About to sell my XL - looking for feedback.

[darrellr]

When I bought an XL 16 months ago I had to go to some lengths to persuade the various dealers that I wanted a petrol variant rather than a diesel and furthermore I wanted a FAST one! There wasn't a demo turbocharged petrol XL in the SW of England / S Wales to be found at the time!

Now that I come to sell it I find that I'm struggling to get a competitive valuation due to the scarcity of equivalents on autotrader. Currently there are just TWO newish 1.8 Turbocharged petrols on the site and both put for sale at ridiculously high prices. I'll be looking for a smidge under £10k for mine next month, they want 12.5/13k as standard spec!

What I'd like to know is why the new 1.8T engine variant is less popular than the 1.6 normal petrol and the 2.0 Turbodiesel (140BHP). Is it a simple matter of petrol vs Diesel economy? Or is it something more?

I ordered my car with BT (naturally) and the Sports Pack to add to the feel and drive of the car. I felt that sports seats, decent alloys, lowered suspension and a strong engine (160 BHP) would make it feel a little less of a people carrier and a little more like a SUV.

Thoughts?

 

[Viking]

How much have you been offered?

 

[darrellr]

I've not been offered anything yet as I've not yet put it up for sale.

My replacement is scheduled for 1st September for the new plate and so I won't put it up for sale until early August or I risk being car-less for a month! I'll be asking £10k on Autoexpress when I do.

What I'm really looking for is honest opinions on why the turbo petrol variant is so unpopular and, hence, thinking through some sensible counter-arguments/POVs to help me sell. The current MY10 line-up has dropped the 1.8T petrol all together and leaves the 125 BHP 1.4 TSI as the most 'powerful' petrol option.

 

[NeilW]

Insurance would definitely be a factor as well as economy with that "type" of vehicle. For whatever reason a lot of people see a large car and automatically think it "needs" a diesel engine.

 

[darrellr]

Insurance would definitely be a factor as well as economy with that "type" of vehicle. For whatever reason a lot of people see a large car and automatically think it "needs" a diesel engine.

Hmm, good call on the insurance. I must admit I've never made the connection between large car and diesel before tho' - interesting stuff.

Quick trawl through "Car Magazine" gives me:

.......................1.8T............2.0TD.........1.9TD

Power...=.........160............140.............105
Torque..=.........250............320.............250
0-60.......=........8.8.............9.6.............11.9
Ins.........=.........10...............8.................5

Insurance could well be a factor

 

[PhilOfCas]

isn't it that peoples perception is, large petrol car = thirsty car, therefore expensive to own ?

 

[darrellr]

Good point - I guess the mitigation here is the higher cost of a diesel car and the 7-8% premium for diesel. It would take about 4 years to break even with the diesel @ 10k miles a year given a £1k difference in 'sticker' price.

10k miles @ 36 mpg and £1.01/litre = £1276.50
10k miles @ 47 mpg and £1.08/litre = £1045.53

.......................1.8T............2.0TD.........1.9TD

Power...=.........160............140.............105
Torque..=.........250............320.............250
0-60.......=........8.8.............9.6.............11.9
Ins.........=.........10...............8.................5

mpg.......=..........36.............47................52

price*....=.........£9.3k........£10.3k..........£9.7k

*2008 08 base Stylance spec. 9k miles from What Car valuations

 

[PhilOfCas]

i can't quite believe it but diesel and petrol are the same price (102.9ppl) at my local Shell, so it doesn't seem to be a factor for now, rejigging your figures gives:

10k miles @ 36 mpg and £1.02.9/litre = £1299.24
10k miles @ 47 mpg and £1.02.9/litre = £995.16

brings it close to 3 years.

I did similar calculations when i bought mine, though i can do 20k/annum, all useful info.

Cheers

 

[darrellr]

For info - Car is now for sale on Autoexpress and in "for sale" section (when approved)