Commuter HELP! 120 miles in VW Up
Discussion
I have recently found myself in what could be considered the ultimate first world problem... Being 'stuck' with a perfectly reliable, and somewhat likeable, cheap form of transport; my 6 year old Volkswagen Up! (Dougie)
Having owned the up from new, as a first car before heading off to university, all was well; and surprisingly kept my fantasy classified crusades at bay for a short while. While nearing the end of my degree, (and I feel as though I am in safe company to admit) faced many sleepless nights debating over a dream two-car garage. Due to other projects, a second degree, and the unnerving state of graduate employment, I have only recently found myself in a decent job.
Unfortunately, although a wonderful part of the world, I have lumped myself with a 120 mile daily commute from the Welsh bit Nr.Chester to Bangor; in said tiny, 1.0, nearly 70k Up! Although not being quite ready to commit myself to a new car purchase (being blessed by such affordable motoring); I am reaching the end-game of petrolhead euphoria, purchasing the second car!
Now, there are two options I can't bare to deliberate between:
keeping the Up! and going straight in with the fun, second car (I have my heart set on a sunburst yellow mk1 mazda eunos, preferably j-limited spec with LSD & lightweight fly wheel)
Or, ditching ye ol' faithful, and splurging on a much more desirable daily; and saving up for a fun toy (jdm mx5) in the near future. For a daily I am currently obsessed with the Audi b8 generation a4 avant in 3.0 tdi quatro spec (torn between manual & s-tronic)
TLDR
I currently commute 120 miles a day in a VW Up!, do I keep it and buy a fun toy, or do I swap it in for a fast comfy daily, and carry on pining for a eunos.
Having owned the up from new, as a first car before heading off to university, all was well; and surprisingly kept my fantasy classified crusades at bay for a short while. While nearing the end of my degree, (and I feel as though I am in safe company to admit) faced many sleepless nights debating over a dream two-car garage. Due to other projects, a second degree, and the unnerving state of graduate employment, I have only recently found myself in a decent job.
Unfortunately, although a wonderful part of the world, I have lumped myself with a 120 mile daily commute from the Welsh bit Nr.Chester to Bangor; in said tiny, 1.0, nearly 70k Up! Although not being quite ready to commit myself to a new car purchase (being blessed by such affordable motoring); I am reaching the end-game of petrolhead euphoria, purchasing the second car!
Now, there are two options I can't bare to deliberate between:
keeping the Up! and going straight in with the fun, second car (I have my heart set on a sunburst yellow mk1 mazda eunos, preferably j-limited spec with LSD & lightweight fly wheel)
Or, ditching ye ol' faithful, and splurging on a much more desirable daily; and saving up for a fun toy (jdm mx5) in the near future. For a daily I am currently obsessed with the Audi b8 generation a4 avant in 3.0 tdi quatro spec (torn between manual & s-tronic)
TLDR
I currently commute 120 miles a day in a VW Up!, do I keep it and buy a fun toy, or do I swap it in for a fast comfy daily, and carry on pining for a eunos.
Edited by Up_ExclamationMark on Thursday 27th February 16:04
I would buy a mile muncher e.g. mk 4.5 Mondeo to eat up the miles and buy yourself a nice mx5 or similar. 2 new cars without a massive outlay.
Are you planning on moving closer to work at any point in the near future? If you are then stick out the up! if it's alright and keep saving your pennies.
I think buying a barge will ultimately still leave you wanting your fun car. So I would avoid this option.
Are you planning on moving closer to work at any point in the near future? If you are then stick out the up! if it's alright and keep saving your pennies.
I think buying a barge will ultimately still leave you wanting your fun car. So I would avoid this option.
I would like to move closer this way, particularly for the roads, Angelsea circuit and the WRC; but I’m on a temp contract so am actively searching for something closer to home. In that scenario I think keeping the up and getting a fun car will be the more favourable option.
I’ve never considered the mondeo, but am a bit of a ford fan. Are they as comfortable as an A4/ Passat?
I’ve never considered the mondeo, but am a bit of a ford fan. Are they as comfortable as an A4/ Passat?
I did a 100 mile round trip 4-5 times a week in a Eunos for a year - the roof was only up if it was raining more than a light drizzle, and even then, if it started raining while I was on the motorway, I didn't risk stopping to put it up unless it was a cloudburst. Was 'interesting' in The Beast From The East, haha, and I'm sure I got a few 'weirdo' looks and a couple of the predictable Nescafe comments 
when it was zero degrees, but the motorbikers used to give respect, which was nice.
It's perfectly do-able and even enjoyable - sometimes I used to not look forward to the journey, but that was more the fact I had to do the journey itself, and by the time I arrived at the other end, I always felt like I'd had a nice run. Awesome in a blazing-hot summer (when you see the shiny new convertibles that have their roof down twice a year...) but, admittedly, a touch chilly in winter if you're not dressed suitably - the latter is helped with grippy gloves and a scarf to keep the wind from going down your back, and the heaters are ace in the Eunos, but a long motorway run can get cold due to lack of physical movement (due to not needing to steer or do anything but flex your right ankle).
It did 30-34mpg the whole time, which I thought was pretty good for an 'old' car, and servicing / tyres / insurance is cheap (although you might need to push the limits of specialist insurance policies, which generally seemed to work on the basis of 6k a year max, rather than 20k+... lol)
Fit winter tyres to avoid 'interesting' moments when it's icy and you should be fine, and a cheapo heated seat cover thing plugged into the fag lighter helped keep the chill off.
In other words, just do it
when it was zero degrees, but the motorbikers used to give respect, which was nice.It's perfectly do-able and even enjoyable - sometimes I used to not look forward to the journey, but that was more the fact I had to do the journey itself, and by the time I arrived at the other end, I always felt like I'd had a nice run. Awesome in a blazing-hot summer (when you see the shiny new convertibles that have their roof down twice a year...) but, admittedly, a touch chilly in winter if you're not dressed suitably - the latter is helped with grippy gloves and a scarf to keep the wind from going down your back, and the heaters are ace in the Eunos, but a long motorway run can get cold due to lack of physical movement (due to not needing to steer or do anything but flex your right ankle).
It did 30-34mpg the whole time, which I thought was pretty good for an 'old' car, and servicing / tyres / insurance is cheap (although you might need to push the limits of specialist insurance policies, which generally seemed to work on the basis of 6k a year max, rather than 20k+... lol)
Fit winter tyres to avoid 'interesting' moments when it's icy and you should be fine, and a cheapo heated seat cover thing plugged into the fag lighter helped keep the chill off.
In other words, just do it
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Thursday 27th February 17:50
Up_ExclamationMark said:
I would like to move closer this way, particularly for the roads, Angelsea circuit and the WRC; but I’m on a temp contract so am actively searching for something closer to home. In that scenario I think keeping the up and getting a fun car will be the more favourable option.
I’ve never considered the mondeo, but am a bit of a ford fan. Are they as comfortable as an A4/ Passat?
Simple buy your MX5 & sell your UP & with the funds from the sale buy a commuter car to while away the 30k a year.I’ve never considered the mondeo, but am a bit of a ford fan. Are they as comfortable as an A4/ Passat?
So you can get something like these, they were built for this kind of mileage.
Mondeo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Insignia
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Laguna
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I struggle to apply logic to most things car related. Ultimately that is the best idea, and I don’t think I give the Up enough credit; it’s infinitely more comfortable than my partners fabia, and sisters i10. Doesn’t feel much worse than my colleagues golf tbh. But after 6 years and the amount of time I spend in the thing, I am beyond bored of it.
Up_ExclamationMark said:
I struggle to apply logic to most things car related. Ultimately that is the best idea, and I don’t think I give the Up enough credit; it’s infinitely more comfortable than my partners fabia, and sisters i10. Doesn’t feel much worse than my colleagues golf tbh. But after 6 years and the amount of time I spend in the thing, I am beyond bored of it.
I know how you feel. I am currently grinding it out in a Blue motion Polo. I only do around 50 miles a day - i bought it cat D low mileage and apart from a loose oil plug it hasnt put a foot wrong. Its a really cheap commuter car to run.This is whilst i build my savings so that when i have more space and hopefully a garage i can justify treating myself to a weekend toy..
But on the other hand i also have moments where i think why dont i just get an M140i and sack off the polo and the thought of a weekend car..
Up_ExclamationMark said:
I struggle to apply logic to most things car related. Ultimately that is the best idea, and I don’t think I give the Up enough credit; it’s infinitely more comfortable than my partners fabia, and sisters i10. Doesn’t feel much worse than my colleagues golf tbh. But after 6 years and the amount of time I spend in the thing, I am beyond bored of it.
I hear you - I am the same, as heart rules head when it comes to cars!I am of the mind that motoring is only ever going to get slower / more enforced / more boring, especially with speed limiters seemingly coming to new cars in 2022 regardless of whether we want them or not, so buy something fun and do as much driving in it as you can now, as the window of opportunity to enjoy driving is closing at an ever-increasing rate.
The NA MX5/Eunos range in price from cheap-as-chips to mega-money. If you can find something that's a bit tatty and needs painting, but that runs well, it should be pretty cheap and you can just service it and drive it while not stressing about the salty roads or if it's parked somewhere less than desirable. They're also easy to work on and good for learning how to DIY
TotalMX5 in south Wales is a decent place for getting work done at a very reasonable price:
http://totalmx5repair.weebly.com
and I think he has an 'open door' Saturday club if you fancied just turning up and chatting about 5s with him and other addicts
(but call first to check it's on!)You've also got Blink Motorsport near Oulton Park, which seems closer to you, who are known for their engine upgrades and race experience, but they are more expensive:
http://www.blinkmotorsport.co.uk/
You could pay a visit to the Mighty5s trackday at Llandow later in the year as well, if you wanted to chat to people and perhaps have a ride out on the sunday run
https://mighty5s.com/thread/3460/mighty5s-track-we...
+1 on the cheap and reliable saloon.
I did try to do a slightly shorter commute (90 miles round trip) in an economy oriented hatch (Lexus CT200h), and I am giving up after a year and a half: car has been brilliant, cheap and reliable as hell, but I need more comfort.
I do have a toy for the weekend, but how much time do you spend in your daily car in winter ? Without seeing/driving your toy ?
Reliable comfortable cheap daily (as mentionned before + Accord + Avensis + C5) + toy for the weekend is my favorite
Congrats for already looking (and being able) to have two cars: see you soon to talk about the third one ! :P
I did try to do a slightly shorter commute (90 miles round trip) in an economy oriented hatch (Lexus CT200h), and I am giving up after a year and a half: car has been brilliant, cheap and reliable as hell, but I need more comfort.
I do have a toy for the weekend, but how much time do you spend in your daily car in winter ? Without seeing/driving your toy ?
Reliable comfortable cheap daily (as mentionned before + Accord + Avensis + C5) + toy for the weekend is my favorite
Congrats for already looking (and being able) to have two cars: see you soon to talk about the third one ! :P
Jcwjosh said:
Up_ExclamationMark said:
I struggle to apply logic to most things car related. Ultimately that is the best idea, and I don’t think I give the Up enough credit; it’s infinitely more comfortable than my partners fabia, and sisters i10. Doesn’t feel much worse than my colleagues golf tbh. But after 6 years and the amount of time I spend in the thing, I am beyond bored of it.
I know how you feel. I am currently grinding it out in a Blue motion Polo. I only do around 50 miles a day - i bought it cat D low mileage and apart from a loose oil plug it hasnt put a foot wrong. Its a really cheap commuter car to run.This is whilst i build my savings so that when i have more space and hopefully a garage i can justify treating myself to a weekend toy..
But on the other hand i also have moments where i think why dont i just get an M140i and sack off the polo and the thought of a weekend car..
RSTurboPaul said:
Up_ExclamationMark said:
I struggle to apply logic to most things car related. Ultimately that is the best idea, and I don’t think I give the Up enough credit; it’s infinitely more comfortable than my partners fabia, and sisters i10. Doesn’t feel much worse than my colleagues golf tbh. But after 6 years and the amount of time I spend in the thing, I am beyond bored of it.
I hear you - I am the same, as heart rules head when it comes to cars!I am of the mind that motoring is only ever going to get slower / more enforced / more boring, especially with speed limiters seemingly coming to new cars in 2022 regardless of whether we want them or not, so buy something fun and do as much driving in it as you can now, as the window of opportunity to enjoy driving is closing at an ever-increasing rate.
The NA MX5/Eunos range in price from cheap-as-chips to mega-money. If you can find something that's a bit tatty and needs painting, but that runs well, it should be pretty cheap and you can just service it and drive it while not stressing about the salty roads or if it's parked somewhere less than desirable. They're also easy to work on and good for learning how to DIY
TotalMX5 in south Wales is a decent place for getting work done at a very reasonable price:
http://totalmx5repair.weebly.com
and I think he has an 'open door' Saturday club if you fancied just turning up and chatting about 5s with him and other addicts
(but call first to check it's on!)You've also got Blink Motorsport near Oulton Park, which seems closer to you, who are known for their engine upgrades and race experience, but they are more expensive:
http://www.blinkmotorsport.co.uk/
You could pay a visit to the Mighty5s trackday at Llandow later in the year as well, if you wanted to chat to people and perhaps have a ride out on the sunday run
https://mighty5s.com/thread/3460/mighty5s-track-we...
for anything short of 20 odd miles over an MX, regardless of the weather. I imagine the open top and low seating position provides such a sense of occasion; feel like I’m in a Tiguan with Up’s comically high seating position (the worst driving position I’ve come across)
Up_ExclamationMark said:
It’s a difficult situation isn’t it! I think the main gripe about the up is just how slow it is. Spent half an hour stuck behind a mondeo taxi (surprisingly) only doing 40 on a lovely stretch of the a5 yesterday before I found a straight suitable to land a 747 and could overtake. Then again I’d probably end up in a hedge if I went straight to a m135/40i or equivalent.
There's fun to be had with a diesel rep mobile that'll make your commute more comfortable swifter & it'll also serve as a nice fillet to your MX-5.I have gone this way & find it works well, or you could get yourself a nice commuter bike & have the MX-5 something like one of these:
SV650
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Suzuki-SV650S-Good...
CB600
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-HONDA-CBR600-ABS-W...
Or something a bit more sporty
Triumph 675 Daytona
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-06-TRIUMPH-DAYTONA...
They're very good bikes & will light up your commute everyday will be a good day even the wet ones!
If you like sports bikes there are some good options but I'd probably go for the Triumph at this price point.
GSX-R 750
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GSXR-750-2005-K5...
GSX-R 600
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/suzuki-gsxr-600-k5-2005...
ZX6R 636
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Kawasaki-ZX6R-P7F-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-zx6r-636/25452...
CBR600RR
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Honda-CBR600RR-CBR...
If you like sports bikes there are some good options but I'd probably go for the Triumph at this price point.
GSX-R 750
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GSXR-750-2005-K5...
GSX-R 600
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/suzuki-gsxr-600-k5-2005...
ZX6R 636
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Kawasaki-ZX6R-P7F-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-zx6r-636/25452...
CBR600RR
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Honda-CBR600RR-CBR...
Up_ExclamationMark said:
I would like to move closer this way, particularly for the roads, Angelsea circuit and the WRC; but I’m on a temp contract so am actively searching for something closer to home. In that scenario I think keeping the up and getting a fun car will be the more favourable option.
I’ve never considered the mondeo, but am a bit of a ford fan. Are they as comfortable as an A4/ Passat?
I know that route, and funnily enough I've just bought a MK4 Mondeo as a bit of an in-betweener. I've never driven an Up! but I wouldn't fancy it up Rheallt hill I’ve never considered the mondeo, but am a bit of a ford fan. Are they as comfortable as an A4/ Passat?
My Mondeo is 2l diesel, avg 45 mpg, great toeque in 3rd and 4th. Dunno about the A4 but a 2010 titanium will have a lot more extras than the Audi for about 4,500 - 5,000 and overall a far better car for that route than a tiny city car. It's quiet for a diesel too. My made had a passat, god it was bland.
Christ, the rhuallt hill is an experience. I can just about get up in 5th if the traffic is clear and I have it pinned, otherwise I can manage it in 4th. I used to get about 65mpg, but now I’m bored I don’t get much over 50, so really wouldn’t notice the extra running costs of a modern diesel.
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