Comfortable car for commuting?

selfbuilder1

I am looking to change my car and am undecided as what to get. I am looking for a economical diesel, comfortable for driving on poor secondary roads and is fairly reliable. Comfort inside is more important that looks outside. Thanks for any suggestions.

CountingCrows

Peugeot 407 is very comfortable, decent diesel engine too.

unkel

Most comfortable: Citroen C5 with hydropneumatic suspension.

R.O.R

CountingCrows wrote: »

Peugeot 407 is very comfortable, decent diesel engine too.

unkel wrote: »

Most comfortable: Citroen C5 with hydropneumatic suspension.

Might be comfy, but neither would be the most reliable (from experience, not pub chatter).

I'd recommend the Mondeo Diesel. Apart from possible issues with the Dual Mass Flywheel, nothing much else ever goes wrong with them. I had one for 18 months and put a lot of miles on it (manly motorway though) and found it a very comfy place to be.

Has to be at least the 115ps version of the 2.0Tdci engine (90 isn't enough in a car that size) and try to get Zetec spec, although the LX isn't that bad.

bazz26

Swedish and French cars have the most comfortable seats out there imo. Stay away from cars with sports seats, sport suspension or large rims with low profile tyres if comfort is your main priority.

I drive a Volvo S40 myself and find the seats very comfortable, after a long journey I still feel as though I just sat in the car.

itarumaa

I drive a Volvo S40 as well and it is maybe the most uncomfortable car you can get:)

Yes, the seats are great but suspension is not very smooth in Irish roads.

I think the Citroen C5 would be the best choice if you want comfort, but not sure about the reliability.

nhughes100

I've a Citroen c4 diesel with 50000 miles up on it in less then 2 years, all I've had to do is get is serviced twice a year and put air in one of the tyres last week. Comfy car with lots of extras(cruise control, aircon, steering wheel radio controls etc) for a very good price and I get 4.8ltrs per 100km albeit on the m4 most of the time. Citroen have put some serious effort into their cars over the past few years and deserve some credit,. OP mentioned secondary roads so you're gonna get some more wear and tear then me but I'd take one for a test drive anyway.

Oh and forgot it's a hundred quid for the car tax!

BrianD3

A family member has a new Megane 1.5 DCi. Suspension is actually a bit harder than I thought it would be although it is still one of the softer and more comfortable cars in its class. It sips fuel. 70 mpg average. The owner got 41 mpg average from their previous car (a 1.4 petrol Focus)

The 1.5 DCi is also in the Laguna, that car can be expected to be more comfortable but slightly less economical than the Megane.

selfbuilder1

What would you think of a Passat? Would the Mondeo be more comfortable on the poor roads? Thanks again.

bazz26

Personally myself from experience find VAG seats to be very firm and not that comfortable but that might be just me.

What budget do you have?

selfbuilder1

Would like to go for a 2009 demo max budget 26000 euro.

Biro

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

I am looking to change my car and am undecided as what to get. I am looking for a economical diesel, comfortable for driving on poor secondary roads and is fairly reliable. Comfort inside is more important that looks outside. Thanks for any suggestions.

Opel Insignia is excellent value, probably the best car in it's class too. I'd try looking that direction if I were you. And I'm not really an Opel fan at all!

Eoin

Does the SAAB 95 come with the FIAT diesel engine? I've always found them very comfy cars.

bazz26

€26k would get you a 09 Subaru Legacy diesel:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200849191106619
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200926194398897

tw0nk

I drive an S40 04 (newer model) 240km every day, its a 1.8 petrol so isn't crazy fast but overtakes well. Being honest, I commute so much that the inside of the car, specifically the comfort level of the car is what is important to me.

The heated leather seats are great, the cruise control is a must for commuting and the sound system is fantastic, its good to have good sound for the long journeys.

Ive had the car for a year now and no problems to far, was cheap to service too, I'm having trouble find a new car I can afford now that tops it.

JHMEG

Take a spin in a Lexus LS400. Not diesel, but is a living room on wheels. Can be picked up for next to nothing these days and good for a lot of miles thanks to its lazy V8. Then do the maths... It might work out cheaper than buying a newer, more expensive diesel.

cadaliac

My vote goes to the new shape C5.

cadaliac

Within the correct budget of course.

Dabko

Mondeo tddi all the way! I do over 100 miles a day on piss poor west of ireland roads and im averaging 51mpg and my ass has never being more comfortable!:D

BrianD3

betafrog wrote: »

What are they doing, freerolling downhill all the time? 70mpg seems very unrealistic to me....

4.0 litres per 100 km = 70 mpg. While the owner is a fairly sedate driver they are not freewheeling downhill and as I said they only averaged 41 mpg from their previous 1.4 Focus.

selfbuilder1

Sorry to bring up this thread but what would be the thoughts on the Honda Accord diesel for commuting. Whats it like on the road comfort wise.

Eoin

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

Sorry to bring up this thread but what would be the thoughts on the Honda Accord diesel for commuting. Whats it like on the road comfort wise.

They're a very nice car, but personally I don't think it's really a comfy cruiser type car.

Theanswers

Range Rover,
you dont feel or hear the road!
Or basically any car with Air suspension....

Vikings

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

Sorry to bring up this thread but what would be the thoughts on the Honda Accord diesel for commuting. Whats it like on the road comfort wise.

I've had one for about 3 months now. 8,000 miles into it already and find it a very comfortable cruiser.

Pick up the executive version with leather seats etc. and you will be hard pushed to find faults with it.

Biro

eoin wrote: »

They're a very nice car, but personally I don't think it's really a comfy cruiser type car.

Yes it is, it's more comfortable than a Mondeo, with a much better engine. Better driving position too.

positivenote

hi guys, gonna look for similiar advice to the OP. i currently drive a 02 bora tdi cmfrtline and will proberbly be getting rid when i get it back. I always wanted to get a 320d but its proberbly just for the badge... i do over 100 miles a day mainly on primary roads but not motorways. Unlike the OP my budget is alot lower and id be looking at something in or around 10k with the bora that has just under 100k miles on it.
any advice would be welcomed

chrism2007

no mention of an audi a4. most comfortable car ive ever driven. well worth a look for a commuter

cyborg

chrism2007 wrote: »

no mention of an audi a4. most comfortable car ive ever driven. well worth a look for a commuter

An A4 is like a wooden wheeled cart compared to a C5 or any other family saloon to be honest, 01 -04 model is anyway, 05 onwards rides a bit better.

maidhc

I find Toyotas in general are very comfy. I don't think there would be much wrong with an Avensis D4D, and I'd image you would get fantastic value on the old model.

Lord Nikon

BMW 530D.

Oh, I forget the economy part. All cars are economic depending on your driving style.

squod

Mondeo. Fantastic ride I reckon and very reliable, parts are cheap if something does go wrong. Plus you'll do well to buy second hand, there's loads of them around.

I drive a volvo s60. Most comfortable car in the world*

I'd say the regular motor forum frequenters will disagree but I would definitely go for an automatic if you're doing alot of driving.



*may or may not be a slight exaggeration

argosy2006

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/E220-CDI/200941195414546/advert?channel=CARS only a 2.2 diesel
automatic,so takes all effort out of driving, good on fuel, great build, has air con for those hot days, and only 21000 miles, i bet 25000 buys it!

argosy2006

squod wrote: »

Mondeo. Fantastic ride I reckon and very reliable, parts are cheap if something does go wrong. Plus you'll do well to buy second hand, there's loads of them around.

new mondeo interior is laughable.it was put together by stevie wonder?
probaly a good car, but ifs its not RWD its not a car to me, and they lose value very quickly, so another prob,,,,,

argosy2006

this nice too
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/XJ-Series/Series-2/200937195171043/advert?channel=CARS you know dealer didnt give good price when it was traded in, offer him 26000 take it or leave it lol, good diesel,

argosy2006

argosy2006 wrote: »

this nice too
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/XJ-Series/Series-2/200937195171043/advert?channel=CARS you know dealer didnt give good price when it was traded in, offer him 26000 take it or leave it lol, good diesel,

if you go pre 2008 you'll be paying the old road tax which, in some cases, could work out alot more expensive.

blackbox

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

What would you think of a Passat? Would the Mondeo be more comfortable on the poor roads? Thanks again.

I have a Passat comfortline and am disappointed with the comfort. Suspension would be even firmer on a Passat sportline.

If comfort is your primary requirement you would have to consider French cars.

selfbuilder1

Whats the reliability like on the S40? Is there anything to look out for?

chrism2007

cyborg wrote: »

An A4 is like a wooden wheeled cart compared to a C5 or any other family saloon to be honest, 01 -04 model is anyway, 05 onwards rides a bit better.

did you ever own one? what are you basing that on?

VolvoMan

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

Whats the reliability like on the S40? Is there anything to look out for?

Depends which model. Is it the '96-04 model or the current one?

selfbuilder1

It would be 2008 or 2009 model. Which engine would be more reliable the 1.6D or 2.0D. Thanks.

VolvoMan

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

It would be 2008 or 2009 model. Which engine would be more reliable the 1.6D or 2.0D. Thanks.

Wouldn't say there is much to worry about mechanically but electrically they can have the odd niggle or two from what I've heard.

L1011

nhughes100 wrote: »

I've a Citroen c4 diesel with 50000 miles up on it in less then 2 years, all I've had to do is get is serviced twice a year and put air in one of the tyres last week. Comfy car with lots of extras(cruise control, aircon, steering wheel radio controls etc) for a very good price and I get 4.8ltrs per 100km albeit on the m4 most of the time. Citroen have put some serious effort into their cars over the past few years and deserve some credit,. OP mentioned secondary roads so you're gonna get some more wear and tear then me but I'd take one for a test drive anyway.

Oh and forgot it's a hundred quid for the car tax!

I've a c4 diesel with 180,000km on it in three years, on terrible roads often. They can handle it!