Commuting in a wedge
Commuting in a wedge
Author
Discussion

Nick Brough

Original Poster:

380 posts

250 months

Monday 4th June 2007
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Hi

I suspect this has been discussed before but is there a minimum mileage I should consider for commuting in a Wedge. I’m soon to start a new job which is around 6 miles away and due to a mid life crisis I have bought a motorbike to commute on. Of course on some days I will not want to use the bike and therefore will need a car.

To complete my mid life crisis I am considering buying a wedge, the distance is around 6 miles either mostly via motorway or across town. However, would it be cruel to use the car for this short a distance, particularly in winter.

Regards

Nick

matt-man

2,667 posts

248 months

Monday 4th June 2007
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Hi Nick!

Good to hear your thinking about joining the door stop club! We're all a little bit nuts in here so enjoy!jester

The best thing i can suggest is take the long way to work everyday, although to be honest in a wedge that usually happens anyway!woohoo

Ive always been a firm believer that a used car is a good car, and more reliable!

I dont use mine for work, not insured to either, but i do use her almost every day in the summer for evening drives and seeing mates-really cant beat her!

Im sure some commuters will add to the post and answer you question but good luck on the search!thumbup

eesbad

1,330 posts

231 months

Monday 4th June 2007
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My commute to work takes about 15 minutes in my Focus, but never less than 40 in the 350i... I wonder if they are time machines or something? laugh

Seriously though: As long as you are not sitting in traffic - already found out that she doesn't like that...

Danny Hoffman

1,617 posts

291 months

Monday 4th June 2007
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Go for it - you won't regret it!

jmorgan

36,010 posts

313 months

Monday 4th June 2007
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I do around 180 miles for mine. Not every day but used a 350 for years for a daily commute, less than 20 each way though.

cdt

537 posts

311 months

Monday 4th June 2007
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As long as you regulary take it on a longer journey it will be fine. I've used my TVR for short commutes for about 2 years now, with no problems (touch wood!), although it does get 2 or 3 proper run outs each week though.

Do bear in mind you'll use lots of petrol doing short journeys, the engine is VERY inefficient when warming up. I think I use more petrol doing 30 miles of short journeys than I do for 80 miles on proper roads.

Brap_Brap

753 posts

238 months

Tuesday 5th June 2007
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Isn't it amazing how getting milk from the store 2 miles away seems to add 100 to your odometer? laugh

shadowfax

1,104 posts

270 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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Each to his own but I wouldn't buy a wedge to commute in; get a smaller classic like an mgb gt or an mx5 for the reliability and fuel savings. You aren't gonna have much fun across any town or in peak time motorway traffic. The point about warming the car thoroughly cant be underestimated. I know from the feel and sound of my Griff 500 - why oh why did i let you go Bluey?! - There'd be times when my spine tingled after about 50 miles, cos the depth and resonance of the pipes would really sound blob on. I'd always warm up for 15 mins before any short journeys and going to work sometimes dont give you the time or frame of mind to sit in the garage doing that.

Danny Hoffman

1,617 posts

291 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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I disagree - I use my Wedge in central London regularly. I don't use it in the rain though and avoid it for long motorway runs when I need to use the phone alot

leorest

2,346 posts

268 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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6 Miles is plenty of time to get the engine oil up to temperature and in my book a car is far better for being run regularly than it is being left in the garage and used on high days and holidays. For all year round commuting I recommend it being kept over night in the dry as the condensation(specifically the visibility) was my single biggest problem when the wedge was my only car. Would I do it again? You bet yer ass I would smile

Fond memories of driving down the backroads because Wisley lake had flooded the A3 and having water lapping in over the doorsills while the engine didn't miss a beat and various euro boxes and jap crap were failing all around. Getting stuck in traffic and still enjoying my journey to work 'cause I'm in a Wedge (with an inane grin). Car sharing when it was my turn to drive and there was four inches of snow over night and I turn up with the top down. Oh happy days. It almost made it worth while going to work.

adam quantrill

11,679 posts

271 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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That reminds me of the time I took a colleague of mine, Dave S, 70 miles down to Maidenhead for a meeting with the top down one September day. The meeting was about to start, and one of the chaps there asked him "How are you?".

"Cold, and scared" came the reply.

I use mine for commuting, have commuted in Wedges for 15 years. Great fun, and if you have a crap day at work, there's always the drive home to cheer you up.

Danny Hoffman

1,617 posts

291 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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Spot on Adam, if I have a difficult meeting to go to I always take the Wedge - at least I enjoy the drive there and back!

pwd95

8,458 posts

267 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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I've used mine every day for work since January, enjoyed every moment. Middle daughter is learning in her Fiesta now so I've been using that the last month or so, really missing using the Wedge though, finding it really difficult to leave it in the garage. driving

eesbad

1,330 posts

231 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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I am lucky that I work out in the sticks, so taking the Wedge is a joy. My last job was 30/40 minutes nose-to-tail and I know she (nor I!) wouldn't enjoy that...

pwd95

8,458 posts

267 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
eesbad said:
I am lucky that I work out in the sticks
Aye me too. This is my jourey to work, with detour to make it 5 miles.

http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip1224

eesbad

1,330 posts

231 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
That sounds great though my surround sound!! clap

Have you done a conversion on your steering bushes? It doesn't look like your wheel has any lateral movement whatsoever! Either that or the roads you travel on are billiard table smooth... scratchchin

pwd95

8,458 posts

267 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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Had the car last August so I think the bush must have been done fairly recently yes

adam quantrill

11,679 posts

271 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
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You don't use the indicator much - strange 'cos you don't list a Volvo in your list of cars ;^)

I like the doubling back - the geezer in the silver car musta wondered what planet you were on!!!

BTW - roof on - on video too - not good. Sorry.

pwd95

8,458 posts

267 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
adam quantrill said:
BTW - roof on - on video too - not good. Sorry.
Sorry getmecoat Wont happen again, promise. If you check the other vid, at the begining it was on top of a mountain and snowing. I hope that gets me out of jail....

hehe



Edited by pwd95 on Wednesday 6th June 23:56

GRIFFONMARK

199 posts

236 months

Saturday 9th June 2007
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I use mine every day to go to work, a round trip of only 7 miles. But only if it is not likely to rain. This is because I can't keep the car from going sideways if the road is damp. The lack of rear wheel grip is really scary in the wet and recently resulted in my first 'chat' with a copper for 20 years.

Low mileage usage should not be a problem as long as the car is used regularly with an occasional long run.

The only problem with using the TVR for work is that on the way home I invariably find an excuse to take a 10 mile detour. The fuel consumption is something I daren't even think about. However, Paul on Coronation St paid £150 to s*@g Leanne Battersby, I could drive 450 miles for that and have a lot more excitement.