Yet another what car
Discussion
I really hate to post yet another 'what car' thread, but I just can't seem to find one that is recent enough and fits my needs.
I am looking for a cheap, fairly fun, and economical car for a 50 mile a day commute, as well as a few long trips a year. I currently have a 1.2 Polo and it is just too slow for my liking, and too uncomfortable on longer journeys. Cruise control would be ideal for the longer journeys as well as room to fit 4 comfortably. If it helps for insurance estimations I am 24, very nearly 25.
I have been looking at 1.9 GT TDI Golf Mk4s, but would like some ideas for other cars to look for. Something Golf sized would be ideal, though wouldn't dismiss something bigger. Budget is up to £3k
I am looking for a cheap, fairly fun, and economical car for a 50 mile a day commute, as well as a few long trips a year. I currently have a 1.2 Polo and it is just too slow for my liking, and too uncomfortable on longer journeys. Cruise control would be ideal for the longer journeys as well as room to fit 4 comfortably. If it helps for insurance estimations I am 24, very nearly 25.
I have been looking at 1.9 GT TDI Golf Mk4s, but would like some ideas for other cars to look for. Something Golf sized would be ideal, though wouldn't dismiss something bigger. Budget is up to £3k
I think the trouble is that your requirements apply to about 90% of car drivers and therefore about 90% of cars, so they're too vague really. What sort of straight line performance do you want? Do you prefer front or rear drive, and what are your requirements for handling? Is there anything you particularly need, like a tow bar or roof bars?
To avoid just asking questions, I can say (for what it's worth) that if I had your requirements (which I do, nearly; I commute 80 miles a day and do longer trips at weekends) I'd be looking at a BMW 1 or 3 series, but that's because I love their balance in the corners, their handling and their comfort and quietness at speed. Sadly though, in this country you pay for the badge and a much fresher and better specced Toyota, Honda or Nissan can be bought for the same money, plus they'd be far more reliable anc cheaper to run; but to go Jap you'll either need to forgoe the 4 seats or have to put up with front wheel drive, but some people don't mind that, so if you don't I'd recommend looking at a Civic, Yaris or something like that. If those cars are too dull for you, you could look at something French, or of course a Ford or Vauxhall. That comes right back round to my first point though - your requirements are too broad really - they cover most cars. There's nothing wrong with the Golf though - very practical, very comfortable etc.
To avoid just asking questions, I can say (for what it's worth) that if I had your requirements (which I do, nearly; I commute 80 miles a day and do longer trips at weekends) I'd be looking at a BMW 1 or 3 series, but that's because I love their balance in the corners, their handling and their comfort and quietness at speed. Sadly though, in this country you pay for the badge and a much fresher and better specced Toyota, Honda or Nissan can be bought for the same money, plus they'd be far more reliable anc cheaper to run; but to go Jap you'll either need to forgoe the 4 seats or have to put up with front wheel drive, but some people don't mind that, so if you don't I'd recommend looking at a Civic, Yaris or something like that. If those cars are too dull for you, you could look at something French, or of course a Ford or Vauxhall. That comes right back round to my first point though - your requirements are too broad really - they cover most cars. There's nothing wrong with the Golf though - very practical, very comfortable etc.
If you want people to make sensible suggestions, you'll need to give more info.
(1) Diesel or petrol?
(2) Target MPG?
(3) Attitude to reliability, servicing costs, tyre costs, etc?
(4) Driven wheels - FWD,RWD,AWD or any?
(5) Seats - do you need proper back seats or just kinda usable seats for kids (contrast a 3 series with a 911, for example)?
(6) Performance - do you want very fast (say, just for a rough indication, less than 6 seconds to 60mph), fast (less than 8 seconds), reasonable (less than 10 seconds) or not horrifically slow (less than 12 seconds)?
(1) Diesel or petrol?
(2) Target MPG?
(3) Attitude to reliability, servicing costs, tyre costs, etc?
(4) Driven wheels - FWD,RWD,AWD or any?
(5) Seats - do you need proper back seats or just kinda usable seats for kids (contrast a 3 series with a 911, for example)?
(6) Performance - do you want very fast (say, just for a rough indication, less than 6 seconds to 60mph), fast (less than 8 seconds), reasonable (less than 10 seconds) or not horrifically slow (less than 12 seconds)?
To answer the questions so far:
Something that would sit comfortably at 90 on the motorway would be nice. Handling needs to be fairly good as the non-commute drives are likely to be country roads. Roof bars are not needed, tow bar would be nice for a bike rack but definitely not a requirement, and I can always fit one myself.
For ORD's questions:
1) I have been looking at diesels as I have no found a petrol that seems to have a good economy and some performance.
2) Around 50mpg would be nice, I can get that out of my Polo on country roads, but on the old commute it would be between 38-40.
3) Reliability is a big concern as I need it for the commute every week day, servicing costs I am not too worried about, I have plenty of mechanic friends so only the cost of parts to worry about. Tyre costs, not put too much thought in to it, I was looking at just under £300 for a full set of 18" tyres on a Mk4 Golf which was not too shocking, so around there.
4) Having only driven FWD cars I have not given this much thought, and as long as the car handles well and is fun to drive I am not sure I would care too much.
5) Proper back seats are needed, if 4 people are in the car it is likely I am doing a long trip (200+ miles).
6) I would say fast on the ORD scale.
In response to willmagrath:
I have looked at these. I am not very keen on the Seats. I really like the Fabia, but hate the interior.
Something that would sit comfortably at 90 on the motorway would be nice. Handling needs to be fairly good as the non-commute drives are likely to be country roads. Roof bars are not needed, tow bar would be nice for a bike rack but definitely not a requirement, and I can always fit one myself.
For ORD's questions:
1) I have been looking at diesels as I have no found a petrol that seems to have a good economy and some performance.
2) Around 50mpg would be nice, I can get that out of my Polo on country roads, but on the old commute it would be between 38-40.
3) Reliability is a big concern as I need it for the commute every week day, servicing costs I am not too worried about, I have plenty of mechanic friends so only the cost of parts to worry about. Tyre costs, not put too much thought in to it, I was looking at just under £300 for a full set of 18" tyres on a Mk4 Golf which was not too shocking, so around there.
4) Having only driven FWD cars I have not given this much thought, and as long as the car handles well and is fun to drive I am not sure I would care too much.
5) Proper back seats are needed, if 4 people are in the car it is likely I am doing a long trip (200+ miles).
6) I would say fast on the ORD scale.
In response to willmagrath:
I have looked at these. I am not very keen on the Seats. I really like the Fabia, but hate the interior.
V8forweekends said:
I hesitate to say this, as I loathe mine, but Audi A3 in some diesel form? (mine is a weedy petrol)
I will look into these. As far as I am aware they are built on the Mk4 Golf platform? Why do you loathe yours?wemorgan said:
50mpg and 0-60 in <8s.
BMW diesel engines are often market leaders in such requirements.
I am flexible on the performance more than the economy to be honest. I do like the look of BMWs though, any models in particular I should look out for?BMW diesel engines are often market leaders in such requirements.
ORD said:
A reasonably powerful Seat Leon diesel if there is one in the price bracket. It might not quite be fast but otherwise good cars for your wants.
I have had a look at them, there is just something about the interiors I really do not like. I will give them another look though.DoctorX said:
Mark 3 Mondeo Ghia TDCi or an ST TDCi would fit the bill for me. A good steer, good performance and economy, nice place to sit.
Not something I had considered. Those things have tons of boot space too.ORD said:
To be frank, I don't think you'll get a 50mpg BMW for this kind of money that (a) will perform reasonably well and (b) will be reliable. You'll be looking at very high miles and at least a high risk of very substantial upkeep costs.
What price would I be looking at for one that did meet the criteria?Is that 50 miles round trip or each way? If it's round trip get a petrol, diesels are expensive and unreliable (whoda thunk that woulda happened?), and 250 miles a week is nowt. Personally I'd get a six cylinder BMW, because I like six cylinder BMWs. If it's 500 miles a week and and you need the Yorkshire like frugality of tractor juice then a BMW 330d or a Volvo d5 will give you a good combination of fun, frugality and comfort.
johnny fotze said:
Is that 50 miles round trip or each way? If it's round trip get a petrol, diesels are expensive and unreliable (whoda thunk that woulda happened?), and 250 miles a week is nowt. Personally I'd get a six cylinder BMW, because I like six cylinder BMWs. If it's 500 miles a week and and you need the Yorkshire like frugality of tractor juice then a BMW 330d or a Volvo d5 will give you a good combination of fun, frugality and comfort.
50 mile round trip. It is the weekend/trips away that I am more worried about though. I make trips fairly regularly to all parts of the country.DoctorX said:
Mark 3 Mondeo Ghia TDCi or an ST TDCi would fit the bill for me. A good steer, good performance and economy, nice place to sit.
Yeah, dependant on mileage, just make sure that the previous owner has done - clutch/DMF, turbo, fuel injectors, EGR valve.All these things will need doing at some point and they will cost - 200 for EGR up to 1000 for more serious issues.
Clutches are a common failure at circa 100k miles, EGR valves get knackered by people doing town miles.
The 2.2 TDCI Titanium X is also well within budget although the general consensus would have you believe that the injectors are more liable to failure on this engine.
As an idea of what your budget buys - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-56-FORD-MONDEO-TITA...
More reasonable than a 200k mile Octavia for the same money (or more likely more)
Eski1991 said:
Yeah, dependant on mileage, just make sure that the previous owner has done - clutch/DMF, turbo, fuel injectors, EGR valve.
All these things will need doing at some point and they will cost - 200 for EGR up to 1000 for more serious issues.
Clutches are a common failure at circa 100k miles, EGR valves get knackered by people doing town miles.
The 2.2 TDCI Titanium X is also well within budget although the general consensus would have you believe that the injectors are more liable to failure on this engine.
As an idea of what your budget buys - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-56-FORD-MONDEO-TITA...
More reasonable than a 200k mile Octavia for the same money (or more likely more)
I had not really considered a Mondeo before, seriously tempted now. Looks like you can get a lot of car for your money with them. All these things will need doing at some point and they will cost - 200 for EGR up to 1000 for more serious issues.
Clutches are a common failure at circa 100k miles, EGR valves get knackered by people doing town miles.
The 2.2 TDCI Titanium X is also well within budget although the general consensus would have you believe that the injectors are more liable to failure on this engine.
As an idea of what your budget buys - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-56-FORD-MONDEO-TITA...
More reasonable than a 200k mile Octavia for the same money (or more likely more)
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