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?

Engine size does matter, but you'd be better off test driving and going to a dual carriageway etc to test out the acceleration. Modern cars tend to have smaller engines for economy reasons but come with a turbo so they accelerate decently.

This is why your acceleration matters - you can see the difference in the 0-60s on the examples I posted upthread. I wouldn't want to be overtaking a tractor or regularly pulling out on a dual carriageway/motorway with a short sliproad in something like the 15 seconds to 60 Skoda. The fiesta example would be better for that.

I used to have a little fiat 500 which was pretty slow but I lived in the city centre and very rarely drove on fast roads so a small nimble but not especially fast car was great. We're out in a rural town now where it's dual carriageway to get most places - I still prefer smallish cars so mainly drive a mini cooper s which feels a lot better accelerating down a slip road than the fiat did.

Why don't you look up the stats for the cars you have/had? That might give you an idea of what acceleration you are comfortable with based on your own experience

Once again thank you. I now have a better understanding of what to look for, and I cant believe I never bothered looking at bph before