What car for 6 months motorway commuting 50miles/day

[infernouk]

I current have a VW UP as I live in the city, new job means a 1 hour each way 100% motorway commute.

I wanted to upsize the car to something easier to live with for the 6 months until I relocate near to the job.

Is the best move to just buy something like a DSG Golf Diesel and sell it when I move? Or is there a smarter option?

I did consider skipping buying the sensible car and just buying a sports car like a GT86 but the 30mpg might get too pricey vs a possible 60 mpg in the golf, also not a nice car for motorways and traffic.

Budget I had in mind was about 7k cash, or if I just skip and go to the long term short commute car straight way, I was going to budget 15k.

Any thoughts and recommendations? I need something reliable enough as its a new job I don't want to break down and not make it in!

Cheers guys

[A500leroy]

Id go with a Honda Civic

[Wilmslowboy]

As you said Golf GTD - easy peasy sell on in 6 months.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go long term short commute car as it's only 6 months I'd just live with it as you really won't save that much, if you really want to go the short term then I'd spend less than half of you're 7k & buy something like these that will still be easy to sell.

CLK270 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007181...

220 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...

C320 Avantgarde SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009083...

[infernouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go long term short commute car as it's only 6 months I'd just live with it as you really won't save that much, if you really want to go the short term then I'd spend less than half of you're 7k & buy something like these that will still be easy to sell.

CLK270 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007181...

220 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...

C320 Avantgarde SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009083...

For the commuter option the MPG is essential to
Keep costs down, I assume over a 2.0 engine will be pretty thirsty? Also what’s reliability like on such old cars? As mentioned that’s my main concern as I don’t want to be stranded on the side of the motorway in winter

The issue with buying the more long term car now is I’m thinking of a GT86 and I’m not sure how that’ll handle winter weather and motorways

Edited by infernouk on Saturday 19th September 22:00

Edited by infernouk on Saturday 19th September 22:00

[SCEtoAUX]

Octavia perhaps?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009103...

Should be reliable, cheap to run and perfectly comfortable for that commute.

That is the Elegance model, decent amount of kit on those too.

[ZX10R NIN]

infernouk said:

For the commuter option the MPG is essential to
Keep costs down, I assume over a 2.0 engine will be pretty thirsty? Also what’s reliability like on such old cars? As mentioned that’s my main concern as I don’t want to be stranded on the side of the motorway in winter

The issue with buying the more long term car now is I’m thinking of a GT86 and I’m not sure how that’ll handle winter weather and motorways

Edited by infernouk on Saturday 19th September 22:00

Edited by infernouk on Saturday 19th September 22:00

On a run you'll see an easy 40-45mpg & if you have the (220/270 mapped) you'll see a real world 48-51mpg reliability on those Mercedes is pretty much a given (make sure the gearbox fluid & filters have been changed) the 2.1& 2.7 are bulletproof.

I would say a GT86 will be more than capable of handling UK winters & motorways with ease.

[infernouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

On a run you'll see an easy 40-45mpg & if you have the (220/270 mapped) you'll see a real world 48-51mpg reliability on those Mercedes is pretty much a given (make sure the gearbox fluid & filters have been changed) the 2.1& 2.7 are bulletproof.

I would say a GT86 will be more than capable of handling UK winters & motorways with ease.

Thanks I’ll look into them!

I actually had a GT86 a few years ago and with stock tyres it was quite spinny in the cold weather, and motorways it lacks the straight line punch slightly but I’m sure it’s workable for 6 months

[Jag_NE]

Personally I wouldn’t bother. You will lose on the part ex and then again when you come to sell the new car on unless you get lucky and can be bothered with private sales. Say you lose 2.5k, that’s over 400 quid a month.

[infernouk]

Jag_NE said:

Personally I wouldn’t bother. You will lose on the part ex and then again when you come to sell the new car on unless you get lucky and can be bothered with private sales. Say you lose 2.5k, that’s over 400 quid a month.

So go straight for the GT86 even if the fuel is bad?

[Jag_NE]

infernouk said:

So go straight for the GT86 even if the fuel is bad?

Keep what you have mate, buy in 6 months time

[infernouk]

Jag_NE said:

Keep what you have mate, buy in 6 months time

Just really didn’t want to be driving a base spec UP for 2 hours a day on the motorway with broken aircon ha

[anonymous-user]

Better the devil you know. Fix it? Also you won’t need AC in 3 weeks (if in the UK)!

[imck]

Difference between 30 and 60 MPG is about £100/Month for your Commute. £100 vs £200 approx.
You would be lucky to break even when selling the Diesel.

Keep your UP or get the GT86 now.

[ZX10R NIN]

Get the GT86 now buy some better tyres, the OE tyres aren't the greatest or get a Merc diesel for 6 months you won't lose loads (maybe £500) if anything, I wouldn't be keeping the UP though.

In all honesty if your planning on buying the 86 just buy it now & change the tyres.

[Pit Pony]

Until lockdown I was doing 500 miles a week in a 3.2 omega. You need something ultra comfy with zero depreciation, so i probably should suggest a 2.5 TD omega.
Make sure whatever you buy has cruise control.

[infernouk]

Valid points, I’d be doing private sales, would a 6 month use of a used golf or any of these other options really effect the value more than then £600ish gained from using it for the better mpg saving?

If this is the case I guess going straight to the 86 might be the move and just accept it costs what it costs short term

[tomwilliams0326]

as you. are doing 50miles a day, getting an electric car could save you some money
something like a renault zoe or nissan leaf
failing that a pcp for a bigger one
the savings would be huge

[james_gt3rs]

GT86 will do 40mpg on the motorway and has cruise control. It's not very refined but the seats are good. Personally I would keep the Up for 6 months unless putting miles on it will kill the value (seems unlikely?)

[infernouk]

james_gt3rs said:

GT86 will do 40mpg on the motorway and has cruise control. It's not very refined but the seats are good. Personally I would keep the Up for 6 months unless putting miles on it will kill the value (seems unlikely?)

yeah i think keeping the UP is the decision that makes most sense, just been unsure about 6 months without any comforts or power, but i guess if i just get on with it then it wont be that bad, then when relocated I can opt for something way more fun without financial constraints from the interim purchase