Cheap car for 300 mile weekly commute - any ideas? Cheers

[WeakWeekly]

Hello,

I need to buy a used car for a new weekly commute round trip of 300 miles.

I was hoping to not spend more than £3k. It doesn't have to be big (there's just me) but I want reliable, and if possible some comfort. And something with some character would be nice!

Please - can anyone help?

Thanks

[SlowV6]

Hi,
300 miles a week is 60miles per day, so 30miles each way, which isn't insignificant.

Do you have any particular criteria?
e.g. manual or auto, diesel or petrol (do you go into a ULEZ zone?)

A frequent suggestion for trundling 30miles back and forth twice a day is a Volvo S60 D5, assuming you are not in a ULEZ. These have very comfy seats and a good stereo (look for HU 850 on the bottom RHS).

If you could elaborate a little more on your particular requirements that might help rule in\out cars.

[Ryan_T]

I think at that price you’re looking on a per-car basis almost. Ie the best kept example of a car in that price bracket. I’d probably focus on something petrol and Japanese, Toyota / Honda.

[A500leroy]

With the way fuel prices are 1.3 Toyota Yaris.

[WeakWeekly]

Hi thanks all for these.

I want manual, no ULEZ - just 150 miles each way back and forth on A roads.

[757]

SAAB 9-3
Toyota Avensis
Vauxhall Vectra/Insignia
Ford Mondeo

All cheap, and comfortable, and get for less than £3k, so bank the rest of the cash.

[Pistonheader101]

can you get an audi for that

[WeakWeekly]

What a TT be a good option?

[Welshbeef]

WeakWeekly said:

Hello,

I need to buy a used car for a new weekly commute round trip of 300 miles.

I was hoping to not spend more than £3k. It doesn't have to be big (there's just me) but I want reliable, and if possible some comfort. And something with some character would be nice!

Please - can anyone help?

Thanks

What car do you currently have?

[WeakWeekly]

I can't use current car - Sportage.

[Welshbeef]

WeakWeekly said:

I can't use current car - Sportage.

Is that because it’s on school trips?

[WeakWeekly]

Various.

[Welshbeef]

WeakWeekly said:

Various.

Is it illegal
Needing a service
Not reliable
Stolen

It’s a vehicle that on paper is perfectly fine for answering your question. If it needs tyres discs pads and service do it and use the car get the value out of it.

[SoulGlo]

A well looked after Mk7 Honda Accord 2.2 diesel.

[WeakWeekly]

Thanks, the Honda looks comfortable - and I'm tempted. And so do the SAAB 9-3, Toyota Avensis, Vauxhall Vectra/Insignia, Ford Mondeo.

Did anyone have a view on something a little smaller or maybe with a little character?

Thanks again.

[Shiv_P]

Golf?

[Pistonsquirter]

I had this issue but 60 miles each way..

Bought a £700 2002 Honda Jazz, bit small for motorway driving TBH, but from a reliability perspective put it this way; it was on the original Honda wiper blades..

[WeakWeekly]

That might be a good idea then to go for a Honda and get the Accord for a bit more room...

I did wonder about a MX-5 Mk3 - but just for the fun of it.

Edited by WeakWeekly on Friday 10th June 14:33

[lb3nson]

Passat B5.5 with a PD130.
All the cheap, reliable, comfy commuter car you’ll ever need.

Or the Polo or Fabia with the same engine, if you want something a bit smaller/more chuckable.

[WeakWeekly]

Fabia might be a good call. The Passat is just too big!