Commuter car for the 10th time

[benjy279]

I know this topic has probably been said 10 times over hence the title but as the current climate we are in with second hand car prices and fuel prices sky high I thought I’d start a fresh one to get a real world answer from you guys, currently driving a seat Leon cupra 68 plate and paying a hefty monthly lease payment so it’s going back early as I only use it for work back and fourth A Roads and m ways for a 25mile commute one way. and would rather see the money in my bank account as we use the misses bm touring as our family car. So I’ve salvaged 3k together to buy a commuter and school run car that’s all it be doing in mind I have
Volvo v50 2.0d but they 140K+ miles what’s the reliability like on these.
Vw golf 2.0 tdi 140bhp
Golf 1.9tdi mk4
Mondeo 2.0 TDCI
Audi A4 tdi
My weekly mileage with commuting is roughly 350/400 miles a week any suggestions to any other cars you have owned which have been decent fairly reliable I know I’m going to have to replace wear and tear items and service sorry to go on your help would be appreciated.

[slk 32]

Polo bluemotion 9N3

I've just turned over 193k in mine -80mpg

[benjy279]

Wow that’s some good figures that is fair play

[SlowV6]

400miles a week is about 20kmiles a year, which is quite a lot.

From your list I'd go manual Mondeo 2.0TDCI in Titanium or even better Titanium X spec if you can find one in budget. I don't think in the current market that you will get a Mk4.5 for 3k. Finding one with evidence of a DMF at some relatively recent point in its life would be good and note they need timing belt at 10yrs/125kmiles.

[Summit_Detailing]

Given the £3k budget I'd be looking at a Clio or Megane in 1.5dci form.

[SAS Tom]

slk 32 said:

Polo bluemotion 9N3

I've just turned over 193k in mine -80mpg

Was about to say the same although mine isn’t a blue motion just a normal 1.4tdi. It’s on 164k and going strong. Consumables are dirt cheap and now it’s mapped it’s actually quite fun to drive without any detriment to fuel economy.

[SWoll]

Any reason why a Volvo V70? Wouldn't an S40 or C30 be more comparable to the other options like the Golf?

Won't set the world on fire but if saving money is the plan then zero VED and 75MPG isn't a bad combination for a commuter car and it'll be a hell of a lot more comfortable for 400 miles per week than a Clio etc.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202272...

[Canon_Fodder]

As others have mentioned OP, comfort and refinement should be high on your list of priorities IMV, and if it's in heavy traffic then perhaps an auto too

The Mondeo sounds good to me but lots of them have been minicabs so tread carefully

[benjy279]

Hi guys thank you for the reply’s the polo is a good shout never really looked at these I do live in the valleys mind so it’s a fair old pull back home all uphill on a 79bhp polo ,
The Volvo C30 been told to stay well away from the 1.6

French used I know beggars can’t be choosers but most mates or family that have bought a used french car has ended in disaster a mater in work just bought a lovely 208 gti and within a week it’s like a Xmas tree inside

[A500leroy]

Toyota Yaris. job done.

[benjy279]

Wow that’s some good figures that is fair play

[ZX10R NIN]

With that budget I'd actually look at some leftfield but reliable options with low NVH (for me this is a big one when doing miles I want a relaxed smooth quiet steer) & good ride.

If you can live with two doors then the Laguna coupe is a great buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...

Or the more family friendly five door:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202112...

300C these are basically an E Class underneath:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202252...

2.0d Giulietta Veloce well proven & good cars:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201251...

2.0d Mazda6 SL (this would be high up on my list) this is not to be confused with the more common & unreliable 2.2d

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202052...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110178...

C5 Exclusive:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201301...

[georgeyboy12345]

I like the suggestion of an original Bluemotion Polo.

I have added some mpg figures, these are real world, not the BS manufacturer's figures

Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe - 55 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...


Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTI - 45 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...


Alfa Romeo 1.6 JTDM-2 - 56 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012187...


Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet 105 - 55 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...


Renault Megane 1.5 dCi - 58 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...

[Tyre Smoke]

Hyundai i40

No question. The best kept secret ever.

[IgnitionMS]

Having done this kind of commute (my old one was 600 miles a week) I would not be going for a Yaris or Polo.

Whilst they will give you maximum mpg and minimal running costs, you really want something that gives you space and comfort for these kind of journeys.

Mondeo, Accord, 3 Series, S60 would be where I would be looking

[Deerfoot]

IgnitionMS said:

Having done this kind of commute (my old one was 600 miles a week) I would not be going for a Yaris or Polo.

Whilst they will give you maximum mpg and minimal running costs, you really want something that gives you space and comfort for these kind of journeys.

Mondeo, Accord, 3 Series, S60 would be where I would be looking

Having done a 500 mile per week commute for almost 2 years in a Polo tdi I agree with the above.

The Polo was OK and cheap to run but I’d have been better off in a car from at least a class above.

[The Mad Monk]

benjy279 said:

currently driving a seat Leon cupra 68 plate and paying a hefty monthly lease payment so it’s going back early

Do you really think that is wise?

[IgnitionMS]

Deerfoot said:

IgnitionMS said:

Having done this kind of commute (my old one was 600 miles a week) I would not be going for a Yaris or Polo.

Whilst they will give you maximum mpg and minimal running costs, you really want something that gives you space and comfort for these kind of journeys.

Mondeo, Accord, 3 Series, S60 would be where I would be looking

Having done a 500 mile per week commute for almost 2 years in a Polo tdi I agree with the above.

The Polo was OK and cheap to run but I’d have been better off in a car from at least a class above.

Especially when you get caught in a jam or have had a long tiring day, nice to be in comfort on the way back

[A500leroy]

IgnitionMS said:

Deerfoot said:

IgnitionMS said:

Having done this kind of commute (my old one was 600 miles a week) I would not be going for a Yaris or Polo.

Whilst they will give you maximum mpg and minimal running costs, you really want something that gives you space and comfort for these kind of journeys.

Mondeo, Accord, 3 Series, S60 would be where I would be looking

Having done a 500 mile per week commute for almost 2 years in a Polo tdi I agree with the above.

The Polo was OK and cheap to run but I’d have been better off in a car from at least a class above.

Especially when you get caught in a jam or have had a long tiring day, nice to be in comfort on the way back

How so? the space your sat in from the drivers seat and quality of seats doesnt really alter from a polo to a golf.

[bearman68]

IgnitionMS said:

Having done this kind of commute (my old one was 600 miles a week) I would not be going for a Yaris or Polo.

Whilst they will give you maximum mpg and minimal running costs, you really want something that gives you space and comfort for these kind of journeys.

Mondeo, Accord, 3 Series, S60 would be where I would be looking

I definitely wouldn't recommend an S60, especially with the Euro 3 engine. Terrible things. They don't rust, have fabulous build quality, great seats, superbly economical, will do mega miles.

I think I'd suggest some kind of Mercedes, because they are German and have a much better image. Much better, and don't exhibit any of the undesirable Volvo characteristics.