160km daily commute, sub €5K car?

Moghead

Hi everyone, I'm an occasional lurker on this forum and I'd like a bit of advice from the experts please.

I could be moving soon and will have to commute to work, a 160km daily round trip, 5 days a week, around 40000kms per year. Most of this journey will be on the motorway, with some on national roads and a small bit of town driving. There shouldn't be any major traffic on the motorway, won't be near any volumes like the M7 into Dublin or M50.

I'm hopeful of finding a diesel car for under €5K. The cheaper the better but I'd hope to get a couple of years out of it.

I'd like to find something that is reliable, safe and economical on fuel. I was thinking of going for a 1.6l focus, octavia, corolla, s40, laguna or golf/jetta. Would an engine that size be suitable for this type of commute or should I be looking at a larger car with a bigger engine like a passat, mondeo or avensis with a bigger engine. I'd go for a saloon, estate or hatchback type car, not bothered about the shape.

Would I be able to get a car within my budget that I would get a couple of years out of or am I just fooling myself? I have considered an electric car but I have nowhere to charge it at work.

If anyone would have any recommendations for the type of car I should be looking out for it would be greatly appreciated. I'm not too hung up on cheap tax either but for insurance 2004 or 2005 would probably be about as old as I could go.

Thanks.

Four Phucs Ache

Just to give you idea regarding similar on a petrol,

I do 160k a day five days a week in 04 focus 1.4

Motorway and national roads.

Car cost 900 and very reliable. Sits at 120kmh without a hiccup.

If I could have at the time I would have got something nicer but the value out there now for commuting hacks is good.If it blows, meh, it was only a grand.

Petrol for the week is 65

TheBoyConor

Stay clear of 1.6L Focus diesels. They are bad engines, they all give trouble.
I'd also stay well clear of diesel VWs. Everyone I know who has one has had breakdowns.

I have a 2004 Almera, 1.5L petrol, no frills no thrills.
I could recommend them highly as my one has 180ish k miles on the clock and I have it since 107k miles. In that time it has been on the end of abusive driving, hit or miss servicing and generalised neglect. Still going fine. All I ever had to do with it was a new clutch, brakes and tyres and, sometimes, oil. I think the rust is begining to set in though. but I'll keep going until it's fúcked.

ELM327

I'd suggest a mk2 prius. We have an 08 one at the moment and it's a lovely drive for a daily 120km round trip commute
Might be beaten by a couple of mpg by some 6 speed diesels but you'll get super reliability out of them.

Moghead

Four Phucs Ache wrote: »

Just to give you idea regarding similar on a petrol,

I do 160k a day five days a week in 04 focus 1.4

Motorway and national roads.

Car cost 900 and very reliable. Sits at 120kmh without a hiccup.

If I could have at the time I would have got something nicer but the value out there now for commuting hacks is good.If it blows, meh, it was only a grand.

Petrol for the week is 65

I actually have a 1.4 petrol golf mk5 at the moment, would get around the same mileage out if it. Was going to give it to my OH as she'd need her own car too. Might reconsider...

Moghead

ELM327 wrote: »

I'd suggest a mk2 prius. We have an 08 one at the moment and it's a lovely drive for a daily 120km round trip commute
Might be beaten by a couple of mpg by some 6 speed diesels but you'll get super reliability out of them.

I was thinking about a hybrid but I thought they weren't very fuel efficient on the motorway, more suited to city driving. If you don't mind me asking, is it a 1.5l or 1.8l engine in your Prius?

B-D-P--

TheBoyConor wrote: »

I'd also stay well clear of diesel VWs. Everyone I know who has one has had breakdowns.

Eh???
Diesel German is renowned for reliability....
Everyone you know who has one must be extremely unlucky.

Moghead

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Stay clear of 1.6L Focus diesels. They are bad engines, they all give trouble.
I'd also stay well clear of diesel VWs. Everyone I know who has one has had breakdowns.

I have a 2004 Almera, 1.5L petrol, no frills no thrills.
I could recommend them highly as my one has 180ish k miles on the clock and I have it since 107k miles. In that time it has been on the end of abusive driving, hit or miss servicing and generalised neglect. Still going fine. All I ever had to do with it was a new clutch, brakes and tyres and, sometimes, oil. I think the rust is begining to set in though. but I'll keep going until it's fúcked.

Thanks I'll avoid the diesel focus so. Their official mpg had me leaning towards them as they seem very frugal on fuel.

ELM327

Moghead wrote: »

I was thinking about a hybrid but I thought they weren't very fuel efficient on the motorway, more suited to city driving. If you don't mind me asking, is it a 1.5l or 1.8l engine in your Prius?

We have the 1.5 (second generation) prius.
I'm getting about 52mpg on a 75% motorway 25% local roads and industrial estate commute.
Similar to a diesel but lower tax, nicer drive, and less repairs needed.

If it was all town driving I'd be over 60mpg easily.

Idbatterim

would a nissan leaf work?

virtually no motor tax, servicing or fuel costs...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-leaf/17355753

bazz26

With that sort of daily mileage I'd be looking for something with comfort in mind. I'd also be looking at something around 2.0 litre in size as it will offer superior power and less stressful driving for that sort of commuting.

I'd be looking at something that has a reliable old school type diesel engine like a 1.9 TDi Audi A4 or Skoda Superb:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/07-audi-a4-1-9-tdi-se-limited-edition-very-good/18129347


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-1-9-tdi-exclusive-130bhp/18248643

Moghead

Idbatterim wrote: »

would a nissan leaf work?

virtually no motor tax, servicing or fuel costs...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2012-nissan-leaf-electric-very-low-mileage/18277168

Nowhere to charge it at work unfortunately

ELM327

Idbatterim wrote: »

would a nissan leaf work?

virtually no motor tax, servicing or fuel costs...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-leaf/17355753

As a former leaf owner, not for a 160km trip no it wouldnt

Gravelly

Moghead wrote: »

I'm hopeful of finding a diesel car for under €5K. The cheaper the better but I'd hope to get a couple of years out of it.

Idbatterim wrote: »

would a nissan leaf work?

virtually no motor tax, servicing or fuel costs...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-leaf/17355753

OP requested a diesel car under €5k, car in your ad is EV and is €8,750.

Idbatterim

Gravelly wrote: »

OP requested a diesel car under €5k, car in your ad is EV and is €8,750.

yeah I changed the link. The op has replied and said the leaf is out as no charging in work... Put it this way, electric if feasible, is vastly cheaper than diesel motoring...

Gravelly

Idbatterim wrote: »

yeah I changed the link. The op has replied and said the leaf is out as no charging in work... Put it this way, electric if feasible, is vastly cheaper than diesel motoring...

Yeah, but most people looking at a car for under €5k would, I assume, not have the budget for a car just under €9k, or they would have asked for a car under €9k....
This is a strange feature of boards that was being discussed on another thread recently - if anyone ever asks for something and gives a budget, someone always comes along and offers something completely different to what they requested, that's way over the budget. One of boards little eccentricities.

Nuw

If it was me, I'd give this one a good look. Proven engine, enough space to feel comfy after the day's work, comes with everything you'd need/want, good price, looks clean... won't cost a fortune to tax/insure. Enough grunt for what you'll be doing with it... actually nice to drive.

Gravelly

Nuw wrote: »

If it was me, I'd give this one a good look. Proven engine, enough space to feel comfy after the day's work, comes with everything you'd need/want, good price, looks clean... won't cost a fortune to tax/insure. Enough grunt for what you'll be doing with it... actually nice to drive.

I'm not a Renault fan (to put it very mildly) but if that is reliable, it looks like great value.

TheBoyConor

My people i know with VW diesels must be very unlucky so.
Mother has a passat. Numerous breakdowns with the engine.
Sister had 2 passats - one was a nightmare so she swapped. The replacement one also is expensively troublesome from time to time.
My ex had a Golf. It gave trouble occasionally.
My friend has a 141 jetta for a year. It was giving trouble last week.
A guy I worked with had trouble with a Golf.

So yeah, I wouldn't be rushing out to buy a diesel VW in the morning.

Idbatterim

Yeah, but most people looking at a car for under €5k would, I assume, not have the budget for a car just under €9k, or they would have asked for a car under €9k....
This is a strange feature of boards that was being discussed on another thread recently - if anyone ever asks for something and gives a budget, someone always comes along and offers something completely different to what they requested, that's way over the budget. One of boards little eccentricities.

I think its because people sometimes wouldnt think of the other option. Also sometimes spending a little more on the car, can save a hell of a lot, over the longer term. That might not be an option for some people, but it may well be, for others...

Gravelly

Idbatterim wrote: »

I think its because people sometimes wouldnt think of the other option. Also sometimes spending a little more on the car, can save a hell of a lot, over the longer term. That might not be an option for some people, but it may well be, for others...

I'd agree with the highlighted bit, but I always assume if someone is looking for, say, a €5k car, then that's what they have to spend, and, while buying a newer, or even brand new car would obviously be better, if they could do that they wouldn't be looking for a €5k car.

TheBoyConor

I thought my almera was fantastic value. I bought it for €900 as it had a slipping clutch. Drove it for 2 years with the gammy clutch until it got really bad then put in a new one.

I see on dondeal they are going for very cheap money. Clean 06 or 07 models are less than 1500.

Blue Punto

I do similar mileage daily and had a smaller car at first and after a while it's torture.

Like a previous post said old school Audi or Skoda Superb.

I have a 2006 Skoda Superb 1.9 Diesel.
Super reliable I'm getting over 1000 km on a tank of diesel.
It has a the extras leather cruise control heated seats etc

I have it 2 years now and paid 2200 euro for it .I'm sure you would pick a similar one up but newer(2008)for that money and have a lot left in your pocket

Blue Punto

Here's an example.
Don't let the mileage put you off.
Buy it for cheap money spend 500 doing the timing belt for your own peice of mind and drive it for a few years
Check out this DoneDeal Ad!
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008skoda-superb-elegance-1-9tdi-tax-9-18nct-10-19/17816015

TheBoyConor

Another thing, you'll often find that the less desireable body shapes are far far cheaper. of a particular model hatchbacks tend to have highest prices, followed by saloons. Estates can be picket up for a fraction of the price sometimes.

Something to bear in mind.

bazz26

No offense to anyone with one but the thought of commuting 160k km every day in an Almera would spur me to change job rather than car.

dr.fuzzenstein

Moghead wrote: »

Thanks I'll avoid the diesel focus so. Their official mpg had me leaning towards them as they seem very frugal on fuel.

Get a MKI 1.8 TDCI Cmax.
Mine had 380k km on it when I got rid of it, they're comfy and reliable.
Clutch and flywheel will do 250k km, timing belt 200k km, watch out for those.

Heres Johnny

I'd be looking at a pre timing chain problem 520d for doing a long commute. 06 defo well within budget.

bigroad

Yes older 520d are very good.
Skoda superb if you can find one with reasonable mileage.
Toyota avensis d4d.
Hyundai sonata crdi with leather and cruise control,great value car for that type of commute.
Nearly forgot one.
Volvo S80 d5.
It's a bit pricey to tax but with very good comfort.
If spending long periods commuting you must give yourself the best vehicle and if it's 3 or 4 hundred extra to tax per year ,so be it.

Badger2009

I have a similar commute plus a good bit of random long spins during the week. I would definitely recommend something bigger with a bit comfort.

I did the commute for a couple of years in a golf and while I loved the car spending 10-15 hours a week in it got a bit tiresome.

For Forks Sake

With that amount of motorway driving, you'll probably use more diesel in one of the 1.5/1.6 versions.

As has been suggested go for something with a bigger engine better suited to motorway cruising:

Skoda/VW/Audi with the 1.9 or preferably 2.0 lump
Ford 2.0TDCI

Volvo S60/S80 with the 2.0 (D3) or 2.4 (D5) are probably the best way to eat up motorway miles.

gooner99

Moghead wrote: »

I actually have a 1.4 petrol golf mk5 at the moment, would get around the same mileage out if it. Was going to give it to my OH as she'd need her own car too. Might reconsider...

What mileage is on the golf.?

We have a 04 1.4 75hp from new with 225k miles on it. It does 20k miles a year. Zero engine trouble bar 4 coil packs. Not the most powerful, but it's not too bad. Pretty comfortable. Key to these engines is the right oil on time. Keep an eye on it as the miles go up, they can burn a bit of oil.

mr_edge_to_you

I have to advise against a Laguna. With the mileage you’re doing it will inevitably let you down at some stage.

Gravelly

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

I have to advise against a Laguna. With the mileage you’re doing it will inevitably let you down at some stage.

Risky post there - I’ve been at the receiving end of the ire of Laguna fans several times on this forum. Apparently Lagunas are the fastest, most comfortable, and by far most reliable car ever made, and are cast-iron guaranteed to get you laid.

68 lost souls

I’d be looking at the 2l vw more reliable than the 1.9. Did that commute for a few months in my 05 140bhp 2l golf tdi. Averaged about 5.2-5.4 l/100km and was plenty comfortable for the drive

Roadtoad

Does anything with a duel mass flywheel not smell horridly, or am I just a sore loser for having put two clutches into my Galaxy?

mr_edge_to_you

Apparently Lagunas are the fastest

Agreed

most comfortable

Definitely

by far most reliable car ever made

Strongly disagree

cast-iron guaranteed to get you laid.

Not sure if it improved the situation but I didn’t notice any detoriation.

appledrop

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Stay clear of 1.6L Focus diesels. They are bad engines, they all give trouble.

Not true. I have a 1.6l focus and it's brilliant. Passed all 3 nct on first go. I do a huge amount of mileage + has never had an issue. I do take care of it + get it services regularly.

Advising some one doing this mileage to get an electric car or petrol engine is ridiculous.

ELM327

Gravelly wrote: »

Risky post there - I’ve been at the receiving end of the ire of Laguna fans several times on this forum. Apparently Lagunas are the fastest, most comfortable, and by far most reliable car ever made, and are cast-iron guaranteed to get you laid.

Well as it's a laguna you'll be stopped at the side of the road a lot.
So it may be true.

Nuw

Gravelly wrote: »

I'm not a Renault fan (to put it very mildly) but if that is reliable, it looks like great value.

I'm not either, far from it, but you have to admit that the value for money you'd get with this is pretty good. As mentioned, this engine is bombproof and the rest of the car hasn't much to do with the renault of old with which everything would fall apart after the warranty period. Had a few as rentals over the years and as much as I'd have liked to, I couldn't find much reason to complain...

They're also one of the cheapest car of this size to insure, and they actually do sip diesel... if you're on a budget I don't think you can do much better than that.

Mandzhalas

Why not get petrol saloon you like and convert it to run on lpg? Best motoring decision i have ever made.

irishgrover

Gravelly wrote: »

Risky post there - I’ve been at the receiving end of the ire of Laguna fans several times on this forum. Apparently Lagunas are the fastest, most comfortable, and by far most reliable car ever made, and are cast-iron guaranteed to get you laid.

Laguna 3 (2008 onwards) are one of the most reliable cars in their class. Breakdown durations, frequency and costs are considerably lower than VW, ford, bmw etc. But the previous versions of the laguna ensures that this myth continued

ELM327

Gravelly wrote: »

Risky post there - I’ve been at the receiving end of the ire of Laguna fans several times on this forum. Apparently Lagunas are the fastest, most comfortable, and by far most reliable car ever made, and are cast-iron guaranteed to get you laid.

Apparently you are psychic!

Nuw wrote: »

I'm not either, far from it, but you have to admit that the value for money you'd get with this is pretty good. As mentioned, this engine is bombproof and the rest of the car hasn't much to do with the renault of old with which everything would fall apart after the warranty period. Had a few as rentals over the years and as much as I'd have liked to, I couldn't find much reason to complain...

They're also one of the cheapest car of this size to insure, and they actually do sip diesel... if you're on a budget I don't think you can do much better than that.

irishgrover wrote: »

Laguna 3 (2008 onwards) are one of the most reliable cars in their class. Breakdown durations, frequency and costs are considerably lower than VW, ford, bmw etc. But the previous versions of the laguna ensures that this myth continued

Nuw

Mandzhalas wrote: »

Why not get petrol saloon you like and convert it to run on lpg? Best motoring decision i have ever made.

That actually also makes a good bit of sense. If you have LPG station next to you or at least on your commute route.

Gravelly

ELM327 wrote: »

Apparently you are psychic!

Told ya!

Peatys

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/alfa-romeo/147/used-2010-alfa-romeo-147-1-9-turi-dublin-fpa-228246068016865

Peatys

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/opel/insignia/used-2009-opel-insignia-finance-2-dublin-fpa-4699133985342570224

Or if you're already dead inside

Gravelly

Peatys wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/alfa-romeo/147/used-2010-alfa-romeo-147-1-9-turi-dublin-fpa-228246068016865

That's a really nice car if you have the rocks to buy one.

frozenfrozen

Hi op I have a 260km commute

Bought a skoda superb for it, no complaints so far. Good on fuel and comfortable. Haven't had it long enough to say how reliable it is

mick4_2000

My 08 Skoda Octavia VRS

In all seriousness i'm doing about a 100KM round trip a day in it for the last few years and it hasn't missed a beat.

No issues passing out as needed and only €390 to tax per year.
And the boot don't mention the boot :pac:

Gravelly

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Hi op I have a 260km commute

Bought a skoda superb for it, no complaints so far. Good on fuel and comfortable. Haven't had it long enough to say how reliable it is

Unless you bought one of the very few Skoda lemons, it's likely to last indefinitely. Those things are like god.