New Diesel Van - a worthwhile investment?

[RedOrZed]

As the cleverest bunch of people I know, I'd like your opinions on the future of privately owned diesel vehicles in the UK. I'm looking at buying a 2021 diesel Peugeot Traveller, for personal use - commuting a couple of days a week and weekend excursions to where-ever.

The finance is going to be spread over 5 years, but looking to keep the van for as long as possible.

Electric vehicles are obviously the future, and the government is talking about banning sales of new IC engines by 2030 or something. But electric ain't there yet, IMO, for heading down to the coast etc (after lockdowns), without queuing up for a charging point and hanging around service stations for a couple of hours.

Is diesel an investment or will we be left with an unsellable lump in 10 years?

 

[Tupers]

It’ll never be unusable. They won’t be able to ban the use of IC vehicles within any of our life times but there will undoubtably be more big cities with limits on what you can drive through the centre of them.

In 10 years time your van will just be another decade old van it’s not like you’re buying something rare. I wouldn’t view buying any new vehicle as an investment in itself. Even if could afford to keep it in show room condition for ten years any extra value would be dwarfed by the cost of storing it.

 

[wacky7791]

I'm wary of any new diesel these days, check pug forums for any known DPF or SCR issues if it has them? not that up on modern peugeot's but their diesels used to be great engines, but as with all diesels these days there's the possible cost of these systems going faulty in the long run to consider too.

 

[RedOrZed]

It’ll never be unusable. They won’t be able to ban the use of IC vehicles within any of our life times but there will undoubtably be more big cities with limits on what you can drive through the centre of them.

In 10 years time your van will just be another decade old van it’s not like you’re buying something rare. I wouldn’t view buying any new vehicle as an investment in itself. Even if could afford to keep it in show room condition for ten years any extra value would be dwarfed by the cost of storing it.

I didn't mean investment as in a thing to put away, I meant as a thing worth the buying to use. Its quite a lot of money for someone who usually buys triple or even double digit vehicles

 

[RedOrZed]

I'm wary of any new diesel these days, check pug forums for any known DPF or SCR issues if it has them? not that up on modern peugeot's but their diesels used to be great engines, but as with all diesels these days there's the possible cost of these systems going faulty in the long run to consider too.

Mate of mine is a full on Peugeot mechanic, he says they should be OK.

 

[Tupers]

I didn't mean investment as in a thing to put away, I meant as a thing worth the buying to use. Its quite a lot of money for someone who usually buys triple or even double digit vehicles

Ah well that’s a different kettle of fish then. Personally I think £38k for an 8 seat people carrier to commute a couple days a week and maybe go camping would be a horrendous waste of money unless you need the space it’s got. Even then I’d probably still go with a 2 year Transit Toureno that’s already taken the depreciation hit.

I think I’d still argue that for most people commuting in something that size is a bit silly. If it’s not going to be full regularly buy an estate and a tent.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

IMO PHEV's are the way we should be going at present with gradual adapting 100% electric when the technology improves.

 

[brightspark]

i bought a new peugeot partner van last year there good for a bout 10 years . i do about 10 k a year and they get hammered last combo van i had survived till doing 110 k then got a grand in part x for it .petrol probably best if your not doing high mileage in it and hoofing it

 

[Matchless]

Will last a lot longer if you service it twice as often as recomended, well just change the oil between services, my Cessna was still flying at 2300 hours!

 

[Ton-up]

After having a few diesel vans, (currently had a VW T5 for 6 years) I'd seriously consider buying petrol if available next time.

 

[frank horton]

I'm a D fan but if I bought something new'ish I'd go petrol with the option of LPG.....
no idea on cost for LPG in the UK......but here it's around 60 cents per lt.....

 

[RedOrZed]

After having a few diesel vans, (currently had a VW T5 for 6 years) I'd seriously consider buying petrol if available next time.

How comes?

My last car was a works issue Insignia 2.0l diesel, pulling just under 50mpg, 700 miles to a tank.

Are they dumbing down the modern diesels? Speaking to a Vauxhall dealer they were absolutely pushing the 1.2 petrol over 1.5 diesel in the Combo Life thing, claiming the D was getting similar mpg, around 35. That seems awful to me!

The Peugeot Traveller thing was sold, even though we had an appointment to see & test it. Local Toyota dealer had their equivalent but older, lower spec and 5k more. And no sales wombles to bargain at.

So I got a pull saw

 

[tom2207]

I would be buying petrol these days if its a realistic alternative . If your doing high miles or its big and has to work diesels still hard to beat but its getting to be expensive to maintain if the warranty expires , how about lease ? just thinking out loud.

 

[dobbslc]

Don't get a diesel if you live near a big city! They are going to hammer everyone soon that's in a diesel vehicle. In October this year if you have a diesel vehicle older than about 6 years old inside the north and south circulars you'll be in trouble! That includes the 10's of thousands of people who live there!
That's only 12 miles from me (I have a 25 year old 3.0 diesel Toyota Surf) I know keepng my car on the road is overall better for the planet than 3 or 4 new Toyota Prius but the suits in Westminster don't.
I'd say if you want a new car get a petrol version as the modern diesels just aren't very reliable anymore.

 

[RedOrZed]

Quick follow up. It did help getting all your opinions. The question "Do you really need a massive vehicle for occasional jollies?" was a bit of key one.

The answer was apparently "yes, I do. Not need, but want.". the idea of using a small van type thing, like a Combo Life, and feeling cramped just didn't appeal.

A Vivaro Life L2 came up at a fair price. Ran some numbers and decided to go for it. It's the sort of thing we'd be looking to keep for 10 years or so, it's not insured for business use so if my company wants me to go somewhere, I'll use a pool car. That'll keep the mileage down.

Picked it up today. Thank you all.

 

[stuvy]

I have the same issue I commute in my mx5 but have a discovery v8 for weekends away and cycling

bikes and 5’s don’t mix

I’m tempted to sell the Landy as she is thirsty

 

[jimbo84]

Don't get a diesel if you live near a big city! They are going to hammer everyone soon that's in a diesel vehicle. In October this year if you have a diesel vehicle older than about 6 years old inside the north and south circulars you'll be in trouble! That includes the 10's of thousands of people who live there!
That's only 12 miles from me (I have a 25 year old 3.0 diesel Toyota Surf) I know keepng my car on the road is overall better for the planet than 3 or 4 new Toyota Prius but the suits in Westminster don't.
I'd say if you want a new car get a petrol version as the modern diesels just aren't very reliable anymore.

They're planning a clean air zone for Greater Manchester, to come in in 2022/23 I think, extends to most of the towns outside of the city but in the county, a huge area, tenner a day if you're in a van or bigger, doesn't include cars.

 

[dobbslc]

Thin end of the wedge mate!
Before you know it driving a 5 year old car will be a hate crime.

 

[8ob]

Thin end of the wedge mate!
Before you know it driving a 5 year old car will be a hate crime.

We will all end up on travelators

630 × 314

 

[Morrisman]

I’d like to get my hands on a fully mechanical diesel vehicle, something pretty robust, solid chassis, no pressed tin, with no electronic brain, rebuildable at the roadside sort of thing.... something that will outlive me, and will not fall by the wayside as the electrical era takes over and we are all forced to drive Dysons that need a second mortgage to pay for....

Suggestions?