NEW Commuter - 135 mile Round Trip - Car Suggestions

[OllySnoad]

Hi all,

I am new to the PistonHeads forum and also new to doing a long regular commute. I currently live around 6 miles outside of Norwich, Norfolk and have recently accepted a new job working in Cambridge, I will be expected to be in the office around 3 weeks out of the month and the drive is around 67 miles each way (134 mile round trip). I am wanting to buy a car that is going to soak up the miles and be comfortable to drive, I am hoping people may have some other suggestions for me, now onto the details:

CURRENT CAR:
2008 (58) Vauxhall Astra Sporthatch 1.6 16v SXI (Exterior pack), 70,000 miles on the clock. I haven't had the car that long after buying it from my brother who has moved to Oz and needed the cash. I think its worth around 2.5k as a trade in.

BUDGET:
Including the cost of my car based on a trade in value of 2.5k I am looking to spend a total MAX of £15,000 on a new car.

OPTIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
I have a 5 year old daughter and a dog (Shar Pei), for those of you who dont know what one is google it, they are the wrinkly dogs from China. Due to the above I feel that I am limited really to either a hatchback or an estate as I need the room in the boot for the dog when we go on long trips. So far I have been considering:

• Audi A3 - 2.0 TDI
• Audi A4 Avant - 2.0 TDI
• Ford Focus
• Vauxhall Astra

Later today I am viewing a Black 2011 (61 plate) Audi A3 S Line Black Edition 2.0 TDI (140) Stop/Start with 55,000 miles on it, half leather seats, priced at 13,950, what are your thoughts on this car, anyone own one and done a lot of miles in it?

What are your suggestions as I am open to new ideas.

[HughS47]

I do an 85 mile daily commute in a '58 plate mk5 Golf GT TDI 170, DSG. 52k with every toy for nearly £10k. I own a 30kg Labrador who loves the boot when I take him out in it and still loads of space, especially with a roof rack. I average 56mpg.

Wonderful commuter car but not terribly exciting!

[HughS47]

I do an 85 mile daily commute in a '58 plate mk5 Golf GT TDI 170, DSG. 52k with every toy for nearly £10k. I own a 30kg Labrador who loves the boot when I take him out in it and still loads of space, especially with a roof rack. I average 56mpg.

Wonderful commuter car but not terribly exciting!

[Scousefella]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[SLCZ3]

Skoda Octavia diesel, Oh and of course MX5.

[amusingduck]

14k on a second hand A3?! Must be joking!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

That's where I'd put my money

Edited by amusingduck on Wednesday 19th November 07:41

[lufbramatt]

15k on a focus/astra? Wow. Some very nice cars available for that sort of money. For that sort of mileage get something with the comfiest seats and a nice long wheelbase for a better ride.

[McWigglebum4th]

Prius

Hugely reliable and uses less fuel in the real world then a diesel

[OllySnoad]

Thanks guys,

You have given me a few other options to consider!

[therealpigdog]

What's wrong with the Astra? Any savings on fuel will be offset by depreciation. I'd keep the cash personally.

[mattfuey]

Personally, I'd go with something like these

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

I'm doing 100 miles round trip in an A3 DSG 170, it's ok, but there are far more comfortable ways to travel I think..

[JakeThePeg]

Alfa 159 1.9 JTDM

[Randomthoughts]

Everything other than the Audi A4 on that list is the wrong class to be doing that sort of mileage unless you like being a cripple.

Personally, I'd be looking at a second hand Volvo (more for your money than similar price BMW/Audi/Merc due to mental depreciation) or a Mondeo/Insignia type thing if you don't mind dropping a level in build quality.

Astra/Focus/A3 for over 100 miles a day is a mug's game. Or someone so concerned with their image whilst having shallow pockets that they don't care that it's a 1.6.

Oh, and go for the 1.9/2.0 diesels. As attractive as the 1.6 diesel 'no tax' stuff is, they're ste on fuel on the motorway.

[BoRED S2upid]

Audi a4 avant out of those.

[fitz1985]

Hey Norfolk Buddy!

I have an Astra estate and do that journey regularly to visit folks. My thoughts...

The improvements are about to finished so you should be able to do 60-70mph for most of the difference, so something that isn't quiet is going to get annoying, and its bolt straight, so unless you do lots of twisties too, something comfortable is going to be more important..

- My Astra is a petrol, its fine and would do about 38mpg on that commute providing you drive it sympathetically. Mine also seems to have a slight drone at 70mph which can a pain, I think its a little undergeared for motorway work, not a problem if your buying a diesel. Its certianly comfortable enough.

- I'd keep your current car for a couple of months, you might not like the job, can't deal with the commute etc, get settled and out of probation before having a look. Its not like your going to do much damage to the value of the Astra you have, and its not going to be ruinous to do the miles in either.

- With that budget I'd go get yourself an S60/S80, I really like the facelift old model S80's but just too much money when I was car shopping. Nice comfortable place to soak up the miles, and you should be able to get a cared for one with that budget. An Insignia is definitely worth a look too, very comfortable and quiet, and plenty of choice to get a good one. I did 6+ hours in one in a day, and felt no worse for wear. I think you might find the Audi's ride harsh compared to an Sri Astra...although 'sporty' they are pretty compliant on Norfolks roads.. Perhaps a Lexus hybrid is worth a look too? Although I think the new 300h is still a bit pricey.

-Oh and don't rush to spend £15k on a car to do that, that sort of mileage is going to knacker a very new cars value, better to spend £10k on a perfectly decent car, and have some money in the bank for servicing and repairs. Its not like your going to be able to take a £10 taxi for a couple of days, so try and be pro-active with looking after it.

[Al U]

2005-2008 VW Golf Match 1.9 TDi is my default answer for these threads. I used mine for a 100 round trip daily on the m25 for 3 years. It never broke down and returned minimum 50 mpg even at higher speeds. Comfortable place to be, cruise control as standard etc. It's about to go up for sale in the next couple of weeks too

[sparkyhx]

1 year old Hyundai i30/i40 deisel - 4 years warranty still left.

win win

Not the most exciting option, but probably lowest risk/cost

Edited by sparkyhx on Wednesday 19th November 09:07

[andy-xr]

You're going to do 20k pa getting to work and back. I've done this before, and it's better to buy cheap and buy many times. Diesel Peugeots, the 8V ones are generally alright for this. Mondeos are OK too, but they will throw up problems with the flywheel or injectors or fuel pump at some stage.

I'd definitely treat a commuter car as throwaway and spend the bare minimum on it for economy, comfort and maintenance. Older Volvo might be worth a look

[IndyH]

The Golf GTD would be a good car to go with, if you want performance as well.

[anonymous-user]

Asabove you are better to buy many and cheap, a £15,000 car doing 20k a year will destroy the value plus the cost of any repairs.

My friend does a 100mile commute in an old Pug 406(?) estate and in the 10 years he has had it its cost him tyres, brakes and a few small niggles at MOT time, average's 50 odd MPG - cost naff all to buy and its worth naff all now @ 230k odd miles (he is the second owner).

Pointless going for a small premium car when much cheaper and older car's do the same job without lightening your pocket.