What Daily Hack (that doesn't make me hate myself)

[johnhenry24]

Evening!

Im after some suggestions for my daily drive with the parameters as follows
> Sub 3-4K - Cheaper the better
> Reliable
> Pretty Economical - 40ish MPG (could justify low 30's for something special)
> The car mustn't make me resent driving it. - Im probably spend about 2-3 hours driving it a day commuting, I used to drive for hours and hours a week in my forester turbo and would never be too bothered, when in the fiesta diesel van it was just so miserable and lifeless.

What I would look for; Something that makes it special, pop ups? uber refined, looks stunning? its more of a subjective point that I'm really open to suggestions on. I would just like to have something on the driveway that isn't an affront to everything I stand for in the car world (Vauxhall Adam...im looking at you)

Cheers John

[Quhet]

Get a nice diesel barge like a Sabb 9-5, A8 or something. It won't look stunning but will be comfortable and be an easy mile muncher.

[johnhenry24]

was just looking at Saab 9-5's! ended up in the Aero section, they're decent looking nice cars I could see myself in! An A8 would be amazing too

MG ZT diesel was another that appealed

Thanks for your suggestion

[Condi]

Mondeo is the go to answer. Lots of value for money.

[johnhenry24]

Condi said:

Mondeo is the go to answer. Lots of value for money.

Appreciate the response! However Ive done the whole 'super sensible' option when I had a fiesta van. Great value, i just found myself hating every journey, there was nothing to look forward to. Hence the 'and not hate myself' section.

[GreatGranny]

johnhenry24 said:

Appreciate the response! However Ive done the whole 'super sensible' option when I had a fiesta van. Great value, i just found myself hating every journey, there was nothing to look forward to. Hence the 'and not hate myself' section.

Yet you are suggesting an MG ZT!

IMO isn't special enough.

[johnhenry24]

GreatGranny said:

Yet you are suggesting an MG ZT!

IMO isn't special enough.

To me it looks different and therefor puts it above something like an astra. Doesn't have to be that special, just something that I can ay least tell myself!

1.8T VW Golf / Audi A3 (2000's) looks pretty nice to me, also nice engine and decent economy?

[5harp3y]

johnhenry24 said:

To me it looks different and therefor puts it above something like an astra. Doesn't have to be that special, just something that I can ay least tell myself!

1.8T VW Golf / Audi A3 (2000's) looks pretty nice to me, also nice engine and decent economy?

Golfs / Audi's would be lifeless and super boring, very capable yes, exciting/ interesting no. (and i'm a VW guy)

[luckystrike]

5harp3y said:

Golfs / Audi's would be lifeless and super boring, very capable yes, exciting/ interesting no. (and i'm a VW guy)

How about a mk1 TT if you don't need the space? Would be a fairly special place to be for commuting, if not necessarily the last word in handling finesse.

[johnhenry24]

luckystrike said:

5harp3y said:

Golfs / Audi's would be lifeless and super boring, very capable yes, exciting/ interesting no. (and i'm a VW guy)

How about a mk1 TT if you don't need the space? Would be a fairly special place to be for commuting, if not necessarily the last word in handling finesse.

Mk1 TT Would be a nice option, sadly they seem to command a fair bit more money than a same year A3/Golf. Plus the practicality would be nice. Valid point about the lifeless drive - guess ill have to see what its like when I drive one!

[Uncle John]

Alfa 159

[jcelee]

For me, the E34 generation 5 series BMW ticked so many of these boxes - especially in 24 valve 525i SE guise. The more modern 5 series also make great barges (albeit a slightly less connected drive) but so many of them are money pit troublesome diesels at this price point... If it were me, I might still be inclined to find a beautifully maintained E34 525i.

[briang9]

Octavia vRS

[Krikkit]

Uncle John said:

Alfa 159

This, with the 2.4 JTD if you can stand it (fantastic for a diesel) or a 2.0 petrol. Lovely to look at, nice cabin, comfy seats.

[HorneyMX5]

EP3 Civic Type R.

[phil1979]

[J8 SVG]

Clio 182. Make sure it has the big comfy Recaros

[johnhenry24]

Couple of really good suggestions!

Clio 182 is one that i hadn't thought of!
EP3 Type R - Would really really like one of these, however I have a niggley feeling ill have horrific fuel economy due to the excitable nature of the car (read - me)

The alfas are all great suggestions too - we have some hours stories with alfa's in the family though so I think just personal preference would rule these out! Sadly.

[Darko92]

You can pick up an E46 Saloon/Coupe for that amount in pretty decent nick.

I still look forward to every drive in mine a year on, even though it is basically a piece of tat mechanically.

[vixen1700]

johnhenry24 said:

EP3 Type R - Would really really like one of these, however I have a niggley feeling ill have horrific fuel economy due to the excitable nature of the car (read - me)

Nah, it's not that bad really. I use one for my 200 mile a week commute and it's fine, you tend not to constantly put your foot down (after a while ).