Right car for the job..
Discussion
Hi all, first post, so pleas be kind..
For the impatient, the question first:
What's the right sort of car for a daily short motorway commute followed by an urban crawl?
Further details..
This summer my wife & I recently moved house and are now living further from our respective places of work. This enables us to lift share, but I'm thinking our current 'fleet' might not be suited for this new lifestyle.
We're currently doing the commute in her 1.4 Ibiza, which is okay and practical enough, but is geared quite low and has the famously heavy Ibiza clutch issue. It's 10 years old, done over 100k and is starting to show it's age (on second gearbox already).
The alternative is my E30, which has got all the grun the ibiza hasn't but gets through fuel at an alarming rate (it's the 2.5), and is really showing it's age.
Both are still highly serviceable, but have enough defects to render them well and truely in the banger category.
Personally I'd like something big, estate-like, germanic and possibly diesel, she's prefer something small and sensible. During the day it's parked on the street (her work is a bit tight like that).
We've also spent all our savings on doing the new place up, so I'd say we've an upper price limit of £2-3K
Motorbikes are out, unfortunately, as are helecopters, speedboats and jetpacks.
So, WWJD? Thoughts anyone?
For the impatient, the question first:
What's the right sort of car for a daily short motorway commute followed by an urban crawl?
Further details..
This summer my wife & I recently moved house and are now living further from our respective places of work. This enables us to lift share, but I'm thinking our current 'fleet' might not be suited for this new lifestyle.
We're currently doing the commute in her 1.4 Ibiza, which is okay and practical enough, but is geared quite low and has the famously heavy Ibiza clutch issue. It's 10 years old, done over 100k and is starting to show it's age (on second gearbox already).
The alternative is my E30, which has got all the grun the ibiza hasn't but gets through fuel at an alarming rate (it's the 2.5), and is really showing it's age.
Both are still highly serviceable, but have enough defects to render them well and truely in the banger category.
Personally I'd like something big, estate-like, germanic and possibly diesel, she's prefer something small and sensible. During the day it's parked on the street (her work is a bit tight like that).
We've also spent all our savings on doing the new place up, so I'd say we've an upper price limit of £2-3K
Motorbikes are out, unfortunately, as are helecopters, speedboats and jetpacks.
So, WWJD? Thoughts anyone?
Probably longer than the car would last, though the emotional cost would be higher - she doesn't really like the E30 
I'm also hoping to use this as an excuse to get an estate, as we're currently limited size-wise to a 3 door hatch or the 3-box beemer. Anything big has to go on the roof.
I'm also hoping to use this as an excuse to get an estate, as we're currently limited size-wise to a 3 door hatch or the 3-box beemer. Anything big has to go on the roof.
How would she feel about a newer 5 series?
Or a Focus estate? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2324071.htm
Or a Focus estate? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2324071.htm
Sorry, no Fords, or Vauxhalls should have made that clear from the start. Past experiences and dealer links are to blame for that.
Personally I'd love a 525tds though I might struggle to convince her that she has to drive it through the middle of Bristol each day and parallel park it somewhere.
There would also be a small voice that says that 45mpg is a bit thirsty for a diesel.. Though compared to the E30 anything short of a RR merlin is good economy.
should have made that clear from the start. Past experiences and dealer links are to blame for that.Personally I'd love a 525tds though I might struggle to convince her that she has to drive it through the middle of Bristol each day and parallel park it somewhere.
There would also be a small voice that says that 45mpg is a bit thirsty for a diesel.. Though compared to the E30 anything short of a RR merlin is good economy.
ouch said:
Probably longer than the car would last, though the emotional cost would be higher - she doesn't really like the E30
I'm also hoping to use this as an excuse to get an estate, as we're currently limited size-wise to a 3 door hatch or the 3-box beemer. Anything big has to go on the roof.
Fair enough then.I'm also hoping to use this as an excuse to get an estate, as we're currently limited size-wise to a 3 door hatch or the 3-box beemer. Anything big has to go on the roof.
So, one of PH's favourites in that case... Legacy? Not fabulous on fuel but cheap and should outlive you. Buy a natasp 2-litre (if you can live with the sluggish performance) and get approaching 30mpg or enjoy life with a Spec-B or GT and get nearer to 20mpg.
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