New daily driver
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tom-oreilly

Original Poster:

3 posts

33 months

Friday 27th October 2023
quotequote all
Hi All

I'm searching for some advice / suggestions on a new daily. I've had some but would like to get some more before getting anything.

I'll be doing around 100-120 miles per day Mon-Fri, mostly motorway. No requirement for space, but some would be nice as my other car is a mk1 Eunos. Ideally an older car, say late 90s early 00s, as my partner's dad will be more than happy to help with maintenance and repair (he doesn't like newer cars). Would prefer to stay petrol and pay the extra, but nothing too extreme. Enough power for the motorway, not fussed on man or auto. But most of all it needs to be dependable. Budget isnt massive as I don't see the point paying for something that's going to be doing 30k per year.

I've done this for the last 2 years in a k11 Micra, which I only brought so I could sell my 330d but the little thing has just refused to die. But it's not far off, plus I would like the upgrade plus some extra comforts.

Been playing with ideas such as civics, accord, Corolla, legacy, primera. I enjoy cars so don't want something to bland.

Cheers
Tom

CG2020UK

2,932 posts

67 months

Friday 27th October 2023
quotequote all
Do you have a rough budget?

Countdown

48,728 posts

223 months

Friday 27th October 2023
quotequote all
tom-oreilly said:
Hi All

I'm searching for some advice / suggestions on a new daily. I've had some but would like to get some more before getting anything.

I'll be doing around 100-120 miles per day Mon-Fri, mostly motorway. No requirement for space, but some would be nice as my other car is a mk1 Eunos. Ideally an older car, say late 90s early 00s, as my partner's dad will be more than happy to help with maintenance and repair (he doesn't like newer cars). Would prefer to stay petrol and pay the extra, but nothing too extreme. Enough power for the motorway, not fussed on man or auto. But most of all it needs to be dependable. Budget isnt massive as I don't see the point paying for something that's going to be doing 30k per year.

I've done this for the last 2 years in a k11 Micra, which I only brought so I could sell my 330d but the little thing has just refused to die. But it's not far off, plus I would like the upgrade plus some extra comforts.

Been playing with ideas such as civics, accord, Corolla, legacy, primera. I enjoy cars so don't want something to bland.

Cheers
Tom
Toyota Avensis 2008 £1,750

Honda Accord 2005 £1,650

Having had both, they are great, effortless motorway cruisers. The Accord was a bit heavier on petrol but both were ultra reliable. You need to make sure the Avensis hasn't been mini-cabbed and clocked as they can take a lot of miles. If you're running them on a budget then you'll be able to source spares for the Avensis more easily.




tom-oreilly

Original Poster:

3 posts

33 months

Friday 27th October 2023
quotequote all
I don't have a physical limit as such, but I think Max maybe 4, as I'd like to still have spare cash for running and messing with my Eunos.

I was looking at the avensis and the accords, such as the type v, pretty high spec for the money. Don't know a lot about the shape after.

Avensis seems like a real work horse, but was a bit worried I was going to reliable and venturing in to mega boring.

ZX10R NIN

30,378 posts

152 months

Friday 27th October 2023
quotequote all
I'd say take a good look at the CLK in coupe form you'll get a nice one for your budget, they're pretty much bulletproof & can easily be worked on:

CLK 320:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308110...

If you're doing 30k a year Mercedes diesels are a great option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310153...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203123...

Or take a look at the Hyundai Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310132...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306228...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309051...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310203...





Adwillsy

141 posts

87 months

Friday 27th October 2023
quotequote all
depends how boring you want to be
could get a decent nick 1.8 VVT Vectra C for well under the budget. few people here have them and are very reliable but boring.
Ep2/FN2 civic 1.8 could be on the cards
a mate has just bought a volvo s60 2.0T manual which is very nice. he does 100 miles a day and so far so good but only time can tell.
Also heard the subaru legacy 3.0 Rn manuals are bulletproof too. i think that would be the pick of the bunch esp as an estate if you can deal with the high VED on the later ones. look for pre 2005 i think and youll be ok

tom-oreilly

Original Poster:

3 posts

33 months

Saturday 28th October 2023
quotequote all
I had a r spec b legacy before, was a brilliant car but mine was very high mileage so I got rid of it. Missed a bargain one yesterday. Civics I'm happy with, been looking at them quiet a bit as my partner's Farther likes them. Don't think id go with a vauxhall, and I'd have to check the Merc out

Summit_Detailing

2,409 posts

220 months

Saturday 28th October 2023
quotequote all
Mazda 3
Astra
Focus