Commuting – Distance vs. Time
Discussion
I currently commute about 60 miles to work each day, fortunately this only takes me 30 minutes each way due to my working hours, and living & working just a moment from the motorway.
While 30 minutes is very reasonable, the downsides are high commuting costs in both petrol and consumables. Consequently I can’t justify buying a V8 or V10 just to sit on the motorway and getting 17mpg, plus I get a lot of satisfaction from keeping my car clean, something I cannot do when using it to commute. So for the time being I am continuing to drive a ‘sensible’ car.
As a result I have been thinking of getting a job much nearer to me but it would have to be in the city centre, this would mean a 5 mile commute each way and I’d save a load on petrol but due to regular rush hour traffic this will probably take me 45 minutes – so say I’d have to leave an hour before hand just to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately I then have a second predicament of, is it worth spending £25k on a V8 performance car only to sit in traffic for 45 minutes at a time?
It looks like a ‘lose lose’ situation either way. I could get the train but due to the walk it would take me an hour, plus evenly a year train pass doesn’t save me that much over commuting in a V8 – I may as well save myself the time and drive.
So, how can I have my cake and eat it, or is it just a case of gritting my teeth and hoping the drive at the weekend makes up for it?
I know some people will suggest having a cheap run around, but the extra running costs and initial outlay outweigh that of the running costs of a juicy motor. Plus I couldn’t go to work every day in a £500 car when there’s a £25k car sat on the path.
While 30 minutes is very reasonable, the downsides are high commuting costs in both petrol and consumables. Consequently I can’t justify buying a V8 or V10 just to sit on the motorway and getting 17mpg, plus I get a lot of satisfaction from keeping my car clean, something I cannot do when using it to commute. So for the time being I am continuing to drive a ‘sensible’ car.
As a result I have been thinking of getting a job much nearer to me but it would have to be in the city centre, this would mean a 5 mile commute each way and I’d save a load on petrol but due to regular rush hour traffic this will probably take me 45 minutes – so say I’d have to leave an hour before hand just to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately I then have a second predicament of, is it worth spending £25k on a V8 performance car only to sit in traffic for 45 minutes at a time?
It looks like a ‘lose lose’ situation either way. I could get the train but due to the walk it would take me an hour, plus evenly a year train pass doesn’t save me that much over commuting in a V8 – I may as well save myself the time and drive.
So, how can I have my cake and eat it, or is it just a case of gritting my teeth and hoping the drive at the weekend makes up for it?
I know some people will suggest having a cheap run around, but the extra running costs and initial outlay outweigh that of the running costs of a juicy motor. Plus I couldn’t go to work every day in a £500 car when there’s a £25k car sat on the path.
Nasrallah said:
I know some people will suggest having a cheap run around, but the extra running costs and initial outlay outweigh that of the running costs of a juicy motor. Plus I couldn’t go to work every day in a £500 car when there’s a £25k car sat on the path.
Why not? If you buy the right car it is fine. I like saving the miles on the V10 and let my wife use it whilst I'm pounding the motorway and wearing and tearing the Hyundai. We do 6K a year in our V10 (estimated) and I do 15K in the snotter for work and sometime we go to London in it as we can leave it anywhere. I don't leave the other one "anywhere"
GarryA said:
I'd be doing a 5 mile commute on a pushbike or a moped. Then you can be free to have whatever car you want.
Not a particular enticing thought come winter though...the-photographer said:
Its your call, is time the most important thing?
If YES, then compromise cars are calling you, e.g. BMW 123D/130i, any number of small 4 cylinder coupes, and loads of warm/hot hatches.
I'm split. My 30 minute commute is dead easy, but a more local commute could save me thousands each year. If YES, then compromise cars are calling you, e.g. BMW 123D/130i, any number of small 4 cylinder coupes, and loads of warm/hot hatches.
Nasrallah said:
GarryA said:
I'd be doing a 5 mile commute on a pushbike or a moped. Then you can be free to have whatever car you want.
Not a particular enticing thought come winter though...I live 30miles from my office and necessarily commute by car. Like the OP, I enjoy my cars and like to keep them clean, too. My advice is to put up with the fuel costs and wash the car when you get home/before you leave. The cost you will incur changing to a more economical car will pay for an awful lot of fuel; and it only takes 15minutes to wash and dry a car properly. I get 18mpg, 23mpg or 30mpg depending on which of my cars I choose to take. The pleasure of driving a car I like is worth paying for.
Take the closer job and buy a 50cc scooter and a V8. 
Buy a cheap bike or scooter. Some scooters cost nothing to tax, £50 to insure and will do 130mpg. Your CBT will set you back £120 every 2 years.
The amount you save on fuel alone will mean the scooter pays for itself and you can keep the car.
Perfectly possible to run it in this time if you have showers at work though.
The amount you save on fuel alone will mean the scooter pays for itself and you can keep the car.
300bhp/ton said:
Really 5 miles in 45 mins?? Surely you could walk it in similar time.
For comparison 8 minute a mile is reasonable running pace mate.Perfectly possible to run it in this time if you have showers at work though.
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Wednesday 1st August 11:25
Current daily commute = 120 miles (Hitchin to Sunbury and back)
Current daily commute time = ~2 hours there, ~1.5 hours back - sometimes a bit less.
Current daily commute vehicle of choice. Audi RS6 V10.
Not ideal, but I don't really want to do the commute in a "snotter" as the only thing which makes it bearable are the times I can plant my right foot and spool up the turbos.
Interesting dilemma. Would I have bought the V10 knowing I was in for that level of commute? Probably not. Would have bought a fully-loaded oil burner, and maybe a weekend toy... but I am where I am now, so probably won't switch.
Current daily commute time = ~2 hours there, ~1.5 hours back - sometimes a bit less.
Current daily commute vehicle of choice. Audi RS6 V10.
Not ideal, but I don't really want to do the commute in a "snotter" as the only thing which makes it bearable are the times I can plant my right foot and spool up the turbos.
Interesting dilemma. Would I have bought the V10 knowing I was in for that level of commute? Probably not. Would have bought a fully-loaded oil burner, and maybe a weekend toy... but I am where I am now, so probably won't switch.
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