Commute car (1000km per week)

Sly Marbo

Hi everyone,

I am starting a new job in a few weeks and my commute will average 180-190km per day, mostly on national roads and some motorway. Currently drive an 04 Polo and was looking for something a little bigger (but not by much). I am also still a new driver, have had my full licence for 1 year.

Considering the length of the commute I am looking primarily at diesels. My budget is 5k.

Some of the cars I have been looking at are Hyundai i20/i30 and also a Kia Ceed, the cars range from 2009 to 2012. My main worry is how dependable they will be for the commute over the next 2 to 3 years.

Does anyone here have experience with these cars over this distance or have any other suggestions? Any thoughts ye might have would be great!

bazz26

With doing that sort of mileage on a weekly basis I'd be putting comfort at the top of my list. It also consider something with cruise control as it will make the commute more tolerable.

A Renault Laguna being from the the class above the likes of a Hyundai i30 or Kia Ceed, would offer more in the way of comfort for long commutes and cruise control would be more common on it too.

For example:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2083462&r=s.php%3Fm%3D72%26o%3D618%26r%3D2010%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2083462&r=s.php%3Fm%3D72%26o%3D618%26r%3D2010%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

How any car will stand up to high mileage commutes will really depend on the individual car itself and how it was maintained by it's former owners. Remember most of the cars within your budget will be hitting 9 or 10 years old so brand reputation is less relevant imo.

selectamatic

2008 cheap tax 1.9tdi mk1 100bhp octavia or mk1 115bhp superb. Both available readily for half your budget and they're simple tried and tested machines.

The octavia will be slightly cheaper to tax and insure.

fits

An automatic is great if you can get one.

khaldrogo

bazz26 wrote:

A Renault Laguna being from the the class above the likes of a Hyundai i30 or Kia Ceed, would offer more in the way of comfort for long commutes and cruise control would be more common on it too.

OP said they wanted a hassle free car for feck sake!!!

OP. A lot of Hyundai's and Kias come standard with cruise control, AC etc. I have a 2013 Ceed 1.6crdi. Great car. Eats the miles and comfortable. And very reliable. With that mileage though I'd say an oil change every 6 months

Kuva

First thing I'd be looking for is a new job but that would be after I've signed on the dole after handing in my notice.

Life to short for 180km a day.

bazz26

khaldrogo wrote: »

OP said they wanted a hassle free car for feck sake!!!

OP. A lot of Hyundai's and Kias come standard with cruise control, AC etc. I have a 2013 Ceed 1.6crdi. Great car. Eats the miles and comfortable. And very reliable. With that mileage though I'd say an oil change every 6 months

Yes I know and that's what I recommended. Await the sharing of your bar stool knowledge on the Laguna III now.

BobbyPropane

I'd leverage another 2-3k somehow and pick up a 2012-14 hyundai i30

khaldrogo

bazz26 wrote:

Yes I know and that's what I recommended. Await the sharing of your bar stool knowledge on the Laguna III now.

Qualified mechanic with 20 years working on all makes and models. If my opinion on this matter doesn't count then I don't know what does.

Paulzx

Kuva wrote: »

First thing I'd be looking for is a new job but that would be after I've signed on the dole after handing in my notice.

Life to short for 180km a day.

Personally i think life is too short to sit around scratching my nuts all day while claiming 200 euro a week off the state to do so.

But hey, thats just me.

There's thousands of people every day commuting that type of distance by car. If they all packed it in we'd be back up to 15% unemployment rate in a flash.

bazz26

khaldrogo wrote: »

Qualified mechanic with 20 years working on all makes and models. If my opinion on this matter doesn't count then I don't know what does.

And how many Laguna III have come into you with serious problems compared to other brands? The Laguna II was a ball of **** but the Laguna III was a way better car when it came to reliability. Gearboxes gave problems on early Laguna III along with the electric parking brake. And Korean cars are not without fault either, some of their clutches must be made from chocolate.

khaldrogo

Calm down will ya!!!

Your Renault is great. Glad you like it.

In my experienced, somewhat expert opinion if I had to choose between a Renault and a Kia I would choose the Kia 10 times out of 10.

This is my opinion, you have yours. #democracy

bazz26 wrote:

And how many Laguna III have come into you with serious problems compared to other brands? The Laguna II was a ball of **** but the Laguna III was a way better car when it came to reliability. Gearboxes gave problems on early Laguna III along with the electric parking brake. And Korean cars are not without fault either, some of their clutches must be made from chocolate.

wally1990

Paulzx wrote: »

Personally i think life is too short to sit around scratching my nuts all day while claiming 200 euro a week off the state to do so.

But hey, thats just me.

There's thousands of people every day commuting that type of distance by car. If they all packed it in we'd be back up to 15% unemployment rate in a flash.

True

I work in an accountants and many of my client live in Galway and work in cork for example
And literally live in hostels / Hotels etc mon to fri

People have really have no idea/understanding

I have people coming from UK to Dublin Monday to Friday flying in on Sunday’s and back on fridays

Again people have no idea

Work is work and people will travel and do it if they really want the job and money

bazz26

khaldrogo wrote: »

Calm down will ya!!!

Your Renault is great. Glad you like it.

In my experienced, somewhat expert opinion if I had to choose between a Renault and a Kia I would choose the Kia 10 times out of 10.

This is my opinion, you have yours. #democracy

Nobody is getting excited dude and I don't have a Renault.

firstlight

I guess the other person is trying to say there's more to life than commuting in a car all day long, especially as there seems to be more work about although mostly at the minimum wage
Your going to be looking at 70 to 100 euros worth of motion lotion a week depending on the cars mpg figures
Like said above 2000 grand will buy you a grand diesel with all the jewellery in the window
52000kms a year the cars going to be worth nothing anyway
Audi/Skoda/VW would be my preferences but that's just my opinion

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

Yes I know and that's what I recommended. Await the sharing of your bar stool knowledge on the Laguna III now.

Pot, Kettle, Black.

road_high

BobbyPropane wrote: »

I'd leverage another 2-3k somehow and pick up a 2012-14 hyundai i30

OP needs something comfortable and solid. Not tinny and underpowered.

road_high

Sly Marbo wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I am starting a new job in a few weeks and my commute will average 180-190km per day, mostly on national roads and some motorway. Currently drive an 04 Polo and was looking for something a little bigger (but not by much). I am also still a new driver, have had my full licence for 1 year.

Considering the length of the commute I am looking primarily at diesels. My budget is 5k.

Some of the cars I have been looking at are Hyundai i20/i30 and also a Kia Ceed, the cars range from 2009 to 2012. My main worry is how dependable they will be for the commute over the next 2 to 3 years.

Does anyone here have experience with these cars over this distance or have any other suggestions? Any thoughts ye might have would be great!

I couldn't think of anything more miserable than driving a Hyundai I30 that far daily. Get something at least Mondeo class with a bit comfort, solidity and poke.

Brian?

road_high wrote: »

I couldn't think of anything more miserable than driving a Hyundai I30 that far daily. Get something at least Mondeo class with a bit comfort, solidity and poke.

Agreed. I’d go Mondeo or Accord.

mfceiling

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2010-renault-megane-1-5-dci/19532208

punisher5112

Citroen c5 anyone????

;-)

Anything with the 1.5 Renault engine is good.

Mondeo is a good motor just make sure if it's a 1.8 that the belts were changed.
2.0 bettering mondeo.

Citroen or Peugeot but it needs to be well looked after like anything of course but my mechanic swears by them and Renault of course later models.

bazz26

JayZeus wrote: »

Pot, Kettle, Black.

Purple, monkey, dishwasher. Keep pedaling there.

road_high

Brian? wrote: »

Agreed. I’d go Mondeo or Accord.

The great thing about the tax regime from 2008 onwards is that you can have a larger engine car/larger car for the same running costs (bar maintenance) as a smaller one. So if you need it (and the OP does) go large both in engine and class size.
I remember when anything over 1.6L was less desirable because of the much higher road tax.

Kuva

road_high wrote: »

The great thing about the tax regime from 2008 onwards is that you can have a larger engine car/larger car for the same running costs (bar maintenance) as a smaller one. So if you need it (and the OP does) go large both in engine and class size.
I remember when anything over 1.6L was less desirable because of the much higher road tax.

Surly they're gonna flip that this budget?

road_high

Kuva wrote: »

Surly they're gonna flip that this budget?

Let's hope not. Only sensible thing they ever as regards as motoring far as I'm concerned. Though not perfectly of course, I'd much prefer the UK system where you can run an older car without the huge penalty. Lot of very good older large engine cars have ended up (criminally) scrapped because of this.

selectamatic

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb/19686554
test till August 2019 145k miles on the clock
€390 tax annually
Probably one of the most economical yet simple cheap tax diesel cars available
Asking €2900 I'd say plenty of room for haggling

christy02

khaldrogo wrote:

OP. A lot of Hyundai's and Kias come standard with cruise control, AC etc. I have a 2013 Ceed 1.6crdi. Great car. Eats the miles and comfortable. And very reliable. With that mileage though I'd say an oil change every 6 months

Tbf if you think a Ceed 1.6crdi is as comfortable as a Laguna is unrealistic. Hardly eats miles as well. What are you comparing to? A polo or something?
They are functional but plasticky and not a nice place to be for a 1000km a week. Laguna is much more appropriate.

shanec1928

A co Worker does a 200km round trip daily in a mk3 luguna with no hassle so far before that was a Mk3 Mondeo which had over 600,000kms before retirement.

Kuva

shanec1928 wrote: »

A co Worker does a 200km round trip daily in a mk3 luguna with no hassle so far before that was a Mk3 Mondeo which had over 600,000kms before retirement.

How long does that take?

Kuva

Kuva wrote: »

First thing I'd be looking for is a new job but that would be after I've signed on the dole after handing in my notice.

Life to short for 180km a day.

Kuva wrote: »

How long does that take?

I can see your point and I wouldn't fancy a commute over 30kms myself but drogheda to Dublin, cashel to cork, Waterford to cork etc etc are done by many folk for work 5 days a week.
A 100km commute to work isn't hugely uncommon.

road_high

Bert_reynolds wrote: »

Sorry to hog another person's thread but on the subject of Renault.

I drive a commercial vehicle to work but need a car for weekend's for the kids,do not want to spend much, came across a 2012 chrysler delta ( fiat engine) 1.6 diesel for sale in the North East, 5k will buy it, Renault megane is only other hatchback close to that money for a 2012 and the cheapest one is around 5700.

Long story short is a Renault megane or a car with a fiat engine a worse option?, resale value not important.

Jesus Megane all the way. Those Deltas aren't nice and even worse with that ridiculous Chrysler badge. That model Megane is a good car, very reliable. Only real downside is the low rent interior.

road_high

Bert_reynolds wrote: »

No nothing about the deltas bar they have a fiat engine but the badge wouldn't bother me. I thought it was nice actually.

All about whether it's reasonably reliable compared to a megane, is fiat way worse than Renault, my hunch is they are not that much worse?

I don't know a lot about the Delta reliability (it's really a rebadged Lancia Delta which is a previous model Fiat Bravo though which was a good car I believe). I'd think servicing and parts would be a lot easier with the Megane. There's Renault dealers everywhere and the 1.5 dci is in a lot of vehicles.

road_high

Bert_reynolds wrote: »

Mechanic who does my work is a private operator and fiat parts work with the delta.

Probably go with megane unless I got the delta cheaper.

Perhaps engine parts but the rest will be completely different, body panels and the like. You'd get the Megane stuff in a breakers, unlikely the Delta as so few were sold.

khaldrogo

christy02 wrote:

Tbf if you think a Ceed 1.6crdi is as comfortable as a Laguna is unrealistic. Hardly eats miles as well. What are you comparing to? A polo or something? They are functional but plasticky and not a nice place to be for a 1000km a week. Laguna is much more appropriate.

A Laguna isn't plasticky!!!!!

christy02

khaldrogo wrote:

A Laguna isn't plasticky!!!!!

Not in same league as a Ceed. And I don't own a Renault by the way.

myshirt

Two mechanics crossing spanners in a duel. I like it.

Op I can't recommend a car but I will echo what others have said about the commute. It will wear you down once you get a couple of months into it. Do it, but make sure you learn as much as you can in the job and have a strategy to get out of this regime.

techie

Op, a Renault Megane would be ideal for your commute, try and get a TomTom spec, cruise control and climate control, my wife has one and easily does 1100 per tank every week, comfortable too on the roads you describe.

Sly Marbo

Thank you everyone for your advice!

I will look at a few of your suggestions, was hoping for something smaller like the i30 or ceed etc, but will try out a few of the larger suggestions. My experience has all been in smaller hatchbacks so was one reason I was looking at them.

My commute will be this long for a year or so, hoping to move a bit closer then which will drop the distance per day.

road_high

Sly Marbo wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your advice!

I will look at a few of your suggestions, was hoping for something smaller like the i30 or ceed etc, but will try out a few of the larger suggestions. My experience has all been in smaller hatchbacks so was one reason I was looking at them.

My commute will be this long for a year or so, hoping to move a bit closer then which will drop the distance per day.

For the extra mile you'll be doing, the added comfort and solidity of a larger car will be a godsend. And the difference in price/running costs negligible

khaldrogo

christy02 wrote:

Not in same league as a Ceed. And I don't own a Renault by the way.

I didn't know there were different grades of plastic......one type makes a car crap and one type makes it comfortable

road_high

khaldrogo wrote: »

I didn't know there were different grades of plastic......one type makes a car crap and one type makes it comfortable

Of course there is! That’s why an Audi is a nicer place to be than a Yaris for example! Cars are tactile and have a certain feel depending on the quality of materials used.

christy02

road_high wrote:

Of course there is! That’s why an Audi is a nicer place to be than a Yaris for example! Cars are tactile and have a certain feel depending on the quality of materials used.

Exactly. They are all plastic moulded components. Some have a nicer feel than others.

Of course this lad reckons a Ceed is the best car to commute 1000km a week in!!!!

road_high

christy02 wrote: »

Exactly. They are all plastic moulded components. Some have a nicer feel than others.

Of course this lad reckons a Ceed is the best car to commute 1000km a week in!!!!

There’s a lot of them about- think Hyundai Kia are the best thing since sliced bread- ignoring completely the fact that there’s so so much more to a car than just perceived reliability. Recommending someone doing 1000Km a week get a Ceed or I30 is ridiculous, mechanic or not

firstlight

road_high wrote: »

Of course there is! That’s why an Audi is a nicer place to be than a Yaris for example! Cars are tactile and have a certain feel depending on the quality of materials used.

Id agree with that myself,My own car is 16 year old but the plastics and interior materials used are still in great condition,feeling of been well put together and not cheap

khaldrogo

road_high wrote:

Of course there is! That’s why an Audi is a nicer place to be than a Yaris for example! Cars are tactile and have a certain feel depending on the quality of materials used.

I tend to spend my time driving my car as opposed to caressing the dash but whatever you're into. I suppose its better to have aesthetically pleasing dash while you wait for the tow truck.

khaldrogo

Listen. The OP asked for recommendations. One of the factors being reliability. I recommended a reliable car.
You can all have your little French scrap love in all you want. No skin off my nose.

khaldrogo

road_high wrote:

Of course there is! That’s why an Audi is a nicer place to be than a Yaris.....

We are comparing a Laguna with a Ceed.

bootser

In a similar situation as the op(but less disposable cash!), just bought 08 markIII Laguna after getting some advise from the bangernomics thread, hopefully I'll be able to give some good feedback on Laguna reliability! I'll try to keep you all posted!! Best of luck in the new job op!

chicorytip

Volvo S40 1.6 D. One of these would suit your requirements.

road_high

khaldrogo wrote: »

I tend to spend my time driving my car as opposed to caressing the dash but whatever you're into. I suppose its better to have aesthetically pleasing dash while you wait for the tow truck.

But surely when you’re “driving” you spend the same time sitting and surrounded by plastics as the rest of us? Or are you oblivious to the feel, touch and tactility of the cabin you sit in? Or the controls? It sounds very much like you are and any old ****e will do so long as it keeps going. Most of us simply want more out of our driving experience these days.
If you don’t mind me saying for someone that purports to be a mechanic you appear to understand very little about the experience of driving and that it’s not just solely perceived reliability most of us want. Especially someone doing big mileage

dvdman1

Ford Focus or Mondeo, diesel,...theres loads around ..both are comfortable and road handling is excellent, mechanically theres no big suprises if ever.