Why do you own a Diesel?

[reworht]

After 30 years of company cars, I suddenly had to buy my own - on a limited budget. I needed a diesel, and a heavy car too, to pull my tin tent - which the Rover has done with no problems at all. From North of Inverness to Southern Cornwall, via The Derbyshire Dales and lots of other places in between, it has never missed a beat with 1450kgs hanging on the towball.
Lowest mpg? - 32.4 - from Perth to Inverness up the A9 - with the 'van on the back.
Best mpg? - 48.5 - tootling around Cornwall sightseeing
It has failed to start once in 4 years - my own fault for flattening the battery by injudicious use of a 12 volt inspection lamp

[mccano]

I have covered 366000 miles since 2002, first with a 75 Tourer and then with a ZTT since 2005, plus 100000 odd miles with a diesel Chrysler 300.
Diesel was really the only sensible option, bearing in mind that diesel is cheaper in all of Europe apart UK and Switzerland. On top of that in day to day running the torque of a well chipped diesel can embarass very expensive machinery.
When I was younger I hated diesel cars and had a number of Golf GTI's 16 valves, Audi A3 turbo etcetera, but I am now fully converted. I have to admit however that a petrol V6 in full song plays a different music..

[klarzy]

your first option is the only one which is an actual reason for buying a Diesel Rich...

You missed stuff like...

Reliability
Smoothness
Low band power
Economy (bit of the first one)
ease of maintenance


just saying "cos I did not want a 1.8" does not do the marque justice

I bought mine for all of the above...

[cazemi]

i wasnt bothered that it was diesel, i was encouraged by the chain engine & had heard horror stories about the v6 cambelts & price of clutches. since talking to Marinabrian it seems a manual would have been a good idea, but mine was at a fair price & at £47 per 300 miles i'm not complaining (round the doors) about the auto. i don't do stella miles & £50 usually lasts me a month of commuting & pottering about. that £50 will no doubt last a couple of months now as both my bikes will be getting used much more now the weather is getting better up here.
my rather large Akita is getting on & struggled to get in my Prelude, the 75 gives him his own door & window & saves me getting a face-full of snot when he sneezes.
the Rover was very much a "needed a car so bought it" purchase & i was determined not to like it, my mates? call it the "Over 75" & took the p*ss but i love it now-well i will once i've got the fuel pump back in-although it may be flogged once its tidied up properly & replaced with a zt. apparently the govt are looking at punitive taxes for diesels.........

[macafee2]

I wanted a tow car as I'm a caravanner.

Why buy a 75? It was suggested to me. Wife tried but could not find herself liking a Mondeo. BMW and Mercs just not for me, nor is "French". Jap did not do what I wanted.
Why did I buy this Diesel 75, condition, mileage and colour inside and out.
How many cars did I look at before buying this one? 1
what was the worst thing about my car when I got it? It did not have cruise control, it does now thanks to this forum.
The one thing I wish it had? A sun roof.
I am a fan of petrol cars as they are quieter but I have to say my 75 Diesel has impressed me immensely.

What would I replace my 75 with? Currently a choice of 2 cars, another 75 or a Jag.

If I could get a MKII 2 diesel with a sun roof and Firefrost in colour with less then 40k
and immaculate body work for silly (little) money I would really have to consider it.
Do I need it? No Would it be in the way? yes

macafee2

[CimmaronG]

Although I would love a petrol, was aware of the issues with 1.8's, and couldn't afford to run a V6 (but would still love one) so after a friend persuaded me to try a diesel, went and test drove a CDTi. Boy was I impressed, so impressed I bought it. Also good for towing the caravan and economical, plus cheaper tax. Well please with mine. Love it.

[hamster19]

Originally Posted by macafee2

I wanted a tow car as I'm a caravanner.

Why buy a 75? It was suggested to me. Wife tried but could not find herself liking a Mondeo. BMW and Mercs just not for me, nor is "French". Jap did not do what I wanted.
Why did I buy this Diesel 75, condition, mileage and colour inside and out.
How many cars did I look at before buying this one? 1
what was the worst thing about my car when I got it? It did not have cruise control, it does now thanks to this forum.
The one thing I wish it had? A sun roof.
I am a fan of petrol cars as they are quieter but I have to say my 75 Diesel has impressed me immensely.

What would I replace my 75 with? Currently a choice of 2 cars, another 75 or a Jag.

If I could get a MKII 2 diesel with a sun roof and Firefrost in colour with less then 40k
and immaculate body work for silly (little) money I would really have to consider it.
Do I need it? No Would it be in the way? yes

macafee2

Love cruise, use it nearly all the time, would not have bought my car without it.

[cengar]

After checking with my local engineering shop the only Rover engine they have never taken apart was the 75 diesal nuff said
cengar

[Busboy]

Originally Posted by mccano

I have covered 366000 miles since 2002, first with a 75 Tourer and then with a ZTT since 2005, plus 100000 odd miles with a diesel Chrysler 300.
Diesel was really the only sensible option, bearing in mind that diesel is cheaper in all of Europe apart UK and Switzerland. On top of that in day to day running the torque of a well chipped diesel can embarass very expensive machinery.
When I was younger I hated diesel cars and had a number of Golf GTI's 16 valves, Audi A3 turbo etcetera, but I am now fully converted. I have to admit however that a petrol V6 in full song plays a different music..

You mention 'chipping', is it possible to increase my MPG by this method - is this a common practice with Diesel 75's or is there another method I could try ?

[bl52krz]

Why diesel?Always, for more than 50 years, I have been in contact with diesel cars/HGV's. I have driven petrol lorries, what a load of rubbish. The maintenance of both types of engine are similar. The performance of the diesel is, in my learned experience, a much better experience than the petrol when used properly. The confines of the diesel is outwayed by the sound of the V6, when under acceleration but, that is only when "excessive" revs are used. Very pleasing too. The diesel does not need to rev to practically achieve the same kind of acceleration. The diesel is more economical, and overall much more reliable than a petrol engine. (My experience) Modern diesels are a more relaxing way of transport in all aspects. Cruise all day at 80/90 mph (abroad of course) and still achieve 50 mpg in my 75. What modern petrol will do that? Yes the Vauxhall Insignia diesel does over 70 mpg. No it does not. My brother-in-law has one and it does around 48 according to him. So even 13 years down the line, the Rover 75 still takes some beating. Yes I know it stinks, but only the diesel fuel.