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Possible to have fun and economy in a commuter?

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Burny16v

Original Poster

160 posts

195 months

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Friday 25th August 2017

Like many of us, I spend a fair amount of time planning my next car, but I'm struggling with where I might be able to go next!

At the moment, my commute is 39 miles each way, so in a year I probably do around 18k. My current car is a 2011 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi, bought solely for the purpose of getting through those miles as cheaply as possible. £30 per year tax, an easy 55mpg, lovely. However, given that my commute is solely cross-country A/B roads, I do miss having something with some sporting credentials! As nicely as the Fiesta handles, it is lacking in the power department.

Given that the writing seems to be on the wall for diesels, when I do change I'd be looking at petrols, but are there any fairly economical petrol cars that also offer a bit of fun, or is that trying to have my cake and eat it? I had the pleasure of using a new Fiesta ST for a short period of time, and that managed a calculated 38mpg relatively easily on my route, so I could probably live with a number around there. Price wise, I'd be looking at £15k for a cash/used purchase, or if financing something new, around £250 a month. Is one option better than the other when you're putting fairly big miles on a car?

I appreciate one suggestion may be to have two cars, but I don't find that option entirely practical, and I do have a share in a Clio 182 with my dad for track days/hill climb. I know that could be enough to satisfy my petrolhead urges, but as I spend a lot of my time on the commute it'd be nice to make it a little more fun! And, as I say, surely the next move has to be away from diesel anyway, given the future (or lack of) for diesel powered cars.

Without knowing too much about their commuting credentials, some cars I like include hot hatches such as the Fiesta ST, BMW M135i, VW GTi's. Open to slightly more left-field ideas however, as long as they're not likely to let me down!

AndrewGP

2,074 posts

180 months

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Friday 25th August 2017

I have a Clio 182 as my daily, and as you're most likely aware owning a share in one, it's fairly easy to get 38-40mpg out them driving sensibly but have a lot of fun when you want to. I personally love mine as my commute is 13 miles one way and the car is a mint condition, low mileage example, but I accept the build quality and driving position aren't up to everyone's standards!

Newer Mk6 and Mk7 Golf GTi's are allegedly capable of 40mpg but (so I've read in the GTi lease thread) only on a steady motorway run and it's more like 25mpg hooning along A and B roads.

You also suggest Fiesta STs, I believe they do fairly well, but my older Mk6 was pretty bad and I couldn't get much better than 30mpg no matter who much I tried.

MorganP104

2,605 posts

148 months

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Friday 25th August 2017

Have you considered the Suzuki Swift Sport?

Tidy handler, quick enough, decent economy. All boxes ticked, as far as I can tell! smile

ZX10R NIN

29,503 posts

143 months

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Friday 25th August 2017

Burny16v

Original Poster

160 posts

195 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 25th August 2017

AndrewGP said:

Yeah, I actually had a 182 as a daily at uni and found it surprisingly economical! I'm not sure I could hack it for 78 miles a day though. I've driven ours to work a few times and whilst it's not so much a comfort thing, it's just a bit wearing and whilst it's well specced, it's not a 'nice' place to be necessarily. They are way more reliable than people think though, and would have one no problem for a shorter distance. Golf wise, I've read the same, and believe the Polo GTi's are likely to be an even better option; I think you can pick up the latest shape for near enough 15k used too. As I say, I have driven a mk7 ST on my route for a short time and found it pretty good on fuel, so it's definitely an option I think. The new shape out next year sounds like it has an even more economical engine, so with some good deals could be a shout, or wait for the deals to end and people to hand them back!

MorganP104 said:

Have you considered the Suzuki Swift Sport?

Tidy handler, quick enough, decent economy. All boxes ticked, as far as I can tell! smile

Ahh, a good shout! I remember looking at them a few years ago and completely forgot. The new shape looks quite nice, no doubt sturdy and reliable, a few mod cons and as you say, a cracking drive with relatively low running costs. Consider them added to the list.

ZX10R NIN said:

RS265 Lux with a Cup Chassis, Clio 220 Trophy, Alfa Mito Quadrifoglio, Giulietta TBI, 208 GTI Prestige

That's a good list! I actually work for Renault Sport, and we have some good lease deals on the new Clio R.S, but sadly it's a firm 9,000 mile limit, so I'd be changing the car pretty often! I also had a Clio 200 EDC for a little while and found even with very careful driving, 33 was as good as it could get on my route without it being stressful. They are much nicer inside than Clio's of old though, and I personally quite like the dual-clutch box. Still a distant option if I can make the maths add up, as we don't pay any deposit so that could go to fuel. I like the RS265's and believe they can be pretty economical, they're definitely on the list. Alfas are nice but I'd always be worried about their reputation and being let down in the middle of nowhere! I'm sure fans will tell me it's nonsense, and the Giulietta is a lovely looking car. The 208 GTI is definitely one I'd not considered though, they actually look very nice and the Prestige has a good spec for a small car. Look great value, and being genuinely pretty small, I'm sure they're a little more economical than more bloated cars. Seeing these also put me onto the 'hot' DS3 from Citroen. Thanks!

I've also put onto the list a new-shape Mini JCW. I have access to BMW/MINI discount also, but again, I'm not entirely sure if you're better off putting miles onto a financed new car, or a cash purchased used.

ZX10R NIN

29,503 posts

143 months

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Friday 25th August 2017

The Alfa's are good cars & just as reliable as anything else where the Alfa suffers is that some of the dealers are truly woeful.

InitialDave

13,815 posts

137 months

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Friday 25th August 2017

I'd say Ecoboost Fiesta, though it's not much more for an ST...

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