What should I do? (Generic Thread)
Discussion
Got any advice? Many of you must have been in the same/similar situations.
I currently drive a EP3 Type R, work will require me to do more significant mileages over the next two years. As a rule of thumb I detest any consideration given to MPG, but I suppose if I'm travelling fairly large distance I should acknowledge it as a factor.
Whilst I'm highly content driving past people in their 118d's knowing I'm having much more fun, I can't help thinking that there are more confortable and efficient ways of racking up miles than a Type R.
Do I...
1. Grow a pair, who gives a s**t about a few bumps and a little more petrol - I'm 22 not 42 - it is well worth it on the weekend/when you hit a B road. (The most likely solution)
2. Keep the Type R and invest in a cheap mileage muncher in addition.
3. Accept that my life is meaningless and buy a 320d?
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Edit: Spelling*
I currently drive a EP3 Type R, work will require me to do more significant mileages over the next two years. As a rule of thumb I detest any consideration given to MPG, but I suppose if I'm travelling fairly large distance I should acknowledge it as a factor.
Whilst I'm highly content driving past people in their 118d's knowing I'm having much more fun, I can't help thinking that there are more confortable and efficient ways of racking up miles than a Type R.
Do I...
1. Grow a pair, who gives a s**t about a few bumps and a little more petrol - I'm 22 not 42 - it is well worth it on the weekend/when you hit a B road. (The most likely solution)
2. Keep the Type R and invest in a cheap mileage muncher in addition.
3. Accept that my life is meaningless and buy a 320d?
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Edit: Spelling*
Edited by P1H on Thursday 29th November 20:45
Get a clio 172 cup... 45mpg on the motorway and loads of fun. Thats what i did when faced with the same problem. The low cost of purchase, low running costs and very good mpg mean its not worth paying extra for a diesel and the added cost of the diesel itself.
In your case id work out how much you will save in £££ running a diesel. Its suprising the difference you need to make it worth it.
In your case id work out how much you will save in £££ running a diesel. Its suprising the difference you need to make it worth it.
TVaRt said:
Get a clio 172 cup... 45mpg on the motorway and loads of fun. Thats what i did when faced with the same problem. The low cost of purchase, low running costs and very good mpg mean its not worth paying extra for a diesel and the added cost of the diesel itself.
In your case id work out how much you will save in £££ running a diesel. Its suprising the difference you need to make it worth it.
I also have a 172 Cup, wouldn't want to be doing many miles in it though!In your case id work out how much you will save in £££ running a diesel. Its suprising the difference you need to make it worth it.
TVaRt said:
Get a clio 172 cup... 45mpg on the motorway and loads of fun. Thats what i did when faced with the same problem. The low cost of purchase, low running costs and very good mpg mean its not worth paying extra for a diesel and the added cost of the diesel itself.
In your case id work out how much you will save in £££ running a diesel. Its suprising the difference you need to make it worth it.
I'm afraid 172's represent a big step back from the Type R for me, besides even if I was a fan I'm 6,3 and would look like a plank in one. But 45mpg on the motorway is insane!In your case id work out how much you will save in £££ running a diesel. Its suprising the difference you need to make it worth it.
1. If you can afford it. Am in the same position as you, just sold my Mini Cooper S, did about 15,000 a year in in it at 30 mpg. Looking for the next fun car to commute in now. Got nothing but compliments form clients when i turned up to meet them in my car. Much more fun driving a car you enjoy than a dull commuter box. But if someone else is paying, i'm not sure if my decision would be the same.
Drive a 320d and then decide if your Civic is all that. Having owned both (E46 320dES Tourer), the only advantage the Civic holds is the 2100rpm between 5900-8000rpm and the gearbox.
The Civic has wooden ride that doesn't help it on a challenging drive, nor does the feel less steering. The tyre noise is shocking, although the engine is smooth and it is economical at 4k rpm 80mph cruise.
I suspect your dilemma is more about image than ability. How you enjoy your driving has very little to do with what you look like.
The Civic has wooden ride that doesn't help it on a challenging drive, nor does the feel less steering. The tyre noise is shocking, although the engine is smooth and it is economical at 4k rpm 80mph cruise.
I suspect your dilemma is more about image than ability. How you enjoy your driving has very little to do with what you look like.
I decided to 'opt out' about 6 months ago and bought a really efficient Diesel. I was getting more and more fed up of putting £100 in the tank each time and then with a job change found I was going to be doing 20k a year and thus £7-8k in fuel. With the tyres, services and spare parts I'd be looking at £7-800 a month just on running the car.
In the end, no matter how much I enjoy the driving and the power of a faster car, £7-800 a month on just running a car can sod off. I've got a mortgage to pay for.
Now I'm in a large and slow car but I find it quite relaxing. I fill up without even looking at the fuel price and watch people hurtle by me on the motorway knowing they are getting 25mpg doing it.
It turns out you can enjoy driving in many different ways.
In the end, no matter how much I enjoy the driving and the power of a faster car, £7-800 a month on just running a car can sod off. I've got a mortgage to pay for.
Now I'm in a large and slow car but I find it quite relaxing. I fill up without even looking at the fuel price and watch people hurtle by me on the motorway knowing they are getting 25mpg doing it.
It turns out you can enjoy driving in many different ways.
stevesingo said:
Drive a 320d and then decide if your Civic is all that. Having owned both (E46 320dES Tourer), the only advantage the Civic holds is the 2100rpm between 5900-8000rpm and the gearbox.
The Civic has wooden ride that doesn't help it on a challenging drive, nor does the feel less steering. The tyre noise is shocking, although the engine is smooth and it is economical at 4k rpm 80mph cruise.
I suspect your dilemma is more about image than ability. How you enjoy your driving has very little to do with what you look like.
A very fair comment. The Civic has wooden ride that doesn't help it on a challenging drive, nor does the feel less steering. The tyre noise is shocking, although the engine is smooth and it is economical at 4k rpm 80mph cruise.
I suspect your dilemma is more about image than ability. How you enjoy your driving has very little to do with what you look like.
I'm not sure I completely agree with the last statement. I can't contest that image is a factor - personally a mondeo wouldn't be for me (as I'm sure is the case with most 22 year olds) That said on a good road, I am adamant I could not get half the enjoyment from a 320d that I get from the Type R, not as a matter purely of the engine over 5800 revs, but as a result of the whole focus of the car.
si_xsi said:
1. If you can afford it. Am in the same position as you, just sold my Mini Cooper S, did about 15,000 a year in in it at 30 mpg. Looking for the next fun car to commute in now. Got nothing but compliments form clients when i turned up to meet them in my car. Much more fun driving a car you enjoy than a dull commuter box. But if someone else is paying, i'm not sure if my decision would be the same.
I like your approach. The thing is I get £0.45 for every business mile so it would be feasible, at the same time the though of pocketing that money by driving a diesel saloon and using it for something else appeals to my old man side. 
I am in this mega dilemma too where I am having to actually grow up and get a car that is correct for my life.
I currently have an mx5 that is completely inappropriate for the long commute I may be having to make soon due to a change (hopefully) in jobs. I currently have (if the mx5 sells) roughly 2-2.5k to spend and am thinking that a 320d or similar (no VW though thanks) is probably the best thing to get even if it means I will no longer be blatting about in a sports car.
Thing is, as a petrolhead, surely you can get some driving pleasure out of a car that has a well engineered chassis set up and a decent oil-burner up front. Although I will miss the instant response that the mx5 brings and the feeling of having the top down (even if it is -4 out), I feel that after working a ten hour shift, the BMW will be more welcoming.
I'm thinking of getting a dieseasal and then buying a ratty roadster to be slowly brought back to life over the weekends to keep the petrolheadedness at bay!
I currently have an mx5 that is completely inappropriate for the long commute I may be having to make soon due to a change (hopefully) in jobs. I currently have (if the mx5 sells) roughly 2-2.5k to spend and am thinking that a 320d or similar (no VW though thanks) is probably the best thing to get even if it means I will no longer be blatting about in a sports car.
Thing is, as a petrolhead, surely you can get some driving pleasure out of a car that has a well engineered chassis set up and a decent oil-burner up front. Although I will miss the instant response that the mx5 brings and the feeling of having the top down (even if it is -4 out), I feel that after working a ten hour shift, the BMW will be more welcoming.
I'm thinking of getting a dieseasal and then buying a ratty roadster to be slowly brought back to life over the weekends to keep the petrolheadedness at bay!
interloper said:
Maybe go for a bigger engine second hand diesel? Running around in a 330D or 530D (or similar) will still net you around 40mpg but will give you a bit more poke and a better sound track compared to a four cylinder diesel.
I've been considering this at a fourth option. Get an all rounder of sorts such as the 330d or even a 335d. Good shout.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff