Long commute, most economical car

Karlis.ozo · 24-05-2024 12:21PM #1

Hi guys.

New to the forum. I have a question relating commuting and finding the most economical car.

Currently have a 2007 skoda octavia 1.4l petrol and I am averaging about 6.0l/100km, which is decent, however I was looking to switch to a diesel as I think it would be more economical. I am driving from co. Louth Omeath to dublin north, coolock area for work every day, which is about 100km and then back. This is all mostly motorway driving so I think a diesel would suit better.

I was looking at similar diesel octavia or passat with either 1.6l or 2.0l engine.

So the question is,should I stick to my petrol octy or switch to a similar diesel? I would be willing to spend about 3k for the switch.

bazz26 · 28-05-2024 02:51PM

If you only have 3k to spend with your Octavia then you may well be looking at a diesel car with alot more mileage on it so might not end up in something better overall. You also would be taking a gamble on reliability of another car of similar age and higher mileage. I'd try and stick to what you have at present for a while yet and put more cash towards a bigger budget so that you can come up a few years to a fresher car with reasonable mileage.

BrianD3 · 28-05-2024 03:07PM

6.0 l per 100 km is 47 mpg. That is excellent for motorway driving in a 1.4 petrol Octavia. Yes, a diesel would be better and prob around 150 cheaper tax - but you'd be a couple of years at least making back the 3k you spent and as stated above, you'd be buying a cheap car which might be worse than the one you have.

Shield · 28-05-2024 02:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058353022/long-commute-most-economical-car

Mod: Moved from Feedback to Motors.

-Shield

Clo-Clo · 28-05-2024 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058353022/long-commute-most-economical-car

For 3k stick with the car you have

hoodie6029 · 28-05-2024 03:23PM

Welcome to the forum. This is the bangernomics thread where we regularly post bargains for less than €3k. There might be something for you in there.

Same caveats from the other posters above also apply to these cars too.
Ask any other questions you have 🙂

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058183186/bangernomics-sub3k-of-the-week-day-part-7

User1998 · 28-05-2024 03:27PM

Your only going to save about €3.50 or so per day in fuel. Why spend thousands to save pennys?

Karlis.ozo · 28-05-2024 06:43PM

Thanks. That's what i was worried about, taking extra risk when getting a similar milage and age car. Better stick to what I have, at least I know the car.

Karlis.ozo · 28-05-2024 06:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122194552#Comment_122194552

You're right. I worked it out and looks like it would be about two years before I could break even.

28-05-2024 09:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058353022/long-commute-most-economical-car

I'm getting 5.3 L/100 Km on the motorway at 120 Km/h in the 2020 Kia Cee'd 1.0L 3 cylinder Turbo 120 Hp 6 speed manual. Have it less than a week, very economical on the motorway.

This morning heading to work it hit 4.9 L/100 Km by the time I got to the turn off for the Blachardstown centre from Carlow.

Average after around 450 Kms since I filled up last Thusday is 5.6 L/100 Km due to a lot of shorter trips. But still pretty impressive.

If I try drive more economical I'm convinced on a long run I bet I could get 4.8 L/100 Km or less.

If I take the missus 2015 2.2 l Diesel Outlander on the same run it would be lucky to get 7.0 l/100km

see below pic of today's run From Carlow to Blanch

I have LPG station around 5 km from me, I would love to convert, not sure if it's possible on this engine ? around 1.10 C/L

https://imgur.com/5IKnj38

28-05-2024 09:36PM

Personally though I think if your current car is driving fine then keep it.

What about an LPG conversion ? I have LPG station close by and would love to convert.

Buddy Bubs · 29-05-2024 05:58AM

Dont do anything. Keep your current car.

If you want a new car then by all means change, but it's definitely not a financially prudent move and going by your OP it's only cost savings you're after. However, 3k won't get you much of a change anyway.

Karlis.ozo · 29-05-2024 06:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122195925#Comment_122195925

Looks like I am keeping it.

Not sure about lpg conversion. There is one garage selling lpg inn clonshough circle k. I would have to check prices for converting it first.

29-05-2024 08:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122199363#Comment_122199363

LPG in my opinion might be the best option if the car is in good condition, You would loose some efficiency on LPG, but have a chat with the people who do conversions and maybe seek advice here from people who know more about it you can weigh the pros and cons + whether converting at this stage of the cars life would be worth it or not.

Keeping your car is a good probably makes best financial sense. I'm gone now to the stage I won't buy another new car again and want to spend as little transport going forward as possible.

I have the 2020 Cee'd a week tomorrow and it's going to be the most I spend on a car for a long time to come.

yagan · 29-05-2024 08:49PM

With that fuel economy I think I might look at switching from a diesel to a petrol Skoda Octavia.

goochy · 30-05-2024 10:09AM

If car has low mileage lpg conversion definitely an option if keeping car for a good few years more

Karlis.ozo · 30-05-2024 09:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122201212#Comment_122201212

Tha car has currently 326k km so not sure if it makes sense converting at this stage. Will probably end up selling it before it turns 20 years old as normally it then gets harder to insure.

Long commute, most economical car

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