Car engine size - is DH correct?

[Pixiedust1234]

Simple question in last sentence if you want to skip.

Trying to figure out if DH is gaslighting me, run of the mill bs or has actually done further research. Based on the last 30 years I think its the first two rather than the last but happy to be told otherwise.

His new (2nd hand) car had unlimited engine size (believe its over 2.5l) just because he has a bigger car (even though 51 weeks of year its just him commuting ), including high tax and insurance.

DD new (2nd hand) car could not be 1 litre as these engines aren't made to last/have high mileage (to much pressure over time etc) on them so needs to be 1.2l minimum, preferably more.

Three months and three weeks later respectively I am now being told that my new (2nd hand) car has to be 1 litre as they do last just as long as any other engine size. He researched it. In fact they are better than 1.4 (my current and very poorly focus).

I know manufacturers have tweaked engines so they run better per power but my old fiesta was 1.2l and there was hardly any power to get me out of trouble if needed. Hated not having that umph.

So...is there enough umph in a recent 1l similar to an older 1.4l or is he lying yet again to avoid letting me have something decent which is less than third in price to his whilst coming across as generous and kind but actually not?

Sorry - is 2012+ 1 litre engine as good for power and longevity as a pre 2012 1.4 litre?

You need to look at BHP not engine size really.

A new 1l focus is around the same as an older 1.6l version. No reason why 1l engine is necessarily less reliable than a 1.2 .

My kids have one litre for cheaper insurance.
If it was me I’d want at least 1.2 l.

I'm not sure on the technicalities but my 15 plate 1l ecoboost Focus is nippier than my 10 plate 1.6l Focus was. Can’t tell you the reasonings behind his mind changing though!!

No real idea. But I’d just choose the one I wanted and say that’s the one I’m having.

let him spout whatever he wants but when he’s finished just say “I’ve chosen the <insert model and engine size here>“ and look at him blankly

I think it depends on the specific make and model and engine size. I'd read car reviews like Honest John - they'll often say for a certain car that the 1.2 engine is good but the 1.4 engine is shit or vice versa.

I can't see that engine size has any bearing on how long it will last. If you maintain an engine properly, there is no reason it won't get you to the moon and back, whatever size it is.

We have (use of) two cars, one's a small 2013 1.4 L engine, the other is, like the poster above, a 2015 1L ecoboost Focus, an estate, and we get substantially better fuel economy from it, while still being happy with how it drives. We don't find it "nippy" and drive accordingly but equally haven't ever felt unsafe in any traffic conditions.

It also has very minimal road tax! But that only applies up to a certain year so check carefully.

Just choose whatever car you want and tell him to keep his beak out. It's not him driving it!
Or maybe you can have his car and he can have a new 1l, would he like that?

Also this

DH abD I both have 1l fiestas with 125 bph. Our SIL, who’s a mechanic swears by them, insisted we take one for a test drive. He’s right. They have far more power than our old 1.6 l did.

Many new cars don't come in anything bigger than a 1l.

Just say it has nothing to do with you DH, it will be my car! The new engines are much smaller whilst being equally powerful and more economical - my mechanic says the new petrol engines in pretty much any new design car are excellent..

A modern 1litre is quite powerful enough for city use and the occasional longer trip. If you have 2 small kids it will be large enough too, bigger kids have more stuff so go up a size. Go for petrol not diesel you will have less reliability issues try not to buy over 10 yrs old at 15yrs fixing repairs gets more difficult.
The lower the performance the less to insure and tax

You absolutely need to look at bhp rather than just size. The 0-60 also gives you a good indication. There's a massive variation in the power of different 1l engines these days

For example, if you look at the ford fiesta they have a 1l ecoboost with 140bhp which has a 0-60 of 8.7. They have a 1l mild hybrid which has 155bh, 0-60 8.6. But skoda have a 1L engine available in the fabia which puts out just 78bhp and has a 0-60 of 15 seconds.

Engine size alone doesn't give you enough info and if your husband thinks it does he's clueless.

I've been wondering this. I drive a 1.2l nine year old Hyundai but the new ones are all 1l.

MN ate my post

It seems that ecoboost is the way to go, so a eco 1l is a lot better than a normal 1l. Insurance is fine as I have nearly 30yrs no claims, and all my cars have been lowish tax, most is £130.

Unfortunately he kinda gets a say as he works and I do not but he is forever using my car as his always breaks down as he likes style over substance. Plus I do children appt, running around, vets, shops, etc. So I do want a decent car.

Haven't seen Honest John so will go have a read, thank you.

No idea what BHP I should be looking at. What's the .minimum for a decent car?

Ecoboost (or similar names) isn't inherently better, different manufacturers use different terms to describe their engines. You need to look at somewhere like parkers to see the stats

Small-capacity turbos are better now than they used to be, but this hasn't happened in the last three months! It's more like they're better now than they were 10 years ago.

So I think he's just being the family's Car Guy and overstepping his remit.

We recently changed our car. Engine efficiency is much improved, I was amazed to try a 1.0 petrol car, bigger and heavier than earlier models, but much better mpg.
Deciding factors for us were, diesel, ULEZ compliant, and tax rate. We sought a 'newer' generation engine. Some engines were introduced 8 years even if in a new shape body.

Unfortunately he kinda gets a say as he works and I do not

You do work. It's just that you don't do paid work. But you definitely work. It sounds as if he doesn't value your work, OP, and thinks that because he makes the actual money, that gives him more of a say ... which isn't on.

Not sure about 2012 being the cut off.
But, yes, I have a 1l petrol honda civic, and it's really goes. Better than DHs smaller, older but still fairly new, 1.3l.
That said, DH gets much better mpg out of his.

i take it you lie around eating chocolate truffles then OP?

he may go out to work but I’m sure it would cost money to replace the work you do in the home

We had 15 plate 1.6 turbo diesel focus and I loved it. It went when I needed it to and felt like a solid built car. I traded it in for a 1l ecoboost on a 19 plate focus. I hated it. It just didn't feel enough.
I now have a 1l mild hybrid Puma and I love it! Yes it's never going to compete with my orginal focus but it is so much better than the other.

Thank you all esp @StatisticallyChallenged , those bhp stats were really useful.

2012 cutoff is bc of finances. Hes spent nearly all savings on his car despite mine being the one that's dying and used the most. Mine is going on credit card. I'm not bitter. Not at all.

Off to do some reading now I know what I need to focus on. I was going round in circles.