176km daily commute?

FrankC21

Hi,

I'd like to know what sort of vehicle I should buy, I will be moving to Drogheda soon and at the moment I am working in Dun Laoghaire (88km each way) daily commute 4-5 days a week. I have 1.2 ford fiesta 08 and I tried driving the route on my day off and I was tired after, so I'll be looking at a car that is reliable, economical and comfort, I do work a 12 hour shift and I do not really want to be tired before even starting work or even after work.
I can't afford a new one therefore second hand is what ill be buying.

Budget is under 10k
I prefer a hatch over a saloon.
Diesel or Petrol?
Should I consider an SUV?

bazz26

With that daily commute comfort, cruise control and plenty of pep for overtaking should be considered high up the list of needs too.

Something like this:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2319206&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D26%26o%5B%5D%3D259%26f%3D2%26nn%3D12%26b%3D2%26yn%3D2013%26yx%3D2014%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

cloneslad

Not trying to be a smart a$$, but would you consider the train?

If you are doing it during regular commuting hours that could be a 2 - 3 hour journey some mornings

If not, make sure it's comfortable as hell and has air con...google play / android auto would be a bonus too.

FrankC21

Train in winter?? Oh god, my shift starts at 8am until 8pm

Skatedude

FrankC21 wrote: »

Train in winter?? Oh god, my shift starts at 8am until 8pm

In that case, public transport is out, so big comfortable car with an autobox.

Just waiting for someone to give out that you didn't consider cycling

Duke O Smiley

IMO a GTD Golf fits the bill perfectly:

-Comfortable (great seats in them)
-Cruise control is easily retrofitted
-Plenty of power for overtaking

Its a hatchback, there are loads of them in budget and it should hold its value well even if it has high mileage at the end of your ownership

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-2-0tdi-gtd-auto-ncted-immacula/21563410?campaign=3



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-2-0-gtd-170bhp-dsg-full-leather-/22474626



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2009-vw-golf-2-0tdi-gtd-dsg-auto/21643265

Duke O Smiley

Left field option:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-ds5-automatic-2013-high-spec/22264124



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-ds5-automatic-one-year-free-road-tax/21171494





Look at those seats!

Duke O Smiley

Not exactly what you're looking for - but technically it is a hatchback :P

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/141-skoda-suberb-elegance-dsg-reduced/22172249



These are excellent cars. Plenty of toys, very comfortable (a favourite with taxi drivers for a reason), and you can get one relatively up in years for in or around 10k. If I was in your shoes one of these would be my first port of call

Lantus

That's a savage commute, presumably you don't have much choice...

You'd need to leave at 6ish to avoid the drama of the m50. At least at your finish time traffic will be light.

I'd look at an automatic and something big and comfy. Consider a toll tag but will depend where you live in drogheda.

So A6, superb, volvo.

FrankC21

I will live in Liscorrie, that's on the north side but the place is 2 mins away from the m1. And Yes with the crazy house prices in dublin, my wife and I have no choice but to look outside Dublin within our budget. Drove my 1.2 ford fiesta to and from Drogheda, i was a bit drained afterwards. Should I consider an suv but will it be costly.

bazz26

You don't specifically need a SUV or crossover for mostly motorway/dc commuting or do you just fancy one?

FrankC21

Just curious, someone advice me to get a bigger car hence tires for winter.

FrankC21

But i am considering the superb or volvo, for volvo what model??

bazz26

A bigger car than a Fiesta doesn't automatically mean it has to be a SUV/crossover unless your commute involves going up the side of a mountain.

Lantus

An suv is not required and offers no additional comfort or benefit. Unless you like being sat just a little higher.

Mike9832

Electric?

800-900km is surely €70-80 a week on diesel?

Half price tolls €15 a week saving?

Maintenance/servicing/tax on diesel over a year on an older car will be alot too?

I'd guess including everything probably save €110 a week/€450 a month by switching to electric

Which would probably cover payments on a brand new Leaf or similar

Lantus

Mike9832 wrote: »

Electric?

800-900km is surely €70-80 a week on diesel?

Half price tolls €15 a week saving?

Maintenance/servicing/tax on diesel over a year on an older car will be alot too?

I'd guess including everything probably save €110 a week/€450 a month by switching to electric

Which would probably cover payments on a brand new Leaf or similar

A budget of under 10k won't get you a 30k leaf regardless of the savings to be made in 5 years time. Also not sure a leaf would be best. A kona would be only real choice given almost 95% motorway. Still not an option.

Mike9832

Lantus wrote: »

A budget of under 10k won't get you a 30k leaf regardless of the savings to be made in 5 years time. Also not sure a leaf would be best. A kona would be only real choice given almost 95% motorway. Still not an option.

True on the Leaf

Depreciation going to be savage at 50k km per annum on a new car too

scamalert

Mike9832 wrote: »

True on the Leaf

Depreciation going to be savage at 50k km per annum on a new car too

id say charging it like a phone each day would be right pain in the hole, any decent diesel full tank, would be more then enough to fill once a week.


nissan quashai +2010 uk full spec would be another option plenty of those on the road, comes with most extras youd need, not really suv either, and below cost of most other same spec models.

is_that_so

FrankC21 wrote: »

Hi,

I'd like to know what sort of vehicle I should buy, I will be moving to Drogheda soon and at the moment I am working in Dun Laoghaire (88km each way) daily commute 4-5 days a week. I have 1.2 ford fiesta 08 and I tried driving the route on my day off and I was tired after, so I'll be looking at a car that is reliable, economical and comfort, I do work a 12 hour shift and I do not really want to be tired before even starting work or even after work.
I can't afford a new one therefore second hand is what ill be buying.

Budget is under 10k
I prefer a hatch over a saloon.
Diesel or Petrol?
Should I consider an SUV?

Go with the car option anyway but I would look at the Matthews bus through the Port Tunnel to city centre and then DART as an option because it will wear you down , especially in the winter. Morning would be grand but you'd need to get to Parnell St by the half hour for the way back. You might also consider biting the bullet on the Port Tunnel/East Link every so often on the way into Dublin. Train is an option if little messier and longer, Enterprise if you can manage it.

madmac187

I do 260km commute everyday up the M7 and into city. I would recommend this tbh.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/22427472

Lots of power and comfort. Do not try and fool yourself into an electric car, it will not do it. I used to do the spin in a a4 3.0 Quattro, now I’m doing it in a ford transit connect.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/22427472

Lantus

is_that_so wrote: »

Go with the car option anyway but I would look at the Matthews bus through the Port Tunnel to city centre and then DART as an option because it will wear you down , especially in the winter. Morning would be grand but you'd need to get to Parnell St by the half hour for the way back. You might also consider biting the bullet on the Port Tunnel/East Link every so often on the way into Dublin. Train is an option if little messier and longer, Enterprise if you can manage it.

Given early start and late finish car would be sooo much quicker and therefore best option.

M50 would be reasonable at 720ish and OK after 8pm when op leaves. 1 hr 20 min journey give or take each way vs the 2 hour + train door to door.

chicorytip

Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dci.

FrankC21

madmac187 wrote: »

I do 260km commute everyday up the M7 and into city. I would recommend this tbh.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/22427472

Lots of power and comfort. Do not try and fool yourself into an electric car, it will not do it. I used to do the spin in a a4 3.0 Quattro, now I’m doing it in a ford transit connect.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/22427472

Isnt that a bit expensive to maintain, i am really looking for a workhorse of a car with a touch of comfort.

CorkMan_

I'd recommend a Golf too. Well built and good on the road noise etc. I did 110 miles to/from work a day for 13 years and the biggest issue over time would be road noise as it does get tiring. I had a laguna which was very good but they haven't been made since 2012 and finding an auto will be difficult.

Belfast

2014 (142) Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI ELEGANCE 140HP
€9,950
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2320223&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D80%26o%5B%5D%3D683%26d%3D8000%26e%3D10000%26f%3D2%26nn%3D12%26b%3D2%26t%3D1%26g%3D0

bazz26

Does somebody work for Skoda?

terrydel

I'd be looking for a new job, not a new car!
That Citreon above looks tasty. The one with the brown seats.

FrankC21

terrydel wrote: »

I'd be looking for a new job, not a new car!
That Citreon above looks tasty. The one with the brown seats.

I wish it's that simple really but the bank is looking for a solid employment history applying for a mortgage and I can't really leave the job until I get the key of the new house and my wifey is on 2yrs contract, we are considering it.

terrydel

FrankC21 wrote: »

I wish it was that simple really but the bank is looking for a solid employment history applying for a mortgage and I can't really live the job until I get the key of the new house and my wifey is on 2yrs contract, we are considering it.

In a very similar boat mate, all the best with it.

FrankC21

How about a Ford Mondeo it is cheaper than skoda and audi? Are ford mondeo reliable?

GavMan

FrankC21 wrote: »

How about a Ford Mondeo it is cheaper than skoda and audi? Are ford mondeo reliable?

They would be reliable and you'll know what you're getting from Ford as a Fiesta driver. But honestly dull as dishwater and usually coming with very few toys. A Superb be a lot more comfortable especially if you can get a DSG Auto

The Audi linked (for example) wont be an awful lot more expensive to run, especially if you use a trusted independent mechanic

If it was me, I'd be looking for some like an A6 or older 7 series BMW and drive it into the ground. If I couldn't get a decent one for the money, next would be a Superb for sure

68 lost souls

I commutes in a 05Golf 2L tdi from south Dublin to Dunker to start at 8. Spent 3 hours a day in the car, would be worse the other way.

Costs racked up at around €8000 a year between tolls, maintance , tax and insurance and that was getting about 49mpg

An suv or larger car is a big heavy lump that will cost even more to run on fuel.

That high cost of commute should also be taken into account for your living situation. If you are renting that works out at over €500 extra a month or buying an extra €509 towards your mortgage.

colm_mcm

Volvo S60 2.0d

Blazer

Buy a 5 series. The long distance you want something comfortable, leather seats, aircon and power.
Its a saloon but who the hell wants to be stuck in a quashqai for 800km a week. :eek:

A6 is another good shout.

beggars_bush

Surely there's somewhere closer than that to move to?

That's the first option I'd look at

FrankC21

beggars_bush wrote: »

Surely there's somewhere closer than that to move to?

That's the first option I'd look at

We tried, most of the new built houses within our budget are Kildare, Portlaoise, Rathdrum, Baltinglass, Dundalk and Wexford by far the house in Drogheda is more convenient due to its location 15 mins walk from lourdes hospital, 6 mins drive from shops and schools.

cruizer101

FrankC21 wrote: »

Train in winter?? Oh god, my shift starts at 8am until 8pm

First train at 6 will get you there by half 7. You are opposite side of drogheda to train station but I still think be worth looking into, you can sleep on train or watch netflix or whatever.
I would at least give it a go a few times to see what you think of it.

I have to say I find it strange how people are suggesting public transport, there is absolutely no way I could face a 1.5 hr commute on public transport, car all day long. At least you have your comfort, private space, freedom to come/go when you please etc.

Lantus

Tadeo Tiny Drug wrote: »

I have to say I find it strange how people are suggesting public transport, there is absolutely no way I could face a 1.5 hr commute on public transport car all day long. At least you have your comfort, private space, freedom to come/go when you please etc.

It's more than 1.5hrs. I left the house at 7am to travel from drogheda to Dublin Connolly. Would get me in just before 9am at my desk. Going back you'd leave at 5pm to run to get train and get home at 7pm or often later.

Your commute is even longer and your shift times don't require public transport.

_Brian

bazz26 wrote: »

With that daily commute comfort, cruise control and plenty of pep for overtaking should be considered high up the list of needs too.

Something like this:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2319206&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D26%26o%5B%5D%3D259%26f%3D2%26nn%3D12%26b%3D2%26yn%3D2013%26yx%3D2014%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

We had one here and I was always disappointed with the comfort. It was a nice car but not overly comfortable. A Skoda Superb is a way more comfortable motor although we went for a Ford Kuga as a replacement for the Mondeo as I have a bad back.

Wildly Boaring

Lantus wrote: »

Tadeo Tiny Drug wrote: »

I have to say I find it strange how people are suggesting public transport, there is absolutely no way I could face a 1.5 hr commute on public transport car all day long. At least you have your comfort, private space, freedom to come/go when you please etc.

It's more than 1.5hrs. I left the house at 7am to travel from drogheda to Dublin Connolly. Would get me in just before 9am at my desk. Going back you'd leave at 5pm to run to get train and get home at 7pm or often later.

Your commute is even longer and your shift times don't require public transport.

Often commuted meath to monkstown.

It's absolutely grand once you're outside traffic. Inside an hour. Motorway all the way for 90k.

Don't go with the likes of 5 series, 7 series or a6. All too dear to maintain.

Go diesel, long and hopefully auto.
Volvo for the seats??
V50 or v60 or s60 or v70
Superb
Avensis
Mondeo

Cruise and climate are a must.

You'll be shooting up mileage say 50k km a year plus personal so buy at 10k with intention of 4 years and scrap.

Personally once settled in the house I'd be on the job hunt. Anywhere from airport to the border and over to trim.

bilbot79

Tadeo Tiny Drug wrote: »

I have to say I find it strange how people are suggesting public transport, there is absolutely no way I could face a 1.5 hr commute on public transport car all day long. At least you have your comfort, private space, freedom to come/go when you please etc.

Public transport = chill out time. Driving 1.5hrs = brain drain

Wildly Boaring

bilbot79 wrote: »

Tadeo Tiny Drug wrote: »

I have to say I find it strange how people are suggesting public transport, there is absolutely no way I could face a 1.5 hr commute on public transport car all day long. At least you have your comfort, private space, freedom to come/go when you please etc.

Public transport = chill out time. Driving 1.5hrs = brain drain

Public transport from drogheda to south side equals hell.
If it were to city centre I'd be all for Matthews and the tunnel

Lantus

Lantus wrote: »

It's more than 1.5hrs. I left the house at 7am to travel from drogheda to Dublin Connolly. Would get me in just before 9am at my desk. Going back you'd leave at 5pm to run to get train and get home at 7pm or often later.

Your commute is even longer and your shift times don't require public transport.

What times were the trains you were getting ?
I’m in Drogheda and starting a job in Pearse Street next week . I live near Colpe Southgate so could get to Drogheda or Laytown for train. Was hoping to leave house at 7.30 am and home by 6.30 pm , will be commuting to and from Pearse St. I’m thinking 1.5 hours max, not 2 hours :eek:

There are 5 posters recommending a car with 'power' for a commute that's entirely either motorway or stop-start suburban Dublin traffic. Can people not put their biases to the side and recommend what the OP is asking for?

'Ye m8 you need a 535d for POWAH and OVERTAKING when sticking to the speed limit on the motorway or averaging 7km/h in suburban traffic'

Commuting long distance by train is normal in other countries because a) it's less tiring/stressful than driving & b) you can actually do something on the train (whether work, catch up on the news, watch a movie or whatever).

The train from Drogheda to Dun Laoighaire is 1h30mins in the morning, and 1h12mins in the evening, so realistically 2hours door to door I'd imagine.

It'll be:

€3100+ per year in fuel (and only going to go up substantially)
Minimum of 6 tyres per year in consumables (€700 incl fitting? €900? More?)
2 vehicle services per year (€400 excluding extras?)
Wear and tear braking, suspension and timing items on the car
+ depreciation

For maximum an extra 200 hours commuting via public transport and ~€1,300 taxsaver ticket

How much do you value an hour of your spare time OP? That's the real question really

Nekarsulm

If I were in your shoes, my heart would have me buying this

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2012-mercedes-benz-e-series-mint-reduced/22252453

But my head would have me looking at this

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-avensis/22495779

Deeco

Deleted User wrote: »

What times were the trains you were getting ?
I’m in Drogheda and starting a job in Pearse Street next week . I live near Colpe Southgate so could get to Drogheda or Laytown for train. Was hoping to leave house at 7.30 am and home by 6.30 pm , will be commuting to and from Pearse St. I’m thinking 1.5 hours max, not 2 hours :eek:

7:30am will be at Pearse for a 8:35am ish , like a cattle mart coming home, to get to drogheda for 6:30pm , you need to be getting the 5 or 5:15pm from pearse at the least.

Deeco

Nekarsulm wrote: »

If I were in your shoes, my heart would have me buying this

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2012-mercedes-benz-e-series-mint-reduced/22252453

But my head would have me looking at this

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-avensis/22495779

recommend the highest mpg and lowest tax you can get as will cost you driving that distance, diesels will be taxed outta of it in the next budget , electric not an option , petrol higher amount of services...

Deeco

Deleted User wrote: »

There are 5 posters recommending a car with 'power' for a commute that's entirely either motorway or stop-start suburban Dublin traffic. Can people not put their biases to the side and recommend what the OP is asking for?

'Ye m8 you need a 535d for POWAH and OVERTAKING when sticking to the speed limit on the motorway or averaging 7km/h in suburban traffic'

Commuting long distance by train is normal in other countries because a) it's less tiring/stressful than driving & b) you can actually do something on the train (whether work, catch up on the news, watch a movie or whatever).

The train from Drogheda to Dun Laoighaire is 1h30mins in the morning, and 1h12mins in the evening, so realistically 2hours door to door I'd imagine.

It'll be:

€3100+ per year in fuel (and only going to go up substantially)
Minimum of 6 tyres per year in consumables (€700 incl fitting? €900? More?)
2 vehicle services per year (€400 excluding extras?)
Wear and tear braking, suspension and timing items on the car
+ depreciation

For maximum an extra 200 hours commuting via public transport and ~€1,300 taxsaver ticket

How much do you value an hour of your spare time OP? That's the real question really

"Commuting long distance by train is normal in other countries because a) it's less tiring/stressful than driving & b) you can actually do something on the train (whether work, catch up on the news, watch a movie or whatever).
"

Have you ever been on this train ? seats are only an option from grand canal dock usually whilst people kill each other at pearse for the remaining 2.


You may want to check your prices also as this is not in the commuter zone because its a cash cow and deterent to overcrowding at 2650 per year.

https://www.taxsaver.ie/Ticket-Types/Rail-point-to-point-tickets/

paleoperson

I have sympathy with OP wanting to avoid trains myself. I've never quite gotten the hang of it. You're in a small enclosure with a bunch of random people, while they won't be interested in you at the same time you are restricted in some things you can really do - you can't get up and go for a walk and do a few press-ups. You can't really laugh or react at something on screen without feeling a bit self-conscious, at least I wouldn't. Then there's the bustle in and out, and it feels a bit depressing, like the loneliness in a crowd phenomenon. **** where is this post going... let's just say being on a train is a strange experience for some people. I do think though that if it was every day I would probably get used to it.

The main point of this post is that while being on a train would unsettle me, I would much prefer it to a car journey starting at 6am every day. Reason being safety. You're already a couple of orders of magnitude (100x, 1000x, 10000x...) more likely to die the second you decide to sit in the car rather than the train. Now imagine that every day. Imagine getting delayed and going to bed lateish one night, let's say 1am. Now this is 5 hours sleep at most which is already dodgy, you're under enormous pressure to start sleeping right away. If you can't sleep, you're absolutely ****ed. Going to bed every night you're going to have this pressure over you, increasing stress.

The solution is to take the train. If you get really tired some day then you can sleep on the train - and as an added bonus arrive in work to start your day significantly more refreshed instead of exhausted after a long drive added to lack of sleep. Of course you still have to get to the train which is hopefully not too far a distance.