Big increase in work commute, what to do?

[wllchn]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice, due to a change of job, my weekly commute going forward will involve 2-3 round trips of c.155 miles. I reckon my annual mileage is going to go from c. 8k a year to around 25k a year.

I've never had to do near daily high mileage commutes, so I'm looking for some advice on the best way to fund a car that can cover the below and suggestions for a car:

- Decent mileage, min. 45mpg
- Auto
- Comfortable, particularly good lumbar support
- Potentially a SUV or estate, but not a must
- Adaptive Cruise control (got it on my current car and find it seriously useful for motorway journeys)

Budget: around £700pm but this includes maintenance costs.

Thought about buying second hand to offset some of the depreciation hit, but don't think I would want to buy a diesel in current climate, which is probably what I would need.

Thoughts so far on car:
- Volvo XC60, V90 or XC90 if in budget
- New Audi A6 due later this year

Look forward to hearing you ideas.

Thanks,

Will

[Gunk]

Is there not a company car option? I’ve run my own car with that sort of annual mileage, running costs and depreciation are savage. I now run a Golf GTD as a company car and it’s cheap, quick, well equipped and perfect for the job.

If you can get a cheap motorway slag out of the company, then buy something decent for the weekends.

[shotta287]

As above^

[parabolica]

Reckon you could get a good deal on the 6 series GC given it's been around a while, if that floats your boat. A new hire contract goes for around £700 but discounts are to be had or you could go for a nearly-new model.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

Mx5?

[wllchn]

Gunk said:

Is there not a company car option? I’ve run my own car with that sort of annual mileage, running costs and depreciation are savage. I now run a Golf GTD as a company car and it’s cheap, quick, well equipped and perfect for the job.

If you can get a cheap motorway slag out of the company, then buy something decent for the weekends.

No company car option which is a shame, they only operate a car allowance. I'm coming to the acceptance that this is going to cost an arm and leg to run, but with the amount of time I'm going to be spending in the car, I'm willing to take a hit to try and get some enjoyment out of it. Out of interest, what slags would you suggest

[samoht]

Consider a Tesla Model S, assuming you have off-street parking for the charging. Charge overnight and you'll have a cheap commute, plus pretty good self driving to ease the miles (possibly the earlier cars with the Mobileye chip are actually better?). No worries about being landed with a diesel that could get hit with a tax hike or city centre ban.

[Gunk]

wllchn said:

Gunk said:

Is there not a company car option? I’ve run my own car with that sort of annual mileage, running costs and depreciation are savage. I now run a Golf GTD as a company car and it’s cheap, quick, well equipped and perfect for the job.

If you can get a cheap motorway slag out of the company, then buy something decent for the weekends.

No company car option which is a shame, they only operate a car allowance. I'm coming to the acceptance that this is going to cost an arm and leg to run, but with the amount of time I'm going to be spending in the car, I'm willing to take a hit to try and get some enjoyment out of it. Out of interest, what slags would you suggest

I’d avoid an SUV, the running costs are high and they’re thirsty, the problem with your question is that it is so personal. My own choice would be a late 330d xdrive auto luxury touring, you can get an almost new one for under £25,000 with pro nav. IMO all the car you’ll ever need. The luxury spec is much more comfortable that the M sport, but as I said it’s a very personal choice, that’s why an MX5 has been suggested!

[steve-5snwi]

I would wait and see how the new job goes before making a decision, then when your happy buy either a ford mondeo or an older s60 d5. Run them for 3 years then see how diesel is being treated, at that mileage diesel would be the better option. Or go the hybrid route with some form of big Lexus.

[Welshbeef]

Depending on what part of that commute is it might never be held up so a nice run nearly all the time OR utter hell and accidents day in day out massive congestion etc.

Use your existing car currently to see how it goes - but you need an auto for the job period.

[Gunk]

Welshbeef said:

Depending on what part of that commute is it might never be held up so a nice run nearly all the time OR utter hell and accidents day in day out massive congestion etc.

Use your existing car currently to see how it goes - but you need an auto for the job period.

^^^ Good advice

[MorganP104]

Range Rover Velar on a personal lease with extended mileage option.

You can thank me after your horrendous commute becomes a pleasure.

[Welshbeef]

MorganP104 said:

Range Rover Velar on a personal lease with extended mileage option.

You can thank me after your horrendous commute becomes a pleasure.

How does a Range Rover (Aport or Vogue) 59 reg plate design not the current shape.

A cheaper alternative plus a 4.4v8TDI mmmm or the meaty supercharged

[Big GT]

OP with that Mileage you need Diesel especially with motorway commuting.

So I would personal lease so you don't have to worry about the future value of Diesel etc etc.

Based on 3 + 35, 25K per annum Inc VAT there are some good deals about. E class or V90 look tempting

VW Arteon £ 450 month

Volvo V90 estate from £ 450 month

BMW 520d - £450- £500
BMW530d - £ 570

Merc E Class £450 - £550

[Welshbeef]

Big GT said:

OP with that Mileage you need Diesel especially with motorway commuting.

So I would personal lease so you don't have to worry about the future value of Diesel etc etc.

Based on 3 + 35, 25K per annum Inc VAT there are some good deals about. E class or V90 look tempting

VW Arteon £ 450 month

Volvo V90 estate from £ 450 month

BMW 520d - £450- £500
BMW530d - £ 570

Merc E Class £450 - £550

Why not try out the car he already owns. (Possibly debt free) as such the sole costs are consumables and fuel vs a big new lease on a diesel it’s pointless

[Gunk]

Big GT said:

OP with that Mileage you need Diesel especially with motorway commuting.

So I would personal lease so you don't have to worry about the future value of Diesel etc etc.

Based on 3 + 35, 25K per annum Inc VAT there are some good deals about. E class or V90 look tempting

VW Arteon £ 450 month

So £17,100 and you don’t own anything at the end of three years, I wouldn’t call that good value.

[Welshbeef]

Gunk said:

Big GT said:

OP with that Mileage you need Diesel especially with motorway commuting.

So I would personal lease so you don't have to worry about the future value of Diesel etc etc.

Based on 3 + 35, 25K per annum Inc VAT there are some good deals about. E class or V90 look tempting

VW Arteon £ 450 month

So £17,100 and you don’t own anything at the end of three years, I wouldn’t call that good value.

That’s cheaper than train ticket commute plus station parking for 3 years and you get nothing at the end of it too.

[P700DEE]

Why are you not doing it in your current car? 25K miles a year only just gets you into buy a diesel territory and any cost benefits will be destroyed by the massive depreciation of a newer car. Fuel costs are significantly second to depreciation. Based on your 8K a year mileage your fuel cost will increase three fold and the regular long journey will help keep it running better. Whats your current fuel consumption rate, sub 20mpg? Calculate the actual cost increase and put that against depreciation on both the current and any potential purchase.
Me, I ran a 4.2 S Type for three years at 20K+ miles a year. It achieved almost 30mpg as it loved the long journeys, cost me £3k , sold for £2K. A comfy barge bought for no more than £5k is a great place to be on long journeys and get a diesel and the fuel cost is OK too?

[nickfrog]

Gunk said:

I’d avoid an SUV, the running costs are high and they’re thirsty

It depends which ones. 2wd small SUVs like Tiguan, Karoq, Alteca, 3008 etc are cheap to run overall and quite pleasant on long commutes. The (slightly) worse mpg is offset by (slightly) better residuals / lease rates. 45mpg is easily achievable out of the 2.0tdi or the likes. Petrol 1.4/1.5 150ps should return 40mpg.

[ZX10R NIN]

OP do you need to have a new car the reason I ask is that in three years you'll have added 75k+ to the car, if you can live without adaptive cruise you can get yourself a very good used car that will cost you nowhere near £700 a month & then you spend the money saved elsewhere, for personal tax purposes maybe look at a diesel or petrol hybrid.

A Personal loan rather than a lease/PCP/PCH may workout better for you & extend the manufacturer's warranty this should see you headache free.

E300h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

IS300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

DS5 Diesel Hybrid (there are some very good deals on these at the moment)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

6 Series GC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Passat CC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mondeo Vignale

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLS Shooting Brake

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia Optima (these come with every piece of kit you'll never need) my brother has one of these for commuting purposes & it's never missed a beat he's now changing it for another.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

As others have said run your current for a bit & see where you're at then you can workout what you want from your commuter car.

You can use the above to give an idea of cost etc.