I Need A Daily - Please Help!
Discussion
So as per the title, I am need of a daily since my workplace has now changed and rather than being 5 minutes down the road which offered the luxury of being able to cycle to work and not worry how 'green and cuddly' my car was, it is now 18 miles away.
The commute is, it has to be said, pretty good and leaves Weston S Mare through the back lanes towards Cross, shoots over the A38 towards Cheddar and then winds its way through numerous villages on the A371 finishing up in Wells. No motorway, no towns, no stop start driving, I should add my shifts also mean no traffic either si it really is quite a lovely drive which takes in and around 30-40 mins.
So having owned a selection of cars over the years I have found myself in the position I guess not PH'ers find the,selves in at some point. I have a passion for cars but due taking on a recent house project I cannot justify a 'large' (to me anyway) budget on a car. The thinking is that I need to find the right balance to fulfill my daily hack which can be exploited and enjoyed at 3am on the way home or 6am on the way to work, but also provide space for my wife and our 3 year old little girl.
I have literally given myself brain ache considering the huge array of options and I am still struggling so hoping this story might strike a chord with a couple of you and some advice could be in the pipeline......
The criteria is - circa 4-5k, jury is out in petrolvdiesel however 30mpg+ would be great, so,etching that will take the mileage well and not necessarily rattle itself to destruction in 12 months, room for my two good ladies so no 2 seaters but 2+2's are in the frame, not fussed on higher mileage as I am only going to add to that.
Think that's it, really need some help with this as I keep hopping all over the place but know this decision needs to be right so I buy something that keeps me entertained at god awful hours of the day and night and same until I cam justify my next proper purchase when the house is finished.
Here's hoping!
Si
The commute is, it has to be said, pretty good and leaves Weston S Mare through the back lanes towards Cross, shoots over the A38 towards Cheddar and then winds its way through numerous villages on the A371 finishing up in Wells. No motorway, no towns, no stop start driving, I should add my shifts also mean no traffic either si it really is quite a lovely drive which takes in and around 30-40 mins.
So having owned a selection of cars over the years I have found myself in the position I guess not PH'ers find the,selves in at some point. I have a passion for cars but due taking on a recent house project I cannot justify a 'large' (to me anyway) budget on a car. The thinking is that I need to find the right balance to fulfill my daily hack which can be exploited and enjoyed at 3am on the way home or 6am on the way to work, but also provide space for my wife and our 3 year old little girl.
I have literally given myself brain ache considering the huge array of options and I am still struggling so hoping this story might strike a chord with a couple of you and some advice could be in the pipeline......
The criteria is - circa 4-5k, jury is out in petrolvdiesel however 30mpg+ would be great, so,etching that will take the mileage well and not necessarily rattle itself to destruction in 12 months, room for my two good ladies so no 2 seaters but 2+2's are in the frame, not fussed on higher mileage as I am only going to add to that.
Think that's it, really need some help with this as I keep hopping all over the place but know this decision needs to be right so I buy something that keeps me entertained at god awful hours of the day and night and same until I cam justify my next proper purchase when the house is finished.
Here's hoping!
Si
Integra DC2 Type R, Renault Clio 182/Megane 225, E46 330Ci or a Mk.5 Golf GTI would all be on my list, but I suspect the DC2 would be the best car for a B and A-road commute every day with a nod to practicality. 
Find a good 'un for your budget and you won't find it depreciating any, the maintenance is easy (and mostly cheap).
Find a good 'un for your budget and you won't find it depreciating any, the maintenance is easy (and mostly cheap).
DC2 is a good shout, will have a look now....182 was on list but wasn't sure about how they would hold up back and forth on that sort of journey?!? 330ci I would think too juicy, done the Mk5 GTi and it was lovely but not sure how good an example I would get for my budget.
All petrol suggestions - do you think the journey/mileage doesn't warrant a diesel or just not a diesel fan?
Si
All petrol suggestions - do you think the journey/mileage doesn't warrant a diesel or just not a diesel fan?
Si
SiT said:
Northernchimp said:
My commute is about to change from a 12 mile a day dawdle to a 80 mile a day 
. Not selling anything but am buying a Saab 9-3 or Volvo S60. Comfort and decent cruising MPG above all else.
Why not use the Ibiza as TDi already?? . Not selling anything but am buying a Saab 9-3 or Volvo S60. Comfort and decent cruising MPG above all else. Si
wemorgan said:
IMHO
House project = estate
That should narrow down the list a bit.
That was certainly true over the last 6/8 months but to be honest the days of hulking stuff around and trips to the tip are done, it's the finishing inside now and the outside when this god awful weather improves!House project = estate
That should narrow down the list a bit.
Si
Northernchimp said:
Well researched. Respect for my spine and depreciation. I think it's better to spend a few grand on a workhorse with big leather seats.
Fair enough, the FR a tad firm then?!? Out if interest when your commute was only 12 miles which one did you use in your garage?!?Si
SiT said:
Northernchimp said:
Well researched. Respect for my spine and depreciation. I think it's better to spend a few grand on a workhorse with big leather seats.
Fair enough, the FR a tad firm then?!? Out if interest when your commute was only 12 miles which one did you use in your garage?!?Si
I've commuted in all of them.
SiT said:
DC2 is a good shout, will have a look now....182 was on list but wasn't sure about how they would hold up back and forth on that sort of journey?!? 330ci I would think too juicy, done the Mk5 GTi and it was lovely but not sure how good an example I would get for my budget.
All petrol suggestions - do you think the journey/mileage doesn't warrant a diesel or just not a diesel fan?
Si
18 each way is about 9k per year plus private miles, so probably no more than 12k. For those miles the diesel economy isn't going to outweigh the downsides of having a diesel (you'd probably save £500-750 a year vs the equivalent petrol, but it'd be less fun, more money to buy and a little more to service too, so the net benefit would probably be more like £250-500 a year). I'm not a diesel fan, but I would have one if I got above 18-20k, simply because of the mpg cost-benefits.All petrol suggestions - do you think the journey/mileage doesn't warrant a diesel or just not a diesel fan?
Si
Had 2 DC2s, and while they're now old and in need of TLC (rust is the biggie), I'd still have one over a 182 for many reasons, and they're both a lot more fun down a twisty A- or B-road than the 330i and MkV Golf (Becs has one). But the latter two ARE better all-rounders and more acceptable to the missus, I suspect...
Ok so this decision presses on and i am now finding i have narrowed down my choice to either a 2005 (ish) Cooper S, Audi TT 225 or in contrast an E46 330ci. I have done some research on the relvevant forums and posted up questions etc. but i guess you should always expect a slightly bias view from one cam or the other.
Be interested to hear anyones thoughts particularly on the Mini and TT comparison to date i have been told Mini is squeaky rattly, poor build quality, poor mpg, great supercharger whine and character, good handling and more room in the back than the TT. From fort TT i have been told that they can be problematic dashpods, electrical gremlins, quattro is great for year round use, good power and with quattro a good point to point car, bigger boot but smaller back seats and cheaper to run.
Anyone got anything different on the above?
My main concerns at present are Mini - MPG and TT - space in back for occasional use of 3 yr old!
Si
Be interested to hear anyones thoughts particularly on the Mini and TT comparison to date i have been told Mini is squeaky rattly, poor build quality, poor mpg, great supercharger whine and character, good handling and more room in the back than the TT. From fort TT i have been told that they can be problematic dashpods, electrical gremlins, quattro is great for year round use, good power and with quattro a good point to point car, bigger boot but smaller back seats and cheaper to run.
Anyone got anything different on the above?
My main concerns at present are Mini - MPG and TT - space in back for occasional use of 3 yr old!
Si
I did consider these and after hiring a track prepped one for a weekend at the Ring last year, I was impressed at what a capable little car it is.
However my drive to work at all hours of the day and night throughout the year does see me wanting some luxuries as well to make it more comfortable.
Agreed it's a great car but a little basic compared to the others mentioned.
Si
However my drive to work at all hours of the day and night throughout the year does see me wanting some luxuries as well to make it more comfortable.
Agreed it's a great car but a little basic compared to the others mentioned.
Si
How about an Impreza? Famous for ( sorry for the cliche ) being great in the twisties, but it's true.. they have a lot going for them... Good driver involvement, great sound , good fun, safe, definitely within budget ( Blobeye or maybe even a Hawkeye WRX ) , and despite what some say also family friendly , esp the wagons which are more subtle. I've had too many to count but on average you'll get 25-27mpg . Also know you ruled out estates but what about the Legacy? They are so comfy yet handle well . I've just bought myself an '08 Legacy Estate REn with all the tech and comfort for that budget. Ok mine is only a 2.0 but you could look at a slightly older top of the range 3.0 Spec B with all the tech for that money which has a terrific engine (6cyl) and Blistein suspension.
Just a thought..
Just a thought..
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