Suggestions for a commuter.

[HugoFastmann]

Hi guys,

Wondering if you could provide some suggestions on a good second car, a daily commuter. I'm moving house to a location about 40-odd minutes from work, so the cycle to work I do at the moment to save fuel costs won't be possible. I currently own a BMW 325ti, but running costs on a cross-country run will get too expensive, plus it's lowered with stiff poly bushes so it's not incredibly forgiving, so the plan is to put it in the garage during the week and get a commuter for the daily duties. My current criteria are:

• £5,000 max budget
• 50,000 miles max mileage
• As low tax as possible (yes, this probably means I'll be buying a diesel)
• As good fuel mileage as possible (see point above)
• As low insurance cost as possible

I have a couple of options in mind, but want to see people's thoughts to see if I'm neglecting better options.

[HugoFastmann]

I should probably add that the drive is a cross-country dash (across the New Forest) with a mixture of roads, but none really exceeding 40 mph for very long. Lots of stop/start routes - not from traffic but just lots of intersections - and fairly flat terrain.

[HugoFastmann]

Marc p said:

I'd probably be looking at an E60 520/525/530d if I were you.

Not sure I can find any in my price/mileage range. They're all £8k plus at sub-50k miles...

[HugoFastmann]

CYMR0 said:

Not too slow, not too crap, not too old.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Engine bay needs a clean! I guess a cheap Golf alternative, not a bad option.

[HugoFastmann]

Marc p said:

Then an E39 maybe? They are pretty bulletproof.

I would add though that I'd be looking at higher mileage examples, a low mileage diesel and you're asking for trouble in my opinion.

What's wrong with a lower-mileage diesel?

Also the older E39's are pretty high on tax. I'm already spending over £300 tax on my E46...

[HugoFastmann]

Surprised no suggestions for a 1.6 TDI Golf or Focus yet. Those aren't on my shortlist, by the way...

Any other good suggestions?

[HugoFastmann]

Marc p said:

I don't find them comfy and think Golfs are generally a bit overpriced on the used market.

What about a Volvo C30 D3/D5?

I think they're quite high up in the insurance groups. My insurance is quite expensive - despite driving for 15 years, my insurance in New Zealand doesn't transfer to the UK, so I'm only on 3 years no claims. Hence, I'm after something cheap to insure as well as cheap to run.

[HugoFastmann]

JamesRR said:

Me again - on the topic of the C30, that's what I have, in 1.6D flavour. I'm 19, and can insure it quite reasonably. Obviously the D3 or the D5 would be more though. But for daily driver use, the 1.6D is perfectly capable.
You'd nearly think I liked Volvo's or something.

Another option might be a 1.6 TDI Octavia?

How much is your insurance, if you don't mind me asking?

I haven't seen many Octavia's popping up in my searches when using the criteria in my OP.

[HugoFastmann]

ZX10R NIN said:

Or OP you could go for one of these it'd be perfect for your commute.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/triumph-675-daytona-/162...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-SUZUKI-GSXR750-GSX-...

Interesting suggestion! I had actually been thinking about getting a bike. I really want an old BMW R100...

[HugoFastmann]

5harp3y said:

I wouldn't be looking at a diesel for cross country sub 40mph

small petrol would be better suited and would get similar MPG if driven sensibly

less likely to have costly repairs too and will be cheaper to buy / more for your money

What style of car do you need? 4 seats family car or little runabout?

for 5k you can get low mileage little hatches like fiat 500s, VW up, Mazda 2 etc

cost nothing to run and less than £100 to tax with 40mpg

A 3-door hatch would do the trick, but a 4/5-door would also be fine. Basically anything except 2-seater will be fine.

I'm not sure i could bring myself to own a Fiat 500. They're so small, and I'm 6'4", and a male.

Petrol may be an option if the tax and insurance are low enough.

[HugoFastmann]

ZX10R NIN said:

Go for it you'll really enjoy your commute.

BMW R100
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1981-BMW-R100-Gulf-Cafe-...

That last one though! 😍😍😍

[HugoFastmann]

smn159 said:

You sure that cycling isn't an option, even if just a couple of days a week?

Flat route of, I'm guessing, 20 miles through the New Forest sounds ideal for a bike. Would also mean that MPG won't be so much of an issue.

I suppose it probably is an option. It's a lot of work though! I will probably give it a go a few times, but i can't see myself doing it all winter, especially when it's pitch black.

[HugoFastmann]

smn159 said:

Yeah, not keen on the cold and wet myself. I have a 27 mile each way hilly commute and have been driving in with the bike in the back then cycling home, then back in on the bike the next day. Building myself up to doing it both ways but that will mean carrying a backpack as well...

How long does it take you usually? I have the issue of no shower at the office, which does mean the ride in to work would be slow...

[HugoFastmann]

DoubleD said:

Owning 2 cars will cost you more than the fuel that you save.

That may be true, but I think the running costs of my E46 as a commuter will offset the cost of owning a more economical, less tax and more reliable commuter. That was my thinking anyway.

[HugoFastmann]

qska said:

Probably not if you want to keep the commuter insured

Would have to find a commuter that's cheap on insurance as well, as stated in my OP. My insurance on the E46 is already pricy enough!

GreatGranny said:

MINI Cooper Clubman

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Low insurance and tax, decent MPG.

Chuck your bike in the back, park up part way and cycle the rest

I've actually been eyeing out these recently. Bit high on the mileage and tax though - don't think I'd gain anything, and more likely be much further out of pocket.

[HugoFastmann]

Thanks everyone for your replies on this. I think it's one of those things were the only way to win is to sell the E46 and buy a cheap commuter, otherwise I'm throwing cash away.

Fortunately, the missus has a 1.6 TDI Golf which she won't be using anywhere near as much when we move 5 minutes from her work, so I think I'll end up using that on rainy days and cycling when the sun's out. I may be re-addressing this closer to winter though...

[HugoFastmann]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lol sell the car & get the Motorbike a heated suit sorts winter out

That is still an option, and might even happen before the end of the year. Will see what the budget allows over the next few months.

[HugoFastmann]

GreenDog said:

I have a similar journey to work, 14 miles taking up to 40 mins on a mix of A &B roads and I'm 6'2". I run a 10 plate Renault Megane 1.5dci which returns high 40s mpg, although i live in a very hilly area so on the flat would see more. Tax is £30 a year.
It's French so before somebody says it the only issue I've had in the 4 years I've run the car is a rear wheel bearing going and a 40 journey seems enough to have staved of any dpf problems.

I owned a Peugeot diesel once. I had problem after problem after problem for four months, so in the end I sold it for half what I originally paid for it and swore I'd never buy another French car again...