Motorway cruiser

[stev58]

I'm going to be doing 30k miles a year, practically all on motorways. Priorities are:

• Economy. I want something that is (relatively) efficient when cruising at 80 mph.

• Reliability.

• Comfort. Obviously due to the amount of time that's going to be spent in the car, and the fact that I'm over 6'. Very occasionally I can envisage having to sleep in the car overnight, so it would be a bonus if the seats could be reclined far enough to allow this comfortably.

A secondary priority is boot space for occasionally carrying bikes and other stuff, but it does not necessarily have to be an estate. A larger hatchback with efficient use of space (when rear seats folded down) might be enough.

I have given myself a budget of around 5k but prepared to be quite flexible with this.

I'm not really bothered about styling, features, 'fun', or age except to the extent that it impacts reliability and maintenance costs. Some manufacturers and models obviously age much better than others. Performance has to be adequate for this type of driving.

I've been advised to look for something diesel and made by VW, but I'm a bit put off by the reliability and service costs of anything German, especially if it will already have a few miles on it.

Edited by stev58 on Sunday 23 October 02:24

Edited by stev58 on Sunday 23 October 02:30

[benjijames28]

Typical suggestion here is going to be something along lines of a Volvo estate.

[wemorgan]

Honda Accord estate 2.2 diesel.

[Evanivitch]

You've been reading my mind...

I have settled on the idea of a Scoda Octavia Estate of Laurin and Klement spec. PD engines I believe come without a DPF, CD engine is more refined but a tad less economic.

[chrisispringles]

You want a Volvo S60 or S80 D5. More than punchy enough; quiet; good on fuel and by far and away the best seats in the business. Bloody good stereo too if you get one with the Dolby Pro Logic set up. Keep a look at for the earlier 163bhp Euro III engines as they don't have DPFs and are about 10% better on fuel.

I had a V70 D5 and put 19k on it in 9 months. Never missed a beat and was just a lovely place to be. Averaged about 40mpg with my lead-footed driving, and on a long run at 80ish could return 45-47mpg. The saloons are a bit better than that, so avegeraging 45mpg plus shouldn't be impossible.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a good Motorway cruiser that's reliable then I'd look at the Mercedes C or E Class in 220/270 form they're made for this kind of work you'll see mid 40's the 270's don't have DPF but I've not heard of DPF issues on the 220 or if you can find one then an E320 is worth a look, all will see 200k with ease.

2004 E270 Avantgarde FSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2004 E320 Avantgarde FSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2005 C220 Elegance FSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2007 C220 Sport FSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or the Mondeo is more than worthy of consideration they're reliable & comfortable spacious as well as a good steer.

2010 Auto Mondeo Titanium X FSH 69k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

As well as the Peugeot 508 which are good cars.

2012 Peugeot 508 Active FSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[crazy about cars]

I do around same mileage as you, mostly motorways with the traffic congestion thrown in.
I'd definitely recommend a Merc. It's my first Merc but it makes the commute so must less stressful.
Mine is the Hybrid so helps economy too especially when stuck in traffic.

[stev58]

Thanks to everyone's advice. More than one recommendation for Volvos, but don't they have a mediocre reputation for reliability compared to say, Skoda, Honda or Toyota?

[5harp3y]

stev58 said:

Thanks to everyone's advice. More than one recommendation for Volvos, but don't they have a mediocre reputation for reliability compared to say, Skoda, Honda or Toyota?

85,000 miles in 4 years in my Volvo

only thing that has gone wrong is a heated seat element.

[Rich135]

I do a very similar commute and went for a Honda Accord 2.2 CDTI Executive. I couldn't handle the look of the estate, so went for the saloon, but I know the estate would've been handier for bikes etc.

It gets up to 60mpg on the motorway, maybe mid 50's if you're cruising at 80mph. Very comfy, and feels ultra-reliable (though i believe they can have clutch issues). Mine is a manual though, I don't believe they made the diesel in an auto.

Cost me £4.4k for a 2007 model last year and so far I have taken the mileage from 93k to 130k with just new tyres. It has all the toys (sat nag, heated leater seats, etc).

[stev58]

Lots of tempting suggestions, but I'm starting to lean towards a Focus Econetic 1.6 (2005 model without the DPF). It seems hard to beat the economy/reliability combination for a car that age. I'm basing this on the NCAP extra-urban figures and reliabilityindex.com. The all round reviews of this car seem generally positive as well. Does anyone have experience of this car compared to something like Passat/Accord/Volvo S60 etc? I can accept that it's going to be a less premium experience but, bearing in mind that I've spent most of my life driving around in Corsas and Fiestas (but at much lower mileages) would it be tolerable?

[valiant]

Bit late to the party but I've gone from a focus to a Volvo V60 for similar reasons to you.

The difference between the two is quite pronounced. Whilst the Focus handled well and was cheap to run, after a long journey you knew you've just done a long journey. Seats ain't the best and some interior materials are a bit questionable. The V60 (in 2.4 D5 form) is supremely comfortable with great seats and a classy interior and the engine is a peach esp with the geartronic box. Long journeys are a walk in the park and the car never feels strained. Sure, it won't give a hot hatch anything to worry about handling wise but when you're banging 30k a year on motorways, comfort and refinement should be your priority.

If you're doing high mileage, big diesel, auto box, good stereo, and comfy seats should be your main considerations.