140km a day- what car?

forestfruits

Im currently driving an 06 astra 3 door SXI 1.4 petrol. I may as well be firing money out the window as a drive its flying through petrol.

Need to change asap. Hoping to go up to 2008 for the lower tax and change to diesel. Ive been looking at ford fiesta and skoda fabia both 1.4 Diesel. All around 7,500 to 8,000Euro

Not bothered what the car looks like, cannot afford to spend much more than whatever Ill get for the astra.

I know precious little about cars-- Need a little non bias expert advice before I head into the dealers.

Thanks in advance

166man

Sell your Astra, then use €2k of the proceeds and buy yourself a nice 10 year old Peugeot 406 HDI. Suck up the 2 litre Road tax and do your 140km a day in comfort while also getting 50mpg.

Much better than a poxy Fabia 1.4TDI.

alanmc

I bought a 407 1.6 HDi for feck all money. Doing 140 kms a day as well. I get away with €60 a week. It's not the fastest thing in the world, but it's comfortable and holds its own at motorway speeds.

As 166man says, if I was doing it again, I'd be looking for an older 406.

Edit: Having said all that, this is my second car, so I don't really hold any pride in it. I bought it to mainly stop racking up commuting miles on my main car. If I was looking for a primary commuting car, then I'd probably look for something nicer.

forestfruits

Jesus 60 quid a week thats more like it! I never even considered going older- as I said Im clueless.

CharlieCroker

Have a look at the bangernomics thread. If all you want is cheap A-B then something will pop up in there.

grange mac

What about an older d4d corolla 04, fuel miserz

bazz26

I was going to suggest a 406 too but it is getting very difficult to find a clean and tidy one as even the newest models are fitting 8/9 years old.

I'd definately be looking at something French or Swedish for comfort doing that mileage. I would not even think about a car the size of a Fiesta or Fabia is doing 140k km a day, they are not designed for that kind of driving, you want a comfortable, refined cruiser.

166man

bazz26 wrote: »

I was going to suggest a 406 too but it is getting very difficult to find a clean and tidy one as even the newest models are fitting 8/9 years old.

I'd definately be looking at something French or Swedish for comfort doing that mileage. I would not even think about a car the size of a Fiesta or Fabia is doing 140k km a day, they are not designed for that kind of driving, you want a comfortable, refined cruiser.

The age of the car shouldn't reflect the condition, as in there are plenty of decent looking 406's for sale on done deal for circa €3k which is where zi'd be putting my money on. Super cheap, super reliable, super comfortable and very economical. Makes sense IMO

MuppetCheck

166man wrote: »

The age of the car shouldn't reflect the condition,

Of course it does for the majority of cars. Unless someone goes completely out of their way to look after the car if you assume that most people do the bare minimum of upkeep then age most definitely does reflect condition. Like I said there are exceptions but finding a clean, un abused,well maintained 8-10 year old diesel is not an easy task.

Schorpio

The economics makes sense too. A lot of people want to got post 08 for the lower tax rates, but they ignore the initial outlay for actually buying the car which is madness. A 2k outlay will leave about 6k left in your budget, which will tax you for a good few years. The 406 stands out but I'd also consider a diesel Octy.

-Corkie-

Skoda Suberb Elegance fits the bill I reckon..

L-M

bazz26 wrote: »

I was going to suggest a 406 too but it is getting very difficult to find a clean and tidy one as even the newest models are fitting 8/9 years old.

I'd definately be looking at something French or Swedish for comfort doing that mileage. I would not even think about a car the size of a Fiesta or Fabia is doing 140k km a day, they are not designed for that kind of driving, you want a comfortable, refined cruiser.

Have to disagree. If a 1.4 diesel isn't made for town driving why wouldn't it be able for 140 km a day? I know a few folks doing that mileage blissfully in small diesels.

forestfruits

I did 180km a day for three years in a nissan micra 1.1 03. Found it much more comfy than the Astra to be honest, I only changed because I thought it was a bit of a bean box and felt unsafe in it.

My eyes are being opened here - Thanks and keep the suggestions coming.

MuppetCheck

Limerick man wrote: »

Have to disagree. If a 1.4 diesel isn't made for town driving why wouldn't it be able for 140 km a day? I know a few folks doing that mileage blissfully in small diesels.

It's not the engine size, it's the car size. Bigger cars are just comfier, more stable on motorways and generally less tiring.

areyawell

I drive to cork the whole time in my 03 Punto 1.2L . It took me 2.5 hours to drive down and 2.5 hours back for 30 euro petrol. Very light on fuel for 5 hours driving for 30 euro and still had good bit left over. I know its nice to have a nice 1.4L car but the cost of petrol these days is ridiculous and going up again next week.

Wishbone Ash

Limerick man wrote: »

I know a few folks doing that mileage blissfully in small diesels.

They may know no better and have nothing to compare it with. I've driven large diesel saloons (2 to 3 litre) for years. Recently, I had to bring a relatively new diesel Fiesta to Cork. It was awful even though it was mainly on the motorway. I never realised how bad small cars were and I have to hand it to those who drive them all the time. Absolutely zero comfort in comparison.

forestfruits

Comfort is not really a priority for me- Its money all the way Im afraid! Ive never had the comfort of a big car so Ill not know what Im missing

Pottler

areyawell wrote: »

I drive to cork the whole time in my 03 Punto 1.2L . It took me 2.5 hours to drive down and 2.5 hours back for 30 euro petrol. Very light on fuel for 5 hours driving for 30 euro and still had good bit left over. I know its nice to have a nice 1.4L car but the cost of petrol these days is ridiculous and going up again next week.

I used to do the same drive in company Puntos, always had a diesel, that went in for repairs(belts etc) and I got a petrol as a stand in. Oooooo. The fuel bill was a stinger in that-the diesel punto is waay more economical.

The Pontiac

forestfruits wrote: »

Comfort is not really a priority for me- Its money all the way Im afraid! Ive never had the comfort of a big car so Ill not know what Im missing

I bought a Saab 9-3 last week for the same purposes, fuel consumption. I'm getting 53 mpg on the motorway. I was previously driving a Ford Focus 1.6 petrol, and I have noticed a huge difference already.

And it's incredibly comfortable. 1.9tid 150bhp engine with plenty of power. I didn't really buy in for comfort, but now I would never go back to the small car.

This is the car I bought. Full service history. €4,750 http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/1.9TID-S/201217207923156/advert?channel=CARS

It may be worth considering selling the Astra privately and to get something like this.

forestfruits

Just to add to the info- I have no motorway in my 140km- mostly bad small country roads. I presume that might may a difference to my fuel consumption?

166man

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Of course it does for the majority of cars. Unless someone goes completely out of their way to look after the car if you assume that most people do the bare minimum of upkeep then age most definitely does reflect condition. Like I said there are exceptions but finding a clean, un abused,well maintained 8-10 year old diesel is not an easy task.

What I meant to say is that just because a car is newer doesn't mean it's in better condition necessarily. Also the OP is looking at buying a 2008 Fabia diesel which could have spent it's entire life in the city and therefore the DPF and flywheel could be nearing the end of it's life. €800 to replace the DPF I heard which wipes any savings. Sure what am I telling you this, you probably already know it!

Spending €2-3k on a decent 406 won't have most of the modern diesel issues, and be almost as economical as your boggo TDI. Found this to show an example,

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3481812

Doing 700km a week I know which I'd rather be in.

magicbastarder

i'm getting about 5.5l/100km out of a 2007 1.4l octavia at the moment, mainly on country back roads.
it works out consistently at just over 9c per km (roughly €75 per 800km) with the petrol prices the way they've been for the last few months. that said, i'm certainly not an aggressive driver and do drive for economy rather than time.
i'm sure the diesel would be more economic.

i used to use a micra from time to time and never actually measured its performance on the motorway, but i always had the impression that motorway driving was a fair bit outside its 'sweet spot'. it's designed for the school run or shopping run, not for long commutes.

The Pontiac

You could always buy something like this if comfort wasn't a priority. Sold from a Mazda dealer. (Posted by Chuck Stone earlier.)

Mazda 2

Low tax band.
1.3L petrol.
50+ MPG.
Mazda reliability.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3148625

If I was travelling 140km a day on B roads, I'd be looking at a diesel saloon for comfort. The car I bought was €2k cheaper, but way more confortable than that mazda with the same fuel consumption. Just put the €2k towards the extra tax for 4 years and enjoy the comfortable and more superior car.

Wishbone Ash

I'd also be considering large comfortable 2007 cars which are significantly cheaper due to the psychological 2008 tax band. It's pointless spending big money on a post 2008 car for tax reasons when better savings can be made on a pre 2008 car. A work colleague has recently purchased a 2007 diesel Passat at a significantly reduced level than a 2008 model even taking several years of tax into account.

166man

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'd also be considering large comfortable 2007 cars which are significantly cheaper due to the psychological 2008 tax band. It's pointless spending big money on a post 2008 car for tax reasons when better savings can be made on a pre 2008 car. A work colleague has recently purchased a 2007 diesel Passat at a significantly reduced level than a 2008 model even taking several years of tax into account.

There were changes to the Passat range in 2008 though so the difference may not be all that great. I think the CR engine replaced the PD 2.0TDI for example.

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

They may know no better and have nothing to compare it with. I've driven large diesel saloons (2 to 3 litre) for years. Recently, I had to bring a relatively new diesel Fiesta to Cork. It was awful even though it was mainly on the motorway. I never realised how bad small cars were and I have to hand it to those who drive them all the time. Absolutely zero comfort in comparison.

I have to disagree, my last car was a 3 series BMW and current car is a MK5 Golf GTI, between cars I was driving my mothers 1.2 Fabia on my Galway-Cork route and comfort wise it was grand, it was terribly under powerd and for that reason alone I wouldnt drive a car like that but it wasn't uncomfortable at all. We also have a 03 fiesta at home (a previous car of mine actually) and that is even a better car the the fabia imo.

L-M

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

They may know no better and have nothing to compare it with. I've driven large diesel saloons (2 to 3 litre) for years. Recently, I had to bring a relatively new diesel Fiesta to Cork. It was awful even though it was mainly on the motorway. I never realised how bad small cars were and I have to hand it to those who drive them all the time. Absolutely zero comfort in comparison.

The new Fiesta's aren't great to drive either, tbh most Fiesta's lost their comfort factor in 02.

I did 20,000 miles in a year in a 10 year old, quarter of a million miled Golf on 18" low profiles lowered onto the ground, and I'm no more or less tired getting out of the Jag after a long journey.

the culture of deference

A 1.5 or 1.4 diesel is fine on a motorway.

Wicklowandy

Really sell your astra privately, buy a cheap cheerful diesel like others have said, 2-3k buys a lot of 406/octavia/passat, 40000km a year kills resale, your 2-3k diesel if kept running and nct'd will never be worth a whole lot less, will be comfortable and only cost 6 euro a week more to tax than your astra and if you search hard and buy a good one wont break you on maintenance. I once ran a tdi octy to nearly 400k two clutches other than regular servicing, and so easy and comfortable to drive over bad roads.

extremetaz

'prolly gonna get torn to shreds for even suggesting this but here goes - we're doing the same distance in a Nissan Leaf and it's saving us a packet on running costs.

Whether or not that's worth looking at in your case will depend on exactly how much you're spending on fuel and whether or not you've got finance on your current car.

I had been paying ~€780/month between finance and fuel so the numbers worked for me. I'm down to ~€530 between the finance and the ESB bill now.

Now before the attacks start comin' in at me for even suggesting such an expensive car on the face of such a modest budget, all I'm saying is it's worth looking into - the fuel savings are *THAT* significant over that sort of mileage. As above, the numbers worked very much in my favour and I was in a very similar situation. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, the charging network is pretty decent but would definitely be the most important thing to suss out as, realistically, you won't get in and out without charging over that sort of commute.

15,000km we've done now since the middle of May in it (Killucan-Dublin 6-days/week) and there's no way we'd go back!

Idbatterim

do you do much motorway driving OP?

lau1247

Pity you couldn't get a *Honda City* here in Ireland.. I'd say they would sell like hot cakes.. fuel economy of a diesel with none of the compromise of DPF/DMF..

The stats are impressive for a petrol engine.. and the article is about 5 years old by this stage.. all the which makes it even more impressive now looking back at it..

paddy147

A 2003 110bhp Seat Leon TDI for 3k euro and get it remapped to 130bhp and it will do serious milage to the tank.

Good solid reliable car and parts are very easy and cheap to buy too.

tuborg_man

paddy147 wrote: »

A 2003 110bhp Seat Leon TDI for 3k euro and get it remapped to 130bhp and it will do serious milage to the tank.

Good solid reliable car and parts are very easy and cheap to buy too.

Or a 1250 euro 00 seat toledo tdi and enjoy the saloonyness of it all. Was looking for a car this weekend and off all the tdi cars these were the best value imo

forestfruits

Idbatterim wrote: »

do you do much motorway driving OP?

No motorway driving at all

L-M

forestfruits wrote: »

No motorway driving at all

1.4 diesel would be perfect for you.

Lawless2k12

If your looking for good fuel consumption go for a volkswagen polo bluemotion 1.2l TDi. At least 70 m/pg just in town. 90m/pg+ on a motorway. Bit sluggish though as 0-100kmh takes approx. 12 seconds But very efficient for fuel! Probably set you back a good 9,000 euro though for the oldest model as they're a fairly new car. But they'll last you 7 or 8 years without bother and I don't think they require road tax as the emissions are next to nothing

MuppetCheck

70mpg around town and 90mpg on the motorway?

Maybe if it was being towed a portion of the time. Not a hope you average those figures.

Lawless2k12

MuppetCheck wrote: »

70mpg around town and 90mpg on the motorway?

Maybe if it was being towed a portion of the time. Not a hope you average those figures.

Top gear did a piece on it before and managed to get 78mpg from the standard 1.2 TDi. The bluemotion is built for eco driving at an expense to speed and acceleration. Lucky if you get anything above 160km/ph out of it, but of course no one needs to do anymore than 120km/ph right Look it up if you wish or check this link http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/#/new/polo-v/which-model/engines/acceleration/

MuppetCheck

90mpg is going to be impossible in real life motorway conditions. In fact in test conditions I'd wager it would not be possible. To get 78mpg there would have been a drastic change in driving habits alone.

Lawless2k12

MuppetCheck wrote: »

90mpg is going to be impossible in real life motorway conditions. In fact in test conditions I'd wager it would not be possible. To get 78mpg there would have been a drastic change in driving habits alone.

This car uses technology that converts braking energy to fuel energy and also uses a start/stop system when stuck in traffic. I can assure you, provided you don't drive like a maniac, you would get at least 80mpg on motorway and at the least 55 to 60mpg in town. And I emphasise "at least". The only problem is there isn't a whole lot of equipment with it and its 0-100km/ph is in the double figures but that the sacrifice to save on fuel

JJJJNR

Limerick man wrote: »

1.4 diesel would be perfect for you.

Why? if anything the OP will need a stronger engine (1.9TDI) for overtaking on country roads, I would have thought the 1.4TDi was more suitable to sitting at 90k/ph on the motorway.

L-M

JJJJNR wrote: »

Why? if anything the OP will need a stronger engine (1.9TDI) for overtaking on country roads, I would have thought the 1.4TDi was more suitable to sitting at 90k/ph on the motorway.

Why would you need to overtake on country roads? im pretty sure i can count the amount of cars i have overtaken on country roads bar tractors, and for those i just wait until the road is clear.