Car for 60 mile commute.

[Sslink]

Hi, I'm looking to change jobs soon however it's a 27 mile trip each way.
I currently drive a 2005 VW Polo 3 pot, that whilst it has only covered 86k miles it's not the best on fuel, I'd say it scrapes 40mpg if I drive under the motorway limit andnor is it that comfortable to drive for long periods. I'm essentially sat in the back seat.

I'd be funding this car from savings and a loan so my budget is circa £10k.
Before this change I was looking at Fiesta ST3 and Pug 208 GTi however I feel like they might not be that good on fuel either and due to their "sporty" nature might not be comfortable either. I have no idea what they're like for size inside from a drivers perspective for reference I'm 6'3" if it matters.

I would still like something with some poke but I don't have any twisties on my route so comfort and efficiency are my primary points.

If it's worth going diesel I will but I would still like some performance if possible.

Thanks in advance.

[stevemcs]

Both will cover the same if not more than your polo when it comes to fuel, check the driving position on the 208, i'm taller and cannot see the dashboard when i get the seat where I want it. The Fiesta is rock solid and would be great on a backroad but tiresome on the motorway.

Try a Mini Cooper F56, it needs to have the sports seats though.

[Nickbrapp]

Gearing on a ST is too long, mine used to drone in 6th at about 2500/3000 RMP at 80mph

Might be alright for 30 miles each way but 60 might be a bit wearing, add to that only the 3 had cruise control.

The best mpg I ever got was 40mpg over 120 miles

Personally I would go for the next class up, a golf GTD fits the bill especially since they all have ACC and a good auto box if you get a auto.

I had a Leon 184bhp which was mapped to 225bhp which was great for motorway, soaked up the miles brilliantly and was still kind of fun on the twisty stuff (not as good as my previous ST obviously) mine continuanstly returned 55-60mpg at 80mph

You can pick up one now on a 2017 plate with about 40k for £10k, expect to pay 3k more for the same GTD and another 2k for the same A3

See also focus ST diesel, Octavia VRS, some Audi A3s

Edited by Nickbrapp on Tuesday 23 March 21:44

[Sslink]

Nickbrapp said:

Gearing on a ST is too long, mine used to drone in 6th at about 2500/3000 RMP at 80mph

Might be alright for 30 miles each way but 60 might be a bit wearing, add to that only the 3 had cruise control.

The best mpg I ever got was 40mpg over 120 miles

Personally I would go for the next class up, a golf GTD fits the bill especially since they all have ACC and a good auto box if you get a auto.

I had a Leon 184bhp which was mapped to 225bhp which was great for motorway, soaked up the miles brilliantly and was still kind of fun on the twisty stuff (not as good as my previous ST obviously) mine continuanstly returned 55-60mpg at 80mph

See also focus ST diesel, Octavia VRS, some Audi A3s etc

I used to have a 2013 Golf GT 2.0TDI I eventually VT'd the terrible PCP after numerous issues and not needing a car due to going travelling. When the car wasn't costing me a fortune on the ramp I did love it. Seems finding a GTD might be a bit of a stretch sub 10k though. Thanks for your advice on the other shouts.

[stevemcs]

If you want to go up a size then i would take a 118i over the Golf any day, the auto box is years ahead of the DSG.

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look at the 308 GT you'll get a very good car that's also a nice steer for your 10k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103150...

Diesel wise I'd be looking at the following:

Focus ST-3 185 very good steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...

ST-2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

308 GT 180 Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102269...

DS5 Prestige 180 a slightly softer but more well appointed interior to the above:

V40 R Design Pro 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...

R design Nav+ 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101137...


V40 R Design Pro 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...

R design Nav+ 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101137...

[Welshbeef]

Sslink said:

Hi, I'm looking to change jobs soon however it's a 27 mile trip each way.
I currently drive a 2005 VW Polo 3 pot, that whilst it has only covered 86k miles it's not the best on fuel, I'd say it scrapes 40mpg if I drive under the motorway limit andnor is it that comfortable to drive for long periods. I'm essentially sat in the back seat.

I'd be funding this car from savings and a loan so my budget is circa £10k.
Before this change I was looking at Fiesta ST3 and Pug 208 GTi however I feel like they might not be that good on fuel either and due to their "sporty" nature might not be comfortable either. I have no idea what they're like for size inside from a drivers perspective for reference I'm 6'3" if it matters.

I would still like something with some poke but I don't have any twisties on my route so comfort and efficiency are my primary points.

If it's worth going diesel I will but I would still like some performance if possible.

Thanks in advance.

Firstly your current 2005 VW 3 cylinder will do this commute with ease.

Secondly I’d highly recommend you try the commute for while first - if as you say your polo scrapes 40mpg then all the cars I’ve had and currently a C63 4ltr v8 bi turbo will sit around 26-28mpg on my commute (70 mile round trip half twisty half A34 & I didn’t drive a C63 to pootle around)

[loskie]

Volvo V40 Diesel

[Welshbeef]

F31 330d
Fast
Extremely economical
Good handling
Great ZF8 gearbox
Good idrve.


Only downside to the F31 is obvs the F11 530d which is a totally different level of car spec and quality - for barely any more used wink wink.

[stevemcs]

Welshbeef said:

F31 330d
Fast
Extremely economical
Good handling
Great ZF8 gearbox
Good idrve.


Only downside to the F31 is obvs the F11 530d which is a totally different level of car spec and quality - for barely any more used wink wink.

For 10k with sensible mileage ? Otherwise I’d agree

[anonymous-user]

Prudent would be not to do anything until you’ve done the first three months.

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Octavia VRS TDI, with a remap 200bhp
Leon TDI, same engine as above, so 200bhp from a remap

Pretty much the same car as the Golf you had, but without the badge tax

Get the DSG option to make driving a bit fun, neither will be silly quick, but not slow.

[Jasandjules]

In your shoes I would want a mid sized motorway mile muncher so perhaps a C Class or Passat, something like that.

[Welshbeef]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

Octavia VRS TDI, with a remap 200bhp
Leon TDI, same engine as above, so 200bhp from a remap

Pretty much the same car as the Golf you had, but without the badge tax

Get the DSG option to make driving a bit fun, neither will be silly quick, but not slow.

Don’t remap - they do go wrong. You want a reliable vehicle and sat on mainly m way heck all you need is 35bhp to maintain 70mph in a normal car sized vehicle.

[Zetec-S]

bulldong said:

Prudent would be not to do anything until you’ve done the first three months.

+1

[bearman68]

loskie said:

Volvo V40 Diesel

+1

[bearman68]

My personal choice for this would be an old S60 D5 163 horse. Brilliant seats, and just amazing fuel economy. Well north of 70 would not be unexpected, and the best recorded was 86.2

[GMac1]

I've just bought a Volvo R design +1
Cracking car for my 60 mile commute, very comfy & great on fuel

[ElectricSoup]

Nissan Leaf. Even a 24kwh model will manage this. Sit back any enjoy near-free fuel and no VED.

[Sslink]

Welshbeef said:

Firstly your current 2005 VW 3 cylinder will do this commute with ease.

Secondly I’d highly recommend you try the commute for while first - if as you say your polo scrapes 40mpg then all the cars I’ve had and currently a C63 4ltr v8 bi turbo will sit around 26-28mpg on my commute (70 mile round trip half twisty half A34 & I didn’t drive a C63 to pootle around)

I know it can it's just a quality of life improvement I'm looking for, it's not a great ride and it's got 5 months left in the mot and it will definitely need work But perhaps financially I should just keep it until the bitter end.