Daily Driver Suggestions (50 mile commute)

[fatal3rror]

So, we have found the perfect house but that means my daily commute will go up from 10 miles to about 50. I am having second thoughts about running my current DD the Cayman everyday and possibly replacing with something more economical with worldly comforts, but probably still a little bit fun. I have a Caterham as a weekend/summer car so this replacement would be a DD and just that.

Key requirements are:
- Should be economical (Diesel would do fine but concerned about long term user car prices)
- Preferably a 2 door hatch (it's just the wife and me, so hardly every need rear seats/doors)
- Option rich (I want it to be a nice place given I will spend about 2 hrs in it everyday - sat nav, heated seats, climate control, etc.)
- Reliable
- Budget of about £7.5k
- Decently fun (appreciate it won't be a Cayman or a Caterham but some driver engagement would be nice!)

Thoughts appreciated!

[fatal3rror]

steve-5snwi said:

Mini Cooper S or even the SD if you must have a diesel. Fiesta ST would be nice but try one as the suspension might be too firm.

The current Clio RS doesn't get the greatest reviews but might be suitable, it has most of the toys you want with the benefit of being automatic.

Maracus said:

I take our 2010 Cooper S 3 times a week on an 80 mile round trip commute.

It's fine for 40 miles each way and at 70mph you'll easily mid 40s.

Ours has Heated Leather, Bluetooth and Xenons.

I think the Mini might be a good suggestion. To be honest, I have never driven one or been in one - so I am going to check them out. Might fall in the sweet spot of my budget as well!

Maccles said:

BMW 330d coupe?

Phil Dicky said:

Merc CLS....will eat up those miles.

Possibly but would be stretching my budget I think!

The Spruce goose said:

would go with a saloon/estate, 50 miles will be nothing, a hatch will never be as comfy.

something like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-ELEGANCE-...

diesel auto and estate will come in handy for new house tip runs. Look for one with leather and job done.

I think an estate is overkill for what I need. I would definitely want a hatch or a coupe.

Toed64 said:

Umm...on that budget, I'd have to suggst that you do not buy anything with the BMW N47, 4 cylinder, diseasel engine. You'd be buying into the years when catastrophic timing chain failure is most likely. The BMW 6 cylinder diesel would be a much better bet...

However, I'd suggest a BMW 130i petrol: great fun (especially if you fit M3 lower control arms to correct the sabotage that BMW did to the steering geometry) reasonably economical on a run and they are very reliable.

Wouldn't be economical I don't think? I have a weekend toy so not too bothered about the DD being great fun

charltjr said:

Is that 50 miles total (i.e. 25 miles each way) or 100 miles total every day?

If the former, I'd keep the Porsche. It's only 12,000 commuting miles a year. If the latter, some sort of diesel barge would seem appropriate.

This is definitely an option. Running some quick numbers, I think it's about a £1k difference in fuel costs and the Porsche depreciates approx £500 per 10000 miles. In addition, it's pretty basic in the cabin - no cruise control, heated seats, etc. PLUS the new house has a double garage, so I could put the difference into another weekend car! (Perhaps a separate Car Buying thread for that one!)

[fatal3rror]

charltjr said:

Is that 50 miles total (i.e. 25 miles each way) or 100 miles total every day?

If the former, I'd keep the Porsche. It's only 12,000 commuting miles a year. If the latter, some sort of diesel barge would seem appropriate.

Should have said it's 25 miles each way, majority of which would be Motorway and then bumper to bumper traffic getting into Leeds

[fatal3rror]

charltjr said:

<shudder>

Hope it's an f-ing good job

I'd be looking for an auto for that sort of work. Also top marks for the double garage man-maths

Ha! I hope so too - the commute is scary as I only live 5 miles away at present but the double garage swayed the decision

[fatal3rror]

Some great suggestion guys - thanks!

Of the priorities, fun is way below comfort and economy! As has been said, there's only so much fun you can have on a motorway run or stuck in traffic. The more I think about it, an Auto is a must!

I had the Scirocco R before the Cayman, so would like something different.

My shortlist for cars to check out in person and test drive (very varied but hey you gotta start somewhere!):
e90 Auto Coupe
CLS
Mini Cooper S/SD

[fatal3rror]

ZX10R NIN said:

I can recommend this car as I have one, they're very comfortable (if you get a sport model with the orthopedic seats you really won#t go wrong) economical & a smart place to be.

Either engine will give you good economy mid 40's for the 3.0d high 40's for the 2.0d, the only thing that you might want to update is the stereo so that you have DAB/streaming etc.

Drop all the windows open the sunroof & you're in a very nice place despite sitting in traffic.

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

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

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

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

Or try & keep an eye out for one of these:

Avantgarde Sport they're very rare but they come with the orthopedic seats but not the AMG bodykit & stiffer suspension setup of the sport.

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

Those seats look lush!