Another spec me...

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ADT

ADT

ADT

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Hello,

I need help choosing a car for my work commute.

I have just started a new job where the commute is 45 miles each way. this is a combination of A roads (20 miles), M3 (20 miles) and M25 (5 Miles).

I currently have a Mercedes C200k petrol estate. I am very happy with it but it is costing me a bit on this commute. I have to fill up every 5 days (roughly £70).

The plan is to keep the C200 and leave that with my wife as she is on maternity leave at the moment. Our current weekly mileage (work and leisure) is roughly 500 to 600 miles per week.

Now the budget is not a lot, looking at roughly 3-3.5k (the less the better). So far I have had a look at MK5 & 6 VW golfs in the 1.6tdi and 2l tdi. engine choices. I am leaning towards the 1.6 (£30 p/a road tax) as I know two people who have them and have similar commutes to me. They claim that they achieve no less than 55mpg on average.

I've never had a diesel before so I shall wait for your suggestions! :D

In a nutshell, my requirements are: reliable, cost effective, A/C, cruise control, comfortable.

Thanks!
 
As said above, a Skoda Octavia should see you in a better car for the money. Or I went for a Ford Focus when looking for a similar sort of vehicle. Either way should get you either a newer, or better spec, or lower mileage example than the Golf.

I get an average of around 53 mpg in my 1.5 TDI Focus. Buy my wife has lead boots, and isn't the most efficient driver. It is also free to tax.
 
Like minis?
The 2nd gen Cooper D minis will tick those boxes, be tax free as well, not that £30 makes a diff but anyway
I used to get 50ish MPG driving cross country so lots of braking and accelerating. When I was using the A14/M11 it would regularly turn up well into the 60s MPG, even saw 70s on low traffic times such as going to the airport at 4am

The cooper is a much better spec, but in theory if you go lower you will see even better MPG. (The wheels if not upgraded are something like 175 on 16s, cooper increases the wheel diameter and width), mine were also upgraded again above that to something like 215s on 18s (sorry forget too long ago now) and there was clearly a diff in MPG compared to a family member who had a pretty basic same age 1.6D as well. They would be more regularly in the 60-70s
 
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mjt said:
Have a look at Skodas. You’ll get a better specced (and larger) car for the money.
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xs2man said:
As said above, a Skoda Octavia should see you in a better car for the money. Or I went for a Ford Focus when looking for a similar sort of vehicle. Either way should get you either a newer, or better spec, or lower mileage example than the Golf.

I get an average of around 53 mpg in my 1.5 TDI Focus. Buy my wife has lead boots, and isn't the most efficient driver. It is also free to tax.
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Thank you for the suggestions.

Just had a look at the skodas and could not find one that was better than the golf on paper. Most were estates within my budget with the dsg box which I am trying to avoid.



Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Like minis?
The 2nd gen Cooper D minis will tick those boxes, be tax free as well, not that £30 makes a diff but anyway
I used to get 50ish MPG driving cross country so lots of braking and accelerating. When I was using the A14/M11 it would regularly turn up well into the 60s MPG, even saw 70s on low traffic times such as going to the airport at 4am

The cooper is a much better spec, but in theory if you go lower you will see even better MPG. (The wheels if not upgraded are something like 175 on 16s, cooper increases the wheel diameter and width), mine were also upgraded again above that to something like 215s on 18s (sorry forget too long ago now) and there was clearly a diff in MPG compared to a family member who had a pretty basic same age 1.6D as well. They would be more regularly in the 60-70s
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Unfortunately they are too small for our needs as I have a 1 year old that I would have to carry in it sometimes
 
ADT said:
Just had a look at the skodas and could not find one that was better than the golf on paper. Most were estates within my budget with the dsg box which I am trying to avoid.
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Can I ask why you are trying to avoid the DSG box?

They are brilliant automatic boxes, in fact I bought a Skoda to get DSG the cheapest way possible!

An Octavia is similar to the Golf up front, but rear legroom and boot size is at least double the size. Sure the standard golf has more extras than the standard octavia, but an SE L or Elegance or Laurin and Klement will have loads of extras that should satisfy most.
 
M1k3H said:
Can I ask why you are trying to avoid the DSG box?

They are brilliant automatic boxes, in fact I bought a Skoda to get DSG the cheapest way possible!

An Octavia is similar to the Golf up front, but rear legroom and boot size is at least double the size. Sure the standard golf has more extras than the standard octavia, but an SE L or Elegance or Laurin and Klement will have loads of extras that should satisfy most.
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I’m assuming that at my price point it’s safer to go with the manual as that’s one risk out of the way, plus wouldn’t the manual be more economical?
 
I would avoid the golf MK VI. Would avoid the lightweight DSG 7 speed, infamous DQ250. Had problems on my Leon 1.8 TSI and my partner's Golf 1.6TDI. Jerky at low speed and slow to react in slowing down/acceleration, like roundabouts.
A Kia Ceed, with balance of its 7 years warranty would be a better bet. Their automatics seems to be good too.
Driving that much, I would go for an auto, if possible, but avoid automated manuals.
Just check Honest John and thousands of readers will agree.
And yes, a manual, if the clutch isn't going south, would be cheaper to fix if anything goes wrong. But going for a over 3 years old DSG, and turns out to be a lemon, like mine, you're looking for a repair that would write off the car.
 
MichaelAwkward said:
600 miles a week? I'd move house instead of buying another car if it's going to be long term.
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My partner drives about 500 miles per week. Cambridge to Harlow. Relocation is tempting, but not always the best option. I wouldn't mind driving that everyday, as I love driving, even if for commuting, but for her is a chore. I've suggested selling the house and moving closer to her work, so I would be the one driving, and would be better, as I start and finish working outside rush hour. Surprisingly she was the one against moving. But yes, 600 miles is quite a lot.
The best way is using something reliable, comfortable and frugal.
 
Simon said:
Why would a manual be more economical than a manual gearbox with two clutches ?
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Depends. Automatic transmissions have evolved a lot. I assume you're correct about fuel economy. A driver has to be spot-on to achieve the same mpg, unless driving a poor auto, but dual clutches are more efficient. But think about maintenance. The robust 6 speed DSG requires oil changes every 38-40k miles. The 7 Speed dry sealed for life isn't reliable. Works well with the new 1.0 TSI or even the 1.6TDI, but despite lower torque from those engines, my partner 1.6TDI had problems. And buying second hand, how can you be sure the driver didn't left the selector in Drive, holding the brakes? Financially, be aware.
 
Michael Marini said:
how can you be sure the driver didn't left the selector in Drive, holding the brakes? Financially, be aware.
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Almost all auto drivers will be leaving it in drive while at lights, etc. unless the wait is likely to be long. It is pretty much a given.

Personally though despite the cost there is no way I'd change away from having a big engine automatic now for commuting - maybe won't be the same for everyone but until I started doing it I didn't realise how much better it was for my quality of life (I could say less stressful but I don't really get stressed) compared to "rowing" gears in a smaller engine manual.
 
Rroff said:
Almost all auto drivers will be leaving it in drive while at lights, etc. unless the wait is likely to be long. It is pretty much a given.

Personally though despite the cost there is no way I'd change away from having a big engine automatic now for commuting - maybe won't be the same for everyone but until I started doing it I didn't realise how much better it was for my quality of life (I could say less stressful but I don't really get stressed) compared to "rowing" gears in a smaller engine manual.
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I've been driving autos for few years now. Agree, a much more pleasant and relaxed experience. Occasionally, when driving manuals, even for short periods, my busted left knee forces me to remember why sticking with an auto. I'm not a big fan of small engines either, as their real world economy my work well in town, but specially when paired to a 5 gear manual, the fuel economy isn't any better than a bigger engine and 6 gears.
But there's one thing I dislike the most: 3 cylinder's engines. The strained sound, like a lawnmower. Won't be able to live with that. No way.
Back to the recommendation, for the budget suggested, an auto, specially DSG isn't recommend. Most of the lightweight 7 speed DSG will potentially show problems after 3 or 4 years, exactly were his budget will sit. And as stated, most of the drivers will leave on Drive and apply the brakes. For a torque converter, no problem. For a DSG, problem. Ford Powershift also got loads of problems. Reason why Ford dropped them and is offering torque converter now.
So on his budget, and intended mileage, a manual 1.6tdi VAG group, or 1.4/1.6 diesel from other manufacturers would be the sweet spot. Just make sure the car had its oil changed every year/10k miles and you stand a chance to avoid potential problems.
 
Pretty sure they do disengage the clutches at a standstill (most newer ones will be turning off the engine for stop start too). You see the revs drop as it does so and pick up again as they engage again.

Excessive idle crawling in the dry clutch boxes isn't good for them.
 
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