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?

Gonna slightly go against the grain and say a larger, simpler engine will likely last longer than a small engine with loads of tech and a turbo strapped to it. I’m talking about cars from a little while back though as I know things may well be better these days. But 2012 ish, when I did my research there were plenty of problems coming from ecoboost engines, scan piston heads for those models you’ll see what I mean, consensus was to avoid. Also was looking at 1.4 Scirocco, 180bhp so incredibly powerful for size, but with a tendency for the engine to go bang according to lots of reports.

So I opted for a non turbo 1.8 civic and it feels incredibly bombproof, and has an immaculate reputation too.

Will stress again I’m talking about cars from around 10 years ago, not brand new.

The Ford Ecoboost it a dog of an engine, google it

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.

I suspect this is a thread all in its own right OP

It's not just engine size that makes more power and reliability, it's everything that's in there and how it's set up.

I have a 2.5l Subaru. It chucks 300 horses out of its EJ25 flat four boxer engine. It's not a particularly reliable engine however and not good for lots of short journeys as it needs time to warm up and cool down or the turbo suffers.

I used to have a 3.2l V6 Mercedes that only threw out 180 horses, that was much better over short journeys and the engine was much more forgiving.

I've also had a .9l Nissan Pixo, a 1.8 diesel Fiesta, a 2.5l V6 Mitsubishi, a 2l diesel Volvo S40 and a 1.8 MGF. Each was a very different beast and each was reliable in different ways and best for different styles of driving.

One thing I will say, smaller engines these days are much more powerful than they used to be. The new Yaris GR is only a little 1.6 thing but it'll spank my 2.5l tuned Subaru into next week.

As others have said it really depends on so many factors. I think lots of things have got better on cars but engine size isn't what I'd base reliability on. For example peugeots, Citroens and Renaults in my experience are not very hard wearing whatever the engine size. Where as Fords, Volvo's and BMW's we have owned have been. I have a long motorway commute and when I did it in a 1.4l petrol engine was in the garage every month having parts replaced and it blew up at 90 000 miles. I now drive bigger diesels and they are so much more reliable. However, my Mum pootles a couple of miles a week and so a smaller engine is fine for her.

As for whether it is nippy or not, I think that's down to more than just engine size, weight and design play a part too. Some little nippy cars can feel very wobbly and unsafe if they have to break sharply at speed for example. I now have a 2.5l SUV and whilst it is very powerful I woudn't call it nippy because it's like a tank. My dh's 2.5l diesel saloon feels nippy to drive in comparison but hss dreadful visibility. I think the best thing you can do is actually test drive some cars, test out breaking at speed, how it corners, deals with rapid acceleration etc and see what you are happy with.

No idea if your hubby is gaslighting you or not but there's nothing stopping you trying some out and telling him which ones are a nice drive.

I like this idea!

I wasn't in any way suggesting the ecoboost - it was just an example to show that just the engine capacity on its own is relatively meaningless.

It's a bit like going in to a department store for a new dress
"What are you looking for"
"A size 10"

"Ok, long, short, day, evening, fitted or flared, what brand (cos they all fit differently)"

Engines are no different really, buying just on size doesn't make sense anymore than buying an evening dress to wear for the school run - as long as it has the right size tag - would make sense.

@Pixiedust1234 newer cars all have 1 litre engines with turbos that make the more powerful. We had a 2017 mid size 4x4 with a one litre turbo petrol engine and has the same power as a 1.8 litre engine. It wasn’t Nissan has heard they are rubbish with the smaller engine but no issues with speed, overtaking etc when needed. Now have a 2021 large 4x4 with a 1.6 petrol turbo with the power of a 2.6 litre and it goes like the clappers.

My father is a mechanic and absolutely hates the ecoboost engines. He said they are nothing but trouble and extremely unreliable. I was going to buy one myself, you'd swear I'd told him I'd robbed a bank the way he looked at me. I think I'd be disowned if I did but one because he point blank told me he wouldn't carry out any work on it when (not if) it developed problems 😂

Nothing wrong with the Ford Ecoboost engine. (Don't confuse with the Ford Ecoboost model)

I had the 1litre eco boost in my 2013 Focus ZS. It was a great engine. Nippy and economical. Some had a problem with the coolant hose being the wrong construction and therefore overheating which caused a lot of problems, but as long as the work has been done no problem.

I only replaced my Focus as I get a car allowance and there is an age limit of cars we can use.

It's the BHP or rather PS these days that determines the grunt of the engine. A 1.2 fiat 500 is 70PS but the 998cc Twinair engine is the more powerful at 105PS

Your husband is talking bullshit. I've worked in Car Sale for 30 years and he's being a dick.

The power of the engine also does not determine its reliability because you cannot factor is misuse or non maintenance of serviceable parts that also protect and prolong the life of the engine.

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I've agreed to go to a garage to sit in a few cars to determine which ones to aim for which has calmed him down but will continue to read up/here for any other hints and tips.

It turns out I don't fit in DDs mazda as my legs are too long despite only being 4 inches taller than her. I can sit in the back or passenger perfectly fine but apparently can't slide under the movable steering wheel unless I snap my ankle off.

I find anything under 1.6l utterly frustrating to drive.

I have a Ford and it's automatic and is fabulously fast and responsive. Lots of leg room and I love it

Now have a 2021 large 4x4 with a 1.6 petrol turbo with the power of a 2.6 litre and it goes like the clappers.

I’m not convinced it does.

It depends, but both my 2015 1 litre eco boost Fiesta and 2021 1 litre eco boost Puma are much quicker and more pleasant to drive than my 2010 1.6 litre Qasquai.

As others have said, it's how many horsepower (BHP) the car has, and its weight - our current car is slightly more powerful on paper than its predecessor, but heavier, so overall the acceleration isn't as good. However we've seen a lot less of the RAC (so far), so overall, a win!

I'd strongly suggest a test drive; when we were looking for our current car (some time ago) we were underwhelmed by a good few we tried, but we have to do a standing start onto a busy dual carriageway regularly, so oomph was high on our list.

As others have said, it's how many horsepower (BHP) the car has, and its weight

Absolutely this, power to weight ratio is key. I find around 300bhp/tonne the sweet spot for road use. More than that can be hilarious but difficult/frustrating to deploy in anger.

I think 300bhp/tonne is somewhat excessive for OP's needs...

I find the practicalities and ergonomics more of a deciding factor in car purchases than ‘how big is the engine‘. That dress shopping analogy upthread is perfect.

much as I love waffling on for hours about the technical specs of an engine (speaking as an ex biker/petrolhead). When I buy a car, it is cabin comfort, boot hatch size, fuel economy, service cost, insurance group etc that matter when it comes to day to day running. Sounds very much to me like the OPs DH fancies himself as the self appointed car expert because he (thinks he) knows fractionally more that the OP.

I have an UP. To the casual onlooker, it's looks like your average granny's car. It's the turbo tho and goes really well. It's also comfortable.

Choose your own car. Don't be secondclass because of economics. His lifestyle would be radically different if you worked FT and he probably wouldn't like it.

1 litre is fine in a relatively small car like a fiesta, but you would need around 1.4 for something g like a Volvo V40. 2.5L is for a big, heavy petrol hungry car like a small pickup.

Look at insurance and tax costs. Tax on my tiny Aygo used to be nil, now is over £100.

Don't worry about brake horse power! (Bhp).

It is about the size of the engine pulling the car.

They all last around the same btw. It's how far they are driven which is the important part.

Thanks again for the replies. Perhaps I should explain that the 2012 year and use of credit card means there is very little money available so anything over 1.4l or high tax is a nonstarter. But I was wondering if the 1lites were better now as I had found my older 1.2 fiesta was crap in oomph compared to my older 1.4 focus. I know tech improves yearly so was wondering if others found them good.

The oomph needed is to overtake tractors on country roads (without fear), and I use a lot of blind junctions where you can't really see until committed. With the 1.4l I take a deep breath, the 1.2l I prayed, held breath and pedalled like Fred Flintstone. I'm not looking to be a f1 driver off the grid (would be nice though) 😄

The only comparison I have is that my 04 1.6 MK1 focus is far beefier than my son's 11 plate 1.2 Renault. Much nicer to drive with the extra power. I've thought about dropping down engine size but that's convinced me otherwise.