Suggestions for a commutemobile

test account 123

Due to a change of circumstances I'm now living further form my job so my car needs to change. The budget is approx 10K, I'll be commuting up to the Naas Road from Junction 14 of the N7 (Monasterevin) so any suggestions for a really comfortable and efficient car to get me in and out daily. I don't necessarily have to spend that whole budget but just wondering what you all would suggest would suit me?

I don't have deep pockets so although a big V12 luxobarge would be great it wouldn't be efficient 😀

drunkmonkey

An auto definitely if driving in traffic, 530d? https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-530d-low-km-full-history-nct-9-23/31000409

hoodie6029

Toyota Prius.

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120389532#Comment_120389532

🤢🤢🤮

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120389043#Comment_120389043

Thats lovely inside. I had considered the Jag XE's but reviews are not the best, Lexus' seems very tempting. I did look up the Mondeo's but was turned off by such a big car being fitted with a 1.5 litre engine!

road_high

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120389738#Comment_120389738

Not the last world in style but they’re a super vehicle as regards reliability and low cost motoring. Reasonably comfortable, safe and competent on a budget

listermint

Prob get for round 14...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-ioniq/33268912

Cheap no nonsense motoring. Nice place to be too.

User1998

VW Golf with radar cruise control would do the job nicely. Its only a 40 minute drive so need for anything special really. Most luxury cars don’t even come with radar cruise control.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/33537597

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120389776#Comment_120389776

Its actually minimum 55mins, I'll be hitting rush hour traffic so I'm factoring sitting in my car for on average 2 hours a day give or take so I'm on the lookout for something nice to spend all that time in. Long commutes are not something I've ever had to do. I've one or two colleagues doing the same commute and they are telling me an hour each way on average.

Curently driving a Mazda 3 which is in the same class as all the above. I was thinking of something slightly more plush and comfy. On the radar currently are Mercs, Lexus etc. but nothing is really standing out. Has the variety of cars really become that boring or is it just me?

road_high

For your budget you’re not going to get much in the more premium line that hadn’t a lot done. A hybrid Lexus IS300 is a lovely car but you’re looking at the older petrol (thirsty and rare) or the diesel which was problematic.

Might get an ok Audi for that money but still a gamble and will be older. Passat?

bazz26

Saab 9-3 for less than half your budget:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-9-3-2010/33604959

Or maybe something a bit newer:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/131-peugeot-508-2-0-hdi-auto/33186280

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120389938#Comment_120389938

Was only thinking of a Passat last night actually and did see a very nice A4 this morning with a very comfy looking interior so will check them, thanks.

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120390034#Comment_120390034

I never could warm to the Saab dashboard, just never did it for me but that Pug does look very nice inside, I will look them up, thanks.

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120389738#Comment_120389738

Ever tried one?

allybhoy

Think this ticks a lot of boxes.... Well spec'd heated seats \ cruise control etc, extremely comfortable, fairly economical but will have a good bit of power aswell, automatic.

Never driven the e-hybrid, but owned a W212 E350, fabulous car. So well put together and ideal for long journeys.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2014-mercedes-e300-hybrid-diesel/33594436

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120390650#Comment_120390650

Now yer talkin, that is lovely. And it does indeed tick the boxes. Good find, thanks.

_Kaiser_

A6 would be my suggestion - preferably the 3.0 TDI Quattro :) I did that M7 run daily for years.. now only occasionally thankfully!

I have a 2019 520d for the week at the moment actually and surprisingly it's not bad! It still handles/sounds a bit like a bus (ultimate driving machine indeed!) but it's very comfy and lots of toys which was a surprise for a rental car.

Be nice to get my A7 back though. That's another one I'd suggest as it has the auto box and 3.0 TDI as standard but probably over budget.

Larbre34

A bi-turbo A6 for 10k? Ok man....

Jap Import Toyota Camry.

€14k for a nice spec <100k kms. Self charging hybrid, superb spec, ultra relaxed motoring.

One of those will commute 80kms a day for 20 years without missing a beat or costing you any more than service, tyres and wipers.

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120392891#Comment_120392891

Looked at a few reviews for the Camry, all mentioning the 25mpg highway driving. Would it not be thirsty running a 2.5L petrol engine?

coolbeans

I wouldn't be looking at a well used Beemer or Benz with such a small budget. The likes of that hybrid Benz may well need a new battery as it's an issue with them and a high mileage Beemer is rarely cheap to run/maintain.

A Passat, 2.0 Hdi 508 or even the bangernomics SAAB would be a better bet. Camry might be OK too but an economical one is likely out of budget. Citroën C5 eat motorways too but I'd only look at the 2.0 Hdi.

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120396260#Comment_120396260

I was only thinking of a C5 actually. And had read about the 1.6 being way too underpowered for it. I notic a lot of motorway munchers like C5's, Mondeo's and PAssat's seem to run 1.6 as standard which I'm surprised about.

_Kaiser_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120405467#Comment_120405467

If you're going for a Passat, you want the 2.0 TDI and DSG box. I had a 06 one for about 5 years and did a lot of motorway mileage in it. A 1.6 would have been painful.

It's not just about "power" - it's comfort and less stress on the engine at high speeds which means longer life and less maintenance worries, but you do still have the extra bump when you need it too.

kirving

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120396260#Comment_120396260

The E300 Bluetec Hybrid is very reliable in general, but being an E-Class, things like brakes and suspension parts last longer, but when they do go, are more expensive. The battery is very small, and really only used for getting you off the line or in slow traffic, but it absolutely transforms the slow speed driving experience (no second guessing auto-clutch or waiting for torque convertor) and noise around town.

I believe the battery is ballpark €2k, maybe less - but changing it is simple. I dearly regret selling mine for a 330e - which needs a battery repair. €700 part, but something like 3.5k labour to do it.

test account 123

Can't get over the amount of imports. For all the models suggested above. There are even some imports were the pics of the binnacle shows there's no kilometre figures, only miles! 🤨

Miscreant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120409960#Comment_120409960

It is amazing how UK imports would have miles instead of kilometres 😉

I think you would not go wrong with a good second hand Toyota Hybrid for your commute even though you seem to be averse to the idea. They are very reliable, easy on fuel, cheap to tax and comfortable on the motorway (I had one for 8 years). There are plenty of them about so parts should rarely be an issue if anything does go wrong and you will be able to sell it on reasonably easily come the time. A fair few of them come with a lot of toys but cruise control in particular would be useful for you.

Just my two cents here. Otherwise, you are looking at a 10 year old diesel VW but you would need to make sure it has been well looked after.

ELM327

I think if I were doing this again (having done years of M7 and M3 commutes) I'd be in a lexus hybrid as modern as my budget could afford. Or a premium EV. LS600H would be a great place to be.

Something like this

Lexus LS 600 Hl....nct 01/24.....taxed 08/23 for sale in Dublin for €13,995 on DoneDeal

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410418#Comment_120410418

Usually UK cars have the kilometres printed as well inside the miles though? In smaller numbers? Thats what I mean. Whereas a lot now seem to only show the miles. Odd. I've seen a 508 advertised by a used dealer which amazingly has comprehensive service history and the T'belt done in 2021. These details are as rare as hens teeth in Ireland 🙄 I might try the Toyota hybrids too.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410572#Comment_120410572

If it only shows miles on the clock its because it shows kilometres digitally

test account 123

Thread revival! The car hunt was put on hold but back on this weekend, went and looked at this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-clc-220-cdi-sport-coupe-3dr-153k-2009/33951756

anyone any knowledge of these? I thought it was slightly slow for the engine size or is that just how they're mapped?

bazz26

A manual Merc, no thanks.

AMKC

How about a Volvo S60?

Greater and very comfortable too.

Whocare

VW cc TDI be nice reliable transportation

test account 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120597718#Comment_120597718

Yeh I've considered those, really like them. All seem to be high milers in my price bracket but worth a look. https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/11-volvo-s60-1-6d-tax-n-c-t/33938205

bazz26

Saab 9-3:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-9-3-1-9-tid-120/33554164

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2011-saab-931-yr-warrantyautolow-kms/33746983

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120390548#Comment_120390548

@bazz26 you suggested it to him already and he said he did not like it remember?

test account 123

In the end I picked up a 09 Mondeo 140K miles on the clock. Perfect fit for now, comfortable and has cruise control and got it for a song. Thanks for all the suggestions.