Which commuting car?

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

Man of Honour
Joined
20 Sep 2006
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OK, I currently walk to work. It takes me about 90 seconds to get from my bed to my place of work, hence the fact I have a DC5 (was due to get an Evo but couldn't find the right example).

As of the 31st of this month, I will have a 14 mile return commute. I am going to keep the DC5 for this, as I love it too much and that mileage is nothing to be honest. However, as of September, this distance will increase to 30 miles a day.

Now, as much as I love my Teg (I've had it since 2006 and can't bring myself to sell it, trust me, I've tried, and nothing I've driven gives me the same "wow" factor except an Evo V (yes, this includes Focus ST's, Meganes etc etc), 30 miles a day with my right foot isn't going to do the fuel consumption, and thus my wallet, any good. So I want something that won't cost as much to fuel and will have me spending less time at the petrol station.

Budget, erm, not really thought, but max would be 15k. But if there's something for half that much that will do the same job I'm all ears.

I don't really want to buy and insure a second car as I don't do enough "weekend" miles to warrant having a toy, and if I did, I'd buy a Lotus or similar.

I am very tempted to buy myself a E46 330D coupe or even stretch and get the E90 model but I also know that I would be tempted to get a remap for it thus making the whole point of getting a frugal commuters car mute.

What do I want in essence? Something that is fun to drive, sounds good, is comfortable (bare in mind I think my DC5 on lowering springs is comfortable), goes like stink when I want it too and won't cost an arm and a leg to insure, tax and service.

Look forward to your thoughts. :cool:
 
You are going to spend £15k to save money on fuel for a 30 mile commute?

14 miles each way is hardly anything, you dont need to rush out and drop a fortune on a diesel :confused:

Assuming you get 4 weeks off a year its a commute of a staggering 6600 miles a year!
 
[TW]Fox;16184927 said:
You are going to spend £15k to save money on fuel for a 30 mile commute?

14 miles each way is hardly anything, you dont need to rush out and drop a fortune on a diesel :confused:

Assuming you get 4 weeks off a year its a commute of a staggering 6600 miles a year!
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I'd probably spend £15k on the replacement for the Teg anyway, I was looking at Evo 8MR's and early Evo 9's. I guess I fancy a change of car, and when changing, I want something that I don't have to fill up every other day (note, when I was looking at Evo's, the commute wasn't on the cards).

Problem is, the roads between where I'll be living and where I'll be working are quite nice, and I'd be too tempted in the Teg to drive like a loon.

I guess when you look at in terms of annual mileage, I should probably keep it, spend a few bob on it (KPro ECU which increases MPG on long drives) etc.
 
WTF are you stupid!!
I do about 45 miles a day to work in a Focus ST and I dont see a burning need to change to a derv or something more efficient, it only costs me about £50-£60 a week to get to work and go places at the weekend!
 
MrMoonX said:
WTF are you stupid!!
I do about 45 miles a day to work in a Focus ST and I dont see a burning need to change to a derv or something more efficient, it only costs me about £50-£60 a week to get to work and go places at the weekend!
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Probably! :D

As I said above, it's probably because I'm getting itchy feet to change.

What are M3's like at commuting? The E46 variety? Monaro's. Hmmm. I need to stop thinking about new cars. lol
 
MilanoChris said:
Probably! :D

As I said above, it's probably because I'm getting itchy feet to change.

What are M3's like at commuting? The E46 variety? Monaro's. Hmmm. I need to stop thinking about new cars. lol
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Its not a massive commute just get whatever and stuff the fuel economy, you could get a nice evo for £15k :)
 
[TW]Fox;16185046 said:
Serously if you want an Evo, buy one. You wont be filling it up every other day doing a whole 28 miles per day!
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Have you seen my driving? :eek:

MrMoonX said:
Its not a massive commute just get whatever and stuff the fuel economy, you could get a nice evo for £15k :)
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I guess. I've never had to commute before (well, apart from a couple of years ago where I paid next to nowt for fuel) hence I was thinking derv.

I'll have another couple of cans of 1664 and re-think my way of thinking.
 
MilanoChris said:
Have you seen my driving? :eek:



I guess. I've never had to commute before (well, apart from a couple of years ago where I paid next to nowt for fuel) hence I was thinking derv.

I'll have another couple of cans of 1664 and re-think my way of thinking.
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Try it

i did a 20 odd mile communte in the VXR. Filled up about 3 to 4 times a month @ £60 a pop. Hardly the most massive of fuel bills.

Vectra averaged about 23 / 24 to the gallon

Figures for thought.
 
I did 30 miles a day in a DC2 Integra for a long time, it's really not that far. Up until last week I had been doing it in my 330ci.
 
Call yourself a petrolhead..... PAH!

Call yourself a man...... PAH!

PAH PAH MEH!

15 miles each way is nothing and you should be looking forward to the commute and driving the car rather than turning into an illogical old woman!

The commute is going to go from 0 to £££, so I can understand your concerns over costs, but if you are really not wanting to spend money on fuel then you should sell the DC5 to me for £5k and I'l gladly take it off your hands to help you fund a budget focus!
 
I do about 30 miles commute a day in the ST24, and as per my other thread I have worked out I get about 18mpg, worked out using the old method of full to the brim then fill up again etc etc.

Really doesn't kill you that much, I would say £30 - £35 a week on the commute fuel + whatever you use for pleasure. My car owes me nothing, no loan or anything, so it is very cheap to run, however if I was doing that + £250 a month payment for the car it will be quite an expensive commute!

Keep the car if you love it that much :)
 
30 miles a day? Psschtt. I do about 17 each way, get about 28-29 average (Honda) and fill up fortnightly. Just do it, see how you get on, life's too short :)
 
i do an 80 mile a day commute in my DC5, you'll be fine! i have to fill up every 4 days (320 miles) and average about 34mpg out of the teg. you should only have to fill up every 2 weeks, or week and a half if you drive like a loon! hardly a problem worth splashing 15k out on a new (boring, smelly, low reving) diesel car. I know i'd almost die going back to a diesel after having gotten used to the VTEC
 
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