Commuter eco-hatch, but still fun?
Discussion
Hello. I am likely to soon be changing my car because it's done quite a lot of miles and a few things are becoming nigglingly broken. I do around 15-18 thousand miles a year of mostly uneventful DC for my commute, so I'm considering something to replace it with.
I'm thinking about one of the newer little hatches that manage high mpg figures, but I would still like something that won't bore me into hate-filled oblivion if I turn off the dual carriageway and wiggle around for a bit. So here are my considerations: frugal for fuel, seats for four, comfortable enough for longish distances, capable of keeping up with motorway traffic without being too hair-raising, fun to nip about in if necessary although not necessarily actually quick.
I haven't set a budget yet but I'd like something from the current generation of things, although irrelevant if actually new. I have tried a Citroen C1 and a Fiesta. I liked the Citroen and hated the Ford (I know the world loves it, but I really didn't).
Does anyone have a little hatch for commuting who could suggest something? Or anyone recommend some little jewels I might not know about. I'm a bit out of the loop with knowing what's what these days. Oh, and I do quite like the idea of the new Clio 0.9 L turbo, based on nothing at all.
Thoughts? And thanks.
I'm thinking about one of the newer little hatches that manage high mpg figures, but I would still like something that won't bore me into hate-filled oblivion if I turn off the dual carriageway and wiggle around for a bit. So here are my considerations: frugal for fuel, seats for four, comfortable enough for longish distances, capable of keeping up with motorway traffic without being too hair-raising, fun to nip about in if necessary although not necessarily actually quick.
I haven't set a budget yet but I'd like something from the current generation of things, although irrelevant if actually new. I have tried a Citroen C1 and a Fiesta. I liked the Citroen and hated the Ford (I know the world loves it, but I really didn't).
Does anyone have a little hatch for commuting who could suggest something? Or anyone recommend some little jewels I might not know about. I'm a bit out of the loop with knowing what's what these days. Oh, and I do quite like the idea of the new Clio 0.9 L turbo, based on nothing at all.
Thoughts? And thanks.
Jimmm said:
VW Up!, Seat Mii or Skoda CitiGo
Wife has an Up! I thought I'd hate it, I was pleasantly surprised.Seats 4 (wouldn't do long journeys in it, but 4 adults for shortish journeys is OK) and does just shy of 60mpg irrespective of how it's driven it seems.
There's not much oomph but will sit at 70-80 without complaint and keeps up with modern traffic while being fun to chuck about on the back roads, a function of it's light weight I think.
I even drove to Birmingham from North Yorkshire in it and after 3 hours on the motorway I didn't feel I'd suffered in any way.
Unlike the Aygo she tried, the Up feels like a bigger car than it is and it's for that reason she bought it - a small car that doesn't feel small - very clever design by VW.
All small cars are fun. Being able to nip through gaps that would have a barge stopping to let someone through or being able to dart down tight country lanes where hypercars would have to tread carefully to avoid losing a wing mirror is part of that fun. So the real issue is just having something that's small but suitable for motorway driving. I tend to be drawn to bigger-engined small cars for that reason.
Citroen DS3 1.6HDi 115 DSport
I got one for the Mrs and I can honestly say that it is one of the best cars I've ever had!
99g/km C02, average 55mpg, fast enough to keep up with most things, all the kit (cruise, bluetooth, climate, etc) and very good value for money!
Don't knock until you try!
I got one for the Mrs and I can honestly say that it is one of the best cars I've ever had!
99g/km C02, average 55mpg, fast enough to keep up with most things, all the kit (cruise, bluetooth, climate, etc) and very good value for money!
Don't knock until you try!
A fabia vRS mk1?? Can buy a good one for around £3-4k or a like new, low mileage special edition example for £6-7. 130hp when new but always ended up with a bit more (145 ish) and with enough torque to embarrass a Civic type r. Oh and it does 65 mpg at a 70mph cruise 
can easily go for 200,000+ miles with good maintenance
can easily go for 200,000+ miles with good maintenance I won't be knocking anything suggested on this thread, because I genuinely do want to hear people's ideas. I wandered into the local SEAT dealer a couple of weeks ago and looked over the Ibiza and the Mii. The Mii looked terrific and supercheap, but the Ibiza was just much more car.
e: Oh, Fabia sounds interesting!
e: Oh, Fabia sounds interesting!
willmagrath said:
A fabia vRS mk1?? Can buy a good one for around £3-4k or a like new, low mileage special edition example for £6-7. 130hp when new but always ended up with a bit more (145 ish) and with enough torque to embarrass a Civic Type R
Good shout, didn't really need the bulls
t to go with it lol. Nearly fell asleep just reading the suggestions! Life's too short to drive boring cars. OP I bought an E36 328i to do a commute like you describe (50miles per day) and will be shortly replacing it with an E46 M3.
I think it depends on your budget. Brand new car go petrol turbo, VAG tsi or Ford ecoboost engined cars? Older car go for the diesels.
willmagrath said:
A fabia vRS mk1?? Can buy a good one for around £3-4k or a like new, low mileage special edition example for £6-7. 130hp when new but always ended up with a bit more (145 ish) and with enough torque to embarrass a Civic type r. Oh and it does 65 mpg at a 70mph cruise can easily go for 200,000+ miles with good maintenance
They are quite nippy in a straight line but I don't think it would embarress a Type R unless it was a pull from a high gear. The handling of those VRS's isn't too great. can easily go for 200,000+ miles with good maintenance Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff