Sub £2k - Reliable, Low Tax, High MPG for Motorway Miles

[smckenna92]

Need a car for mainly motorway miles, will be driving Edinburgh to Newcastle 120 each way 2 twice a month

High MPG at motorway speeds - MPG: 40+ (Ideally 50+)
Shed money but can stretch to £2k for performance OR luxury OR service history
Reliable OR cheap to fix
Low tax
Don't mind diesel but worried about the reliability of anything around 2010 onwards (probably out of budget anyway)
Bonus points for an estate, cruise control, leather

I have been looking at:

Higher-end: E46/E90x 3 series
Middle: Saab 9-3
Low end: MK2 Ford Focus - Titanium - Various Engines

[smckenna92]

SCEtoAUX said:

Yaris

Mk1 OR MK2

Petrol or Diesel

I had previously ruled something like this out as I thought it would be high in the rev range at motorway speeds or loud, making it uncomfortable.

[smckenna92]

MXRod said:

My daughter has a 2009 Seat Ibiza Ecomotive 1400 3pot zero road tax sounds like a bag of spanners at idle speed ,but quite muted at motorways speed .
Will happily do a genuine 70 mpg at 70 mph

Interesting and impressive - Sounds like I was wrong to rule out the smaller cars.

Assuming I could also include the Fabia and Polo in this group as well.

[smckenna92]

mikey-r said:

I run a 2003 e320 cdi Mercedes. Luxury motoring, auto, cruise, leather, auto lights, auto wipers, keyless go etc etc. I've managed 45-51 mpg on runs doing 70-90. I think £25 per month tax.

Mine's currently on 124k, and cost me £1800 about a year ago. I've done about 7000 miles and it hasn't missed a beat. It was bought as a stop-gap when I sold my M3, but it's become so useful and I actually love driving the thing... I suspect I'll be keeping it until it dies.

My dad has always had Mercedes so I am quite a fan

I was considering these as well but not even the best of man maths can justify it

Assuming 47mpg is achievable then that is still £10 more per round trip call it £20 x 12 = £240
Road tax at £25 X 12 = £300
Assuming higher insurance costs
More expensive parts, tyres, etc - lets assume nothing goes wrong or nothing needs spent on it

Still talking £600+ more in year 1

(some stupid man maths on a Range Rover lost me £7K plus in a year - hence why I being a bit cheap)

[smckenna92]

talksthetorque said:

Is this just for these journeys twice a month or would you use the car for other stuff?




No Speed cameras, No traffic 1hr 30 travel time

Your journey time and distance either side of the station may also make this a no go.

Yes, this what I plan on doing short term, it's not the end of the world and I can do some work on train ride.

It can be economical if tickets are booked in advance, but it does mean departure time etc are dictated which is not ideal since the journey is for pleasure rather than business ha ha.

Also I am a piston head and have been out of a car for 6 months and itching to just be driving anything at this stage - I live city centre so shops, gym, work are all walking distance.

Car would literally be for weekend trips with my mountain bike, trips to New castle or visiting family in Glasgow & dundee.