Big car, small commute
Discussion
Actually not a what car thread!
I currently have a 5 mile each way commute (10 miles per day) that I tackle with a scooter. I can't argue with the economy but the dressing up & down at each end of the journey as well as everyone else's blatant disregard for me being on the road is getting on my nerves. See the Zafira driver rants - they really don't like scooters! A push bike is out of the question for the same reasons except I'd also sweat and be in even more danger.
We're also expecting our first child and so some acknowledgement to practicality is needed. I've got a good budget and have been perusing the classifieds and nailed down my shortlist. The only problem is; the list is only massive cars - Mondeo 2.5T, Petrol E39/E60, Volvo S60s etc. Maybe I'm rebelling against the wife's Yaris but I'm wondering if these cars are excessive for the short journey plus the occasional holiday. Like I would be doing the motorway munchers a great disservice even though as my name implies I like the comfy barges.
Should I even care? I expect short answers
I currently have a 5 mile each way commute (10 miles per day) that I tackle with a scooter. I can't argue with the economy but the dressing up & down at each end of the journey as well as everyone else's blatant disregard for me being on the road is getting on my nerves. See the Zafira driver rants - they really don't like scooters! A push bike is out of the question for the same reasons except I'd also sweat and be in even more danger.
We're also expecting our first child and so some acknowledgement to practicality is needed. I've got a good budget and have been perusing the classifieds and nailed down my shortlist. The only problem is; the list is only massive cars - Mondeo 2.5T, Petrol E39/E60, Volvo S60s etc. Maybe I'm rebelling against the wife's Yaris but I'm wondering if these cars are excessive for the short journey plus the occasional holiday. Like I would be doing the motorway munchers a great disservice even though as my name implies I like the comfy barges.
Should I even care? I expect short answers
You're not mental, in fact, driving a big thirsty barge on a short commute makes a lot of sense, especially a petrol one and not diesel.
I use a Mondeo to commute 5 miles each way, I chose it on the basis that it's comfortable (it's only a short drive but why does that mean I'd want to feel the potholes?) and that I make long motorway drives once every few months. It fills both roles perfectly.
I use a Mondeo to commute 5 miles each way, I chose it on the basis that it's comfortable (it's only a short drive but why does that mean I'd want to feel the potholes?) and that I make long motorway drives once every few months. It fills both roles perfectly.
I don't wish to detract too much from the question of big comfy cars but can I just query why you have problems with Zafira drivers on the scooter ?
I used to have the same problems when I only rode a 50cc - and using ''grandad rights'' on my car licence. Getting the right training and my full licence, plus moving to a 125cc means I have no issues. Fast enough to keep up with traffic and with my Honda SH, large enough to place in a commanding position. Is this your problem ?
Whatever you do - make sure it hasn't got a DPF !
I used to have the same problems when I only rode a 50cc - and using ''grandad rights'' on my car licence. Getting the right training and my full licence, plus moving to a 125cc means I have no issues. Fast enough to keep up with traffic and with my Honda SH, large enough to place in a commanding position. Is this your problem ?
Whatever you do - make sure it hasn't got a DPF !
ClassicMercs said:
I don't wish to detract too much from the question of big comfy cars but can I just query why you have problems with Zafira drivers on the scooter ?
I used to have the same problems when I only rode a 50cc - and using ''grandad rights'' on my car licence. Getting the right training and my full licence, plus moving to a 125cc means I have no issues. Fast enough to keep up with traffic and with my Honda SH, large enough to place in a commanding position. Is this your problem ?
Whatever you do - make sure it hasn't got a DPF !
I used to drive much further - 30 miles each way and I had a TDI VAG crap thing for that where the DPF would seemingly want to regenerate at the end of the commute. But this short commute got me onto the bright idea of a scooter because it did make sense at the time. It's a 110cc thing because Honda like to be unique and it's plenty fast around town, gets up to 30 faster than most people can react to the lights changing. But there's been a few occasions where it seems the psychology of being behind a scooter just makes somebody explode; I could have been doing 50 in a 30 and it wouldn't matter to them as the scooter is in front and that is not "right" and have nearly been taken out by overly aggressive over/under takes even if I "dominate my space" as the CBT fella told me - one of those cars being a diesel zafira when I was waiting for my exit to become clear on a yellow box.I used to have the same problems when I only rode a 50cc - and using ''grandad rights'' on my car licence. Getting the right training and my full licence, plus moving to a 125cc means I have no issues. Fast enough to keep up with traffic and with my Honda SH, large enough to place in a commanding position. Is this your problem ?
Whatever you do - make sure it hasn't got a DPF !
I am looking at petrol cars exclusively
something with a bit of poke - 530/T5/etc. or that fine 550 from a bit further up.Edited by mrnvh on Wednesday 1st January 21:35
I do a similar commute in a Volvo S40 T5 so no, you shouldn't care and they're not excessive.
As someone else mentioned, fuel economy is irrelevant given the low mileage so I don't care that it only does 23mpg around town. Does much better on it's annual outing to Le Mans which would be a hateful journey in a little commuter.
As someone else mentioned, fuel economy is irrelevant given the low mileage so I don't care that it only does 23mpg around town. Does much better on it's annual outing to Le Mans which would be a hateful journey in a little commuter.
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