What Weekend Commuter Blighty-Belgium?

[Backalicious]

Hi all,

I am currently working on contract in Belgium and will be doing so for the next 12 months minimum. SWMBO has recently secured work back in England (South East) so I will now be commuting back and forth every weekend (approx 500 miles).

Planning on Eurotunnel or Ferry as Eurostar times don't work out and I am aviation averse having previously gone through the pain of commuting by plane last year for 9 momths.

Current car for the job is a boggo mk1 1.6 focus which always leaves me a little frazzled (not in a good way) and achey by journeys end.

Car is garaged and undriven during the week.

With the above in mind:

Would you be looking for a car that is chiefly a commuter or would you be looking for a car that is a weekend fun machine? Is it possible to have both in one package?

Naturally, I am edging towards something fun with the justification that it is not going to be a daily driver (per se) and will actually be driven most at weekends... (while completely ignoring the fact that I will probably cover a total of 700 miles each weekend)

Budget = £3-5k

Ideal requirements = comfort, spacious, safe, quiet (except when pushing on), decent maintenance costs...
Of less importance = fuel, insurance, tax

Really, quite stumped with this one tbh. I have been from the mx-5, barchetta side of the spectrum through to luxo barges and beyond...

Cheers all

P.S. Apologies my first post is a what car post - PH faux pas on day one is not a good start!!

[430T]

Sounds like some sort of Octavia VRS would suit nicely

[Krikkit]

With such a long distance to cover on a regular basis I'd be looking at the luxo-barge end without question - the comfiest seats are in the biggest barges in my experience. For your budget I reckon I'd plump for an E38 728i (pick one up for a smidge under budget, for the combo of decent driving dynamics, comfy seats and fuel consumption.

[ImpossiblyDaft]

Saab 9-3 Convertible.

OK, maybe not exciting to drive, but ultra comfy seats for the long distance stuff and the convertible factor for the weekend. They're also cheap and lots about to choose from.

[Backalicious]

Interesting shouts so far. Thanks all.

Saab convertible did cross my mind too. How are they for spares and specialists considering the brand is effectively gone? I am guessing not such a big issue.

Not even considered an Octavia will take a look. Always had a soft spot for Skoda.

How much emphasis would you put on having a car with cruise control to do such a drive? I came back to Belgium late last night and was cursing not having it on an empty m-way however on a Friday afternoon it is pointless...

NB: Edited due to French keyboard sabotaging spelling

Edited by Backalicious on Tuesday 2nd April 14:43

[valiant]

Up your budget a little and get one of these;




I imagine you'll be living on the motorway so anything with hard or sports suspension will knacker you out and leave you frazzled and with the regular commute, the fun will not last.

Ultimate waft mobile in my opinion.

[billzeebub]

My Dad has a final shape 9-3 Aero Convertible. He loves the comfort, speed and the roof down feel. Great value, don't worry that Saab are defunct, enough around to provide spares and aftermarket suppliers for a good while. If it was me I would be looking for a Boxster (a superb 2.5 should be achievable at under £5k, or even a pretty solid 2.7), the Boxster has 2 boots ( front and rear) so is remarkably practical for a 2 seater. If needing 4 seats then a 6 cylinder BMW Vert. For £5k a good 325/330 E46 should be easy to find. For £3k I would go for the very best 328 E36 from 1999/2000. Would not look at M cars with your budget/needs. The good thing about 4 seat Convertibles is they are hugely practical with plenty of storage when required.

[RizzoTheRat]

Much as I like my Octavia VRS, look the Supurb instead for that kind of use, softer suspension and a generaly more comfortable ride.

Definitly get cruise control, it's an absolute godsend on long trips, and forget any ideas of fun cars, you're going to be spending most of your time on motorways, they're not fun whatever you drive so get something comfortable.

[CampDavid]

An E38 combines BMW driving dynamics with much waft, I love mine. A 728i will be pacey enough to rack up suitably big fines in Belgium while maintaining acceptable fuel use

The Skoda Superb is a fine, fine choice and would be loads cheaper to run.

[tigger1]

Jesus Christ man - looking at roadster type stuff for those miles when a focus leaves you "frazzled" is insane.

Get yourself the biggest barge you can afford to run.

A6/A8 diesel? Saab 9-5? It's got to be a waft-mobile, not something sporty. Possibly even an x-type Jag in full "grandad" spec?

[ajh38]

I would be between this;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

and this;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[Loplop]

valiant said:

Up your budget a little and get one of these;




I imagine you'll be living on the motorway so anything with hard or sports suspension will knacker you out and leave you frazzled and with the regular commute, the fun will not last.

Ultimate waft mobile in my opinion.

Good.

Until ze gearbox goes bang and it isn't worth a proverbial.

[physprof]

tigger1 said:

Jesus Christ man - looking at roadster type stuff for those miles when a focus leaves you "frazzled" is insane.

Get yourself the biggest barge you can afford to run.

A6/A8 diesel? Saab 9-5? It's got to be a waft-mobile, not something sporty. Possibly even an x-type Jag in full "grandad" spec?

If your travelling back late and likely to be tired - a sportscar/convertible is ideal - roof down.... wide awake!

Big cruisers just compound drowsiness.

[louiebaby]

physprof said:

If your travelling back late and likely to be tired - a sportscar/convertible is ideal - roof down.... wide awake!

Big cruisers just compound drowsiness.

I don't know that a sportscar is the best bet. I think the idea of a Saab 93 Conv is the best of both worlds. You can waft in warm comfort in the winter, and drop the roof if you need some cold air to wake you up.

[va1o]

For me it would have to be a barge, the NVH in anything smaller would be unacceptable. I'd be looking at Phaetons, A8s and of course the 7-series.

[RizzoTheRat]

But given the OP's £3-5k budget isn't a 7 series or other top end barge going to be expensive to maintain?

[va1o]

RizzoTheRat said:

But given the OP's £3-5k budget isn't a 7 series or other top end barge going to be expensive to maintain?

True - but with a bit of shrewd buying that can be offset against the fact its unlikely to depreciate significantly over the 12-months its required.

[itz_baseline]

An old E320 coupe like this. Lots of character for £3k

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Out of interest, how long do you expect the trip to take each way and when are you going to do it? Home Fri night, set off back Sun night?

[Steve_F]

Your requirements just have a D5 Volvo written all over them.

Like others have said, luxury barge, probably a diesel or you will end up hating it within the first month. Jag/Volvo/Audi/BMW with an auto box and a diesel lump and you'll arrive feeling fine. Sporty hatch/convertable and you'll arrive knackered.

[excel monkey]

Backalicious said:

Planning on Eurotunnel or Ferry as Eurostar times don't work out and I am aviation averse

Is the Eurostar timetable really so bad?

It may be PH heresy, but if I had to do this journey every week, I'd be wanting to let the train take the strain.