3k for an econobox

[clio172lad]

Ignore the satirical title, I don't really want an econobox... or do I?

I currently have a 986 Boxster S which I use for everything. Daily duties, commuting, holidays, everything.

It is starting to become slightly tiresome to use on a daily basis and feels wrong to be putting so many needless miles on it, so I'm after an economical and reliable daily driver.

My commute is about 10 miles of 70% stop-start traffic and 30% of a run.

I've been racking my brain and have come up with a few ideas so far:

- Volvo V50 DRIVe.
- Volvo S80 DRIVe.
- Any PD130 car, but probably a Golf.
- A diesel Ford of some description.
- A Citigo.

I'm after some more suggestions or recommendations - perhaps something a bit more interesting that I've overlooked...

The brief:

- £3K or under.
- 50+ MPG.
- Reliable.
- Possibly something a bit different.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers .

Edited by clio172lad on Monday 21st November 20:27

Edited by clio172lad on Monday 21st November 21:04

Edited by clio172lad on Monday 21st November 21:11

Edited by clio172lad on Monday 21st November 21:41

Edited by clio172lad on Monday 21st November 21:41

[ZX10R NIN]

What's your daily usage if it's short trips then get a petrol with the reality is 30-40mpg unless you're doing long runs.

CLC180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...

220cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211081...

[clio172lad]

ZX10R NIN said:

What's your daily usage if it's short trips then get a petrol with the reality is 30-40mpg unless you're doing long runs.

CLC180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...

220cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211081...

Probably should have said - the commute is about 10 miles of 70% stop-start traffic and 30% of a run.

Nice suggestions - hadn't even considered a Merc, two nice examples but perhaps a bit thirsty?

[ZX10R NIN]

clio172lad said:

Probably should have said - the commute is about 10 miles of 70% stop-start traffic and 30% of a run.

Nice suggestions - hadn't even considered a Merc, two nice examples but perhaps a bit thirsty?

On a 10 mile commute you won't get the greatest economy but there's another alternative which is the 1.4T Astra GTC SRI 140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210100...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211171...

[GreatGranny]

Stay away from the 1.6d in the Volvos.

Better to buy the 2.0d cars

For that mileage there's no real advantage getting a diesel.
And it won't like the stop/start and short commute.

That Astra is a good shout.

Or a Mito

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...

Swift

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209189...

[RizzoTheRat]

For a 10 mile commute I'm not convinced diesel would be worth it. My CR170 Octavia easily manages over 50mpg on a 60 mile mainly motorway commute, but in my last job on a 9 mile commute it was low 40's

[georgeyboy12345]

You won't get 50+ mpg in 10 miles of mainly stop start traffic unless you have a hybrid, but I don't think I'd want to buy a hybrid for only 3 grand, it'd be ropey as hell - most likely an ex-private hire and will probably have things wrong with it.

Here are some ideas

Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 TB Multiair Veloce
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...


Fiat Panda 1.2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210251...


Renault Twingo 1.2 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...


Mazda 2 1.3 TS2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210301...


Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209280...

[KPE]

If you wanted something reliable then go for Japanese. This will get you good mpg and is something a little different.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211011...

[anonymous-user]

KPE said:

If you wanted something reliable then go for Japanese. This will get you good mpg and is something a little different.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211011...

Disagree, notorious for the timing chains to stretch.

[Beethree]

PD130 Polo or Passat, I wouldn’t bother with the Golf of that era.

[Pickled Piper]

For that type of journey profile, I would want something comfortable, with seat heaters and a good audio system. Maybe even an automatic.

Sorry don't know what the answer is.