Change Clio sport for something more sensible?

[DanGPR]

SO. I have a 2010 Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup

I have a bit of a predicament, I was previously using my car only evenings/weekend trips which it was perfect for. I bought it low milage with the Cup suspension and Recaro bucket seats. However, recently my GF moved 200 miles away and I am obviously wanting to see her a few times a month.

The Clio isn't brilliant for motorway driving, sitting at 4000rpm+ in 6th, meaning <30mpg. With the road noise and lack of cruise control, it makes the drive hard work. I've been considering chopping it in for something slightly more sensible.

I love the car and some man maths says I would save myself a grand after only 10 round trips, if i can get something that is 25mpg better than what I am getting now.

The cars I have considered are
E46 330D
E39 530D
Alfa GT

Open to any other suggestions, I'm 22 and would like the car to cost less than I can get for my Clio (approx 8.5k hopefully), probably looking closer to 5 grand as i don't want to spend a lot of money on something I don't have much love for!

[Benbay001]

It would be cheaper to P/X the girlfriend.

[Benbay001]

What speed do you do on the Mway?
I suspect you would see a noticeable increase in MPG if you slowed down by 10-20 mph.

[DanGPR]

Benbay001 said:

What speed do you do on the Mway?
I suspect you would see a noticeable increase in MPG if you slowed down by 10-20 mph.

At 70 I can just about get 30mpg on the on board computer
Thats pretty much the minimum bearable speed on the M1/M25

I averaged 24mpg on the way home Sunday night...

[davepoth]

DanGPR said:

At 70 I can just about get 30mpg on the on board computer
Thats pretty much the minimum bearable speed on the M1/M25

I averaged 24mpg on the way home Sunday night...

10% for every 10mph over 70, apparently. Tsk.

I'd be thinking about a shed if I were you. Something like a Skoda Octavia TDi or similar will be able to make 55mpg on a long motorway run if you are careful. Plenty available on the internet for sub £1000, and as you said you don't need to make many trips to make it pay.

Failing that, just get the train. So long as you book in advance it's quite reasonable.

[valais]

Lexus IS 250 (petrol) - remarkably comfortable, rwd, swiftish, reliable. Devalues like a falling stone on first few years so 8k should get you a nice one.

[DanGPR]

davepoth said:

10% for every 10mph over 70, apparently. Tsk.

I'd be thinking about a shed if I were you. Something like a Skoda Octavia TDi or similar will be able to make 55mpg on a long motorway run if you are careful. Plenty available on the internet for sub £1000, and as you said you don't need to make many trips to make it pay.

Failing that, just get the train. So long as you book in advance it's quite reasonable.

The problems with 2 cars for me is

1. Insurance at my age, even on a snotter is going to be upwards of 600 quid
2.Parking a second car is a squeeze as there is already 4 cars and a van in the family.