Bargain long distance commuter (£3-5k)

[WFL]

Asking for a friend... Well, my old man.

He's had an BMW 320d (F30) for the last two years but wants to start putting some money away for his retirement. This means a cheap commuter that's capable of covering 500 miles per week, very reliable and capable of returning 50+ MPG.

Current thoughts...

- Audi A2 - can get a very nice one for under £3k, won't rust, very light and will return great economy
- First-gen Honda Insight - although these are getting very thin on the ground

The obvious answer is a city car/supermini/Golf diesel but I can't see him in one. He can be a hard man to please but seems to have a fondness for A2s - I think he likes how well engineered they are (as an engineer himself).

Help me out chaps...

[vtecyo]

Something with the PD130 engine.

[GreatGranny]

Get him to do a extended drive n an A2 first.

I've read they have a harsh ride which isn't good for 500 miles per week.

I used to do similar mileage and had an S40 for 2 years.

Great seats 1.6d so averaged 60 mpg (but wouldn't go for that engine again, stick to the 2.0d) and well equipped.

Or a C30 if he likes something a little different.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say let your dad drive the A2 as much as I like them I wouldn't want to be doing 500 miles a week in one he can have a mix of comfort & 50+mpg:

DS4 Sport

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

Seat Exeo Sport Tech

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

Alfa Giulietta Veloce

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

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

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

508 Allure more comfortable than the above & much more reliable than the equivalent 320d

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

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


Mondeo Titanium

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

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

Laguna Coupe if your dad likes things a little different this car ticks a lot of boxes

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

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

Volvo C30 D3

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

[flatso]

Citroen C5...will be hard pressed to find something better.

[Pistonheader101]

It’s going to be hard beating the fuel economy on a 320d

[ZX10R NIN]

Really? Most of those of match or beat the 320d.

[TheVole]

A diesel C30 (the D3 and D4 are the same engine, just a different map) is a good shout here.

Or one of the 2.2 diesel Hondas, my Civic has been almost faultless and it's on 166k.

[Salmonofdoubt]

I'm currently doing about 400 miles a week, and also wanted cheap and reliable.

I bought a very cheap Kia Ceed and it's only fault is the lack of cruise control. With a £3-5k budget he'd get a much newer one with more toys. The 1.6 diesel is a bit agricultural but it does the job, manages 50mpg if you're careful and has a chain meaning oil changes rather than cambelt ones.

It has absolutely no image, doesn't do anything sporty but as a tool mines done 25,000 miles so far without anything other than routine maintenance.

[Deep Thought]

Pistonheader101 said:

It’s going to be hard beating the fuel economy on a 320d

Great all rounder as the 320d is, i've never found them to be terribly economical.

[confused_buyer]

Volvo, 508, Laguna, Accord, Mondeo all good shouts. All very good cars, just as well built (or better) than a BMW and as cheap as chips for what you get.

Any reasonable spec Volvo would be ideal. Something like a S60 D3 or D4 SE Lux is probably coming into budget now.