Is the diesel a false economy?

[JGD Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGD]

I like to deal with facts and figures so here is just a few basic calculations on the running cost differences between diesels and petrols,

Servicing: Toyota supplied pricing

Cost of servicing a diesel up to 100,000km as per handbook by toyota = $3629

Cost of servicing a petrol up to 100,000km as per handbook by toyota = $3412

Saving of $217.00, Nothing to get excited about!! A $217 saving over 100,000km is pretty much bugger all.

I got a comparison from Toyota (in Sydney) in Feb this year which showed far more than $217 difference over 100,000km.

- Handbook servicing costs for petrol was around $3300.
- Handbook servicing costs for diesel was around $5100.

That's almost $2000 difference! Do your figures above include the 5000km service intervals for diesels? If so someone has been given the wrong info.

I also like to deal with facts and figures - but as you say these aren't always the be all and end all. I've driven both TD and petrol 4WD's previously - and both have good and bad points.

When I purchased the Prado the TD didn't even get a look in - but the D4D engine wasn't available at that stage. I guess it's like the old 'Holden Vs Ford' - there is never going to be a clear winner when it comes to a decision which is inherently a personal choice

As you say, horses for courses!

[JGD Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGD]

Just to clarify the above, the figures provided were for 2004/2005 TD and petrol models, where the handbook service period for dielsels was 5000km.

I believe the D4D now has 10000km servicing, which would greatly reduce the cost difference between the two.

On a fact and figure comparision the 'cost' difference between an old TD engine and the petrol engine seems to be minimal, in some cases not even evident.

However there does indeed seem to be 'cost' advantage of the newer TD D4D over the petrol - but again, that is really dependant on the initlal price you pay at the dealer. A saving of a couple of thousand on a petrol can make a difference!

[SM10 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close SM10]

The comparison was petrol against D4D diesel, fuel consumption based on GXL autos.

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

Its hard to objective (i love the smooth acceleration of the v6) and even more difficult to predict the future. Disclaimers stated Other things being equal, i would think that the price difference between diesel and petrol must, in time, narrow or even disapear.

Also, the D4D is bound to hold its value better than the v6 ... over time, if the initial purchase price was the same, i would think the new diesel will prove to have the cost advantage. But at the end of the day, how relevant is a few thousand dollars compared to the initial outlay and ongoing running costs?

I agree with those folk that suggest the real issue is personal preference and purpose of use.

[Wal01 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wal01]

Whiteman

I have been having the same thoughts as you. I previously owned a troopy petrol with gas conversion and vowed and declared I would buy a diesel next time around for the extra touring range and torque.

I have been waiting for the D4D's to come onto the used market but at the current cost of diesel and petrol it looks like I'm heading down the LPG path again.

Based on the figures below per 100 km;
Diesel cost 9.3 lt @ $1.70 per lt = $15.81
Petrol cost 13.5lt @ $1.50 per lt = $20.25
LPG cost 15lt @ $0.65 per lt = $9.75

Factor in servicing costs and I just can't see the value sorry guys. Even with the $4500 ($2000 rebate) outlay I'm still in front of the diesel. I'll be going pertol with LPG conversion again.

Wal :wink:

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Factor in servicing costs and I just can't see the value sorry guys. Even with the $4500 ($2000 rebate) outlay I'm still in front of the diesel. I'll be going pertol with LPG conversion again.

Wal :wink:

Servicing costs? All D4Ds from April compliance on come with Service Advantage, you only pay $180 per service. When are the petrol guys going to wake up... :roll:

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

when are you diesel guys going to realise that it isn't all about a few $ :roll:

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

im going to lock the thread if you guys cant play nice...


we all know petrol > diesel.. lets move on. :wink: (petrol drivers will move on faster.. .much faster.. vroooommmmm!!!!)

anybody that gets their vehicle serviced at a toyota dealership is nutty imho.. pay too much $$$

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

Matt Wrote:

im going to lock the thread if you guys cant play nice...

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Seriously tho Matt, no need to lock the thread, just block those annoying D4D drivers who flaunt their <10l/100k consumption.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

In my opinion the whole fixed price servicing is just a way to get you to take the car back to a dealer. You pay for the difference between the fixed fee and real service costs in the purchase price and if you decide later to go somewhere else you get slugged the full cost of a service so the incentive is to go to a dealer and pay the $180.

PS: and a vote for no sparkplugs here :lol:

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

its not so much the price as the total incompentacy of the apprentices that they let touch your 50k vehicle.

[whiteman Member Find all posts View Profile Close whiteman]

Whiteman

I have been having the same thoughts as you. I previously owned a troopy petrol with gas conversion and vowed and declared I would buy a diesel next time around for the extra touring range and torque.

I have been waiting for the D4D's to come onto the used market but at the current cost of diesel and petrol it looks like I'm heading down the LPG path again.

Based on the figures below per 100 km;
Diesel cost 9.3 lt @ $1.70 per lt = $15.81
Petrol cost 13.5lt @ $1.50 per lt = $20.25
LPG cost 15lt @ $0.65 per lt = $9.75

Factor in servicing costs and I just can't see the value sorry guys. Even with the $4500 ($2000 rebate) outlay I'm still in front of the diesel. I'll be going pertol with LPG conversion again.

Wal :wink:

Wal

I have 4 dealers seeking my business for a diesel - I have decided to move to the dark side as I'm now getting quoted similar prices for petrol and diesel - the only difference is the waiting time but this is not a great concern as my current petrol has new Pirellis to run in.

My BIG issue with buying another petrol is resale and the time it takes to sell. Right now diesel Prados are not even hitting the 2nd hand market for more than a nanosecond and this should continue for the next few years although my crystal ball is as cloudy as the next person's when it comes to predicting where this fuel spike is going.

As for pricing, I'm getting quoted the GXL Auto with bullbar, towbar, safety option and metallic paint for a tic under the luxury car tax price. I am happy with this.

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

In at the local Tender Centre today, a fellow started chatting about his gutless diesel. Said it was fine once he was on the highway and the revs were up, but round town it was hopeless ... reckoned he was considering replacing it with a petrol and was asking after my experience. Well i told him; you know, dragging of v8 commodores and the like :twisted: Then, asked him if he had considered the D4D, as i'd heard reports of how good it is (on PP, of course).

:lol: :lol: :lol:

He said :lol: :lol: :lol:

Now don't blame me. Flack jacket on and helmet vizor pulled down.

He said, "the gutless piece of s*&% is a D4D". I went across and had a look. Sure enough, there it was, with its bright and shiny badge D4D.

Mods, i promise to play nice, but i gotta share the :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Wal01 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wal01]

Good luck whiteman

I'm hearing you................a D4D would be very nice. Unfortunately 3.2 children, morgage and 30,000km per year dictate what I get, oh and the wife of course.

My preference would be for a diesel. I'll be watching with interest to see what the oil price does before I purchase though.

Wal

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Interesting...http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...eID=54392&vf=2