Small Car for a Long Commute?

[Frankthered]

Hello all. A couple of weeks ago, I started a new job which requires a commute with a round trip of around 85 miles of motorway (45 mins to an hour each way). Mrs FTR really needs a car for running about so my plan is to get something smaller and more economical than the QQ for my commute and let her have use of the QQ.

Reason for small isn't just to save fuel but also to make parking easier as things get pretty tight where we live. Budget is about £7-8k and my thoughts are that something like a Yaris, a Mazda2 or a Hyundai i20 might fit the bill and still be comfortable enough to be ok. (Preferably diesel if I can find one.)

I've tried the Yaris and i20 for size and they seem ok - also tried an i10 and that did feel small. Didn't drive any of them, just sat in them for the moment - also (for giggles) tried a 500 and found it to be surprisingly comfortable, so might consider one of those.

Any other suggestions?

[Trevor555]

Try a MK3 Fabia, 2015 onwards.

Monte Carlo version may be just out of budget, but the SE is still pretty well equipped.

I didn't like the three cylinder diesel one, went for the 1.2 petrol four cylinder with 110bhp.

It does over 50mpg on a run, and is £20 tax for the year.

They drive really well for a small car, and have loads of standard kit, including mirror link for your phone, decent speakers, auto emergency braking etc..

[sosidge]

I have a current shape i20. Stable and quiet on the motorway, you would not think it was a "small" car. It's very spacious on the inside.

I have the 1.2 petrol and I'm not that taken with the engine - lots of deadspots in the bottom end and only just enough power to merge smoothly. The 1.0 turbos might be better, haven't driven one to comment.

Very cheap to run though.

[kieranblenk]

My partner does 50 miles a day on the A1 in a 65 plate Clio dCi Dynamique S. It is a great little car, very roomy and comfortable but returns over 60mpg on a run. The 1.5 unit is very punchy and torquey so doesn't feel breathless on the motorway.

In contrast I have a 1.2 TSI Fabia with the 6 speed box and that's also very refined but for me the Clio is a much better long distance companion - it's more "long legged" than the Skoda for a small car.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the 500 is a very good shout I've supplied a fair few & they're a good car, I'd say look for a lounge model as they have a very good spec:

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

But with that much motorway work I'd say a 1.6d will be more efficient & give better real world than the smaller engined diesels for example I'd say go for the Alfa Mito (& bank some cash) rather than a 500.

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

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

My other pick would be the Smart Fortwo in Passion trim I loved mine fuel economy was ridiculous but the small engine does mean a genuine 70mph is achievable with relative ease:

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

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

Or a 208 GT Line for normal me would be the pick over the Mazda & Yaris you mentioned.

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

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

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

Citroen DS3 Style Nav

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

Fiesta Titanium X

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

Zetec S

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

[GreatGranny]

ZX10R NIN said:

Fiesta Titanium X

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

Picked up a 2010 one of these at the weekend for the daughter but the 1.4 TDCi version.
Really refined for a small car and driving home the 40 miles it felt like a much larger car.
Loads of kit and nice seats.
Think the 1.6 is more suited to your commute but the 1.4 didn't feel too slow by any means.
60+ mpg should be easily attainable.

[DSLiverpool]

A Clio is available for £200 down and £200 a month, maybe a bit more on your miles but you could use the cash for other stuff and "hire" this.

[Frankthered]

DSLiverpool said:

A Clio is available for £200 down and £200 a month, maybe a bit more on your miles but you could use the cash for other stuff and "hire" this.

Oh yes, I know all about those offers, DS! Don't tempt me!! Some are doing similar offers at 0% too.

I don't really want to get into another PCP at the moment as we have the QQ on one and, while I haven't tried one of the calculators, I suspect the mileage would make it quite a bit more expensive.

Some interesting alternatives to ponder though, thanks everybody!

[Blanchimont]

The Mrs has got a 500 Twinair 85hp, and on a trip to Bristol > Hull > Back it did 55mpg, and that was at 8-8.5mph. This was with AC on.

I did managed 68 out of it on a gentle cruise to Swindon from Bristol the other week. With the AC on.

[Roger Irrelevant]

I regularly do hour-plus journeys in our Yaris and I'd happily use it for that distance of commute. Post-2008 ones (which yours clearly would be) have quite a long (for a small car) sixth gear that means even our petrol one will get 50mpg on an A-road/motorway journey without really trying. Super reliable too. Ours is a 2009 model so I expect later ones are better if anything. Truth be told, though, despite often reading on here that any commute of more than 20 miles would be simply intolerable in anything other than a LWB S-Class, I expect that just about any modern supermini will be perfectly good for the job.

[beerexpressman]

I've been using a Fiat 500 as a daily since September. I wouldn't recommend it for a long commute. I'm finding it pretty tiresome TBH. It's a great city car, easy to park etc...

[DSLiverpool]

Old Leaf?

[Deerfoot]

I did a 100 mile round trip commute in a Polo GT TDI for a couple of years.

It was OK, I`d have certainly been more comfortable in a larger car but the Polo coped well enough.

[underphil]

why a small car? - for doing motorway miles I'd have thought something bigger would be ideal

[G111MDS]

Might be getting a bit too old now, but used to commute in an Audi A2 Tdi - pretty much ran on fumes, pretty pokey for a 3 cylinder, and lots of room.

[SCEtoAUX]

DSLiverpool said:

Old Leaf?

Yep, my thoughts exactly if it can be plugged in at the destination.

Fuel saving would up the budget to 10k.

[Ron99]

underphil said:

why a small car? - for doing motorway miles I'd have thought something bigger would be ideal

Easier for parking/garaging - either at home or at the other end?
Keeping purchase and running costs down?
Will also see use along country lanes?

[Frankthered]

SCEtoAUX said:

DSLiverpool said:

Old Leaf?

Yep, my thoughts exactly if it can be plugged in at the destination.

Fuel saving would up the budget to 10k.

It's not a bad shout and I can plug in at work - unfortunately, I don't have a practical way to charge at home, so it's not really an option at the moment.

[Mr Tidy]

Mrs Tidy bought a new R56 Mini Cooper in 2006.

We did quite a few trips to see her mother in it, so 400 miles in the same day and it was fine.

Plus on a quiet back road it was great fun - and it averaged over 40 mpg on the OBC.