Diesel for 60 mile a day commute

[Shieldsy94]

Hi all,

I currently have a 1997 Honda Civic EK9 Type R as my only car. It is high miles currently (250k km) but I don't really trust it to do 60 miles a day commuting to my new job.

So i was thinking a diesel. Most I want to spend is £2k ideally (saving for a house but will spend a little more if a good car/deal) and want something that is economical (45mpg is my target on motorway and A roads). I previously had a Vectra 1.9 CDTI 150 Elite when i was in Uni and that did 45mpg all day long over a 30 mile commute.

So far my options i've narrowed down are:

- Ford Mondeo ST 2.2 TDCI
- Skoda Fabia VRS 1.9 TDI
- Seat Leon FR/Cupra 1.9 TDI
- VW Passat Sport 2.0 TDI
- Audi A4 1.9 TDI
- Honda Accord 2.2 CDTI
- Lexus IS220D
- Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTI Elite
- SAAB 9-3 1.9 TTID

Any ideas? I don't want something too small and needs to be able to transport a bike on the roof (i have bike racks I want to use). Mileage doesn't bother me as long as condition is good and maintained.

Thanks

[ninjag]

Shieldsy94 said:

- a diesel
- Most I want to spend is £2k
- want something that is economical (45mpg is my target on motorway and A roads)
- I don't want something too small

1 Lexus IS220D
2 Honda Accord 2.2 CDTI (EX only)
3 Ford Mondeo ST 2.2 TDCI

These would probably be the ones I'd be looking at in that order.

[blue_haddock]

Saab 9-5 Estate in either 2.2 Tid or 1.9TDi versions?

[WCNFSL117]

I'd look at the Passat/Lexus/Mondeo.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mondeo Ghia X

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

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

407 SE

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

Vectra SRI these have the same drivetrains as the Saab

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

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

Saab 9-3

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

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

Alfa 159

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

These would be my picks in that order.

[adamInca]

Does your commute take you into a city centre? Many seem to be looking at low emission zones which would be punitive to any diesel but one pretty much fresh off the forecourt.

[flatso]

Citroen C5 2.0hdi exclusive

[Shieldsy94]

Thanks all for the suggestions! I'm siding more with the Mondeo ST just because its a bit more sporty than the rest. The only off putting is that supposedly the MPG isn't the best from the 2.2.

adamInca said:

Does your commute take you into a city centre? Many seem to be looking at low emission zones which would be punitive to any diesel but one pretty much fresh off the forecourt.

And no, it takes me into Selby centre so gladly it doesn't.

The C5 is a good shout but finding an exclusive is hard. Can find many VTR but figured may as well get the best spec/kit I can if i'm sitting in it for 2 hours a day.

The 9-3 is a good shout as well but it would have to be a facelift, just due to changing the radio to accept USB and they have fibre optics in the back of the prefacelift (can't change the radio).

I would've thought you'd be able to find a diesel accord for £2k but not a chance unless its been a taxi.

[breamster]

If mpg is a factor look at the 2.0 Mondeo not the 2.2. I've got a 2.2 and it does like a drink in comparison. Good car though.

[AJB88]

I've been a SEAT owner for 11 years, recently replaced my weekend car (420PS Cupra for a Porsche Cayman S) but have just picked up a MK1 Leon (2005) FR+ (FR+ has the Cupra R bodykit) which has the 1.9TDI PD150 lump in it, its running Stage 2 tune as well so circa 200ps.

Goes well, returns decent MPG even on my commute round MK.

[Shieldsy94]

breamster said:

If mpg is a factor look at the 2.0 Mondeo not the 2.2. I've got a 2.2 and it does like a drink in comparison. Good car though.

What is it like? Mine is probably going to be 90% motorways & A roads at NSL and people on the ST forum say anything from 40-55mpg

[Shieldsy94]

AJB88 said:

I've been a SEAT owner for 11 years, recently replaced my weekend car (420PS Cupra for a Porsche Cayman S) but have just picked up a MK1 Leon (2005) FR+ (FR+ has the Cupra R bodykit) which has the 1.9TDI PD150 lump in it, its running Stage 2 tune as well so circa 200ps.

Goes well, returns decent MPG even on my commute round MK.

I did look at these and even the older Cupra. Only issue i could find (along with a Fabia VRS) is that they don't have cruise control and that its a couple hundred quid to get it retrofitted

[AJB88]

Shieldsy94 said:

I did look at these and even the older Cupra. Only issue i could find (along with a Fabia VRS) is that they don't have cruise control and that its a couple hundred quid to get it retrofitted

Yeh you might be lucky enough to drop on one thats had it done, £199 from AwesomeGTI if not.

[dgswk]

Mondeo, run one as a commuter shed, 57 plate, 186k miles now, 20k a year, 2.0tdci Titanium X. Paid £900 off a neighbour (matched his WBAC price) 18 months ago. Apart from routine servicing and tyres, its been faultless. Not sure about the 2.2.

[Shieldsy94]

dgswk said:

Mondeo, run one as a commuter shed, 57 plate, 186k miles now, 20k a year, 2.0tdci Titanium X. Paid £900 off a neighbour (matched his WBAC price) 18 months ago. Apart from routine servicing and tyres, its been faultless. Not sure about the 2.2.

I always thought that the newer titanium X's were more expensive than that. Definitely one to look at!

[dgswk]

Shieldsy94 said:

I always thought that the newer titanium X's were more expensive than that. Definitely one to look at!

It’s tatty on the outside, deep cleaned on the inside and mechanically loved . No one seems to park next to me though? Would have thought £1500-£2000 would get you a good one with history.

[breamster]

Shieldsy94 said:

What is it like? Mine is probably going to be 90% motorways & A roads at NSL and people on the ST forum say anything from 40-55mpg

Sounds a little optimistic. I used to do a 25 mile each way commute across a fast (ish) a road and got 36-39mpg but I do have a heavy right foot. It's now being used for very short journeys (10 miles a day) and I'm getting 33-35mpg ish. I've never seen it as high as 45mpg. The most I've seen (I think) is about 41. This is measured by the tank, not using the onboard computer.

I had a Mk3 mondeo before that with a 2.0 tdci and it used to easily get in the 40s without trying to hard.

The other thing, my car is a 2010 titanium x sport on 18" wheels. On a smooth road it's good but on the bumpy stuff not so great. Very hard suspension. It depends on what you are looking for and what sort of driving you are going to be doing.

I've had my car 5 years and ~50K miles and its been great. a few minor niggles but aside from routine servicing, tyres etc I've spend maybe an additional £500 on it in that time.

[dgswk]

Re: Mondeo, my TittyX has 17” and its fine over lumps and bumps. My twice weekly commute is 90 miles each way, mainly motorway, and at 70ish I get 55-58mpg at the pump.

Oh, and for £900, the aircon doesn’t work and the GPS on the satnav is screwed too. Neither of which bother me as it had a 12 month ticket.

[Jag_NE]

At £2k and 15k+ miles a year I wouldn’t get tunnel vision on a particular make or model. Set the autotrader filters at the distance you are prepared to travel, the price limit you have and seek out the mintiest, well maintained, fewest owner, private sale car that there is. If the stand out car is a petrol, I’d take it. 2k is real potential lemon territory.

[dgswk]

Jag_NE said:

At £2k and 15k+ miles a year I wouldn’t get tunnel vision on a particular make or model. Set the autotrader filters at the distance you are prepared to travel, the price limit you have and seek out the mintiest, well maintained, fewest owner, private sale car that there is. If the stand out car is a petrol, I’d take it. 2k is real potential lemon territory.

This. The mondeo landed by accident. Could have been anything as a commuter. Go with mechanical history and ignore miles. My ‘man’ reckons she’s good for north of 250k miles without expense. Watch DMF/clutch, £600ish. Apart from that, everything should be good.