What not too boring £10k diesel for 150 mile a day commute?

[Burty88]

So, my turn for a What Car thread, recently found out there may be a new job for me, unfortunately it's 75miles away and my old banger just isn't up to that sort of mileage.

So, I'm asking the great hive mind of PH to come up with some suggestions, preferably meeting the following criteria:

Essential

• <£10k (although could be flexed a bit if the car is perfect)
• VED Band A - C
• Fairly easy to squeeze ~60mpg out of (commute is motorways and A roads)
• Comfortable enough to spend 4hours a day in
• Can handle 35k miles a year, for the next two years at least

Optional

• Not completely gutless
• Sensible to insure (I'm 23)
• Has a bit of charm/character

The sort of thing I've been looked at so far is a 1.6HDi DS3 and 1.6 C30 DRIVe but I'm sure PH can come up with some more left-field ideas.

P.S. Before anyone says it, moving house isn't an option

[VR46]

consider a motorbike; cut thru traffic and enjoy the commute! Failing that a golf gt tdi


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswagen-Golf-2-0TDI-2...

[Burty88]

VR46 said:

consider a motorbike; cut thru traffic and enjoy the commute! Failing that a golf gt tdi


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswagen-Golf-2-0TDI-2...

I'd kill myself on a motorbike.

I did look at those golfs, bit unsure whether you'd actually get 60mpg out of one though...

[alfa pint]

Completely left field - have you thought about a smart coupe / roadster?

Over 50mpg. Funky to look at, good handling, flappy paddle gearbox, dinky engine so should be cheap insurance.

There's not too many cars that'll get 60mpg in the real world - some crappy stuff like blue motion polos perhaps. The C30 Volvo might be worth looking at. I am completely biased against french cars due to their unreliability and poor build quality (didn't the AA just report that a surprising amount of 3 year old cars were failing their first MOT, the worst 3 culprits being peugeot, citroen and renault?) so while others will recommend them, I couldn't possibly. Every single one of my friends with a French car has had some sort of issue over the last few years, along with one BMW owner. The rest of the VAG / Italian / Ford / Jaguar owners have had no problems over the same period, bar maybe a flat tyre that the 29 year old bloke couldn't change.

[ArsE92]

Burty88 said:

So, my turn for a What Car thread, recently found out there may be a new job for me, unfortunately it's 75miles away and my old banger just isn't up to that sort of mileage.

So, I'm asking the great hive mind of PH to come up with some suggestions, preferably meeting the following criteria:

Essential

• <£10k (although could be flexed a bit if the car is perfect)
• VED Band A - C
• Fairly easy to squeeze ~60mpg out of (commute is motorways and A roads)
• Comfortable enough to spend 4hours a day in
• Can handle 35k miles a year, for the next two years at least

Optional

• Not completely gutless
• Sensible to insure (I'm 23)
• Has a bit of charm/character

The sort of thing I've been looked at so far is a 1.6HDi DS3 and 1.6 C30 DRIVe but I'm sure PH can come up with some more left-field ideas.

P.S. Before anyone says it, moving house isn't an option

I think you'll have to compromise on your MPG if you want something 'fun' but comfortable enough for that kind of commute. How about a really nice E46 330d or you might get a high-mileage E90 for that money?

[ArsE92]

Loads to choose from

[PaperCut]

£10k will get an 09-reg (30k miles) SEAT Leon ecomotive 1.9 TDi that will do 60-65mpg. They are quite good steers actually and they are nice to look at - both factors compared to a Golf! and the interior is decent too although some may say it's a bit plasticky.

[GroundEffect]

TBH, I'd move...

[Noisy]

I have a 330Cd, nice comfy mile muncher but isn't going to get 60mpg on a run, I've managed mid 40's normally on a run. Could get a slightly older one though, bank some money rather than spending on a small Citroen that will probably depreciate a lot quicker. Mine is a great car, love it, even tracked it a few weeks back which was good fun.

[donutsina911]

Golf TDI (140) with a bit of tinkering and driving like a granny you'd get close to 60mpg.

E92 330d - you'll never get close to that - even the combined manufacturer figure of 42 ish is optimistic

[V6GTA]

Alfa Brera 2.4? Probably won't get much over 45MPG though i guess.

[StottyZr]

GroundEffect said:

TBH, I'd move...

I'm currently doing a 45mile commute. After 3years I'm sick of it! Trying to move within 5miles from work and get rid of the diesel rep mobile.

[Burty88]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I've been in a Smart Roadster as a passenger for a 1 hour commute; that was enough to make me never want to do it again.

With th BMW suggestions, I have a feeling I'd get bummed on insurance, quotes are already coming out at £90/pcm on a 1.6D Volvo because of the high mileage I'll be doing - Just to clarify, when I said "not gutless" I really meant circa 10 seconds to 60. I think a 335d would be excessive to that requirement.

I like the Seat suggestion, will investigate further.

ETA: Like I said, unfortuantely, moving isn't an option. SWMBO has family she needs to be close to.

Edited by Burty88 on Thursday 17th May 10:02

[McHaggis]

Audi A4 1.9tdi. Even with small chip they will return 50+mpg.

Comfy seats, safe, will do 250k+ if you treat them right. Some even have a decent stereo.

Ah. No charm though.

[Hudson]

Train? Commuting 150 miles a DAY is going to drive you insane. Imagine everything stereotype dhead on the road, for 150 miles.

Trains, the few days a year they're not delayed, don't get stuck in traffic, plus you're not driving them

So yeah, get a season ticket and a 911

[Burty88]

Because of our excellent rail network, it's 1.5-2 hrs by car and 2.5hrs by train, plus 30mins walk each end too.

Thought of a new contender, if I push the budget, 1.6 MINI Cooper D... 60mpg possible? comfortable?

[edo]

2007 BMW 1 SERIES 118D SE 3DR SAT NAV DYNAMIC PACK

3 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, 57,102 miles, Silver. This vehicle has optional extras from new including : Prof Sat Nav, Media Pack,Dynamics Pack, Half Leather Sport Seats, 17" Alloys, M Sport Suspension, Sport Steering Wheel, Front Fog Lights, Rain Sensor, Extended Storage, Arm Rest, Front and Rear Park Assist & Service Pack .Remaining spec includes: Bluetooth Prep, Cd, Air Con, Climate Control, Multi Function Steering Wheel, Silver Interior Trim, I Drive, Aux input, Electric Exterior Mirrors, Arm Rest, Push Button Start, Cruise Control, Traction Control, Auto Lights, Electric Windows & Remote Central Locking.This Vehicle also includes main dealer service history.
£9,794

[Renn Sport]

OP I think you are going to have to face facts and get a soul destroyer of a diesel. Or you'll have to comprimise your MPG figure you're trying to attain...

Have you considered 2 cars? A german mile muncher and a weekend car?

If that not an option then I would comprimise the MPG to get something a bit more interesting perhaps.

[Devil2575]

I suspect 150 miles a day means that he can't afford to compromise on MPG, unless of course he earn big bucks.

OP, if you want 60 mpg then you need to get something fairly dull. A 118d as above is about as good as it's going to get.

[VEA]

edo said:

2007 BMW 1 SERIES 118D SE 3DR SAT NAV DYNAMIC PACK

I personally would go for one of these, I have done some serious miles in a 118i and I have to say it coped really well. Comfy, lots of gadgets to keep you interested while you are in it.

On the Mini front, I wouldn't want to do that kind of mileage/hours in one, don't get me wrong I love my Mini but hell no to 3/4 hours a day on a motorway in it!