Best MPG Commuter
Discussion
New job and new commute. 25 mins single and dual carriageway followed by 25 mins very bad start stop/queuing traffic - total ~20 miles each way (and the reverse situation in the evening). This is currently killing my well cared for Leon Cupra (and my wallet!).
Whats my best bet <5k? LPG? Figure newer diesels may be out due DPF and start stop killing the mpg. Comfort is also an issue due to bad back. Current thoughts are a 1.9 TDI VAG of some description or something with LPG.
Whats my best bet <5k? LPG? Figure newer diesels may be out due DPF and start stop killing the mpg. Comfort is also an issue due to bad back. Current thoughts are a 1.9 TDI VAG of some description or something with LPG.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141531734876
Different, strong residuals (I think?)
"In the right conditions you could see over 100mpg from a tank, although usually closer to 85mpg."
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=8&a...
Different, strong residuals (I think?)
"In the right conditions you could see over 100mpg from a tank, although usually closer to 85mpg."
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=8&a...
Qubit said:
New job and new commute. 25 mins single and dual carriageway followed by 25 mins very bad start stop/queuing traffic - total ~20 miles each way (and the reverse situation in the evening). This is currently killing my well cared for Leon Cupra (and my wallet!).
Whats my best bet <5k? LPG? Figure newer diesels may be out due DPF and start stop killing the mpg. Comfort is also an issue due to bad back. Current thoughts are a 1.9 TDI VAG of some description or something with LPG.
I hate to do this, but given your requirements, it's this http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...Whats my best bet <5k? LPG? Figure newer diesels may be out due DPF and start stop killing the mpg. Comfort is also an issue due to bad back. Current thoughts are a 1.9 TDI VAG of some description or something with LPG.
Prius is best for stop-start traffic, diesel better for high-speed cruising / overtaking grunt.
Drove the Prius Mark 2 quite a lot at a previous employer, which had several on the fleet. Cruises well at speed once wound up but lack grunt for overtaking at motorway speeds.
However, they are very easy and relaxing to drive in traffic and works like an automatic but without the disadvantage of poor economy. Also offers a modicum of 'engine braking' (actually regenerative braking) which is handy and which you don't get in a conventinal automatic.
Running on electric power on traffic jams is very quiet and vibration-free which makes listening to music much easier. Also got a big boot, loads of room for rear-seat passengers and they have proven to be very reliable.
Handling balance is quite good too as they are near 50:50 weight distribution, though obviously not set up to be sporty.
Have to say I quite liked driving them, and would probably have one if I had to do a lot of driving in cities / stop-start traffic.
Drove the Prius Mark 2 quite a lot at a previous employer, which had several on the fleet. Cruises well at speed once wound up but lack grunt for overtaking at motorway speeds.
However, they are very easy and relaxing to drive in traffic and works like an automatic but without the disadvantage of poor economy. Also offers a modicum of 'engine braking' (actually regenerative braking) which is handy and which you don't get in a conventinal automatic.
Running on electric power on traffic jams is very quiet and vibration-free which makes listening to music much easier. Also got a big boot, loads of room for rear-seat passengers and they have proven to be very reliable.
Handling balance is quite good too as they are near 50:50 weight distribution, though obviously not set up to be sporty.
Have to say I quite liked driving them, and would probably have one if I had to do a lot of driving in cities / stop-start traffic.
BGarside said:
Prius is best for stop-start traffic, diesel better for high-speed cruising / overtaking grunt.
Drove the Prius Mark 2 quite a lot at a previous employer, which had several on the fleet. Cruises well at speed once wound up but lack grunt for overtaking at motorway speeds.
However, they are very easy and relaxing to drive in traffic and works like an automatic but without the disadvantage of poor economy. Also offers a modicum of 'engine braking' (actually regenerative braking) which is handy and which you don't get in a conventinal automatic.
Running on electric power on traffic jams is very quiet and vibration-free which makes listening to music much easier. Also got a big boot, loads of room for rear-seat passengers and they have proven to be very reliable.
Handling balance is quite good too as they are near 50:50 weight distribution, though obviously not set up to be sporty.
Have to say I quite liked driving them, and would probably have one if I had to do a lot of driving in cities / stop-start traffic.
Can you get a Prius worth having for under 5k?Drove the Prius Mark 2 quite a lot at a previous employer, which had several on the fleet. Cruises well at speed once wound up but lack grunt for overtaking at motorway speeds.
However, they are very easy and relaxing to drive in traffic and works like an automatic but without the disadvantage of poor economy. Also offers a modicum of 'engine braking' (actually regenerative braking) which is handy and which you don't get in a conventinal automatic.
Running on electric power on traffic jams is very quiet and vibration-free which makes listening to music much easier. Also got a big boot, loads of room for rear-seat passengers and they have proven to be very reliable.
Handling balance is quite good too as they are near 50:50 weight distribution, though obviously not set up to be sporty.
Have to say I quite liked driving them, and would probably have one if I had to do a lot of driving in cities / stop-start traffic.
I had a similar dilema a couple of months ago and decided on a fabia vrs 1.9tdi, I've always had a guilty soft spot for them & wanted something cheap to run/ work hack, really impressed with it, comfy enough and quiet and does a genuine 50mpg+ as standard, coming from a 300 bhp astra vxr, in 90% of situations its quick enough too, have even put the remap plan on a back burner. Its well built, a tad agricultural but that was to be expected, try one & see what you think. 
stevie99s said:
I had a similar dilema a couple of months ago and decided on a fabia vrs 1.9tdi, I've always had a guilty soft spot for them & wanted something cheap to run/ work hack, really impressed with it, comfy enough and quiet and does a genuine 50mpg+ as standard, coming from a 300 bhp astra vxr, in 90% of situations its quick enough too, have even put the remap plan on a back burner. Its well built, a tad agricultural but that was to be expected, try one & see what you think.
Fabia vRS a great wee runabout..... Jimboka said:
Can you get a Prius worth having for under 5k?
Yes, a Mark 2. Quicker than the Mark 1 but not as quick as the Mark 3.They seem to be bombproof and apparently mileage is not too much of a worry as a number of taxis have clocked up over 300k. Suposedly regular use is better for the health of the battery pack (paraphrasing a recent article in Car Mechanics) so may be best NOT to look for a low-miler.
Some interesting options (the insight does appeal in a strange way!). Must admit my initial thought was to go for a really cheap 1.9 tdi. It does seem like there's not much point converting my existing car to LPG. Also seems like the Prius is coming high up the list.
The Fabia vrs is something id like to try I think, although being 6'3 will I fit comfortably?
The Fabia vrs is something id like to try I think, although being 6'3 will I fit comfortably?
Qubit said:
Some interesting options (the insight does appeal in a strange way!). Must admit my initial thought was to go for a really cheap 1.9 tdi. It does seem like there's not much point converting my existing car to LPG. Also seems like the Prius is coming high up the list.
The Fabia vrs is something id like to try I think, although being 6'3 will I fit comfortably?
Payback on LPG usually needs high milage. I had my LS430 converted and that paid back in about 18k miles, but I was doing 20k a year.The Fabia vrs is something id like to try I think, although being 6'3 will I fit comfortably?
in a smaller car you could be looking at double that. i.e. a car doing 15-20mpg takes half as long to payback as one doing 30-40mpg.
In the LS I saved circa 2k a year for 5 years. No brainer other than the mild inconvenience of reduced range and increased fill up time.
Qubit said:
Some interesting options (the insight does appeal in a strange way!). Must admit my initial thought was to go for a really cheap 1.9 tdi. It does seem like there's not much point converting my existing car to LPG. Also seems like the Prius is coming high up the list.
The Fabia vrs is something id like to try I think, although being 6'3 will I fit comfortably?
Im 6,1 and there's plenty of space in the vrs. Try one & see what you think. The Fabia vrs is something id like to try I think, although being 6'3 will I fit comfortably?
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