What car for 1,000 mile day?
Discussion
What sort of car would be good for long hours behind the wheel on a mix of A roads and motorways?
Something soft, quiet and wallowy, or something more solid and controlled?
I'm not really looking to buy a new car, and if I did, it would probably be something at the barge end of the market! I've had to do 900+ mile days two or three times in the past year, so I'm curious about what might be a good car for long distances. Are there any particular makes/models which stand out from other cars?
Something soft, quiet and wallowy, or something more solid and controlled?
I'm not really looking to buy a new car, and if I did, it would probably be something at the barge end of the market! I've had to do 900+ mile days two or three times in the past year, so I'm curious about what might be a good car for long distances. Are there any particular makes/models which stand out from other cars?
Depends on what you want to spend and whether you have a particular mpg target in mind.
In general, smaller cars will give higher mpg but be less comfy for long journeys whereas larger cars will be more comfy but less mpg.
I wouldn't choose a sporty trim level for mile-munching.
Probably something Astra/Focus/Golf size with a 2-litre diesel engine would be a good compromise and still manage close to 50mpg.
In general, smaller cars will give higher mpg but be less comfy for long journeys whereas larger cars will be more comfy but less mpg.
I wouldn't choose a sporty trim level for mile-munching.
Probably something Astra/Focus/Golf size with a 2-litre diesel engine would be a good compromise and still manage close to 50mpg.
If you're actually driving then pretty much anything 'normal' with aircon, cruise control and which isn't revving its nuts off at 80mph will be virtually as good as anything else IMO. Comfy seats are a must obviously but that's so much down to personal preference that I don't think you can really recommend a car to somebody else on that basis. I did a 1000 mile day in my Outback earlier this year and actually quite enjoyed it; it's not very economical but the tank range was still a fair bit more than my bladder comfort range!
Somebody said S320CDI, I'd agree and suggest comparable 740d, A8 etc. A lot of car for the money if buying something 3-4 years old, and very comfortable.
I did 50k / year in an E39 530d once and that was about the minimum sized car I'd want to do that sort of mileage in. You're essentially living in it. 1000 miles a day is much more extreme than that.
Doing that sort of mileage in a Golf / Astra / Focus would become incredibly tedious in about a week and you'd be putting your health at risk long term, IMHO.
I did 50k / year in an E39 530d once and that was about the minimum sized car I'd want to do that sort of mileage in. You're essentially living in it. 1000 miles a day is much more extreme than that.
Doing that sort of mileage in a Golf / Astra / Focus would become incredibly tedious in about a week and you'd be putting your health at risk long term, IMHO.
Edited by theboss on Tuesday 23 October 17:09
LS600h https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
LS600... though this one has already done 200k!
LS600... though this one has already done 200k!
Thanks! An old Volvo appeals, although I always thought the handling was quite scary in the ones I've been a passenger in. An old Merc also appeals.
What about something like Japanese like an Avensis?
I drive a Defender. and I'm used to that, even though most people probably think it's a bit crude. The last 900+ mile day was in that, although I did have to tow on the way back, so it was a long day.
Other times have been in a 1.9 litre diesel Zafira (quite quick, but I didn't find it to be particularly comfortable) and a new Renault Clio 900cc hire car (soft seats, but it had strange handling, and it struggled a bit getting back up to speed on the motorway). I'm wondering if noise and vibration are the main things which get to you.
What about something like Japanese like an Avensis?
I drive a Defender. and I'm used to that, even though most people probably think it's a bit crude. The last 900+ mile day was in that, although I did have to tow on the way back, so it was a long day.
Other times have been in a 1.9 litre diesel Zafira (quite quick, but I didn't find it to be particularly comfortable) and a new Renault Clio 900cc hire car (soft seats, but it had strange handling, and it struggled a bit getting back up to speed on the motorway). I'm wondering if noise and vibration are the main things which get to you.
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