New job... many more miles

edd1e

edd1e

edd1e

Associate
Joined
8 Oct 2005
Posts
1,742
Location
Oxfordshire
I've just landed a new job. My current commute is ~45 miles a day. With my new job it will double to around 85 miles a day.

I currently drive a Renault Sport Clio 172 that does around 35/37mpg on a run and this has been fine for this commute.

With my new job I think I could benefit from maybe swapping to a cheapo diesel, my annual mileage could now be over 20k. I know the common problems associated with diesels so just wanted to get people's thoughts on this.

I was thinking long the lines of a 1.8 tdci Focus or a Clio 1.5DCi 80. Both are around 2k (what the 172 is worth) and cheap to tax / insure and will much better MPG than the 172.

I know some people will run and cry at the thought of doing that kind of mileage in a old Focus or Clio, but it doesn't overly bother me to be honest.

Another upside to switching to one of the above cars is that I will then be able to tow my motorbike on a small trailer to/from trackdays! (something that the 172 cannot do legally)

So i'm just after people's thoughts really and maybe some car ideas if you should have any better ideas.

Cheers
 
Both will suit the task pretty well, I've always hated the "sit on"pedal layout of that clio so its a no brainer to take the 115ish bhp focus for me (wouldn't bother with the lower powered variant), it'll also be far more practical and refined

At the kind of money you're paying you could probably get rid of it should something properly expensive go wrong and still not take a massive financial hit
 
Last edited:
Any idea on the MPG figure for the focus?

I have a friend with a DCi Clio and the main thing that appeals to me about them is 60/65mpg, 600miles to a tank and only £30 a year to tax.

As wingman says, the only thing concerning me is suddenly losing 100bhp and all the sporty'ness... but needs must I guess. the 172 will cost almost double to run (if no large bills) over the DCi.

However, I do have a bike for my kicks and may also look into getting a weekend car for fun :)
 
seems slightly silly to me, you already have a car thatll pull high 30mpg on the motorway, that you know well etc. Its hardly a guzzler, hell my car is a diesel repmobile and if im remotely heavy footed on the motorway i dont get into the 40s!

I'd say stick with what you've got if you're only thinking of a replacing it with another clio anyway.
 
rG-tom said:
seems slightly silly to me, you already have a car thatll pull high 30mpg on the motorway, that you know well etc. Its hardly a guzzler, hell my car is a diesel repmobile and if im remotely heavy footed on the motorway i dont get into the 40s!

I'd say stick with what you've got if you're only thinking of a replacing it with another clio anyway.
Click to expand...

Putting the mpg aside.

How happy would you be if you had to sit in a Clio for 85miles a day, 5 days a week?
 
not very, but given he is looking to change to another clio i assumed he is happy.

which is why i finished with saying stick with what you have if the other option is a lower powered clio :p
 
Raymond Lin said:
Putting the mpg aside.

How happy would you be if you had to sit in a Clio for 85miles a day, 5 days a week?
Click to expand...

Not happy at all. but..

The OP specifically mentions he's considering another Clio so therefore obviously doesnt mind, making rg-toms suggestion quite a valid one.
 
The new job is very well paid so I could afford a much, much better car... but at the minute we are saving for our house deposit (renting at present) so just trying to get something cheap as chips to run really. (the missue already has a 182 I can use for fun)

I already have a pretty expensive bike so a cheap car is needed if I want to make the most of the extra wonga that I will be bring in.

As Tom mentions I already have a Clio so switching to another (albeit with less power) would not really be an issue.

Are there any other cars I should consider with a budget of around 2-2.5k that will do 50-60mpg, have low tax/insurance costs and the ability to tow.

I should also mention if i do get the DCi it is probably going to be a straight swap... no hassle involved. Both cars are worth the same.
 
renault megane?

Steer clear of the Focus 1.6TDCI great engine on paper but proving to be very problematic to the extent company's wont cover accept turbo returns for refurbs... or give much if any warranty
 
kerrgreg said:
renault megane?

Steer clear of the Focus 1.6TDCI great engine on paper but proving to be very problematic to the extent company's wont cover accept turbo returns for refurbs... or give much if any warranty
Click to expand...

At 2K, I doubt he'd be buying a new one, so there won't be any warranty issues.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom