Commuter car advice

setanta1984

Looking to spend around €25k for a relatively new car for a 60km each way daily commute, plus maybe a similar drive one of the weekend days. Mostly N roads with some city driving at the end.
Would like to be at most 2-3 years old, as I'd intend to keep it a good few years, and my last 2 cars have been pretty old (and small) so I'd like something as up to date as possible now.
Looking for something with a comfortable and premium interior, and reliable. Not really interested in SUVs or crossovers, would prefer a more traditional saloon or hatchback.

Thinking of something along the lines of a 2017 VW Passat, for a larger car, or maybe Mazda 6. Mondeo looks nice from the outside but the interior doesn't look half as plush as either of the two above. Maybe Audi A3 or A4 but they seem but they seem to be a bit more expensive.

I also really like the Volvo V40 (this seems to be the only Volvo model in my price range when limiting to 3 years old). It's obviously a smaller car than the above options, but would they be any less comfy for a commute? They seem better, or at least as well specced in terms of tech and comfort as the others.

Any other cars worth considering in those brackets? And any opinions on the size difference of going for something like the V40 over something like the Passat for such a commute?
I'm not very knowledgable about car specifics or engine types so all input welcome, thanks.

Del2005

Do you have access to a charge point at each end? Then an EV is the cheapest option.

setanta1984

Del2005 wrote: »

Do you have access to a charge point at each end? Then an EV is the cheapest option.

No, no access at either end unfortunately (rented accommodation)

Lantus

Skoda superb would easily get a 2016 or 17 model at that price.

Passat a good choice.

I'd get a diesel for those miles. Great deals at the minute as dealers look to reduce and clear diesel stock.

Still a great choice for consumer.

bazz26

If drop back a year you will get a nice comfortable cruiser like the A6:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2232378&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D7%26o%5B%5D%3D45%26f%3D2%26b%3D1%26t%3D2%26yn%3D2015%26yx%3D2016%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Or if you prefer something a bit more compact:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2240387&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D53%26o%5B%5D%3D444%26f%3D2%26nn%3D12%26b%3D1%26t%3D2%26yn%3D2016%26yx%3D2017%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Shefwedfan

https://www.volkswagen.ie/e-mobility/en.html

8 days it might be worth the wait, ID.3 will be launch, now you can't get till next year but based on information released so far it will start circa 25k and will have 300km+ range.....if just a commuter car. The ID.3 is the size of Golf but the interior will be the same as Passat

Apart from that A6 is lovely but she will be hard on juice with that type of driving. Of course 5 series as well but they are a good bit bigger than a Passat. The A4 is the same as Passat

If looking at A3 and V40 they are hatchback so will be more economical that a car. People go with bigger cars for boot space etc. So if you dont have a requirement for this then go smaller and get better fuel economy.

Expect about 20 posts on Skoda's.

Del2005

Shefwedfan wrote: »

https://www.volkswagen.ie/e-mobility/en.html

8 days it might be worth the wait, ID.3 will be launch, now you can't get till next year but based on information released so far it will start circa 25k and will have 300km+ range.....if just a commuter car. The ID.3 is the size of Golf but the interior will be the same as Passat

Even the biggest EV fans agree that you can't run an EV on the current public charging network.

Shefwedfan

Del2005 wrote: »

Even the biggest EV fans agree that you can't run an EV on the current public charging network.

I agree but I have eGolf Gen 1 and have used public network 5 times maybe in over 2 years, nearly 3 now.



The commute is 60km each way which I would do in my car without any issue.



The ID.3 base model will have 330km, so you could do work nearly 3 days without a charge, of course the recommendation is a home charger and top up every night.



The public network is poor but getting upgraded, Ionity are now open in one site in ireland and will have 9 I think by end of year. So public network will be redundant

setanta1984

Thanks for the posts so far. Electric is a not an option for now, but definitely interested in the future when I have a place for a charger.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

If looking at A3 and V40 they are hatchback so will be more economical that a car. People go with bigger cars for boot space etc. So if you dont have a requirement for this then go smaller and get better fuel economy.

Yeah, I am wondering if I really need a car the size of an A6 or Passat - probably don't need huge boot space and would rarely have more than 2 in the car at the moment. Up for convincing though!
If a smaller car could provide a similar level of comfort and gadgets inside that would probably do. Love the idea of cruise control, heated seats, dual climate controls (last car didn't even have A/C), parking sensors/cameras etc. - all stuff I've never had up til now.

What would a Mercedes A class be like for such a commute? Would you need to go up to the C class for what I'm looking for? Also see some CLA class ones in and around my budget that seem to be a coupe version of the A?
Just from internet research the V40 seems to be my favourite so far, any thoughts on it? current model seems to be around a good few years now...

Hopefully get to do some test driving in the next few weeks.

Belfast

2017 (171) Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI STYLE 150BHP
€23,995


https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2200341&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D80%26o%5B%5D%3D683%26d%3D20000%26e%3D25000%26f%3D2%26t%3D1%26f1%3Dstyle%26g%3D1

Shefwedfan

setanta1984 wrote: »

Yeah, I am wondering if I really need a car the size of an A6 or Passat - probably don't need huge boot space and would rarely have more than 2 in the car at the moment. Up for convincing though!
If a smaller car could provide a similar level of comfort and gadgets inside that would probably do. Love the idea of cruise control, heated seats, dual climate controls (last car didn't even have A/C), parking sensors/cameras etc. - all stuff I've never had up til now.

What would a Mercedes A class be like for such a commute? Would you need to go up to the C class for what I'm looking for? Also see some CLA class ones in and around my budget that seem to be a coupe version of the A?
Just from internet research the V40 seems to be my favourite so far, any thoughts on it? current model seems to be around a good few years now...

Hopefully get to do some test driving in the next few weeks.

No home charger then dont even bother looking at electric.....



Go smaller but go high end. Merc/BMW/Audi the issue then is good spec. The advantage of BEV is they mostly come fully loaded with all the features you list above.



Merc is not a car for me. I am an Audi person but have had BMW's before as well but just prefer the interior to Audi's.



The Volvo is nice, but not to everyone taste so really would recommending driving one.



What about a lexus
https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/ct200h/used-2017-171-lexus-ct200h-mc-ct200h-cork-fpa-201904277379736


It is hybrid, no need to plug in but with your commute it would beperfect

kerten

I would steer towards to Lexus IS300h if refinement, comfort and reliability are priorities.

AMKC

How about a look at the Renault Megane Grand Coupe. You could have a brand new one for the less than the 25k price you are talking about and choose your own spec and colour or you could by a second hand one like this one,

https://www.renault.ie/vehicles/used-vehicles/search.html

I think it looks well but it is an auto.

You don't say in your post if you want an auto or Manual transmission.

The new Corolla saloon is nice to as is the new Mazda 3 saloon or how about a Peugeot 508 saloon. You might have to go over your 25k for it but its a stunner. Lots of choice and these would be cheaper to maintain and run than a lot of the other flash cars like the Mercs, Beemer's and Audi's that some people here are going on about. These posh cars can have issues too. My aunt had to bring her flash Merc coupe back because there was a fault with the passenger seat of all things.

Shefwedfan

I wouldn't classify a Renault, Peugeot or Toyota Corolla as comfortable and premium interior.

The new Camry would be but start at40k.

I would guess as commuter car the preference would be auto.

setanta1984

AMKC wrote: »

You don't say in your post if you want an auto or Manual transmission.

Sorry - I am not opposed to either. I have never driven an auto yet, but definitely open to it. I wouldn't rule out either tbh.

Current favourites at the moment would be 2017 Passat, Audi A4 (fewer available under budget it seems, only 1 in my region when limiting to 2016/17)

That Megane Grand Coupe does look tidy especially from the outside.

Shefwedfan

setanta1984 wrote: »

Sorry - I am not opposed to either. I have never driven an auto yet, but definitely open to it. I wouldn't rule out either tbh.

Current favourites at the moment would be 2017 Passat, Audi A4 (fewer available under budget it seems, only 1 in my region when limiting to 2016/17)

That Megane Grand Coupe does look tidy especially from the outside.

Wait till you sit into it

setanta1984

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Wait till you sit into it

I was trying to come across open minded

setanta1984

I've been thinking about maybe going for a new Ford Focus as a potential option.

Going on the Ford car builder thing, I can get a 1 litre Ecoboost (125ps) petrol version with all the extras I want including the partial leather interior for about €28k - going for the 1.5 litre diesel brings it over €30k - 30k is more than I am willing to spend, but maybe getting rid of some of the tech toys might offset the diesel price difference
I really don't know a whole lot about engines and their suitability - looking at youtube reviews the petrol gets decent reviews but would it be good for a 120km daily drive? I'm assuming the main benefit of the diesel is better fuel economy? Which would you guys recommend for sucha commute?

I'll be finally getting to go and look at and test drive cars next week so will know a bit more then, just trying to decide in my own mind now whether it would be better to get a new 'cheaper' car like the Focus with 0 miles and it being 'fresh' (but with maybe not the same level of comfort/'premiumness') or go for something older but bigger like a 2016/17 Passat or Audi

Would love any more opinions, thanks (particularly on the Focus)

colm_mcm

Resale value with big mileage will be better on the diesel. Obvs fuel economy will be better too.

€28k or €30k for a Focus is nuts though, they don’t have the appeal used like a Golf does so you will be hit hard with depreciation.