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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Mikester on 15 January 2012, 20:45

Title: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 15 January 2012, 20:45
I am contemplating a change in position at work. This would require me to work a bit further away than i do now.

It would mean doing roughly 1300miles a month in commuting. Plus then any social miles!

This would be completely voluntary so i would not be getting any fuel money.

I currently have an EP3 Civic Type R. I get on average 28mpg. At 28mpg, 1300miles would cost £274. Not taking into account social miles and the rise in fuel prices. Plus the service every 9000miles etc.

If i could get 45mpg the fuel price would drop by £100 a month! Even more would be great.

Even if i dont take this new job, i really need to revise my fuel spending!

The new car would have to be reliable and not a piece of rubbish. Realistically something German or Japanese would please me. A nice place to be when driving, mod cons, safe and a bit of poke.

Maximum price is around 10k. Wouldn't want anything older than about 2005. What do you suggest?
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: daz veedub on 15 January 2012, 20:48
 mk4 130pd/150pd  :undecided:  would be my obvious choice mate
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: daz veedub on 15 January 2012, 20:49
maybe mapped for the poke  :evil: :grin:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Rhyso on 15 January 2012, 20:52
FYI I'm currently doing around 1200 miles a month averaging between 45 & 48mpg and I spend over £200 a month in fuel so I think your sums have gone a little wayward

50 litres at around £1.40 per litre = £77.00

MK5 or A3 140 TDI will be the most economical within your budget
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 15 January 2012, 20:56
FYI I'm currently doing around 1200 miles a month averaging between 45 & 48mpg and I spend over £200 a month in fuel so I think your sums have gone a little wayward

50 litres at around £1.40 per litre = £77.00

MK5 or A3 140 TDI will be the most economical within your budget

Ah i made a mistake. Forgot to change the price of fuel from petrol to diesel!!

I have been using http://www.fuel-economy.co.uk/calc.shtml

Well 1300miles at 45mpg at £1.40 per litre is £183 apparently.

And 1300miles at 28mpg at £1.29 per litre is £272
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: JulesS3 on 15 January 2012, 20:56
Mk4 and mileage, dont do it. Reliability after the EP3 is atrocious!

£10k will get you some decent diesels

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3547913.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3281222.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3553610.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3355726.htm
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 15 January 2012, 21:02
^^ Reliability is my concern as the EP3 i just put fuel in and go. No problems in 1.5years.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Rhyso on 15 January 2012, 21:08
^^ Reliability is my concern as the EP3 i just put fuel in and go. No problems in 1.5years.

Don't get a MK4 then; You only need to see the amount of repairs Steve_PD has done to his MK4 in the last 3 and a bit years after covering over 80K miles in it........
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: richw911 on 15 January 2012, 21:15
Seat diesel? Or are you looking for a badge?
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: JC on 15 January 2012, 21:20
fabia Vrs diesel  :wink:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 15 January 2012, 21:21
Seat diesel? Or are you looking for a badge?

No badge requirement.

I am not looking for out and out economy as i am not skint. I could afford to do the miles in the civic although it would just be ridiculous.

So im looking for a good compromise. After browsing the Audi's the A3's look good for comfort, mod cons, style and mpg. Although there is about 50 variations of the engines that have listed mpg's from 35 to 65.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: daz veedub on 15 January 2012, 21:21
^^ Reliability is my concern as the EP3 i just put fuel in and go. No problems in 1.5years.

Don't get a MK4 then; You only need to see the amount of repairs Steve_PD has done to his MK4 in the last 3 and a bit years after covering over 80K miles in it........

must of been unlucky then
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 15 January 2012, 21:24
To be honest a Mk4 is to old really.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Rhyso on 15 January 2012, 21:26
^^ Reliability is my concern as the EP3 i just put fuel in and go. No problems in 1.5years.

Don't get a MK4 then; You only need to see the amount of repairs Steve_PD has done to his MK4 in the last 3 and a bit years after covering over 80K miles in it........

must of been unlucky then

Or the fact he does 600 miles a week / 2500 miles per month and actually uses his car.  It's inevitable that things will go wrong.........

a 2.0 TDI 140bhp engine is what you want; find that in a Golf, Leon, Octavia, A3, A4 etc etc

A customer of mine is currently getting upto 750 miles a tank....... :shocked: :shocked:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: The Doc on 15 January 2012, 21:31
I commute 1600 miles a month, only a VAG TDI will do - bora 130 as they are cheap as chips
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: richw911 on 15 January 2012, 21:32
Old Audi with a revamp?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201202440891002/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/exeo/make/seat/page/1/postcode/tq124eg/radius/1501/keywords/tdi?logcode=p

http://www.stratstone.com/vehiclesearch/used/seat-used-car-sv09nvx.html?marketingsourceid=203
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Steve_PD on 15 January 2012, 21:33
not 80k Mr Rhys
Done over 100k in it now in 3 1/2 years. And you know me I don't do slow. . .
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: JC on 15 January 2012, 21:34
not 80k Mr Rhys
Done over 100k in it now in 3 1/2 years. And you know me I don't do slow. . .

really  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Steve_PD on 15 January 2012, 21:36
No, I do 100 miles a day of which 80 miles it motorway and the other 20 A roads. The only time my car goes down dodgy back roads and over speed bumps is when am following you..... :tongue:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Rhyso on 15 January 2012, 21:37
not 80k Mr Rhys
Done over 100k in it now in 3 1/2 years. And you know me I don't do slow. . .

that's OVER 80K isn't it  :tongue:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: JC on 15 January 2012, 21:42
No, I do 100 miles a day of which 80 miles it motorway and the other 20 A roads. The only time my car goes down dodgy back roads and over speed bumps is when am following you..... :tongue:

and up the a43 ?  oh yeah, ur turbo was letting go  :laugh:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Steve_PD on 15 January 2012, 21:45
well, well over 80k.

Also been doing 700 miles a week for the last 2 months costing me between £80-90 a week in fuel averaging 49mpg

No, I do 100 miles a day of which 80 miles it motorway and the other 20 A roads. The only time my car goes down dodgy back roads and over speed bumps is when am following you..... :tongue:

and up the a43 ?  oh yeah, ur turbo was letting go  :laugh:

And what did you say?
"Nah its not smoking its fine"

What happened a week later :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: JC on 15 January 2012, 21:47
well, well over 80k.

Also been doing 700 miles a week for the last 2 months costing me between £80-90 a week in fuel averaging 49mpg

No, I do 100 miles a day of which 80 miles it motorway and the other 20 A roads. The only time my car goes down dodgy back roads and over speed bumps is when am following you..... :tongue:

and up the a43 ?  oh yeah, ur turbo was letting go  :laugh:

And what did you say?
"Nah its not smoking its fine"

What happened a week later :lipsrsealed:

thats what you get for ramming the polo  :tongue:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Steve_PD on 15 January 2012, 21:50
Rammed the polo after that :tongue: Your revenge was the sump bottoming out in the back roads and the 2 mile road with over 50 speed bumps :lipsrsealed: :grin:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: VW BUSH on 15 January 2012, 21:53
This pains me to suggest but, our Toyota avensis TDi thing at work just goes and goes.
It has shamed the other pool cars with reliability and got 60mpg on a recent trip.
Poke, well it does not do that but it is comfortable :grin:

what is the new job????
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 15 January 2012, 22:06
Lots of good suggestions here, thanks!

Will keep you posted on cars i go to view.

The new job is same company, different role, so different "office" as it were.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: JC on 15 January 2012, 22:37
would have been ideal

http://www.edition38.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=429170

 :evil:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Jack3559 on 15 January 2012, 23:02
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201147430574087/
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Sam on 16 January 2012, 00:45
Somthing audi. That is all  :smiley:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: tweed on 16 January 2012, 01:09
My mate has a 2007 audi a3 and gets 50mpg in town. Thinks it's the 130bhp. just a thought

So glad my job gives me a new van and a free diesel card. Depending where the job is I can put in £150 a week  :shocked:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Sam on 16 January 2012, 02:21
My mate has a 2007 audi a3 and gets 50mpg in town. Thinks it's the 130bhp. just a thought

So glad my job gives me a new van and a free diesel card. Depending where the job is I can put in £150 a week  :shocked:

Its a derv, its the torques you wanna be watching  :smiley:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: bricey on 16 January 2012, 06:08
passat bluemotion my old man is getting 850 miles per tank
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: The Doc on 16 January 2012, 07:22
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201147430574087/

They have am awe full engine.

That is all.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: The Doc on 16 January 2012, 07:23
No, I do 100 miles a day of which 80 miles it motorway and the other 20 A roads. The only time my car goes down dodgy back roads and over speed bumps is when am following you..... :tongue:

and up the a43 ?  oh yeah, ur turbo was letting go  :laugh:

And it will be letting go again if he doesn't sort those boost leaks  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: bigstring on 16 January 2012, 13:19
I do a 1450 mile round trip a month, I love working so far from home (not really) the Celica never miss's a beat, I tried the diesel thing and it was sh!t, Megane 2004, Mondeo 2004 and Vectra 2003 all pants, back in a jap car and it's a lot more fun, even if it costs me an extra £160 a month  :laugh:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: VW BUSH on 16 January 2012, 13:37
Lots of good suggestions here, thanks!

Will keep you posted on cars i go to view.

The new job is same company, different role, so different "office" as it were.

I thought you "served the public" or am I way off the mark......
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: bob23 on 16 January 2012, 13:58
any of these?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3475392.htm (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3475392.htm)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3493680.htm (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3493680.htm)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3382185.htm (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3382185.htm)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2345326.htm (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2345326.htm)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3501529.htm (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3501529.htm)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3504753.htm (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3504753.htm) this bloke would px. "PX more than welcome.ep3 type R would be ideal but try me!"
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Adam on 16 January 2012, 14:13
Audi A4 B7
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 16 January 2012, 19:51
Really tempted by a Mk5 TDI however im not sure if i can bring myself to get a MK5 that isnt a GTI. I just dont think i can do that.

Audi A4 / Passat could be a contender.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Seanl on 16 January 2012, 20:04
But the 2.0 TDI isa gti.  :grin:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Rhyso on 16 January 2012, 20:07
Really tempted by a Mk5 TDI however im not sure if i can bring myself to get a MK5 that isnt a GTI. I just dont think i can do that.

Audi A4 / Passat could be a contender.

It's why I ended up in an A3.  The MK5 in anything but GTI form is IMO hideous  :sick:  There's too many things about the exterior I'd change if I'd bought one from wheels, to colour coding the huge rear bumper, to lowering it

S Line ticked all my boxes  :smiley:
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: R32UK on 16 January 2012, 20:33
I have to agree with those that have suggested a passat 140 TDI.

Was given one of these as a courtesy car and was surprised at the level of comfort and smoothness of the drive. An ideal modern motorway masher. I did even look at a couple of these myself recently. Very good value for money.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Mikester on 16 January 2012, 20:38
I have to agree with those that have suggested a passat 140 TDI.

Was given one of these as a courtesy car and was surprised at the level of comfort and smoothness of the drive. An ideal modern motorway masher. I did even look at a couple of these myself recently. Very good value for money.

Now you mention it, i actually had one as a courtesy car maybe 2 years ago and had completly forgotten!

It was a TDI but a sport? Spent a good few times trying to master the button for a handbrake.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: R32UK on 17 January 2012, 09:08
I have to agree with those that have suggested a passat 140 TDI.

Was given one of these as a courtesy car and was surprised at the level of comfort and smoothness of the drive. An ideal modern motorway masher. I did even look at a couple of these myself recently. Very good value for money.

Now you mention it, i actually had one as a courtesy car maybe 2 years ago and had completly forgotten!

It was a TDI but a sport? Spent a good few times trying to master the button for a handbrake.

Fantastic for motorway miles and if you are sticking to VW  :cool:

I would also consider these.. my old tenant had one and it was a nice car  :cool:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3460120.htm

or a new shape

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3516572.htm
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 17 January 2012, 09:12
Way out of budget unless you will accept finance but....

BMW are doing deals on BMW520ED new builds.

Tax Band C = £30 a year. :cool:
Warranty = 3 year or 999999 miles :shocked:
MPG = Claimed and realised ~800miles per tank :smug:

Have a look on autocar and there is a section there where a broker has agreed for lots of extras to be included at no extra charges.

If I had to choose a next car, this would be sitting at the top of my list by a long long stretch.
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: mumbles on 17 January 2012, 09:23
Really tempted by a Mk5 TDI however im not sure if i can bring myself to get a MK5 that isnt a GTI. I just dont think i can do that.

Audi A4 / Passat could be a contender.

Nice cars, but if you're going for mpg then wouldn't you want something a bit smaller and therefore lighter?? My A4 is lovely and so comfortable, having the sports seats helps a lot, but it is big and on the heavy side. I would say go for an A3 diesel sport, that way you get the comfort/looks and the better mpg from a lighter diesel car.  :cool:

Goodluck for the car hunt and the new(ish) job!
Title: Re: A what car thread, 1300 miles a month commute
Post by: F17BAD on 17 January 2012, 19:04
id just keep the civic.. fook it..