Fun Fast Frugal Commuter?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've recently changed jobs and would like to upgrade my current car (2006 Vectra 1.8 petrol) which is a pretty terrible car. It's slow, boring and has poor economy. I'd like to enjoy my drive to work a bit more and would like something fast and fun but without having to fill up the tank every couple of days!
My commute consists of 17 miles mix of dual carriageway, motorway and roads. I'd probably average around 40mph in the morning and 20mph sat in traffic on the way home
Given the nature of my commute, I would assume this would rule out the bigger, modern diesel engined cars like the 330/335d and VAG 3.0tdi? Especially now a DPF removal will constitute an MOT failure?
Reliability and good looks are key too, which are obviously subjective.
In terms of budget, I'd like to spend no more than £12k.
With all that being said, I can't stop looking at E91 and E92 330/335i which would struggle to get 20mpg from reading around on the internet...
The most sensible option seems to be: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014... They seem to have plummeted in price, probably due to the new model arriving and can be remapped to a claimed ~240bhp with respectable MPG figures to boot!
HELP!
Simon
I've recently changed jobs and would like to upgrade my current car (2006 Vectra 1.8 petrol) which is a pretty terrible car. It's slow, boring and has poor economy. I'd like to enjoy my drive to work a bit more and would like something fast and fun but without having to fill up the tank every couple of days!
My commute consists of 17 miles mix of dual carriageway, motorway and roads. I'd probably average around 40mph in the morning and 20mph sat in traffic on the way home
Given the nature of my commute, I would assume this would rule out the bigger, modern diesel engined cars like the 330/335d and VAG 3.0tdi? Especially now a DPF removal will constitute an MOT failure?
Reliability and good looks are key too, which are obviously subjective.
In terms of budget, I'd like to spend no more than £12k.
With all that being said, I can't stop looking at E91 and E92 330/335i which would struggle to get 20mpg from reading around on the internet...
The most sensible option seems to be: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014... They seem to have plummeted in price, probably due to the new model arriving and can be remapped to a claimed ~240bhp with respectable MPG figures to boot!
HELP!
Simon
Audi S3 is a beautiful car, can they really achieve 30mpg easily? With stop start driving?
Also a big fan of the Scirocco but it might be a tad small, would need to carry 2 sets of golf clubs on a Saturday morning. Also, which engine?
Never really been a fan of the Golf to be honest, the Skoda seems much better value for money unless you much prefer the looks of the Golf, which I don’t really.
Also a big fan of the Scirocco but it might be a tad small, would need to carry 2 sets of golf clubs on a Saturday morning. Also, which engine?
Never really been a fan of the Golf to be honest, the Skoda seems much better value for money unless you much prefer the looks of the Golf, which I don’t really.
Given the average speeds a bike licence might make more sense.
If you're doing some other mileage at the weekends/evenings that will warm things up a bit more then a diesel might make sense, but if the majority of the mileage is that commute then you might start to get DPF issues, having said that I spend months at a time doing 9 miles each way and not had any problems with my Octavia diesel.
If a lot of that commute is spent stationary in traffic then something with stop-start might make a lot of sense, as could a hybrid. I know it's a swear word on PH but stop start city driving is exactly what they're aimed at. In fact for 34 miles/day an electric would be even better and the money saved on running costs could be spent on something fun for the weekends.
I know this doesn't meet the Fun or Fast parts of your criteria, but how are you going to go fast or have fun when stuck in traffic?
If you're doing some other mileage at the weekends/evenings that will warm things up a bit more then a diesel might make sense, but if the majority of the mileage is that commute then you might start to get DPF issues, having said that I spend months at a time doing 9 miles each way and not had any problems with my Octavia diesel.
If a lot of that commute is spent stationary in traffic then something with stop-start might make a lot of sense, as could a hybrid. I know it's a swear word on PH but stop start city driving is exactly what they're aimed at. In fact for 34 miles/day an electric would be even better and the money saved on running costs could be spent on something fun for the weekends.
I know this doesn't meet the Fun or Fast parts of your criteria, but how are you going to go fast or have fun when stuck in traffic?
siross said:
Also a big fan of the Scirocco but it might be a tad small, would need to carry 2 sets of golf clubs on a Saturday morning. Also, which engine?
The 2.0 TSI I imagine would be the best bet or I believe they do a smaller 1.4T if you could manage with 160bhp rather than 200 oddNever really thought about a motorcycle to be honest, never really been into them to be honest. I enjoy the comfort of a car but not being stuck in traffic sounds fantastic. Having said that, I’m only stuck in proper traffic on my way home from work, I leave early enough in the morning to dodge it.
I would be taking the car out circa every other weekend to Wigan games which would be a longer distance motorway commute and we’re always heading out to family, Trafford centre etc etc…
I’ve driven the Nissan Leaf and it was great to drive, effortless and extremely quiet however, it’s about as desirable as a kick in the nuts.
My main concern with spending a lot more on cars with stop start or hybrids would be that I don’t do enough miles to actually recoup the capital cost over the life of the car.
It’s also a good point about having a fast car being sat in traffic. I effectively want something comfortable in traffic but something with speed that I can use when required. I’ve had the Vectra since I was 21 (7 long years) and I would love something with the ability to overtake on the motorway! I know keeping the Vectra and buying a faster weekend car could be an option but then the costs of running 2 separate cars worries me slightly, road tax, maintenance etc…
I would be taking the car out circa every other weekend to Wigan games which would be a longer distance motorway commute and we’re always heading out to family, Trafford centre etc etc…
I’ve driven the Nissan Leaf and it was great to drive, effortless and extremely quiet however, it’s about as desirable as a kick in the nuts.
My main concern with spending a lot more on cars with stop start or hybrids would be that I don’t do enough miles to actually recoup the capital cost over the life of the car.
It’s also a good point about having a fast car being sat in traffic. I effectively want something comfortable in traffic but something with speed that I can use when required. I’ve had the Vectra since I was 21 (7 long years) and I would love something with the ability to overtake on the motorway! I know keeping the Vectra and buying a faster weekend car could be an option but then the costs of running 2 separate cars worries me slightly, road tax, maintenance etc…
siross said:
Audi S3 is a beautiful car, can they really achieve 30mpg easily? With stop start driving?
Also a big fan of the Scirocco but it might be a tad small, would need to carry 2 sets of golf clubs on a Saturday morning. Also, which engine?
Never really been a fan of the Golf to be honest, the Skoda seems much better value for money unless you much prefer the looks of the Golf, which I don’t really.
The 2.0T in the s3 is the same as the octavia isn't it? Just has a bigger turbo though so I'd imagine the MPG is only a slightly bit worse but you get a much faster and competent car so might be worth the trade off? I think you'd struggle to hit 30mpg in that kind of commute personally unless using a small engine/ diesel. The 1.4TSI might be a good shout for a mix of economy and performance.Also a big fan of the Scirocco but it might be a tad small, would need to carry 2 sets of golf clubs on a Saturday morning. Also, which engine?
Never really been a fan of the Golf to be honest, the Skoda seems much better value for money unless you much prefer the looks of the Golf, which I don’t really.
This is what I'd go for! not sure on the white colour but could live with it
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
I have a E90 330i & I think its a cracking all rounder its comfy on a long run just about enough performance to have fun & I do around 250 miles a week in mine & the computer shows 25.6 mpg & I don't go on the motorway that's just A & B roads & some town work but if you behave if returns over 30 mpg easily on a run.
The engine is a genuine delight its smooth has a nice sound at high revs & 258 bhp on paper seems plenty but it does have to lug a fair bit of weight around with it which spoils the fun slightly.
Had a E90 330d too for 6 years & loved that as well the torque on that does come in handy but fancied the petrol version as I don't really warrant a diesel with the miles I do.
Both cars come highly recommended from me & the Coupe is even more practical as the rear seats fold & that's only an option on the saloon.
The engine is a genuine delight its smooth has a nice sound at high revs & 258 bhp on paper seems plenty but it does have to lug a fair bit of weight around with it which spoils the fun slightly.
Had a E90 330d too for 6 years & loved that as well the torque on that does come in handy but fancied the petrol version as I don't really warrant a diesel with the miles I do.
Both cars come highly recommended from me & the Coupe is even more practical as the rear seats fold & that's only an option on the saloon.
A fast car will be boring when stuck in traffic as you can't drive it hard and the car will be so competent at lower speeds it will feel quiet, refined and totally dull.
I think you need a little warm hatch you can thrash along, think Fiat Panda 100hp, Peugeot 205GTI or 106GTI, Renaultsport Twingo, etc, etc. Still got enough grunt to overtake and you'll have more fun working it hard, but still get 35-40mpg when taking it easy.
Oh, and any car does 0mpg while stationary in traffic, which will drag down your overall average mpg...
I think you need a little warm hatch you can thrash along, think Fiat Panda 100hp, Peugeot 205GTI or 106GTI, Renaultsport Twingo, etc, etc. Still got enough grunt to overtake and you'll have more fun working it hard, but still get 35-40mpg when taking it easy.
Oh, and any car does 0mpg while stationary in traffic, which will drag down your overall average mpg...
i used to spend all mymoney on one car, then it had to do all tasks thrown at it
i have since realised that a sensible car for work and a couple of hobby cars are the way forward
I plan to have my boring work car, a Jimny for fun in the winter and some sporty softtop number for the summer
The jimny and softtop will cost no more than £1500 each and the insurance will be swapped between them. If you buy sensibly, they will sell on for what you paid for them or more
if your current vectra is reliable, i'd keep it and look at getting a hobby car
this all assumes you have the space to keep them of course!
i have since realised that a sensible car for work and a couple of hobby cars are the way forward
I plan to have my boring work car, a Jimny for fun in the winter and some sporty softtop number for the summer
The jimny and softtop will cost no more than £1500 each and the insurance will be swapped between them. If you buy sensibly, they will sell on for what you paid for them or more
if your current vectra is reliable, i'd keep it and look at getting a hobby car
this all assumes you have the space to keep them of course!
BGarside said:
A fast car will be boring when stuck in traffic as you can't drive it hard and the car will be so competent at lower speeds it will feel quiet, refined and totally dull.
This is absolutely spot on & the reason I sold my V8 M3 as I found that dull most of the time & had very few chances to use the performance, I also agree something lighter & more nimble will reward for more of the time...I fancied a new Fiesta ST as I think they are a fantastic package. FastNReliable said:
My 335i returns 26-27mpg on a 20 mile commute. If I didn't hold onto the revs I reckon could get that closer to 30.
I deliberately didn't consider the 335i over my 330i as I thought they would be pretty juicy if used hard but it seems they return pretty much the same in economy as the 330i...I think I might have made the wrong choice sadly. cerb4.5lee said:
I deliberately didn't consider the 335i over my 330i as I thought they would be pretty juicy if used hard but it seems they return pretty much the same in economy as the 330i...I think I might have made the wrong choice sadly.
I've found the 335i to be a really good all-rounder. I've owned mine for going on 4 years and circa 40k miles; the 26-27mpg has been consistent during that time. For the most part I like to enjoy the acceleration and the sound however there have been a couple of periods (these have typically lasted a few days at a time) where I've driven smoothly and seen 31-32mpg as a result.Must say though as good as I think the 335i is, the two car route does appeal as it allows something a bit bonkers for fun while proving an overall saving on fuel due to using a small frugal car for the daily commute.
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