New fast commuter
Author
Discussion

Rob209

Original Poster:

24 posts

141 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Hi - first post- hope it is in an appropriate place

I'm changing jobs and will now be doing 15-20kpa for the next few years. I currently own a 62 plate Octavia vRS saloon. I'm thinking I need to change my car to something with better mpg. I think what I want is probably impossible within my budget but would be grateful for some advice.

Budge is around 15k. I would like a high mpg commuter that is FASTER than my vRS. Reliability is clearly a must. I'd like something comfy with lots of interior toys. Auto, 4WD and estate are desirable but not must haves. Ideally I would like a 62 plate or later.

I've looked at 330d tourer but that blows the budget. Does anyone have any clever ideas?

Many thanks for your help

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

197 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
So you want faster and less fuel?

Rob209

Original Poster:

24 posts

141 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Yes. I know it's difficult which is why I haven't come up with something myself

mon the fish

1,572 posts

178 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
What mpg do you get at the moment out of the vRS - is it diesel or petrol?

I would say 330d tourer, but you would have to get an older one than you want

Rob209

Original Poster:

24 posts

141 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
It's a petrol so getting low 30s

C.A.R.

3,993 posts

218 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Considered a second car?

How much of your travelling time (what percentage of those 15/20k miles) will be spent sat in traffic, where the speed makes no difference?

I know that PH is where 'speed matters' but ultimately something doing high miles is more of a tool than a 'weapon' if that makes sense. £15k is a lot to spend on something which will be compromised (ie. won't be as fast as you could afford nor as economical) as you can't combine the two attributes you have chosen...

I would also argue that 15-20k miles per annum isn't that significant in the grand scheme of things. Also, why does the numberplate have any bearing on the car?

Is it the age of the car that matters, or what other peoples' perception of how old the car is?

Rob209

Original Poster:

24 posts

141 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
It's the age of the car. Don't want to get into a situation where it's difficult to sell on

Ali_T

3,379 posts

287 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Rob209 said:
Reliability is clearly a must.
Buy a Lexus.

andy-xr

13,204 posts

234 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all

Rob209

Original Poster:

24 posts

141 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Sadly not an option otherwise would be my first choice

andy-xr

13,204 posts

234 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
750hp and 1200 miles between refuelling on those Voyagers.

Having done the commuter car thing for ages, but not doing it now, if I was going to go back to that I'd buy a few stters over the course of the years doing it and do whatever to them - the Rover 25 diesel I had was earmarked for bigger injectors and a bit of adjustment to the fuelling. I didnt want out and out speed, just poke to get off roundabouts infront of those I'd gone down the outside of in a bit of queuejumping

Eta - carpark image means FA if you're commuting a lot of miles. If someone's willing to make a judgement on you based on the car you drive to work in, that's unfortunate for them. If it's your employer doing the judging, ask them for a company car. But when it's your own money doing the buying, just buy suitable for the job

Edited by andy-xr on Tuesday 20th January 14:47

ZX10R NIN

30,638 posts

155 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Rob209 said:
Hi - first post- hope it is in an appropriate place

I'm changing jobs and will now be doing 15-20kpa for the next few years. I currently own a 62 plate Octavia vRS saloon. I'm thinking I need to change my car to something with better mpg. I think what I want is probably impossible within my budget but would be grateful for some advice.

Budge is around 15k. I would like a high mpg commuter that is FASTER than my vRS. Reliability is clearly a must. I'd like something comfy with lots of interior toys. Auto, 4WD and estate are desirable but not must haves. Ideally I would like a 62 plate or later.

I've looked at 330d tourer but that blows the budget. Does anyone have any clever ideas?

Many thanks for your help
Under Budget but an 11 plate but mileage is good, not more powerful than the Skoda but close enough plus a remap will bring you right there.

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

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

201BHP Remap takes it to 250-260BHP
An Extra 80ft/lb of Torque with the Map
Combined Consumption Of 58.7 but realistically high 40's
Auto so easy cruising (no £1000 clutch replacemants)
0-60mph 7.1 Secs
Top Speed 149mph
Road Tax £130


Or this which ticks most of your boxes, it's the same 3.0 lump just de tuned & a bit worse on fuel than the 330d.

201bhp 40-50bhp with a re map an extra 70ft/lb torque
Combined consumption 45.6 more like high 30's
Auto
0-60 7.7 Secs
Top Speed 144mph
Road Tax £180

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






Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 20th January 15:35


Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 20th January 15:39

Atmospheric

5,346 posts

238 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
andy-xr said:
This!

GetCarter

31,302 posts

309 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
I assume you mean quicker, not faster. 139mph will be fast enough I guess.

VRS ranges from 7 to 8 seconds to 60mph

2.0 Audi A3 does 6.4

A4 will also do it but you are budget busting again.

GetCarter

31,302 posts

309 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Atmospheric said:
andy-xr said:
This!
I'm guessing he's rural, so not an option. There are NONE of those round here!

Rob209

Original Poster:

24 posts

141 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Thanks. You're correct. Train won't do it. Need to drive from home to 400 miles away. Stay in a (work-provided) flat 25 miles away from actual "office" then drive there and back 5 days a week before driving back home again at the weekend.

GetCarter

31,302 posts

309 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Rob209 said:
Thanks. You're correct. Train won't do it. Need to drive from home to 400 miles away. Stay in a (work-provided) flat 25 miles away from actual "office" then drive there and back 5 days a week before driving back home again at the weekend.
I'd be looking at Golf or A3

RobbyJ

1,824 posts

252 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

0-60 7 seconds
148 mph
201bhp

55 mpg average

Not the biggest car but big enough and when chipped they are quite a bit quicker and will still do 50+ mpg on a run, sounds like it ticks most of the boxes pretty well to me smile

Superchips:

Specs Original Increase
Horse Power 204 bhp 50 bhp
Torque 400 nm 92 nm

Must be good for a 6 second 0-60 when remapped!

Edited by RobbyJ on Tuesday 20th January 14:53

Ved

3,949 posts

205 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
A few questions: What MPG do you get now and what do you expect to get from the new car. Also, what mileage are you doing per year? I'm also assuming the costs of purchasing the new car, taxing it, servicing it etc are going to be identical otherwise you're going to need to factor in many other aspects of the new car.

Give us all the details of what you spend at the moment and we can give you a spot on car.

rockford22

362 posts

162 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
RobbyJ said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

0-60 7 seconds
148 mph
201bhp

55 mpg average

Not the biggest car but big enough and when chipped they are quite a bit quicker and will still do 50+ mpg on a run, sounds like it ticks most of the boxes pretty well to me smile

Superchips:

Specs Original Increase
Horse Power 204 bhp 50 bhp
Torque 400 nm 92 nm

Must be good for a 6 second 0-60 when remapped!

Edited by RobbyJ on Tuesday 20th January 14:53
Beat me too it - I am in the exact same situation OP and settled on a 123d Coupe, averaging 42mpg (calculated not OBC) with 49mpg on my longer runs, 260bhp with a remap and comfortable enough to commute the 80 miles I do a day. Seems to fit.