Recommend me a car for commuting!

GSDog

GSDog

GSDog

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Joined
12 Jun 2004
Posts
5,477
Location
Exeter
My annual mileage has been increasing significantly of late and after putting 1,200 business miles on the M3 this month alone (and probably a further 300 'pleasure' miles), I've decided that I need a second car. The M3 will be kept as a weekend toy.

Requirements (in no particular order):

  • Comfortable
  • Decent kit (ideally leather, bluetooth, etc)
  • Relatively quick (enough for easy overtaking)
  • Good on fuel (30mpg or more combined would be nice)
  • Up to £10k, possibly a lot less?!

I'm really not sure what a sensible budget is for this at the moment. I don't want something that's constantly causing problems, but it's probably not worth me spending much at all as it'll just be used for cruising on the motorways and getting to work and back.

I have considered something like a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi or a WV Golf 2.0 TDI (not sure that's particularly suited for the motorways mind...).

Any advice would be appreciated. :)
 
A lot less? How much less do you want to spend? You could easily fit those requirements for 2 grand so probably decide how much you're comfortable spending

If you only want more than 30mpg and want to avoid expensive issues then you're better off with petrol.
 
GSDog said:
Good on fuel (30mpg or more combined would be nice)
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Pretty much anything will do that if it's for motorway runs - what annual mileage will you be doing? Unless it's still going to be 15k then I wouldn't bother with a Diesel.

GSDog said:
WV Golf 2.0 TDI (not sure that's particularly suited for the motorways mind...).
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Why isn't a Diesel Golf suited for Motorways?

GSDog said:
I have considered something like a Mondeo
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For half your budget - why not something like:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511258985896

Has Cruise control, leather+Alcantara, Climate, Heated seats etc. So pretty comfy and well specced.

Or similar price 2.3 Auto:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512239632305
 
I commute in a Volvo v70, probably spend 2 1/2 to 3 hours a day in it and I never feel tired or like my back aches. Quality seats for spending lots of time in.
Even my D5 does 40mpg, so I would have a look around the range and test some as you may not obviously want a massive estate but the other cars I assume have the same seats etc.
 
GSDog said:
  • Comfortable
  • Decent kit (ideally leather, bluetooth, etc)
  • Relatively quick (enough for easy overtaking)
  • Good on fuel (30mpg or more combined would be nice)
  • Up to £10k, possibly a lot less?!
Click to expand...

4 of these

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601069858396

:D

Superbly comfortable. Well equipped (plenty have ventilated heated seats, rear heated seats, touch screen nav etc).

Plenty quick, see Top Gear video. Can be a 300bhp car without too much hassle. 30mpg is fine is perfectly doable. It's a LOT less than 10k and they're pretty much bombproof.
 
Would there even be much point in going for the HOT given requirements?

I'm saying that on the assumption that you'll get a newer/better example for the same money if not - quite a good cheap choice I'd say
 
No necessity for it, but it's the right one to pick IMO. The 2.3t (low output turbo) is signifiantly slower and has a tendancy for turbo failure, the HOT is a different turbo and much less prone to failure. The post 2006 cars, whether it's a 2.3T or a 2.3t still attract £490 tax - the dame edna interiors arent built as well either. Plus they're more desirable and better equipped so a 2004-5 HOT is definitely the pick of the bunch. The 2.0 engines are underpowered for that car and there's no need for the diesels given the 30mpg requirement
 
Some good suggestions in here that I hadn't considered, thanks.

I reckon annual mileage will be around 15,000. It's difficult to say as I'm probably changing jobs soon which will involve a lot more mileage.

As I said I'm not massively fussed about mpg - I'm use to averaging around 20 so anything above 30 is very efficient in my mind! :D

So it looks like around £5k will get me want I want.
 
If i were in your position i would be looking at some of the luxo-barges. GS/LS430, XJ, 5 or 7 series or something. You'll get 30mpg even from a v8 on the motorways and they should all be well spec'ed and very comfortable
 
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