Car for long daily commutes

CraftySue

Recently accepted a job a bit of a distance from home. Commute is 60 miles each way, regional roads - presently have an old petrol car and am thinking of upgrading. Budget is about €12,000. Just looking for advice/ ideas what I should look for.

kermitpwee

CraftySue wrote: »

Recently accepted a job a bit of a distance from home. Commute is 60 miles each way, regional roads - presently have an old petrol car and am thinking of upgrading. Budget is about €12,000. Just looking for advice/ ideas what I should look for.

What exactly is your old petrol car?

CraftySue

kermitpwee wrote: »

What exactly is your old petrol car?

15 year old ford focus

ELM327

Skoda Superb, make sure to get a good spec one
Am currently doing 50k a year in a nice DSG 170 tdi model, heated leather seats and cruise control are great to have!

Dia_Anseo

There is a recession around the corner therefore one must be prudent about being a spendthrift.

Ask yourself what necessities do I need? You probably need a car but not a 12k car. Cut your cloth to measure and get a budget car for the recession. 

This is a 2013 car that could be got for 3.5k leaving you with 8.5k in savings for the recession. It's also economical and cheap and uncomplicated to repair. In 3 years time itll be worth 1400 minimum therefore depreciating 700 euro a year. That 12k will drop 2k minimum in year one!

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...-drop/22233656

CraftySue

Thanks for replies, both worth thinking about. I was looking at Skoda's as I hear they are reliable. I'm looking for something reliable and fuel efficient. I'm guessing diesel is the way to go, was thinking of older hybrid toyata Prius as well,but not sure if they are suitable for long commutes, and how reliable are they with age.

ba_barabus

Dia_Anseo wrote: »

There is a recession around the corner therefore one must be prudent about being a spendthrift.

Ask yourself what necessities do I need? You probably need a car but not a 12k car. Cut your cloth to measure and get a budget car for the recession. 

This is a 2013 car that could be got for 3.5k leaving you with 26.5k in savings for the recession. It's also economical and cheap and uncomplicated to repair. In 3 years time itll be worth 1400 minimum therefore depreciating 700 euro a year. That 12k will drop 2k minimum in year one!

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...-drop/22233656

Right.......

OP I'd second a Superb although I'd recommend the 2l not 1.6 for reliability. I'd also consider an Avensis but in fairness the Superb would be more economical.

Cars worth considering with a good mix or economy, reliability and spec would be the Fluence/Megane, 508, Mondeo, Superb, Avensis, late model Laguna, Jetta, Passat and of course an Octavia.

Lots of choice with these cars and they're generally built to cover mileage in comfort and reliably.

Choose a good one and you should be fine.

ba_barabus

CraftySue wrote: »

Thanks for replies, both worth thinking about. I was looking at Skoda's as I hear they are reliable. I'm looking for something reliable and fuel efficient. I'm guessing diesel is the way to go, was thinking of older hybrid toyata Prius as well,but not sure if they are suitable for long commutes, and how reliable are they with age.

They're reliable but I doubt you'd see an economy return. Having said that they could end up cheaper to run if you don't have a break down. Diesel can be hit and miss as they get older. A failed clutch, injectors or turbo would wipe out an fuel savings. You really have to search out a well minded car and look after it.

ELM327

CraftySue wrote: »

Thanks for replies, both worth thinking about. I was looking at Skoda's as I hear they are reliable. I'm looking for something reliable and fuel efficient. I'm guessing diesel is the way to go, was thinking of older hybrid toyata Prius as well,but not sure if they are suitable for long commutes, and how reliable are they with age.

We have a 2008 prius and it is less economical on our motorway drive than my superb...

ba_barabus wrote: »

Right.......

OP I'd second a Superb although I'd recommend the 2l not 1.6 for reliability. I'd also consider an Avensis but in fairness the Superb would be more economical.

Cars worth considering with a good mix or economy, reliability and spec would be the Fluence/Megane, 508, Mondeo, Superb, Avensis, late model Laguna, Jetta, Passat and of course an Octavia.

Lots of choice with these cars and they're generally built to cover mileage in comfort and reliably.

Choose a good one and you should be fine.

Mine's the 2.0 CR 170 bhp DSG model superb and I agree that the 1.6 is to be avoided. It's too small for the size of the superb which is massive

Idbatterim

on a 12k car, you wont be saving anything, when you factor in depreciation and loan interest, if applicable. youd save a lot in a first gen leaf potentially, but would it do 120 miles in a single charge? dont think so. Also bear in mind diesel will probably go up in the budget. You honestly might be better off holding off a few months!

We have a 2008 prius and it is less economical on our motorway drive than my superb...

that may be the case, but there is far less to go wrong with the prius...

ELM327

Idbatterim wrote: »

on a 12k car, you wont be saving anything, when you factor in depreciation and loan interest, if applicable. youd save a lot in a first gen leaf potentially, but would it do 120 miles in a single charge? dont think so. Also bear in mind diesel will probably go up in the budget. You honestly might be better off holding off a few months!

that may be the case, but there is far less to go wrong with the prius...

You'd struggle to do that in a brand new Leaf 40, not a chance of doing it in a first gen!


Also, agree, there's far less to go wrong with the prius, but you're paying more in fuel for the privilege

Idbatterim

ELM327 wrote: »

You'd struggle to do that in a brand new Leaf 40, not a chance of doing it in a first gen!


Also, agree, there's far less to go wrong with the prius, but you're paying more in fuel for the privilege

true, but at this stage, they are going to stop the duty difference between petrol and diesel I reckon, its not a huge factor, but will reduce the "savings" somewhat...

ELM327

Idbatterim wrote: »

true, but at this stage, they are going to stop the duty difference between petrol and diesel I reckon, its not a huge factor, but will reduce the "savings" somewhat...

It's quite a big factor actually.

The skoda does about 48mpg-52mpg over the entirety of my commute, the prius is about 46-48mg.


If petrol and diesel were the same price I'd take the prius. Also at that stage the 180 vs 570 tax rates come into play, making the prius cheaper to run even on a largely motorway commute.




Although the change to duty will be graduated over probably 3-5 years.

Idbatterim

ELM327 wrote: »

It's quite a big factor actually.

The skoda does about 48mpg-52mpg over the entirety of my commute, the prius is about 46-48mg.


If petrol and diesel were the same price I'd take the prius. Also at that stage the 180 vs 570 tax rates come into play, making the prius cheaper to run even on a largely motorway commute.




Although the change to duty will be graduated over probably 3-5 years.

is the prius a nicer drive though, not having to listen to the diesel engine?

ELM327

No, the CVT noise is awful!
Superb is a much nicer place to be.

Mike9832

Idbatterim wrote: »

on a 12k car, you wont be saving anything, when you factor in depreciation and loan interest, if applicable. youd save a lot in a first gen leaf potentially, but would it do 120 miles in a single charge? dont think so. Also bear in mind diesel will probably go up in the budget. You honestly might be better off holding off a few months!

that may be the case, but there is far less to go wrong with the prius...

One of these would do it on a few litres of petrol for under €12,000 all in ( vrt, boat etc )

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201907270519913?price-from=9000&make=VAUXHALL&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-to=11000&radius=1500&sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric%20Plug-in&postcode=m52ty&page=1

Idbatterim

Idbatterim wrote: »

true, but at this stage, they are going to stop the duty difference between petrol and diesel I reckon, its not a huge factor, but will reduce the "savings" somewhat...

Not a chance will they equalise petrol and diesel any time soon. There would be uproar.

Idbatterim

oh they will! starting this budget , 100% they made a serious mistake with diesel and taxation....

ELM327

Joziah Worried Row wrote: »

Not a chance will they equalise petrol and diesel any time soon. There would be uproar.

They will, and it will start in this budget - they fudged it last time but there will be a 1-2c increase in diesel this budget. And every subsequent budget

Idbatterim

ELM327 wrote: »

They will, and it will start in this budget - they fudged it last time but there will be a 1-2c increase in diesel this budget. And every subsequent budget

yeah they wont touch the likes of LPT, barely any room to manouevre anyway, the public have told them they care about the enviroment, last year there was no pressure, there is this year and its mainly on the state coffers. It should have never been cheaper in the first place, typical people might complain, after years of paying well below what they should have been. There was a big article on this in the irish times yesterday, the implications of electric vehicles and the sheer idiocy of the low motor tax rates for diesel in particular.

hiking the existing rates might motor tax cause problems, but throwing a few cent a litre on, will be done. Hike all existing emissions rates by a flat E100 in my opinion!

CraftySue

Seen a Skoda/Octavia AMBITION 1.6TDI 105HP/1.6 Diesel:Priced at €10,950, which I plan to take a look at, just wondering if I like it, what realistically might I expect to pay as a cash buyer with no trade in?

Del2005

ELM327 wrote: »

No, the CVT noise is awful!
Superb is a much nicer place to be.

I've a CVT and don't notice its any noiser than a manual or auto. Even if it is there's an easy solution to it fitted in every car these days, turn on the radio.

JJJJNR

Probably 10% if you went in with the cash in hand, no trade in.. you would want to take in a good run on the roads your going to be driving on, that is 105bhp in a 1.6TDi terrible for overtaking if your on secondary roads.

Octavia is nice but...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon/22191685

ba_barabus

CraftySue wrote: »

Seen a Skoda/Octavia AMBITION 1.6TDI 105HP/1.6 Diesel:Priced at €10,950, which I plan to take a look at, just wondering if I like it, what realistically might I expect to pay as a cash buyer with no trade in?

I wouldn't touch one of those 1.6 diesels. Full stop.

Philb76

Superb 2 litre fantastic car for the commute a prius is isn't even in the same league

Atlantic Dawn

Get automatic, get climate control, get ventilated seats, enjoy the trip in comfort, high motor tax doesn't always equal high costs, often high tax will kill depreciation.

terrydel

Mike9832 wrote: »

One of these would do it on a few litres of petrol for under €12,000 all in ( vrt, boat etc )

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201907270519913?price-from=9000&make=VAUXHALL&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-to=11000&radius=1500&sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric%20Plug-in&postcode=m52ty&page=1

Is there a law somewhere that says electric cars must be ugly?
And so many in white, they are like kitchen appliances.

rn

I agree, I'd hold out for the 2.0l tdi. We've the 2.0 skoda octavia style model and vw passat 1.6 high line.

Passats seem to deprecate more thank skodas, so I'd put a highline or comfortline passat on your radar too. The market is saturated with ex UK cars.

If going skoda, I'd strongly recommend the octavia over superb as it's a tidy car for driving and parking.
And get the style level spec. I'd only favour the superb if you needed the back seat leg room for adults.

I'd also recommend the avensis luna in budget. UK equivalent is the icon I think.

I strongly recommend diesel for your journey. Stay away from electric and hybrids for now.