LPG car dying, need high mpg car

Jed Shields · 12 Aug 2011 at 09:43

Hi guys,

my Vauxhall Astra 1.6 LPG car hasn't got long left so I need a new car that'll be doing 400+ miles a week, mainly motorway. I'm currently looking at either a Vauxhall Insignia or Ford Focus, nothing too big but nice and comfortable. Fuel type, I assume diesel is the way to go? What size and type of engine would be best and what realistic mpg could I expect to get? I'm getting confused with all the engine names and eco types

To put things into perspective, my current Astra costs around £40 - £45 for the 400 miles trip ...

[TW]Fox · 12 Aug 2011 at 09:46

Go for the new 520d Efficient Dynamics.

It's even in the cheap road tax bracket.

All other Eco cars are rubbish in comparison.

Joe T · 12 Aug 2011 at 10:01

Budget?

Some form of 2.0 diesel might well be suitable. Each manufacturer has their own "eco" brand (e.g. BMW's Efficient Dynamics, Vauxhall's Ecoflec etc etc).

Jed Shields · 12 Aug 2011 at 10:14

Budget £10-£13k, no older than 09 I guess. Ish.

Ben Cole · 12 Aug 2011 at 10:16

[TW]Fox;19811913 said:
Go for the new 520d Efficient Dynamics.

It's even in the cheap road tax bracket.

All other Eco cars are rubbish in comparison.

Why not 320d? Less car to haul around and I presume there is a 3 series with the same engine that is in the 5 series you mentioned?

rojones · 12 Aug 2011 at 10:24

Ben Cole said:
Why not 320d? Less car to haul around and I presume there is a 3 series with the same engine that is in the 5 series you mentioned?

yeh 320d ED list mpg 68 (although it seems 60ish is more realistic from looking around.

[TW]Fox · 12 Aug 2011 at 10:24

Because the 5 is a better car than the 3 in every possible way and is pretty much the same price new? It's also a generation newer than the 3 which goes out of production in 2 months.

Though irreverent as the op has now posted his budget.

Ben Cole · 12 Aug 2011 at 10:34

Interesting to know though.

breadturbo · 12 Aug 2011 at 13:51

just be aware whatever you get you wont get near the 70mpg of the astra more like 55, so the journey will be an extra tenner if driven carefully

Jed Shields · 12 Aug 2011 at 19:21

breadturbo said:
just be aware whatever you get you wont get near the 70mpg of the astra more like 55, so the journey will be an extra tenner if driven carefully

I'm looking at one of the new Astra 1.7 diesel ecoflex - this could be a reasonable mpg for the price...

The Edge · 12 Aug 2011 at 21:24

will it not take a week to get anywhere though?

Jed Shields · 13 Aug 2011 at 10:15

Astra 12 seconds to 70mph + 3 hours on the motorway @ 70mph = 3 hours 12 seconds
Ferrari 4 seconds to 70 mph + 3 hours on the motorway @ 70mph = 3 hours 4 seconds

I'm sure I'll cope with the lack of performance ...

[TW]Fox · 13 Aug 2011 at 10:18

Way to miss the point.

CRUMPLYPORK · 13 Aug 2011 at 10:20

VW POLO Blue Motion?
Im sure on top gear it did 800 + miles on a full tank.

J1nxy · 13 Aug 2011 at 11:05

Seat Exeo or Leon with the CR TDI engine, latest gen VW diesel could get 600+ miles out of the one we had and they are reasonably spec'd

TRNC · 13 Aug 2011 at 11:55

[TW]Fox;19820141 said:
Way to miss the point.

Actually not.

He makes a very valid point that for the journeys proposed it makes very little difference and in reality 3 hours on the motorway is probably more comfortable in the Astra than a ferrari if only on the ear drums!

[TW]Fox · 13 Aug 2011 at 12:02

Why not get a 1 litre Toyota Aygo?

GinG · 13 Aug 2011 at 12:22

or a 0.9 twin air fiat 500?

Jed Shields · 13 Aug 2011 at 15:21

TRNC said:
Actually not.

He makes a very valid point that for the journeys proposed it makes very little difference and in reality 3 hours on the motorway is probably more comfortable in the Astra than a ferrari if only on the ear drums!

Way to get the point

Philz0r · 13 Aug 2011 at 15:46

i have the new astra petrol mate, i test drove the diesels and they felt horrible :S