Advice on a car for a 60 mile round commute
Discussion
Hey guys, I’m doing 28 miles each way to work at minute, it’s nearly all motorway.
I currently have a 2007 Mini Cooper a which is far from ideal!
I’m looking at something that’ll be a bit better and more reliable.
I’m currently favouring this
https://www.stratstone.com/search/vehicledetails/u...
Would be paying cash. Would this seem a decent car for what I want to do?
I’d say I don’t want to pay more than £13,000!
Any other options would be appreciated!
Thanks a lot guys.
I currently have a 2007 Mini Cooper a which is far from ideal!
I’m looking at something that’ll be a bit better and more reliable.
I’m currently favouring this
https://www.stratstone.com/search/vehicledetails/u...
Would be paying cash. Would this seem a decent car for what I want to do?
I’d say I don’t want to pay more than £13,000!
Any other options would be appreciated!
Thanks a lot guys.
That’s a dismal A class, the worst spec and the worst engine. So many better things to spend 13k on., the engine is the 1.5dci from a Renault
For 12k I got a Leon FR 184 DSG, it had all the kit, acc, pan roof, subwoofer in the boot, lane keeping aid, climate control, lane keeping assist, heated seats etc all of which made it a great motorway car and none of those things that A class has.
If you’re looking at a prestige hatch, my money now would go either into a S line A3 with comfort suspension, a Leon or a Volvo v40.
What is the rest of your driving like? 60 miles a day on the motorway might be ok for a diesel but if everything else is town driving I would be looking at a petrol, especially a automatic
For 13k you can get a even newer 308
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Smart leon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
For 12k I got a Leon FR 184 DSG, it had all the kit, acc, pan roof, subwoofer in the boot, lane keeping aid, climate control, lane keeping assist, heated seats etc all of which made it a great motorway car and none of those things that A class has.
If you’re looking at a prestige hatch, my money now would go either into a S line A3 with comfort suspension, a Leon or a Volvo v40.
What is the rest of your driving like? 60 miles a day on the motorway might be ok for a diesel but if everything else is town driving I would be looking at a petrol, especially a automatic
For 13k you can get a even newer 308
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Smart leon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by Nickbrapp on Saturday 23 March 19:06
Have a look at the CLS Shooting Brake, I got one with similar miles and 6 months older that that A class from a MB dealer for only a tiny but more. I also have a similar commute and it is magnificent for motorway work.
As above a bigger car is so much nicer on the motorway, a few £s in fuel economy is worth the relaxed commute.
As above a bigger car is so much nicer on the motorway, a few £s in fuel economy is worth the relaxed commute.
Edited by the_stoat on Saturday 23 March 19:29
Your commute isn’t that bad and it’s not even that long so anything will do really but if you’re set on changing then,
Longish wheelbase.
Auto.
Cruise (adaptive if poss).
Decent stereo.
No big blingy wheels.
No sports suspension.
Comfy seats.
Biggish Diesel engine.
Stick them in your AT search engine and see what shows up (anything but that puny A-Class though
)
the sensible answer is a Volvo D5 of some description
Longish wheelbase.
Auto.
Cruise (adaptive if poss).
Decent stereo.
No big blingy wheels.
No sports suspension.
Comfy seats.
Biggish Diesel engine.
Stick them in your AT search engine and see what shows up (anything but that puny A-Class though
)the sensible answer is a Volvo D5 of some description
If you want something nice then go for an Infiniti Q30 they use all the same underpinnings as the A Class as well as the drivetrain & for your budget you land the much better 2.1d Mercedes engine too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Personally I'd go for these two:
Giulietta QV Line 150/175
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
308 GT 180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or go for an older A Class with the bigger engine & Spec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or gor for a slightly bigger car but you'll get a much better equipped car & with a bit more go than the A Class you linked to:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Personally I'd go for these two:
Giulietta QV Line 150/175
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
308 GT 180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or go for an older A Class with the bigger engine & Spec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or gor for a slightly bigger car but you'll get a much better equipped car & with a bit more go than the A Class you linked to:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
EazyDuz said:
A 1 litre Corsa could do 28 miles on a motorway in perfect comfort and at 75mph. Hardly cross country touring is it 
Yes a Corsa would do it. Where you are wrong is that 28 miles each way absolutely is cross country touring when considered cumulatively. As someone who does it day in day out quiet and comfortable is a much nicer way to travel than in small and buzzy. Hey everyone, thanks so much for the replies. Really do appreciate the time you've spent - especially looking for examples of cars for me!
Thanks for the advice on that A Class not being that great.
Yeah that's the thing about this commute. 28 miles each way. It doesn't sound bad and maybe isn't for some! But it does become unpleasant when you've constantly doing it! Especially when traffic is bad - certainly wouldn't want to go further! I also realised I missed the 'S' off when typing Mini Cooper! I have a Mini Cooper S and it's quite rubbish for petrol and comfort.
Would you guys definitely recommend at diesel over petrol still?
The Seat Leon linked above does look good to me. It's funny there's been two recommendations for the the Peugeot 308 as an older guy in my work has been going on at me to buy one! I don't think it's for me though, even though it'd probably just give me stress free pleasant motoring. Those infinitis look interesting! I did check them out and google them, but then I stopped just out of the fact I know deep down I'm not going to buy one. Again, I'm sure it's something I actually would be happy with but I don't think I could plonk down the cash for one.
Maybe the answer is a BMW 3 series - I'd probably go for a 320d as fuel economy is an upgrade I'm looking for! Perhaps could stretch the budget a bit more to £14,000. Just don't want to be getting into more serious money, more psychological.
Couple of questions I'd ask. Out of a 3 series, 2 series, C class - all around 2015 (seem to be just about in the £14,000 budget with less than 40,000 miles) which would you say is the way forward?
Fuel economy and comfort are the requirements!
Again, thanks for the input, I do appreciate the time it takes!
Thanks for the advice on that A Class not being that great.
Yeah that's the thing about this commute. 28 miles each way. It doesn't sound bad and maybe isn't for some! But it does become unpleasant when you've constantly doing it! Especially when traffic is bad - certainly wouldn't want to go further! I also realised I missed the 'S' off when typing Mini Cooper! I have a Mini Cooper S and it's quite rubbish for petrol and comfort.
Would you guys definitely recommend at diesel over petrol still?
The Seat Leon linked above does look good to me. It's funny there's been two recommendations for the the Peugeot 308 as an older guy in my work has been going on at me to buy one! I don't think it's for me though, even though it'd probably just give me stress free pleasant motoring. Those infinitis look interesting! I did check them out and google them, but then I stopped just out of the fact I know deep down I'm not going to buy one. Again, I'm sure it's something I actually would be happy with but I don't think I could plonk down the cash for one.
Maybe the answer is a BMW 3 series - I'd probably go for a 320d as fuel economy is an upgrade I'm looking for! Perhaps could stretch the budget a bit more to £14,000. Just don't want to be getting into more serious money, more psychological.
Couple of questions I'd ask. Out of a 3 series, 2 series, C class - all around 2015 (seem to be just about in the £14,000 budget with less than 40,000 miles) which would you say is the way forward?
Fuel economy and comfort are the requirements!
Again, thanks for the input, I do appreciate the time it takes!
Edit here's some cars that I've found that look good to me! Budget creep has happened. Let's say £14000 is top.
BMW 3 series (gone for a 2016 to make sure it's the updated engine) ... Not sure on the colour.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
C class ... Looks good to me!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Audi A4s
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
A4s are the cheapest but are they also probably the least modern?
I would appreciate your thoughts on the above cars!
BMW 3 series (gone for a 2016 to make sure it's the updated engine) ... Not sure on the colour.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
C class ... Looks good to me!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Audi A4s
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
A4s are the cheapest but are they also probably the least modern?
I would appreciate your thoughts on the above cars!
Edited by richneedsacar on Sunday 24th March 09:47
Edited by richneedsacar on Sunday 24th March 09:48
valiant said:
… so anything will do really …
[i]Auto.
Cruise (adaptive if poss).[/i]
About the length of my commute, I go cross country there and M27 back. Last year, after two years, I replaced my Mk5 Golf GTI with a new Mk7.5 GTI. Not in the budget I know, but came with Adaptive Cruise (ACC) as std. [i]Auto.
Cruise (adaptive if poss).[/i]
Now they've changed the M27, round Southampton, into a building site, (it's going to be smart) and now has 50mph average speed cameras for miles until 2021. ACC helps a lot, although it can get confused, and would have been even better in stop start traffic with a Auto box, but I wanted a manual.
Wife has a (manual) A4 Avant of that model, nice motorway cruiser, Cruise Control is dumb, so not much help on a busy motorway, she hardly ever uses the CC, sometimes on contra flows. Bit of a barge in comparison to the GTI.
Why do you want a diesel? The commute is hardly mega miles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
One last thing I will say is always check the next model up in the range. For example look at the 5 series if you are interested in the 3. The used price is often very close and the larger model tends to have more kit. In my case a CLS was the same price as the equivalent C class and cheaper than the E class on which it is based.
richneedsacar said:
Hey everyone, thanks so much for the replies. Really do appreciate the time you've spent - especially looking for examples of cars for me!
Thanks for the advice on that A Class not being that great.
Yeah that's the thing about this commute. 28 miles each way. It doesn't sound bad and maybe isn't for some! But it does become unpleasant when you've constantly doing it! Especially when traffic is bad - certainly wouldn't want to go further! I also realised I missed the 'S' off when typing Mini Cooper! I have a Mini Cooper S and it's quite rubbish for petrol and comfort.
Would you guys definitely recommend at diesel over petrol still?
The Seat Leon linked above does look good to me. It's funny there's been two recommendations for the the Peugeot 308 as an older guy in my work has been going on at me to buy one! I don't think it's for me though, even though it'd probably just give me stress free pleasant motoring. Those infinitis look interesting! I did check them out and google them, but then I stopped just out of the fact I know deep down I'm not going to buy one. Again, I'm sure it's something I actually would be happy with but I don't think I could plonk down the cash for one.
Maybe the answer is a BMW 3 series - I'd probably go for a 320d as fuel economy is an upgrade I'm looking for! Perhaps could stretch the budget a bit more to £14,000. Just don't want to be getting into more serious money, more psychological.
Couple of questions I'd ask. Out of a 3 series, 2 series, C class - all around 2015 (seem to be just about in the £14,000 budget with less than 40,000 miles) which would you say is the way forward?
Fuel economy and comfort are the requirements!
Again, thanks for the input, I do appreciate the time it takes!
You won't buy an Infiniti that's not only loaded with kit but it's a A Class in disguise even down to the switchgear & electronics but you will buy a base model A Class with a Renault engine? Thanks for the advice on that A Class not being that great.
Yeah that's the thing about this commute. 28 miles each way. It doesn't sound bad and maybe isn't for some! But it does become unpleasant when you've constantly doing it! Especially when traffic is bad - certainly wouldn't want to go further! I also realised I missed the 'S' off when typing Mini Cooper! I have a Mini Cooper S and it's quite rubbish for petrol and comfort.
Would you guys definitely recommend at diesel over petrol still?
The Seat Leon linked above does look good to me. It's funny there's been two recommendations for the the Peugeot 308 as an older guy in my work has been going on at me to buy one! I don't think it's for me though, even though it'd probably just give me stress free pleasant motoring. Those infinitis look interesting! I did check them out and google them, but then I stopped just out of the fact I know deep down I'm not going to buy one. Again, I'm sure it's something I actually would be happy with but I don't think I could plonk down the cash for one.
Maybe the answer is a BMW 3 series - I'd probably go for a 320d as fuel economy is an upgrade I'm looking for! Perhaps could stretch the budget a bit more to £14,000. Just don't want to be getting into more serious money, more psychological.
Couple of questions I'd ask. Out of a 3 series, 2 series, C class - all around 2015 (seem to be just about in the £14,000 budget with less than 40,000 miles) which would you say is the way forward?
Fuel economy and comfort are the requirements!
Again, thanks for the input, I do appreciate the time it takes!
Now that you've upped the budget that does land you a Q30 2.2d Sport (it's auto to so making the commute a bit less stressful) which might be more of what you're looking for:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you don't mind the saloon then you can get a fully loaded Q50 Sport (that uses the same drivetrain as a C220) in budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I really like the Q50 the styling is sharp they're very well put together (as good as any of the German offerings) they come with an amount of kit that is pretty much unsurpassed & then they have the bulletproof Mercedes drivetrain.
Compare the cars above to the ones you've picked out & the Infiniti's are the better cars age/price & spec wise, I'd go & at least take a look as they're great VFM right now.
Seeing as you've had a budget creep of nearer to 15k there's this one (67 Plate) that has a balance of the Manufacturer's Warranty left which you'll be able to extend so you get added peace of mind too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ZX10R NIN said:
richneedsacar said:
Hey everyone, thanks so much for the replies. Really do appreciate the time you've spent - especially looking for examples of cars for me!
Thanks for the advice on that A Class not being that great.
Yeah that's the thing about this commute. 28 miles each way. It doesn't sound bad and maybe isn't for some! But it does become unpleasant when you've constantly doing it! Especially when traffic is bad - certainly wouldn't want to go further! I also realised I missed the 'S' off when typing Mini Cooper! I have a Mini Cooper S and it's quite rubbish for petrol and comfort.
Would you guys definitely recommend at diesel over petrol still?
The Seat Leon linked above does look good to me. It's funny there's been two recommendations for the the Peugeot 308 as an older guy in my work has been going on at me to buy one! I don't think it's for me though, even though it'd probably just give me stress free pleasant motoring. Those infinitis look interesting! I did check them out and google them, but then I stopped just out of the fact I know deep down I'm not going to buy one. Again, I'm sure it's something I actually would be happy with but I don't think I could plonk down the cash for one.
Maybe the answer is a BMW 3 series - I'd probably go for a 320d as fuel economy is an upgrade I'm looking for! Perhaps could stretch the budget a bit more to £14,000. Just don't want to be getting into more serious money, more psychological.
Couple of questions I'd ask. Out of a 3 series, 2 series, C class - all around 2015 (seem to be just about in the £14,000 budget with less than 40,000 miles) which would you say is the way forward?
Fuel economy and comfort are the requirements!
Again, thanks for the input, I do appreciate the time it takes!
You won't buy an Infiniti that's not only loaded with kit but it's a A Class in disguise even down to the switchgear & electronics but you will buy a base model A Class with a Renault engine? Thanks for the advice on that A Class not being that great.
Yeah that's the thing about this commute. 28 miles each way. It doesn't sound bad and maybe isn't for some! But it does become unpleasant when you've constantly doing it! Especially when traffic is bad - certainly wouldn't want to go further! I also realised I missed the 'S' off when typing Mini Cooper! I have a Mini Cooper S and it's quite rubbish for petrol and comfort.
Would you guys definitely recommend at diesel over petrol still?
The Seat Leon linked above does look good to me. It's funny there's been two recommendations for the the Peugeot 308 as an older guy in my work has been going on at me to buy one! I don't think it's for me though, even though it'd probably just give me stress free pleasant motoring. Those infinitis look interesting! I did check them out and google them, but then I stopped just out of the fact I know deep down I'm not going to buy one. Again, I'm sure it's something I actually would be happy with but I don't think I could plonk down the cash for one.
Maybe the answer is a BMW 3 series - I'd probably go for a 320d as fuel economy is an upgrade I'm looking for! Perhaps could stretch the budget a bit more to £14,000. Just don't want to be getting into more serious money, more psychological.
Couple of questions I'd ask. Out of a 3 series, 2 series, C class - all around 2015 (seem to be just about in the £14,000 budget with less than 40,000 miles) which would you say is the way forward?
Fuel economy and comfort are the requirements!
Again, thanks for the input, I do appreciate the time it takes!
Now that you've upped the budget that does land you a Q30 2.2d Sport (it's auto to so making the commute a bit less stressful) which might be more of what you're looking for:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you don't mind the saloon then you can get a fully loaded Q50 Sport (that uses the same drivetrain as a C220) in budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I really like the Q50 the styling is sharp they're very well put together (as good as any of the German offerings) they come with an amount of kit that is pretty much unsurpassed & then they have the bulletproof Mercedes drivetrain.
Compare the cars above to the ones you've picked out & the Infiniti's are the better cars age/price & spec wise, I'd go & at least take a look as they're great VFM right now.
Seeing as you've had a budget creep of nearer to 15k there's this one (67 Plate) that has a balance of the Manufacturer's Warranty left which you'll be able to extend so you get added peace of mind too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
He’s willing to accept a slower, poverty spec motor with a merc badge if he means he’s got a merc.
He’s got no interest in explaining to people that Infiniti is like Lexus, but the Nissan version and then explaining that Lexus is the Japanese Mercedes.
He’s probably also got no interest in going on to explain that you can’t buy them anymore as they have pulled out of uk and Europe.
All the above may be true I was just giving him (or anyone else reading) the option.
Funnily enough I'm picking up a Q60 & IS300 tomorrow, yes they're pulling out but Nissan have already confirmed all warranties can be extended as per usual, all service packs will be carried over, servicing carried out by Nissan Premium (the old Infiniti dealerships) centres.
I forgot to add all Q50/30's come with adaptive cruise comes as standard.
Funnily enough I'm picking up a Q60 & IS300 tomorrow, yes they're pulling out but Nissan have already confirmed all warranties can be extended as per usual, all service packs will be carried over, servicing carried out by Nissan Premium (the old Infiniti dealerships) centres.
I forgot to add all Q50/30's come with adaptive cruise comes as standard.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 24th March 16:56
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