Car suggestions for a 40 mile commute (Uk) - Page 1 - Car Buying

sam871

Original Poster

4 posts

95 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 30th October 2018

Hello,

Due to a new job role I will be commuting 40 miles (each way), roughly 30 miles A roads and 10 miles City (19000+ a year). Not sure between diesel or petrol and have a budget of about 10k. I need the car to be economical, refined and comfortable as it can take up to an hour or more during rush hour.

On a separate note can anyone comment on 18-19' alloys, are they really that detrimental to the cars refinement?

A few cars I have been looking at;

Vauxhall Insignia VX Line
BMW 3 series (sport)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Volkswagen CC

Many thanks

LayZ

1,828 posts

271 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 30th October 2018

Any chance of a charging point at work? You will save serious money with a LEAF if so.

Evanivitch

26,316 posts

151 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 30th October 2018

LayZ said:

Any chance of a charging point at work? You will save serious money with a LEAF if so.

Or something like a Vauxhall Ampera.

Squadrone Rosso

3,670 posts

176 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 30th October 2018

Hybrid all the way if you want something sensible.

ZX10R NIN

30,534 posts

154 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 30th October 2018

lost in espace

6,586 posts

236 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 30th October 2018

30kwh Leaf will do that with a charge at home only, quick and easy to drive, warms up from your phone and is hot when you get in it on a freezing morning. Running cost less than a fifth of a fuel car and quick quick. Looks crap. Don't bother servicing it and more savings, zero RFL. Drive one and get in an ICE and they feel agricultural.

MrGTI6

3,304 posts

159 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 30th October 2018

A diesel 3-Series would be perfect.

FlatToTheMat

1,426 posts

192 months

[report]

[news]

Wednesday 31st October 2018

lost in espace said:

30kwh Leaf will do that with a charge at home only, quick and easy to drive, warms up from your phone and is hot when you get in it on a freezing morning. Running cost less than a fifth of a fuel car and quick quick. Looks crap. Don't bother servicing it and more savings, zero RFL. Drive one and get in an ICE and they feel agricultural.

This is an excellent suggestion and despite currently looking at they for the mother in law, not one id thought of. You really would save a fortune going this route. 30kw Tekna with a 6.6 charger would be ideal

GreatGranny

9,519 posts

255 months

[report]

[news]

Wednesday 31st October 2018

FlatToTheMat said:

This is an excellent suggestion and despite currently looking at they for the mother in law, not one id thought of. You really would save a fortune going this route. 30kw Tekna with a 6.6 charger would be ideal

I've had a quick look at Atrader and the only Leafs under £10k are 24Kwh models which would mean squeaky bum on range for 80 miles even in the best conditions.

FK

161 posts

93 months

[report]

[news]

Thursday 13th December 2018

Good evening all,

I'm new to this forum but have followed it for some time, and really enjoy reading the interesting topics on here.

With regard to car recommendations, I would echo the wisdom that has already been suggested. I'm currently doing a 33 mile (each way) commute in a mk1 Focus 2.0, and I'm constantly wondering if I should be changing to something a bit more appropriate.

On the subject of alloys, I imagine 18" or 19" alloys would allow for a very plush ride in a Range Rover, and possibly a slightly harsher ride in something like a fast hatchback. Ride is influenced (generally) by tyre profile height and suspension stiffness, amongst other aspects.

jjwilde

1,904 posts

125 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 14th December 2018

Leaf or Soul 30. Soul can be had for £209/month.

RSTurboPaul

13,078 posts

287 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 14th December 2018

FK said:

I'm currently doing a 33 mile (each way) commute in a mk1 Focus 2.0, and I'm constantly wondering if I should be changing to something a bit more appropriate.

Why do you feel a mk1 Focus is not an appropriate car?

What do you feel would be 'more appropriate'?

Mr E

23,035 posts

288 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 14th December 2018

GreatGranny said:

I've had a quick look at Atrader and the only Leafs under £10k are 24Kwh models which would mean squeaky bum on range for 80 miles even in the best conditions.

No chance in the winter.
I’d not much fancy it in a 30kw leaf in the winter without a charging option at the other end.

Prices currently seem stronger than a year ago. A friend had just bought a 2015 30kw leaf, and paid north of 12k for it

chuenmanc

74 posts

170 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 14th December 2018

Mr E said:

GreatGranny said:

I've had a quick look at Atrader and the only Leafs under £10k are 24Kwh models which would mean squeaky bum on range for 80 miles even in the best conditions.

No chance in the winter.
I’d not much fancy it in a 30kw leaf in the winter without a charging option at the other end.

Prices currently seem stronger than a year ago. A friend had just bought a 2015 30kw leaf, and paid north of 12k for it

I'm commuting 72 miles (round trip) in a 30kwh Leaf with no charger at work. In summer I arrive home with 35-40% battery remaining. In winter 25-30% left. I think 80 miles will be fine in a 30kwh, but I wouldn't fancy it in the 24kwh.

Agreed that second hand Leaf prices are much stronger than they were a year or two ago.

FK

161 posts

93 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 14th December 2018

RSTurboPaul said:

FK said:

I'm currently doing a 33 mile (each way) commute in a mk1 Focus 2.0, and I'm constantly wondering if I should be changing to something a bit more appropriate.

Why do you feel a mk1 Focus is not an appropriate car?

What do you feel would be 'more appropriate'?

This is the slight dilemma I'm having. If I'm honest, I would like it to be a bit quieter, and to use a bit less fuel, but factoring in the cost to change cars, it works out as better value for me to keep this vehicle going until it will go no more. Mainly me nit picking I guess

I'm not sure what would be more approriate. My dad's C320 is quieter but uses more fuel. and his mondeo mk3 2.0 petrol is also quieter, uses the same amount of fuel, but hasn't been all that reliable. And all the other cars I've looked at (and read about on here) all can't convince me to make the jump yet

So yes, the search continues. Any suggestions very welcome, partially why I joined this forum!

Mr E

23,035 posts

288 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 15th December 2018

chuenmanc said:

I'm commuting 72 miles (round trip) in a 30kwh Leaf with no charger at work. In summer I arrive home with 35-40% battery remaining. In winter 25-30% left. I think 80 miles will be fine in a 30kwh, but I wouldn't fancy it in the 24kwh.

Agreed that second hand Leaf prices are much stronger than they were a year or two ago.

That’s excellent and I stand corrected. The 30kw offers clearly more range than I expected.

flatso

1,364 posts

158 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 15th December 2018

Comfortable and refined?
Look no further then the Citroen C5 in Exclusive trim.
Double glased windows, massage seats and to top it all off the legendary suspension. Few cars this sid of the S-Klasse can come anywhere near the level of comfort and refinememt of the C5. It is one of the best the company has ever produced, and they have been refining comfort formover 60 years. Recommended by orthopedists in France.
Most of the other suggestions here ride like medieval carriages in comparison.
Try one, your back will thank you for it over time. They are supremly comfortable.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AUf74lohASE

I have driven one on rural roads in Romania and the above commercial is not really an exaggeration.

Edited by flatso on Saturday 15th December 05:07