Chev Ute 1.3d or 1.8

[SAguy]

So I'm trying to decide between the 1.3D and the 1.8 (petrol).

How big a difference is the 55 kW@4000 rpm and 170 Nm@1750-2500 rpm of the diesel compared to the 77 kW@5400 rpm and 161 Nm@3000 rpm of the 1.8?

I like that the 1.8 has some extra trim and accessories which the diesel doesn't.

It's for personal use, so nothing hardcore except the occasional DIY jobs I do around the house. I don't want to go for the diesel for fuel efficiency and extra torque at lower revs only to find that it's dead slow as result of lower kw.

Not sure how the numbers above really relate to vehicle performance in the real world.

 

[Pitbull]

So I'm trying to decide between the 1.3D and the 1.8 (petrol).

How big a difference is the 55 kW@4000 rpm and 170 Nm@1750-2500 rpm of the diesel compared to the 77 kW@5400 rpm and 161 Nm@3000 rpm of the 1.8?

I like that the 1.8 has some extra trim and accessories which the diesel doesn't.

It's for personal use, so nothing hardcore except the occasional DIY jobs I do around the house. I don't want to go for the diesel for fuel efficiency and extra torque at lower revs only to find that it's dead slow as result of lower kw.

Not sure how the numbers above really relate to vehicle performance in the real world.

The diesel will feel stronger from pull away due to the torque. It will be lighter on fuel and be a massive chunk od change to replace something on the engine if it breaks.
The petrol will be more speedy and heavier on fuel, but cheaper to fit should something go wrong.

 

[4567319]

I have the 1.4 petrol and its been very reliable despite having a very rough life. Not sure if a small engine diesel will handle a frequent beating.

If I had to choose again it would definitely be the 1.8 but all of them are SLOW so its best to go in with very low expectations.

 

[ahoudet]

Drive both... But that diesel will feel sluggish

 

[DanH]

The purchase price of the diesel is very high compared with the petrol models. The 1.8 is only marginally more costly than the 1.4. So I would go with the 1.8.

I towed a huge heavily ladened trailer from East London to Cape Town earlier in the year with my parents 1.8 Ute. It pulled really well and handled the journey better than I expected.

The 1.8 is an easy lazy driving experience where you don't need to change gears much as there is sufficient torque.

Budget R15k extra for a canopy, colour coding the canopy and rubberising the back.

 

[SAguy]

Thanks for all tips. I'm leaning more towards the 1.8, fuel efficiency isn't really an issue.
Didn't they make a 1.5d or a 1.7d back in the day?

 

[DanH]

There was a 1.7d in the previous shape, but not in the current. Never a 1.5d.

 

[Pitbull]

Thanks for all tips. I'm leaning more towards the 1.8, fuel efficiency isn't really an issue.
Didn't they make a 1.5d or a 1.7d back in the day?

In the long run, the 1.8 would be a better option

 

[Colin62]

I've driven the 1.3d, and was quite impressed with it, but not having driven the 1.8 I can't really compare. At that stage my normal drive was a Merc C220Cdi, and while the Ute wasn't as quick as the Merc, it wasn't as big a difference as I was anticipating. My main problem with it was that the cab's too small and I had the gear leaver jammed up against my knee in 5th.

 

[cr@zydude]

GMSA no long make the UTE with a diesel engine. They only make the 1.4 and 1.8 models. If you want a new diesel, you will need to get the Nissan NP 200 1.5.

 

[DanH]

I'm not surprised if that's the case. All in club trim the pricing is as follows:
1.4: R167 400
1.8: R173 300
1.3D: R213 300

Just a R5900 difference between the 1.4 and 1.8. But the diesel is a whole R40 000 more than the 1.8.

I doubt it's possible to make that difference up in fuel savings over the life of the vehicle.