuel tax vs MPG on long term use is far more influential on vehicle running costs than road tax.

 

Actually a modern diesel would be a poor choice for this type of use as the DPF would block up!

Thats a whole headache if it doesn't regenerate and pretty costly when it eventually becomes unservicable. In those cases the costs and inconvienience certainly outweighs the long term tax advantage.

Not forgetting to mention the mess of the inlet tract made by the EGR system, which eventually causes running and economy problems, which at its worst prevents the DPF from regenerating (trust me, I'm seeing cars with these problems almost daily now).

 

But it does alter the financials of running these high band cars especially when their value drops off the cliff after the 4th or 5th year

No longer is it possible to have 7yr old jag outside to use for high days and holidays when the tax is equal to roughly 20% of the value, and that percentage will only grow

Coupled with the sorn and the new insurance rules, it means high tax band cars will actually become a financial liability - unless you have a lot of off street parking

Come that time of year, when you have to pay insurance and road tax on a car worth 4k just for the pleasure of having it on the road, it will really smart

 

I shall stick to my little zero band Citroen C3 e-hdi, still averaging around 70mpg but very few short trips in her.
Most of the mileage is motorway and over 40mph where the dpf can happily regenerate
As Ali said, short trips naff up the dpf on modern diesels, only buy if most of your driving is none town and longer distance.

Tony

 

I don't have a diseasel if that is what you're implying.

 

Same as me then,mainly shopping trips and an occasional drive to see my sister 200 miles away.

The Clubman is ideal for all that and returns 50MPG+ on the shopping trips.

Les