Is there a frugal car that a man can drive without hiding?
Discussion
So, I currently drive an Alfa 147 2.0 Selespeed and have a 130 mile commute each day. I am averaging about 42 mpg which I think is amazing, but still it's a hell of a lot of dosh to spend on fuel each week - £120 ish. The fact that I just put 6 months tax on it @ £120 doesn't help, nor an insurance bill each year which is the same as my old RX8 and BMW 7 series (E65).
So, my thoughts turn to finding the cheapest car I can until I am in a position to get something better - probably about a year. But is there a cheap to run car which I will be able to get out of in the morning and not worry about being laughed at by the evilly judgemental people I work with?!
Suggestions please chaps!
-Robsa
So, my thoughts turn to finding the cheapest car I can until I am in a position to get something better - probably about a year. But is there a cheap to run car which I will be able to get out of in the morning and not worry about being laughed at by the evilly judgemental people I work with?!
Suggestions please chaps!
-Robsa
Yes, does sound amazing doesn't it? It does require an iron will, no traffic jams, and a steady 55-60 all the way. Luckily about 95% of my journey is dual carriageway/motorway.
I agree about a man who is confident in himself - but that surely doesn't include someone who teaches teenage girls!
'borrowed your mum's car, Sir?', 'are you gay Sir?' etc
I agree about a man who is confident in himself - but that surely doesn't include someone who teaches teenage girls!
'borrowed your mum's car, Sir?', 'are you gay Sir?' etc
Anything relatively mainstream and diesel will do the job.
Golf TDI, Passat TDI - look for the bluemotion variants if you want really big mpg.
Focus TDCI too.
Dont forget that depreciation is your biggest running costs, so be aware that spending £10K on a car to 'save' fuel will probably mean you'll be losing a lot more on depreciation than you're saving.
Golf TDI, Passat TDI - look for the bluemotion variants if you want really big mpg.
Focus TDCI too.
Dont forget that depreciation is your biggest running costs, so be aware that spending £10K on a car to 'save' fuel will probably mean you'll be losing a lot more on depreciation than you're saving.
There's a few people on here that love their Clio 1.5 Diesels. Not a bad looking car in my opnion and have quite a good image. Okay it's nothing compared to an Alfa but it's not bad.
MPG in the 60s should be fairly easy. However whether the car and the engine is suited for 130 mile journeys is another thing but I can't see it being that bad.
MPG in the 60s should be fairly easy. However whether the car and the engine is suited for 130 mile journeys is another thing but I can't see it being that bad.
Ok, forgot to mention - the fact I am driving a £1500 car and am looking for something cheaper is because I currently do not have the wherewithall to buy something newer and more expensive. To be honest, if I could buy a brand new/nearly new VW Golf blue motion I would rather buy something more interesting and run it.
This really is a case of A->B as cheaply as humanly possible in a car.... I realise the choices open to me are limited to vile vehicles generally like Ford Ka's and nasty little Toyotas. This is why I was wondering whether there is anything passable?
This really is a case of A->B as cheaply as humanly possible in a car.... I realise the choices open to me are limited to vile vehicles generally like Ford Ka's and nasty little Toyotas. This is why I was wondering whether there is anything passable?
Peugeot 306 D turbo? Easily get one for £1500, meant to drive well and be relatively pokey for a 90s diesel hatch, but if you thrash it you probably won't see much more than the Alfa. Driven gently should manage about 55mpg. Hardly got an 'image' other than being plain inoffensive (which sounds ideal for your needs)
You could get a diesel 106 which would net 55mpg with ease but you'd look a bit of a tart driving it.
You could get a diesel 106 which would net 55mpg with ease but you'd look a bit of a tart driving it.
robsa said:
Yes, does sound amazing doesn't it? It does require an iron will, no traffic jams, and a steady 55-60 all the way. Luckily about 95% of my journey is dual carriageway/motorway.
I agree about a man who is confident in himself - but that surely doesn't include someone who teaches teenage girls!
'borrowed your mum's car, Sir?', 'are you gay Sir?' etc
I think you'll struggle to top this mpg wise unless you forgo comfort and refinement.I agree about a man who is confident in himself - but that surely doesn't include someone who teaches teenage girls!
'borrowed your mum's car, Sir?', 'are you gay Sir?' etc
I used to do a similar commute, about 110 miles a day and I used a Pug 106 1.5 diesel, driven steady I'd get 62-66mpg out of it, over 70 on vPower diesel and if I was really trying. But it wasn't what I'd call comfy.
My plan was to get a Robin Hood kit car (Caterfield type of thing) and swap in a 2.0 turbo diesel motor. I thought it wouldn't be any less comfy than the Pug, would do 60mpg+ with ease but be a heck of a lot faster and a heck of a lot more fun to drive. Never happened though as I changed jobs.
An LPG converted petrol car might reduce your pence per mile costs as an alternative option. Diesel is a good 9-10p more a litre at present, so you will need to see a good hike in mpg to really see the gains.
Apart from that maybe a Honda Insight? Funky looking coupe, lightweight and capable of 90-100mpg, what's not to like?
206 HDi 1.4 - 65mpg average regardless of how you drive it.
SW version in high spec would be a decent place to commute. I used my 3dr LX model for 125 mile trips regularly and it was surprisingly comfortable.
Same engine is also available in the Fiesta, C2, C3 (not very manly!) and early MINIs
SW version in high spec would be a decent place to commute. I used my 3dr LX model for 125 mile trips regularly and it was surprisingly comfortable.
Same engine is also available in the Fiesta, C2, C3 (not very manly!) and early MINIs
Yes, the insight is pretty cool - but try finding one! Very few around these days.
I guess I might as well stick with a comfy, good looking, good handling Alfa with all the toys and use my little Suzuki GS when the weather is good (80 mpg+) and the Alfa when it's wet/freezing.
Unless I can find a non-turbo Fiesta diesel nearby.... or a Citroen ZX Diesel. Or, if Im really lucky, a BX...
I guess I might as well stick with a comfy, good looking, good handling Alfa with all the toys and use my little Suzuki GS when the weather is good (80 mpg+) and the Alfa when it's wet/freezing.
Unless I can find a non-turbo Fiesta diesel nearby.... or a Citroen ZX Diesel. Or, if Im really lucky, a BX...
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