What is the most fuel efficient commuter?
Discussion
Hello, my commute may soon be increasing therefore I am attempting to work out what could be a suitable fuel efficient car for the commute of approx. 60 miles each way within a budget of under £2k.
So far, the Smart ForTwo and the VW Lupo come to mind with around 60+mpg.
Anymore suggestions?
So far, the Smart ForTwo and the VW Lupo come to mind with around 60+mpg.
Anymore suggestions?
If you're doing motorway miles, I'd say a Lupo is a definite no-no. I did a couple of months of 130 mile a day round trips in my 1.4 before I changed it - I was starting to go mad. Stereo didn't work, so I had to have my headphones in. No soundproofing. Short gears, and not enough puff to keep up with the rest of the traffic.
I sold it for a Seat Toledo 1.9 TDI which was a world apart from it - comfortable, reliable, cruise control, nippy enough to keep up with other traffic if need be and still 50 odd MPG even when being thrashed. Was a fairly entertaining steer on A and B roads for what it was too.
Unless you're really committed to getting the most MPG bang-per-buck, you WILL be committed to a mental institution after any amount of time commuting in a small engined car on motorways.
I sold it for a Seat Toledo 1.9 TDI which was a world apart from it - comfortable, reliable, cruise control, nippy enough to keep up with other traffic if need be and still 50 odd MPG even when being thrashed. Was a fairly entertaining steer on A and B roads for what it was too.
Unless you're really committed to getting the most MPG bang-per-buck, you WILL be committed to a mental institution after any amount of time commuting in a small engined car on motorways.
wested said:
Hello, my commute may soon be increasing therefore I am attempting to work out what could be a suitable fuel efficient car for the commute of approx. 60 miles each way within a budget of under £2k.
So far, the Smart ForTwo and the VW Lupo come to mind with around 60+mpg.
Anymore suggestions?
As a previous ForTwo owner, I'd absolutely not recommend one to do 120 miles a day in. So far, the Smart ForTwo and the VW Lupo come to mind with around 60+mpg.
Anymore suggestions?
I do 90 miles a day myself and although economy is important, you need a decent level of comfort and refinement to make the journey bearable.
Don't forget to factor in depreciation. I did 100k miles in 3.5 years in a Citroen ZX and made about 9p/mile profit (mileage expenses) mainly because the car wasn't depreciating, try that in a more expensive car and you're losing several grand a year on top of fuel/maintenance costs. ETA: think you might already have that covered with the £2k start price though, in which case reliability comes well up the batting order too.
Hence I'd go for something a little bit bigger (more comfortable on the motorway than a Lupo or Smart) but already on a fairly high mileage. Focus (loads around so cheap), Fabia (economical especially with the 3 pot), Jazz (reliable), etc.
Hence I'd go for something a little bit bigger (more comfortable on the motorway than a Lupo or Smart) but already on a fairly high mileage. Focus (loads around so cheap), Fabia (economical especially with the 3 pot), Jazz (reliable), etc.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 3rd March 14:43
Also, I went from a Mondeo to a CMAX once, both 2.0 TDCi. The Mondeo was an 03 5 speed, the CMAX a 55 6 speed, slightly different engine and also different aerodynamically. The Mondeo got 48-55 mpg constantly, the CMAX got 40-50 depending on how it was driven.
The 307 HDi I had was knackered and did around 45 mpg average, it had 147k on it by the time I got it, and I pretty much destroyed it.
I also had a 206 HDi, which was surprisingly comfy, felt bigger inside than it was, and the seats were really supportive (this was D Turbo spec). That did 55mpg all the time
The 307 HDi I had was knackered and did around 45 mpg average, it had 147k on it by the time I got it, and I pretty much destroyed it.
I also had a 206 HDi, which was surprisingly comfy, felt bigger inside than it was, and the seats were really supportive (this was D Turbo spec). That did 55mpg all the time
Krikkit said:
Something like a 106 with the 1.5 diesel would probably be pretty ludicrously economical, but what a horrible drive it would be!
When you're stuck in it for 3 hours every day you want comfy seats, good ride quality and a good stereo imo.
I commute daily in a Saxo 1.5 - it isn't that bad! 50 miles a day round trip with 3/4 of that on the M4. It is comfy enough, has a stereo and keeps me dry when it rains. It does 55mpg but runs on fresh SVO costing 70p a litre. That works out at an equivalent mpg of 95mpg in relation to pump diesel costing £1.20 per litre. Doubt anything will beat that IMHO.When you're stuck in it for 3 hours every day you want comfy seats, good ride quality and a good stereo imo.
What I've realised is that you really only need 50hp most of the time. I can sit happily in the fast lane at 90ish with all the other commuters if I feels so inclined. And driving the car to extract every single pony is actually quite fun, as oppose to just tickling thre throttle of a powerful car most of the time. That said, jumping back into the Evo on the weekend is always a joy!
Seem to be saying this a lot at the moment, but something with the 1.9 TDI VAG PD engine but in a golf etc. comfortable for a long run but easily getting 55-60mpg on a steady run (as its lighter). My Passat does nearly 55mpg and but its heavy so is more economical in a golf/Ibiza etc.
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