Above average miles commute - what do you drive?
Discussion
I'm just about to start a job 45 miles from home, so 90 mile return trip, which is motorway all but about 7 miles of it. Train or bus isnt an option because of my location and the location of my new role.
Dont have much spare cash at the moment, but upgrading is probably an option down the line.
Currently have an 02 120K Fiat Marea JTD thats superbly reliable and averaging 44mpg.
Plan is to join the AA or similar and see how long the Marea lasts. As i motor trade part time should there be problems with the Marea i can 'swap in' another car for a day or two if the Marea is off the road.
I'm concious that 20-25K per year of commuting miles is going to be hard on a car, both in terms of wear and tear and depreciation, but i'm wondering what other people do?
So what is 'the answer'?
Cheap car and run it into the ground?
More expensive car and change regularly?
More expensive car and take the hit on big depreciation every three years or so?
Lease a car?
Dont have much spare cash at the moment, but upgrading is probably an option down the line.
Currently have an 02 120K Fiat Marea JTD thats superbly reliable and averaging 44mpg.
Plan is to join the AA or similar and see how long the Marea lasts. As i motor trade part time should there be problems with the Marea i can 'swap in' another car for a day or two if the Marea is off the road.
I'm concious that 20-25K per year of commuting miles is going to be hard on a car, both in terms of wear and tear and depreciation, but i'm wondering what other people do?
So what is 'the answer'?
Cheap car and run it into the ground?
More expensive car and change regularly?
More expensive car and take the hit on big depreciation every three years or so?
Lease a car?
Edited by daemon on Tuesday 18th June 15:37
I would imagine depreciation has already hit your '02 120K Fiat Marea' pretty hard but you would know better than me.
I was in the same position last year, except my journey was 90% motorway, I sold the Puma I had for no other reason than it seemed like the perfect excuse to buy something more interesting, so I bought a 2002 Saab 95 Aero, which proceeded to rape my wallet with its constant fuel demands (in comparison to the little Puma)
In hindsight, I should have either kept the Puma, as it was in good nick and I knew that car inside out, or bought the car I have now, a 1998 523ia complete with a LPG conversion, it does everything my Saab did (except overtake) but costs me penny's to run.
It really comes down to affordability, if you have 'little money' at the moment then just stick with what you have and maybe instead of changing, why not spend a little money on it to ensure its running tip-top?
I was in the same position last year, except my journey was 90% motorway, I sold the Puma I had for no other reason than it seemed like the perfect excuse to buy something more interesting, so I bought a 2002 Saab 95 Aero, which proceeded to rape my wallet with its constant fuel demands (in comparison to the little Puma)
In hindsight, I should have either kept the Puma, as it was in good nick and I knew that car inside out, or bought the car I have now, a 1998 523ia complete with a LPG conversion, it does everything my Saab did (except overtake) but costs me penny's to run.
It really comes down to affordability, if you have 'little money' at the moment then just stick with what you have and maybe instead of changing, why not spend a little money on it to ensure its running tip-top?
I don't see why that kind of run should be "hard" on the car; my commute is 34 miles each way of which 30 or so is M62 over Saddleworth - I use either my bike (R1), runabout with winter tyres (C1) or my normal car (SLK diesel).
I've been doing this for maybe 14 of the last 20 years and in my experience the thing to do with this kind of commute is to just take it easy, get yourself into a nice groove at around 65mph (so you don't get a wagon tailgating) and avoid going into the most right hand (3 or 4) lane unless absolutely necessary. Experience has taught me that (and this might sound like something your gran would say) even though you drive faster you won't get there any quicker; it just takes one red traffic light at either end and all your belting along at speed is negated.
Busy motorways and going in the "fast" lane is (IMO, of course) a total mugs game, but if your brake pads need bedding in it can be useful for that.
Take it easy and enjoy the scenery (if there is any) and it's actually quite gentle on the car; no potholes, speedbumps, stop start, gear changes etc.
I've been doing this for maybe 14 of the last 20 years and in my experience the thing to do with this kind of commute is to just take it easy, get yourself into a nice groove at around 65mph (so you don't get a wagon tailgating) and avoid going into the most right hand (3 or 4) lane unless absolutely necessary. Experience has taught me that (and this might sound like something your gran would say) even though you drive faster you won't get there any quicker; it just takes one red traffic light at either end and all your belting along at speed is negated.
Busy motorways and going in the "fast" lane is (IMO, of course) a total mugs game, but if your brake pads need bedding in it can be useful for that.
Take it easy and enjoy the scenery (if there is any) and it's actually quite gentle on the car; no potholes, speedbumps, stop start, gear changes etc.
I commute 40 miles each way everyday (mostly A1M) and have an Alfa 159 Ti Diesel. However, I don't like putting miles on it as its too nice.
I purchased a Rover 25 1.4 Impression S not long ago. One elderly owner, 54k with service history on an 02 plate. I think its returning about 40+ MPG (Not really sure, don't really care) and is a real hoot to drive. So much so, that I have left the Alfa and our weekend car (Mk1 Golf) on the drive since getting it.
It was £400.00 and is really clean with no rust, it passed its MOT without issue also. So if I put 10-15k on it, I think I could sell it for about the same.
What I am saying is, buy a clean shed and enjoy it - that's what I am doing!
I purchased a Rover 25 1.4 Impression S not long ago. One elderly owner, 54k with service history on an 02 plate. I think its returning about 40+ MPG (Not really sure, don't really care) and is a real hoot to drive. So much so, that I have left the Alfa and our weekend car (Mk1 Golf) on the drive since getting it.
It was £400.00 and is really clean with no rust, it passed its MOT without issue also. So if I put 10-15k on it, I think I could sell it for about the same.
What I am saying is, buy a clean shed and enjoy it - that's what I am doing!
know body.
indeed.
tbh it is such an obscure car re-sale is not going to be great.
I did similar mileage for about a year in firstly a Calibra which lasted two months then an Escort which lasted the rest of the year and some months after. Got about 40mpg too. Still a runner but since I upgraded I've just shoved it in the garage and left it there as body rust made it uneconomical to replace the dampers and blah blah blah probably not worth selling.
I reckon (and this is based on wild conjecture) that petrols are more consistent on MPG whereas diseasel MPGs will fall faster once you start hoofing it and/or have to do lots of start-stop uppy-downy stuff. But for a motorway commute, provided it's flowing smoothly, should be ok.
Either way bangernomics is the way to go.
indeed.
tbh it is such an obscure car re-sale is not going to be great.
I did similar mileage for about a year in firstly a Calibra which lasted two months then an Escort which lasted the rest of the year and some months after. Got about 40mpg too. Still a runner but since I upgraded I've just shoved it in the garage and left it there as body rust made it uneconomical to replace the dampers and blah blah blah probably not worth selling.
I reckon (and this is based on wild conjecture) that petrols are more consistent on MPG whereas diseasel MPGs will fall faster once you start hoofing it and/or have to do lots of start-stop uppy-downy stuff. But for a motorway commute, provided it's flowing smoothly, should be ok.
Either way bangernomics is the way to go.
Bought a Clio DCi from ebay (unseen!) on 206K! I plan to run it into the ground, buy another car. Rinse Repeat.
So far done 7000 miles in it (75 a day). Currently achieving 74.5mpg indicated (probably 65mpg actual) for £690 and £20 tax a year!
So far done 7000 miles in it (75 a day). Currently achieving 74.5mpg indicated (probably 65mpg actual) for £690 and £20 tax a year!
Edited by *Fletch* on Tuesday 18th June 16:00
Run current car.
Find a cheap lease car you'd be happy with and put an equivalent amount aside each month, use this pot for repairs or replacing current car and if you get sick of fixing a cheap car you'll have become accustomed to budgeting for the lease/pcp cost anyway.
The car you own is almost always the cheapest option anything else is personal choice and if you fancy something newer then don't make it a financial decision because it isn't.
Find a cheap lease car you'd be happy with and put an equivalent amount aside each month, use this pot for repairs or replacing current car and if you get sick of fixing a cheap car you'll have become accustomed to budgeting for the lease/pcp cost anyway.
The car you own is almost always the cheapest option anything else is personal choice and if you fancy something newer then don't make it a financial decision because it isn't.
Dog Star said:
I don't see why that kind of run should be "hard" on the car; my commute is 34 miles each way of which 30 or so is M62 over Saddleworth - I use either my bike (R1), runabout with winter tyres (C1) or my normal car (SLK diesel).
I've been doing this for maybe 14 of the last 20 years and in my experience the thing to do with this kind of commute is to just take it easy, get yourself into a nice groove at around 65mph (so you don't get a wagon tailgating) and avoid going into the most right hand (3 or 4) lane unless absolutely necessary. Experience has taught me that (and this might sound like something your gran would say) even though you drive faster you won't get there any quicker; it just takes one red traffic light at either end and all your belting along at speed is negated.
Busy motorways and going in the "fast" lane is (IMO, of course) a total mugs game, but if your brake pads need bedding in it can be useful for that.
Take it easy and enjoy the scenery (if there is any) and it's actually quite gentle on the car; no potholes, speedbumps, stop start, gear changes etc.
Completely agree. I only do 30 miles each way, dc and some wiggly ends, and eke 40mpg out of my Subaru. I'd rather drive the same way and eke 50mpg out of a hatchshed or diesel, but there's so little value in my car I'll drive it to death now. Just clicked over to 148k, so a good hundred thousand left in it.I've been doing this for maybe 14 of the last 20 years and in my experience the thing to do with this kind of commute is to just take it easy, get yourself into a nice groove at around 65mph (so you don't get a wagon tailgating) and avoid going into the most right hand (3 or 4) lane unless absolutely necessary. Experience has taught me that (and this might sound like something your gran would say) even though you drive faster you won't get there any quicker; it just takes one red traffic light at either end and all your belting along at speed is negated.
Busy motorways and going in the "fast" lane is (IMO, of course) a total mugs game, but if your brake pads need bedding in it can be useful for that.
Take it easy and enjoy the scenery (if there is any) and it's actually quite gentle on the car; no potholes, speedbumps, stop start, gear changes etc.
daemon said:
I'm just about to start a job 45 miles from home, so 90 mile return trip, which is motorway all but about 7 miles of it. Train or bus isnt an option because of my location and the location of my new role.
Dont have much spare cash at the moment, but upgrading is probably an option down the line.
Currently have an 02 120K Fiat Marea JTD thats superbly reliable and averaging 44mpg.
Plan is to join the AA or similar and see how long the Marea lasts. As i motor trade part time should there be problems with the Marea i can 'swap in' another car for a day or two if the Marea is off the road.
I'm concious that 20-25K per year of commuting miles is going to be hard on a car, both in terms of wear and tear and depreciation, but i'm wondering what other people do?
So what is 'the answer'?
Cheap car and run it into the ground?
More expensive car and change regularly?
More expensive car and take the hit on big depreciation every three years or so?
Lease a car?
Assuming you are working 5 days a week, 25 days holiday a year and 8 bank holidays and don't have any time off sick, that makes 228 commuting days a year.Dont have much spare cash at the moment, but upgrading is probably an option down the line.
Currently have an 02 120K Fiat Marea JTD thats superbly reliable and averaging 44mpg.
Plan is to join the AA or similar and see how long the Marea lasts. As i motor trade part time should there be problems with the Marea i can 'swap in' another car for a day or two if the Marea is off the road.
I'm concious that 20-25K per year of commuting miles is going to be hard on a car, both in terms of wear and tear and depreciation, but i'm wondering what other people do?
So what is 'the answer'?
Cheap car and run it into the ground?
More expensive car and change regularly?
More expensive car and take the hit on big depreciation every three years or so?
Lease a car?
Edited by daemon on Tuesday 18th June 15:37
20,520 commuter miles.
Personally I think you need to decide on comfort vs performance vs mpg within your purchase budget.
I used to do 110 miles a day in a Pug 106 diesel - because it was all I could afford to run. It was doable, but hardly the most pleasant or fun experience.
Currently I'm doing 70-78 miles a day and my choice of vehicle is a smart Roadster. It's comfy enough, good on fuel, fun and when warm out able to take the roof off.
If it's about mpg you may want to look at something like the Honda Insight:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
Or maybe something LPG converted. A barge running LPG and offering up 40mpg pence per mile costs might not be the most exciting place to sit, but probably a pretty comfy option.
Grandfondo said:
Thought you were a big fan of PCP/CH?
I'm a big fan of using the right method to finance the right car at the right time for the right reasons within known financial constraints.I'll level with you Rob - I'm going into a really decent job on decent money and i've had a tough couple of years, BUT our savings our depleted and i've a couple of debts i'd like to get paid off.
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