Long distance driving - best car

Meathlass

My Nissan Primera died on me yesterday so on the look for another car.Any suggestions based on the below?

Drive about 700 miles a week (daily commute is 55 miles each way). Have always had diesels before this.

Budget under €5000. Will only be me in car so doesn't need to be a salon.

For tax reasons prob looking for a 1.6l at most (have always driven 2.2l but can't afford tax any more)

Big priorities are reliability (spent €2000 on last car in last 18 months), good fuel efficiency. Not too bothered about year, would be nice to move up a few years so maybe 04 or 05.

I've been thinking about mini coopers (heard bad things about fuel efficiency though), Ford ka, fiesta or focus or skoda fabia.

Opinions? Heading to the garages in the morning.

Phill Ewinn

Ford focus. The 1.8 TDDi is a little rocket in 115 bhp trim, mad relaible and can do 60mpg easy.

Donnielighto

Phill Ewinn wrote: »

Ford focus. The 1.8 TDDi is a little rocket in 115 bhp trim, mad relaible and can do 60mpg easy.

Truth, have one myself, beautiful little car.

eth0

Skoda fabia wouldn't be the most comfortable for long distance. the seats are fierce hard

Meathlass

Great info thanks. There's a bewildering range of options out there at the moment for second hand cars and I'm been forced into buying early by the head gasket blowing on my own car.

johnayo

Skoda Octavia. Massive boot.

Meathlass

eth0 wrote: »

Skoda fabia wouldn't be the most comfortable for long distance. the seats are fierce hard

Really, I've driven a Skoda Superb for a while and it was incredibly comfortable. Just presumed the fabia's would be the same.

MidlandsM

Citroen c5 2.0 hdi - uber comfy, cheap,job done.

Mycroft H

MidlandsM wrote: »

Citroen c5 2.0 hdi - uber comfy, cheap,job done.

There should be plenty of the 1.6Hdi versions floating about at that price point too.

Stinicker

BMW 320d, good enough on fuel, and ideal for chewing off the Motorway miles.

pred racer

MidlandsM wrote: »

Citroen c5 2.0 hdi - uber comfy, cheap,job done.

+1

colm_mcm

Meathlass wrote: »

Really, I've driven a Skoda Superb for a while and it was incredibly comfortable. Just presumed the fabia's would be the same.

The fabia is based on the polo, it's way smaller.

Given that you're doing massive miles and spending a lot on diesel, would you not be able to justify the bit extra to tax a 1.9? (180 a year or €3 a week)

Meathlass

Stinicker wrote: »

BMW 320d, good enough on fuel, and ideal for chewing off the Motorway miles.

Unfortunately only about 15 miles of my commute is on a motorway, the rest are on N and back roads. Averaging 50mph for trip.

highdef

Phill Ewinn wrote: »

Ford focus. The 1.8 TDDi is a little rocket in 115 bhp trim, mad relaible and can do 60mpg easy.

I agree about the fuel economy and reliability of this. I have a 2009 Focus, with I think a 1.8 TDCi rather than a TDDI.....I could be wrong there. I generally get about 800km per tank but recently have been less generous on the throttle. My current tank is looking like being the most efficient yet. The fuel low warning only came on this evening coming home from work at just under 850km which means it expects another 80km following this. Not bad at all. The car has over 93k on it now with no problems bar a cabin heating problem not long after I got it new. I have the van version which means even less weight. It is also rated at 115bhp and I can confirm that when I need the power, it's certainly there.....my previous car was a 2.5 V6 petrol and it would be a close match in a drag race between them.
Having said that, the French hdi's are known for their frugality and I would be willing to check them out to, particularly in 1.6 form, if it's pure fuel economy you want.

Meathlass

colm_mcm wrote: »

The fabia is based on the polo, it's way smaller.

Given that you're doing massive miles and spending a lot on diesel, would you not be able to justify the bit extra to tax a 1.9?

I don't really mind the tax amount, I'm used to paying €250 every quarter. Sorry for the stupid question but would the 1.9 be more fuel efficient in the long term? Currently spending about €105 a week on fuel so it's a big consideration. If I can get it down at all I can justify the extra tax.

highdef

Meathlass wrote: »

Unfortunately only about 15 miles of my commute is on a motorway, the rest are on N and back roads. Averaging 50mph for trip.

If its mainly N roads and if the back roads you use are fairly straight with little in the way of slowing down, then these could be even more fuel economic than when driving at motorway speed. I drive into work via the M4 from Kilcock. My fuel economy greatly increases when I go from the 120 to 80 limit when the M4 becomes the N4 at Leixlip.

dr.fuzzenstein

Phill Ewinn wrote: »

Ford focus. The 1.8 TDDi is a little rocket in 115 bhp trim, mad relaible and can do 60mpg easy.

Beat me to it, have an '06 CMax, TDCI 115 hp ZETEC, heavier car, so makes 48-50 mpg.
Bought it two years ago with 130k km on it, right now has 210k km on it and aside from an electrical fault it needed nothing but oil and filters.
And it's very comfy, has aircon, heated windscreen, alloys and a good radio with an aux input (may require extra wire)

Chuck_Norris

Not wanting to sound like a fanboi, but I can give a big thumbs up for an Octavia. Definitely the most comfortable seats of any car I've ever owned, and they are something that have been commented on by alot of people.

It's a 1.9 that I've had remapped from 105bhp, to 155bhp, with no major effect on fuel consumption. I get in average 5.8l/100km, but most of that is tipping around town driving now. Before the remap it was 5.1l/100km and that was mixed driving.

I used to be a self employed sales rep, and put up 120,000 km in just over 18 months (mostly inter county driving), and the car never let me down.

The only issues I've had with the car, apart from the usual servicing wee a worn rear wheel bearing (cost €120 parts and labour), rear wiper motor (twice, both times done under warranty), front wiper motor (€60, and an hour of my time) and the drivers side, side airbag (done under warranty).

And yes, it has a big boot! :pac:

frankz

Meathlass wrote: »

Unfortunately only about 15 miles of my commute is on a motorway, the rest are on N and back roads. Averaging 50mph for trip.

At only 15 miles of a 55 mile journey on motorway would have thought it would be hard to get to an average of 50mph.

If you are doing circa 550 miles a week for work and 150 for leisure then surely comfort has to come first? Also as you are primarily on n and back roads you dont need a pocket rocket. Would you consider a mondeo over a focus? Might be more similar to your outgoing primera.

As others have said c5 is prob best for your budget. Lots of people do commutes in golfs - put very popular so may have to go older.

At 700 hundred a week you at doing probably circa mid 30K miles a year - I know there is the boring arguement but as the budget is limited would you consider an avensis? We had a family one for years, 3 drivers in the house, put up good miles and had no major problems with it and fairly comfortable

Richie1991

Vw golf tdi, very comfortable, reliable and 55-60mpg good cars for holding there value. Should get a clean 1 under 5g's

Meathlass

Richie1991 wrote: »

Vw golf tdi, very comfortable, reliable and 55-60mpg good cars for holding there value. Should get a clean 1 under 5g's

Had one of those before and wasn't too pushed about the look of it - good car though.

frankz

highdef wrote: »

If its mainly N roads and if the back roads you use are fairly straight with little in the way of slowing down, then these could be even more fuel economic than when driving at motorway speed. I drive into work via the M4 from Kilcock. My fuel economy greatly increases when I go from the 120 to 80 limit when the M4 becomes the N4 at Leixlip.

A straight back road in Ireland?????

Even the motorway between the 2nd Nenagh exit and Roscrea manages to be twisty!! ( :-) fair enough not so much that you would have to slow down)

Meathlass

frankz wrote: »

At only 15 miles of a 55 mile journey on motorway would have thought it would be hard to get to an average of 50mph.

If you are doing circa 550 miles a week for work and 150 for leisure then surely comfort has to come first? Also as you are primarily on n and back roads you dont need a pocket rocket. Would you consider a mondeo over a focus? Might be more similar to your outgoing primera.

As others have said c5 is prob best for your budget. Lots of people do commutes in golfs - put very popular so may have to go older.

At 700 hundred a week you at doing probably circa mid 30K miles a year - I know there is the boring arguement but as the budget is limited would you consider an avensis? We had a family one for years, 3 drivers in the house, put up good miles and had no major problems with it and fairly comfortable

I have to fess up to speeding in relation to your first comment. 700 miles a week is a very quiet week for me. If i'm doing anything at weekends it's usually closer to 1000 as I head home to see family.

I actually hated the Nissan so don't really want anything similar to it and I had a Mondeo before so don't really want one of them either. I've always had big engine, diesel cars (bought off parents whenever they upgraded to something else) so really want to get something more suited to my young, free and single lifestyle at the moment!

frankz

Meathlass wrote: »

I have to fess up to speeding in relation to your first comment. 700 miles a week is a very quiet week for me. If i'm doing anything at weekends it's usually closer to 1000 as I head home to see family.

I actually hated the Nissan so don't really want anything similar to it and I had a Mondeo before so don't really want one of them either. I've always had big engine, diesel cars (bought off parents whenever they upgraded to something else) so really want to get something more suited to my young, free and single lifestyle at the moment!

Fair enough - it wasn't a dig that you might be speeding, just wondering had you worked it out correctly. Even still you must give most of th journey well over the limit to get an average of 50 on n and back roads.

Ok, so at 1,000 miles a week and you have had mondeo, golf, primera and dont want any of them again, even if you are young surely at that kinda mileage comfort has to up there?

At a 1000 miles a week is there any streching the budget from 5k? Not sure trendy, 1000 miles a week and €5k are compatable!! That said the e46 bmw are pretty trendy, go for a 318 or pref a 320 over a 316. An older a4? Ya both saloons but .... on carsireland.ie you can see all cars in the 3-5k category and 5-7k category which I think is handy

Ps - I hope they are nice to you in your local filling station!!

Meathlass

frankz wrote: »

Fair enough - it wasn't a dig that you might be speeding, just wondering had you worked it out correctly. Even still you must give most of th journey well over the limit to get an average of 50 on n and back roads.

Ok, so at 1,000 miles a week and you have had mondeo, golf, primera and dont want any of them again, even if you are young surely at that kinda mileage comfort has to up there?

At a 1000 miles a week is there any streching the budget from 5k? Not sure trendy, 1000 miles a week and €5k are compatable

Ps - I hope they are nice to you in your local filling station!!

Yeah comfort is definitely important but I love driving and have never had a problem really with uncomfortable seats etc. The only issue was with an alfa romeo I owned - it was a little to close to the ground and I always felt like I was peering over the wheel (though I wasn't obviously)

Don't think the budget will be too stretchable - depends on the credit union really. I certainly don't want to pay much more than it for a car that I will literally drive until it falls apart. I'm certainly interested in what I've heard about the focus and citroen this evening though. The latter wasn't one I'd really considered.

And, yes, my local filling station think I'm fabulous! I'm in there every 4 days to fill the tank up!

colm_mcm

Something with a TDI in it I reckon. 3 years ago I'd have said something unfashionable like a Toledo or Leon, then they became popular...

Farmer Pudsey

Do you need a car or would a small van do for a year or two

Meathlass

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

Do you need a car or would a small van do for a year or two

Well I don't need a van so I'd prefer to go with a car tbh. I'm currently driving a Citroen Berlinger until I get sorted and it's so heavy and clunky, could never get used to it!!

Farmer Pudsey

I was thinking more in the line of a Corolla or focus car van if you could find one, or a VW caddy.Was it a 1.6hdi berlingo or one of the 1.9's.

Rowanvella199

I would say volvo, for comfort and for the fact it is very economical!

Meathlass

God, only in my early 30s, that's not mid life crises territory yet is it :eek:

The 4 cars I've had have all been boring, sensible family cars that I've not really had a choice in taking on for various reasons so now i'd like something a bit more fun I suppose.

Meathlass

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

I was thinking more in the line of a Corolla or focus car van if you could find one, or a VW caddy.Was it a 1.6hdi berlingo or one of the 1.9's.

Sorry don't know what type of berlingo it is and can't see it from here as it's parked around the corner.

frankz

Meathlass wrote: »

Yeah comfort is definitely important but I love driving and have never had a problem really with uncomfortable seats etc. The only issue was with an alfa romeo I owned - it was a little to close to the ground and I always felt like I was peering over the wheel (though I wasn't obviously)

Don't think the budget will be too stretchable - depends on the credit union really. I certainly don't want to pay much more than it for a car that I will literally drive until it falls apart. I'm certainly interested in what I've heard about the focus and citroen this evening though. The latter wasn't one I'd really considered.

And, yes, my local filling station think I'm fabulous! I'm in there every 4 days to fill the tank up!

At up to a 1000 miles a week not sure if the citroen is a good long term strategy.
If you found the alfa low the bmw is similar but it is a real drivers car so worth a test spin.
Doing that kinda mileage and enjoying driving might as well get a food driving car rather than an a to b chariot.

Meathlass wrote: »

God, only in my early 30s, that's not mid life crises territory yet is it



The 4 cars I've had have all been boring, sensible family cars that I've not really had a choice in taking on for various reasons so now i'd like something a bit more fun I suppose.

Sorry seem to have deleted my smart comment on vans/young free single - it was double post and both deleted.

Fun? So are we looking hot hatch territory?

Farmer Pudsey

With the kind of milage you do it will have to be a diesel very hard to get the small engined one's a 1.6 petrol will cost you at 25 euro a week more than a 2l diesel the difference in tax is 200 euro. Believe it or not if you went for a 2L diesel you could get a car with lower milage 1-2 years newer with a load more extras than 1.4 or 1.6 diesels also you would have a bigger choice of cars

Meathlass

frankz wrote: »

Sorry seem to have deleted my smart comment on vans/young free single - it was double post and both deleted.

Fun? So are we looking hot hatch territory?

Not sure what your definition of 'hot hatch' is but just know I don't want something that a baby seat would look comfortable in! I don't need a family salon style car.

Farmer Pudsey

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3159837
something like this

frankz

Meathlass wrote: »

Not sure what your definition of 'hot hatch' is but just know I don't want something that a baby seat would look comfortable in! I don't need a family salon style car.

Careful, careful, avoiding baby seat cars could link to the crisis!! :D

Fifth gear hot hatches -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6SyFvu5XvY

When had you the golf? the newer ones are much nicer

In fairness salons can be trendy too - they are more than just family cars - especially since most families gone to people carriers

frankz

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3159837
something like this

just a kit poped on to it, with 19inch alloys for up to a 1000 miles a week on n and back roads??? Dont think its a car for the OP to be fair

mathepac

eth0 wrote: »

Skoda fabia wouldn't be the most comfortable for long distance. the seats are fierce hard

I have no problem with mine and I've had her on long autoroutes / autobahns etc in the last 5 years. 55+ mpg, and that's being naughty sometimes (on the mainland of course where it's legal.) I've done Dunkirque to the Cote D'Azur in one sitting on toll roads.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Something with a TDI in it I reckon. ...

See above. 1.9 TDI PD remapped to 180 and a few extra torques. Motor tax high (176 / qtr), insurance low (400 fully comp) has enough toys as standard; A/C, trip-computer, leather, 5 full-size wheel wheels, two fridges, 6 speed, ABS, TCS (switchable) and I fitted a bluetooth handsfree kit integrated with stock stereo & and plugin sat nav.

colm_mcm

Is yours a vrs?

Meathlass

frankz wrote: »

Fifth gear hot hatches -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6SyFvu5XvY

When had you the golf? the newer ones are much nicer

Might be veering a bit too close to boy racer territory with some of those hot hatches, thank for link though.

The golf was a 99, turbo diesal 2l I think. Sounded like a tractor starting up but great little car.

frankz

Something like this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3155998

not necessarily this one, but something along these lines??

mathepac

colm_mcm wrote: »

Is yours a vrs?

Yeah, a very scarce original Irish one.

colm_mcm

mathepac wrote: »

Yeah, a very scarce original Irish one.

Don't they have better seats than the normal ones?

Farmer Pudsey

To be honest op you are looking for the impossible with your budget as all 1.4-1.6 diesel in that range are very hard to come by not to mind a jazzy one you will be putting 35000 miles up on the car on back roads it will take some hacking, You need a low milage diesel that will be dependable you do not want it in and out of the garage every month so low milage is important after that you will want comfort bigger cars have better suspensions usually and more extra's. If you want a not sensible car and you have to keep away from a pre owned boy racer car and also most of the early small diesels were bought by people putting up big milage.

With what you are looking for you need a budget of about 8-10,000 sorry about breaking the bad news to you

Meathlass

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

To be honest op you are looking for the impossible with your budget as all 1.4-1.6 diesel in that range are very hard to come by not to mind a jazzy one you will be putting 35000 miles up on the car on back roads it will take some hacking, You need a low milage diesel that will be dependable you do not want it in and out of the garage every month so low milage is important after that you will want comfort bigger cars have better suspensions usually and more extra's. If you want a not sensible car and you have to keep away from a pre owned boy racer car and also most of the early small diesels were bought by people putting up big milage.

With what you are looking for you need a budget of about 8-10,000 sorry about breaking the bad news to you

Thanks for that. I've nothing against getting a bigger engine diesel, I was just trying to keep the motor tax bill low but sounds like a big diesal with low mileage is the more sensible option. I definitely do not want to be in and out of the garage, have had that constantly for the last 2 years. I suppose I'll get a better idea of what my budget will get when I have a look in the morning.

Meathlass

frankz wrote: »

Something like this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3155998

not necessarily this one, but something along these lines??

Yeah, that's quite nice actually, out of budget though. Looks like I'm going to have to lower my expectations

s14driftking

if u could justify big tax get a 530d bmw more econoical than people think and and very comfy for big miles

frankz

Meathlass wrote: »

Yeah, that's quite nice actually, out of budget though. Looks like I'm going to have to lower my expectations

Ya, but if your budget is 5k the can look above that and try bargain down and maybe go to 5,100 or 5200??? or indeed 4800!

Sure if you dont get anything tomorrow we could go for a drink and chat about it!!:D:D:o

bazz26

For long distance driving then you want comfort at the top of your priority list. The Peugeot 406 was one of the most comfortable cars around, they just eat miles.

This one has been on sale for ages because of the price but it is getting cheaper and the spec is very generouse and rare here. If I was doing 700 miles per week, something like this would be on my list:


http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=413243704651910

frankz

s14driftking wrote: »

if u could justify big tax get a 530d bmw more econoical than people think and and very comfy for big miles

Good or even great plan generally for up to 35k miles a year - but OP drifting away from big family saloon type.

For budget she prob looking at an e39 - great car and fills requirements if she liked them ....