Cheap and economical

[JASC1993]

I’m starting a new job next week that will see me make an 80 mile round trip 5 days a week down narrow B roads so I’m looking to buy a shed with the sole purpose of taking me there and back. Budget of about £1200.

I’ve been looking at the C1/107/Aygo due to 60+ mpg but being 6’3” I’m wondering about comfort on the drive. Would an old dci Clio be a better shout? What other options would give me 50+ mpg?

[Deep Thought]

Comfort would be a big factor for me.

I'd be looking for something like a Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI, ideally one pre DPF and a good history.

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

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

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

Edited by Deep Thought on Saturday 13th July 12:19

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say something like the Clio:

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

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

But taking comfort/reliability into account which I think you should when you're going to be doing 20k a year I'd be looking at these:

Mondeo Ghia X this will actually be a better steer than an Aygo:

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

Vectra

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

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

Focus

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

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

[Salmonofdoubt]

I commute about 40 miles each way on a mix of b roads and motorway.

My biggest concern was comfort and something resembling reliability. I considered small cars for about a minute and realised I needed something bigger that I am comfortable sitting in for a couple of hours a day.

I ended up with a Kia ceed SW, a rattling diesel one. I bought it cheaply and in 20,000 miles (over 10 months) have changed the oil twice and replaced some bushes. It's averaged 45mpg over its life with me and this could easily have been in the 50s if I was better at setting off early.

[Lukas239]

I've done this myself on mainly B-roads. Bare in mind that tiny engine + manual + small car = exhausting.

You have to half-thrash them most of the time and although fun on occasion, I promise you it will wear thin. It's a loud, noisy workout, especially if dodging potholes and wildlife.

100% agree with anything PD130.

[ninjag]

Honda Accord EX 2.2 diesel. Fully loaded, very comfortable seats etc.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

[spikeyhead]

If you're near Leicester then I've got an Aygo for sale, you're more than welcome to come round and see if it would meet your needs.

[JASC1993]

spikeyhead said:

If you're near Leicester then I've got an Aygo for sale, you're more than welcome to come round and see if it would meet your needs.

Have you got it listed up anywhere, would love to have a look of you do. I’m in the north east so not close but willing to travel for the right car

[Lemming Train]

JASC1993 said:

I’m starting a new job next week that will see me make an 80 mile round trip 5 days a week down narrow B roads so I’m looking to buy a shed with the sole purpose of taking me there and back. Budget of about £1200.

I’ve been looking at the C1/107/Aygo due to 60+ mpg but being 6’3” I’m wondering about comfort on the drive. Would an old dci Clio be a better shout? What other options would give me 50+ mpg?

Seat goes back chuffin miles on them so leg room and comfort not a problem. I have a C1 and I'm 6'2. The seat is only about 3/4 of the way back . If I put it all the way back I wouldn't be able to reach the pedals or steering wheel, seriously! The seat is a bit flat and has no side bolster support but is comfortable enough once you used to it. I did a 200 mile round trip in mine last weekend and didn't have any comfort issues apart from the lack of any padding on the bare metal door makes it uncomfortable to rest your elbow on but it's a minor niggle. The heater temp selector on the edge of the centre fascia can get in the way of the left knee They go well enough on motorways, no problem maintaining 80mph and feel solid enough. Mid to high 50s mpg doing 80mph+ no problem. 60-70mpg no problem if you drive like a granny. The lack of seat side support means they don't handle very well so any notion of throwing it down your B roads like a rally driver you should put out of your head right now. Also forget about overtaking anything on a single carriageway road as that won't be happening with 68hp.

Loads of utter crap out there for sale. Good ones are few and far between. Budget £2k for a decent one that doesn't have panels/trim missing, not had a poor respray and isn't cat C/D. Anything under around £2k will be knackered, especially from dealers. If it's an Aygo then expect to pay £1000 extra in Toyota badge tax. They're all the same underneath. All of them leak in the boot so at best you'll have a slightly damp carpet, at worst the spare wheel well will be a swimming pool. Don't let it put you off, it's an easy DIY fix.

[A500leroy]

1.2 panda

[spikeyhead]

JASC1993 said:

Have you got it listed up anywhere, would love to have a look of you do. I’m in the north east so not close but willing to travel for the right car

PM me and I'll send details, I've not listed it anywhere yet