Whats the best car for my commute?
Discussion
Hi,
I've just started work in a company 50 miles from my home, meaning ill be commuting about 100 miles a day. I've just come out of education so money is limited to about 7.5k, looking for a second hand car that wont cost me the earth to run but will get me reliably from A to B. I don't plan on keeping the car long, probably about 12/18 months.
Ive looked into high mpg petrol cars as well as EV's but the zoe is pretty much the only option that I can find. A bit more research would suggest the zoe isn't brilliant for 60+mph roads, which would be a problem.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
James
I've just started work in a company 50 miles from my home, meaning ill be commuting about 100 miles a day. I've just come out of education so money is limited to about 7.5k, looking for a second hand car that wont cost me the earth to run but will get me reliably from A to B. I don't plan on keeping the car long, probably about 12/18 months.
Ive looked into high mpg petrol cars as well as EV's but the zoe is pretty much the only option that I can find. A bit more research would suggest the zoe isn't brilliant for 60+mph roads, which would be a problem.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
James
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
could do worse than this, my sisters had 8 on the bounce (every 2 years) and drives from one end of the country to the othe weekly.
could do worse than this, my sisters had 8 on the bounce (every 2 years) and drives from one end of the country to the othe weekly.
Jrtowell1 said:
Hi,
I've just started work in a company 50 miles from my home, meaning ill be commuting about 100 miles a day. I've just come out of education so money is limited to about 7.5k, looking for a second hand car that wont cost me the earth to run but will get me reliably from A to B. I don't plan on keeping the car long, probably about 12/18 months.
Ive looked into high mpg petrol cars as well as EV's but the zoe is pretty much the only option that I can find. A bit more research would suggest the zoe isn't brilliant for 60+mph roads, which would be a problem.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
James
Don't forget about comfort. Sounds like perfect diesel territory but if selling in 12/18 months then perhaps petrol may be the better option.I've just started work in a company 50 miles from my home, meaning ill be commuting about 100 miles a day. I've just come out of education so money is limited to about 7.5k, looking for a second hand car that wont cost me the earth to run but will get me reliably from A to B. I don't plan on keeping the car long, probably about 12/18 months.
Ive looked into high mpg petrol cars as well as EV's but the zoe is pretty much the only option that I can find. A bit more research would suggest the zoe isn't brilliant for 60+mph roads, which would be a problem.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
James
Something like a Focus springs to mind, perhaps the 1.6 turbo petrol with manual transmission? Not sure about reliability though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
For reliability, a decent drive, economy and very comfortable seats then the 8th Gen Accord diesel is also a good choice: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
What is your commute like?
Free-flowing A- and B-roads? 20mph grind round the M25? Are you at risk of getting stuck in traffic due to congestion or accidents or could you take different routes as required?
I can attest through experience that a 50mile trip can take two and three-quarter hours if you get stuck on a closed motorway in the middle of winter, and I wouldn't want to be stuck in a pure EV in that situation.
Free-flowing A- and B-roads? 20mph grind round the M25? Are you at risk of getting stuck in traffic due to congestion or accidents or could you take different routes as required?
I can attest through experience that a 50mile trip can take two and three-quarter hours if you get stuck on a closed motorway in the middle of winter, and I wouldn't want to be stuck in a pure EV in that situation.
Thanks for all the responses, appreciate it.
My commute would be from the Southampton area up to Chippenham, through Marlborough or devizes (haven't picked the best route). So mainly relatively low speeds, stop start a fair bit too. I also have the option of commuting from Cardiff occasionally, this would of course be motorway the whole way.
My commute would be from the Southampton area up to Chippenham, through Marlborough or devizes (haven't picked the best route). So mainly relatively low speeds, stop start a fair bit too. I also have the option of commuting from Cardiff occasionally, this would of course be motorway the whole way.
Ah, I know that commute very well!
It is lots of stop start interspersed with the occasional high speed element (relatively), a bit of motorway and lots of single track.
Diesel is great on those long motorways but not necessarily advantageous across the whole route.
I used a couple of older BMWs and they were great - faultless and only cost standard consumables.
Why not go for a blend of everything on the form of a BMW 130i? Amazing economy for the size of engine, very reliable, comfortable for the motorway yet eager enough elsewhere, lots of toys etc? A Z4 coupe fits the bill too and easy to sell in 12 months.
It is lots of stop start interspersed with the occasional high speed element (relatively), a bit of motorway and lots of single track.
Diesel is great on those long motorways but not necessarily advantageous across the whole route.
I used a couple of older BMWs and they were great - faultless and only cost standard consumables.
Why not go for a blend of everything on the form of a BMW 130i? Amazing economy for the size of engine, very reliable, comfortable for the motorway yet eager enough elsewhere, lots of toys etc? A Z4 coupe fits the bill too and easy to sell in 12 months.
junglie said:
Forgot to add that the 130i, or you could go 125i also, is well under your budget.
I would pretty much avoid any BMW engine from 2001 onwards that is under 3ltr and petrol, timing chain issues are abundant (so that's the 125i out of the question) and the i130 will be an old model for the OP's budget.Look more main stream, comfort, petrol and not necessarily all pointing on performance, in slow moving traffic an auto would be a better choice over manual (forget VW's DSG offerings here as those cook in slow traffic), you would need a proper TC auto box, so look at Japanese for the reliability (Honda Civic etc) for the sort of driving/traffic suggested.
Cheers again, much to consider
Financially I need something reliable, I wont have the money for repairs so the older cars suggested i dont think will fit the bill, simply not worth the risk, especially the BMW's.
Looking into smaller petrol cars, kia's etc still within warranty and low mileage. Whilst they aren't the most attractive of cars they give good mpg and wont depreciate a huge amount over the 12 months i plan on keeping it. Nearly new seems like the realm of choice, unless I am missing something?
Financially I need something reliable, I wont have the money for repairs so the older cars suggested i dont think will fit the bill, simply not worth the risk, especially the BMW's.
Looking into smaller petrol cars, kia's etc still within warranty and low mileage. Whilst they aren't the most attractive of cars they give good mpg and wont depreciate a huge amount over the 12 months i plan on keeping it. Nearly new seems like the realm of choice, unless I am missing something?
Jrtowell1 said:
Cheers again, much to consider
Financially I need something reliable, I wont have the money for repairs so the older cars suggested i dont think will fit the bill, simply not worth the risk, especially the BMW's.
Looking into smaller petrol cars, kia's etc still within warranty and low mileage. Whilst they aren't the most attractive of cars they give good mpg and wont depreciate a huge amount over the 12 months i plan on keeping it. Nearly new seems like the realm of choice, unless I am missing something?
I've started actively sourcing these in the last four months & I'd say these fit the bill perfectly they're reliable (I've sourced 9 now) and the economy is fantastic with the spec & comfort levels being good too. Financially I need something reliable, I wont have the money for repairs so the older cars suggested i dont think will fit the bill, simply not worth the risk, especially the BMW's.
Looking into smaller petrol cars, kia's etc still within warranty and low mileage. Whilst they aren't the most attractive of cars they give good mpg and wont depreciate a huge amount over the 12 months i plan on keeping it. Nearly new seems like the realm of choice, unless I am missing something?
As well as the £0 road tax all of which adds up to low running costs & exceptional economy (better than any small engined petrol you can buy)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
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