£7,000 fast commuter

[KnackeredSwede]

I want something with a bit of power for my commute. I’d love something petrol with a nice engine note, or a fun pocket rocket, but I doubt either are overly suitable for what I need. The fastest car I’ve ever had was a Saab 9-5 Aero and I loved the mid range power, but not so much the economy or reliability.

I do around 300-400 miles per week, and I need the car to be reliable and last a 3-5 years, so preferably something with low ish mileage, and reasonable enough on fuel on a run.

I’ve been looking at all sorts, and I’m just worried I’ll choose a complete money pit or on the other end of the scale something totally boring and want to swap it after a week! I need something that I can look at and be happy with, not disappointed.. body style doesn’t really matter, it’s just me & my Mrs and rarely have passengers, that being said I do like saloons and coupes over 2 seaters and estates.

Can anyone recommend a good all rounder that’ll keep me interested and be dependable, running costs don’t have to be silly cheap like that of a Toyota Aygo, but I don’t want to be spending £200 per tyre and a fortune on consumables and servicing either.

Any help very much appreciated,

Cheers

[CX53]

I’m in a similar boat as my lease is up very soon. I’m probably going to go down the shed route, but I had considered something like a C350 diesel in sport spec. Looks good, plenty of power and nice interior.

[RSTurboPaul]

What is your commute like?

40 miles of nose-to-tail motorway traffic doing stop-start-20mph average?

or 40 miles of quiet A- and B-roads without stupid speed limits or large volumes of morons doing 38 fking mph?

[KnackeredSwede]

Thanks for the Mercedes suggestion. May be worth a look, but never been that keen since two of the local hand car wash owners have bought them..

It’s 30 ish miles but can be 6 days per week, plus weekend driving. Some local roads, but mostly dual carriageway, free flowing in the morning, traffic on the way home. I don’t mind a B road blast every now and again on some of the rural roads around here too.

[Welshbeef]

S8
S6
S4
RS5
E55 K
C55


Next

[SteveR1979]

Welshbeef said:

S8
S6
S4
RS5
E55 K
C55


Next

RS5 for 7k???

Up to your usual standard I see

[Gregmitchell]

Welshbeef said:

S8
S6
S4
RS5
E55 K
C55


Next

High mileage money pitts, load of tosh! and yeah RS5!! haha! Show me one below £14k (and that will be a cat crashed POS!)

[ZX10R NIN]

With my bias head on I'd say CLK320cdi Sport they do big miles with ease a sensible re map will see it near 300bhp with no adverse effect on the car but a nice increase of 60-100 miles in tank range. They're very comfortable the Orthopedic seats will maen you get to your destination feeling fresh:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Same drivetrain wrapped in the more practical C Class Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Volvo S80 a remap will add a bit of extra go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you don't mind petrol then there's the C280 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

IS250 SE-L

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now if you want a true sleeper there's the Insignia 2.8t (loved by the police for undercover duties) Elite:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

GS300 SE-L

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Welshbeef]

Gregmitchell said:

Welshbeef said:

S8
S6
S4
RS5
E55 K
C55


Next

High mileage money pitts, load of tosh! and yeah RS5!! haha! Show me one below £14k (and that will be a cat crashed POS!)

Sorry S5 still 360bhp fun

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Gregmitchell]

To be fair I actually quite like that S5, if you could get it for £6k it would be a steal.

[n3il123]

Welshbeef said:

Sorry S5 still 360bhp fun

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Tyres for my a5 3.0 (admittedly on 20 inch wheels) are 250 a corner.

And i didnt think the 4.2 v8 was 360 bhp?

[ZX10R NIN]

Audi S4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Welshbeef]

n3il123 said:

Welshbeef said:

Sorry S5 still 360bhp fun

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Tyres for my a5 3.0 (admittedly on 20 inch wheels) are 250 a corner.

And i didnt think the 4.2 v8 was 360 bhp?

Just clicking on the above link they are 349bhp

[mike9009]

How about an E90/ 91/ 92 BMW with the N53 engine?

My 330i returns 33mpg on my commute, over 40 mpg on a run. Tyres are 17" and cost about £100 per corner. Quite a few around for the budget. Straight six sounds great when stretching its legs too..... (tax is £230 per annum)


As much as the V8 S5 is a great bargain, I suspect the running costs are prohibitive for the OP.

Mike

[Welshbeef]

mike9009 said:

How about an E90/ 91/ 92 BMW with the N53 engine?

My 330i returns 33mpg on my commute, over 40 mpg on a run. Tyres are 17" and cost about £100 per corner. Quite a few around for the budget. Straight six sounds great when stretching its legs too..... (tax is £230 per annum)


As much as the V8 S5 is a great bargain, I suspect the running costs are prohibitive for the OP.

Mike

Good shout - agreed that engine does sound lovely
254bhp might be enough for OP - OP what do you say ?

[dhutch]

Welshbeef said:

Good shout - agreed that engine does sound lovely
254bhp might be enough for OP - OP what do you say ?

Absolutely only the OP can answer that, but equally my E46 330ci, which is very similar performance 0-60, launches itsself forwards really fairly briskly for a commuter and the E90 should have the edge once you get to higher speeds.

Obviously the S4/S5 has yet more power, as would an M3.


Daniel