The Short commute car - what to get, or wont I kill

[8-P]

Hi All

Moved jobs 3 months ago, my commute is now literally 2 miles each way.

It feels like an opportunity to get something fast(its been a while since Ive not needed to care about fuel consumption) however, there is no real opportunity to go the long way home. So weekends would be the only time I could give it a blast.

My question is, how quickly will this kill something half decent, budget 25K ish, ideally an estate(this is my only car but Ive got a family), I like the idea of an Audi RS4 Avant(probably need to be nearer 30K) on that one. This would do: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

But such a short journey in a turbo'd car, is this a bad idea?

Any experiences welcome.

[pherlopolus]

Get whatever you want and a twizy for commuting

[8-P]

Should have said, drive too tight for 3 cars(wife has 1). Can’t be doing with the expense and agro of 2 cars either, that and the weekend car would so rarely get used.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

You are considering driving when it's walking distance?

(Unless of course you need to visit sites etc)

[8-P]

Have to drop my daughter at school first, I’d be too late in if I walked

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

8-P said:

Have to drop my daughter at school first, I’d be too late in if I walked

Aha. Kids eh?

[8-P]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Aha. Kids eh?

This would be so easy if I could walk every day, the car would be an ultra low use weekend thing.5 years till shes taking herself to school, cant wait that long.

[Shiv_P]

Do you need 4/5 seats and a big boot? or only 2 for a child seat for your daughter?

[anonymous-user]

Can't believe people drive that sort of distance.

[8-P]

No i need an estate really, planning on getting an invisible tow bar so I can take my mountain bike on the back / family bikes to places. Otherwise, no, Id have more choice, probably buy an M3 or something like that.

[Jim AK]

That distance will throw you issues with the most basic engine imo, not to mention an RS4, as it wont ever get to normal operating temperature.

Nice problem to have though. I wish I only had a 2 mile commute!

[8-P]

keirik said:

Can't believe people drive that sort of distance.

No choice literally, I used to walk an hour each way to work pre kids and ride 15 miles each way on my bike pre kids, cant happen now.

[curlie467]

Pushbike then, surely you could do it in the time needed?

[8-P]

Jim AK said:

That distance will throw you issues with the most basic engine imo, not to mention an RS4, as it wont ever get to normal operating temperature.

Nice problem to have though. I wish I only had a 2 mile commute!

Well it is, and it isnt hence my thread. Ive got a Seat Leon FR tdi at the moment, end of my first week the red light came on saying you need to clear your dpf

[curlie467]

Is school on the way to work or out of the way?

[8-P]

curlie467 said:

Pushbike then, surely you could do it in the time needed?

Its not ideal, no showers, still have to get my daughter to school(one mile the other way) so drive to school, come back, get changed, get bike, ride to work, get changed, no shower. Itll be a pain in the arse, Ive done thousands and thousands of bike commuting miles in my time so I know the drill.

[fido]

I would have thought a hybrid (I know this is PH but ... ) like a Prius would be good for this type of journey. Then you can get something fun for the weekend. I used to do 1.5 miles in my MX-5 and that was bad enough - it would be terrible for a V8 saloon car. Agree with others, I would cycle in the summer or on good days - so much healthier and you don't have to worry about a second car.

Edited by fido on Saturday 3rd February 13:43

[curlie467]

Just buy what you want then, it's your choice really, you may have no problems or you may have loads.

[Jimbo.]

8-P said:

Its not ideal, no showers, still have to get my daughter to school(one mile the other way) so drive to school, come back, get changed, get bike, ride to work, get changed, no shower. Itll be a pain in the arse, Ive done thousands and thousands of bike commuting miles in my time so I know the drill.

You don’t need to shower after 2-3 miles of commuting.

[anonymous-user]

8-P said:

curlie467 said:

Pushbike then, surely you could do it in the time needed?

Its not ideal, no showers, still have to get my daughter to school(one mile the other way) so drive to school, come back, get changed, get bike, ride to work, get changed, no shower. Itll be a pain in the arse, Ive done thousands and thousands of bike commuting miles in my time so I know the drill.

Take child to school on bike, ride straight to work - that's 4 miles. No need for a shower after 4 miles.