Comfy auto commuter 4 to 5k

[Raymond Reddington]

I started a long commute a couple of months ago and I'm doing 68 miles each way for an average of 3.5 days per week.

It's mostly a clear run and while there is minimal traffic I'd definitely like an auto.

Currently doing this in a 2014 1.6 tdci Ford Focus. This car has been brilliant, still is, and very reliable, but I'm finding it increasingly uncomfortable to sit in for 1hr15 mins up to 1hr35, due to the seats, seating position and manual gearbox.

Criteria is:

Good MPG
Reliable (as much as possible given the age and budget of what I'm looking at)
Comfortable
Automatic
Up to 4-5k, given the miles I'm doing I'm reluctant to spend more
Nothing too low as will sometimes be parked on a dodgy grass verge opposite my house
Not too old/knackered
Parts not too expensive
Bonus points for something slightly interesting or good looking, but not essential

Thoughts are:
Honda Accord 2.2
Volvo S60 (heard auto boxes can be trouble.. )
Vauxhall Insignia

Any thoughts on the above or any other suggestions?

[GreatGranny]

I was doing that mileage before Covid in a manual V60 D3 and it was superb.

Great seats, 50+ mpg, £30 tax, enough poke for overtakes and decent stereo.

I've had 2 XC90's and the gearbox in those is pretty slow, not sure if it's the same box in the S/V60.

Just looked at Atrader and you'll struggle to get an auto S/V60 under 120k miles for your budget.

There are a few more Insignia's but not many

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210010...

Some other suggestions:

3008

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210070...

C4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207127...

[Raymond Reddington]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Not keen on the big pug, and would prefer to go a size up from the C4 - this did lead me to doing some research on the C5. Seems that you can get a nice, well specced C5 with the hydroactive (or whatever its called) suspension for not a lot of money, one of these could fit the bill.

[MattyD803]

I think that at this price point and age, you need to make a decision between good MPG or Reliability.....rare to see both for £5k. Appreciating you have had a good run with a 1.6 TDCi focus (which I assume has been returning 50mpg+?), I would be more inclined to settle for something Japanese with a mundane petrol engine for better reliability than economy...because one large bill relating to gearbox, turbo, injectors, DPF will very quickly undo the economy savings.

I'd probably be looking towards Honda Accord 2.0 petrols, Honda Civic 1.8 i-Shift, Toyota Avensis 1.8 V-Matic, Lexus IS250....obviously you want to find a nice blend of car tax bracket and economy, but most of those will see 35-40mpg on a run and do it in comfort. Something with low owners, bought from an old boy who has had it serviced at a main dealer.

My money wouldn't be on a Citroen C5 if you don't want to chase engine management lights and anti pollution faults....

Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 12th October 17:37

[ingenieur]

I did a thread on this the other day: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I think the Mercedes E320d looks a winner. But I have wondered about the Citroen C5 2.0 HDI for comfort. The Citroen is slow but does not provide good fuel economy so it's a bit of a puzzle. I'd be prepared to overlook that if it was as comfortable as some French cars sometimes are. The French have a bit of a different attitude to the Germans and do make some genuinely comfortable cars with handling taking a back seat.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but at this price point the CLK is a great option, you'll get a nice one with sensible miles (& if you go for a Sport you'll get the Orthopedic seats as standard) parts are not expensive & the drivetrain is well proven.

320cdi Avantgarde:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209129...

220 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209079...

Out of the mainstream options the Insignia is a good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208259...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210100...

As is the DS5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209300...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210120...

508 SW Allure:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209280...

[Shiv_P]

Mondeo mk4.5 with a serviced powershift gearbox

[georgeyboy12345]

Raymond Reddington said:

Thanks for the suggestions!

Not keen on the big pug, and would prefer to go a size up from the C4 - this did lead me to doing some research on the C5. Seems that you can get a nice, well specced C5 with the hydroactive (or whatever its called) suspension for not a lot of money, one of these could fit the bill.

Thought you wanted something reliable?

[Garett]

I'd be looking at a Volvo S80 or V70, and don't be deterred by 100+k miles as long as it's had a reasonable level of care, it's kind of what they are designed to do.

Comfortable, decent stereo, low NVH all add up to make a relaxing place to spend a decent chunk of your time.

[georgeyboy12345]

Raymond Reddington said:

I started a long commute a couple of months ago and I'm doing 68 miles each way for an average of 3.5 days per week.

It's mostly a clear run and while there is minimal traffic I'd definitely like an auto.

Currently doing this in a 2014 1.6 tdci Ford Focus. This car has been brilliant, still is, and very reliable, but I'm finding it increasingly uncomfortable to sit in for 1hr15 mins up to 1hr35, due to the seats, seating position and manual gearbox.

Criteria is:

Good MPG
Reliable (as much as possible given the age and budget of what I'm looking at)
Comfortable
Automatic
Up to 4-5k, given the miles I'm doing I'm reluctant to spend more
Nothing too low as will sometimes be parked on a dodgy grass verge opposite my house
Not too old/knackered
Parts not too expensive
Bonus points for something slightly interesting or good looking, but not essential

Thoughts are:
Honda Accord 2.2
Volvo S60 (heard auto boxes can be trouble.. )
Vauxhall Insignia

Any thoughts on the above or any other suggestions?

Out of your shortlist, I'd pick the Accord. Just watch out for rust. Edit - if it's parked on a grass verge it'll probably rust pretty sharpish, as will a lot of other cars. I'd avoid doing that if I were you.

Here are some other ideas

Mercedes CLK220 CDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209079...


E220 CDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209199...


Jaguar XF 3.0d V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209109...


VW Passat 2.0 TDI SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209260...


Mercedes C220 CDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006270...


BMW 330d SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

[egor110]

Saab 9-5

[Silvanus]

Couple of slightly alternative options.

Kia Optima, very good cars but often forgotten. Sort of what you'd get if you crossed a Honda and a Saab. Much better than you think its going to be.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092099...

MG6, another forgotten car which is a great drive and an absolute bargain.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022100504...

Suzuki Kizashi, what do you mean you've not heard of it? Interesting engine and great value, good drive and ride.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022060865...

Cadilac BLS, basically a Saab 9-3, but also a conversation starter, very comfy.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022080183...

Chrysler Sebring, great ride, seats like a sofa, tried and tested components so it's reliable. Surprisingly cheap, and you can pretend you're on an American road trip on your commute. Absolute bargin motoring.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022100905...

Shout out also for the Hyundai i40, Alfa 159, Seat Exeo and the Subaru Legacy.

[GreatGranny]

Those auto Mercs look good value but are mostly high tax and 'only' do 40 mpg at the most.

I suppose it's a trade off at this price when you want an auto.

The Insignia looks the most efficient with £0 tax and 55-60 mpg.

[Bannock]

Peugeot 407 and Renault Laguna not mentioned yet. Good alternatives to the Citroen C5. I used to have a Mk3 Laguna 2.0dci, OK it was a manual, but I would get 70mpg on a (very comfortable) run. I miss it and should have kept it.

[Raymond Reddington]

Thanks all, some very good options there.

To the chap who says diesel might be more hassle.. I agree to be honest and I have been lucky with the focus. In my experience though, an auto petrol is a pretty thirsty beast.

The mercs do seem to come with higher running costs, however, I do like the idea of orthopedic seats .

Insignia - lower running costs, more modern, bit council and like someone else said maybe harder to find a newer one, diesely bits to go wrong.

Still looking through the other options mentioned and doing some auto trader scrolling.

[Raymond Reddington]

It's also crossed my mind to go more down the shed route, find the best comfy and reasonably economical auto I can find for 1-1.5k and run till death.

[Silvanus]

Raymond Reddington said:

It's also crossed my mind to go more down the shed route, find the best comfy and reasonably economical auto I can find for 1-1.5k and run till death.

This has the Merc diesel and very comfy seats and ride, in at less than £1.5k bit different too

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210090...

[Summit_Detailing]

Garett said:

I'd be looking at a Volvo S80 or V70, and don't be deterred by 100+k miles as long as it's had a reasonable level of care, it's kind of what they are designed to do.

Comfortable, decent stereo, low NVH all add up to make a relaxing place to spend a decent chunk of your time.

This^

I bought a 2007 S80 2.4d in August. I've now done over 5k miles in it, 80% motorway and it is absolutely superb for soaking up motorway miles.

As above, fabulous seats, whisper quiet at motorway speeds, excellent stereo and ergonomics generally.

It will be departing in a month or two's time but I know whatever I choose next will have a hard act to follow.

Cheers,

Chris

[Raymond Reddington]

Silvanus said:

This has the Merc diesel and very comfy seats and ride, in at less than £1.5k bit different too

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210090...

I don't think I've ever seen one of these before! Definitely different

[Raymond Reddington]

Summit_Detailing said:

This^

I bought a 2007 S80 2.4d in August. I've now done over 5k miles in it, 80% motorway and it is absolutely superb for soaking up motorway miles.

As above, fabulous seats, whisper quiet at motorway speeds, excellent stereo and ergonomics generally.

It will be departing in a month or two's time but I know whatever I choose next will have a hard act to follow.

Cheers,

Chris

Is yours an auto or manual? They look like great value