Economical petrol for 100 mile round trips
Discussion
A change of job has seen me go from around 4,000 miles per year to nearer 12,000 - comprising 2x100 mile round trips per week plus usual local social mileage.
Currently doing this in my 2004 Volvo S60 2.0T which seems incapable of doing any more than 35mpg. I'm keeping this up for now but expect I'll likely be changing cars regardless in the next 12 months so it makes sense to replace it with something more suitable as well as a bit newer.
Although I also have an MX5 for "fun" stuff, I like a car that's least remotely interesting, though accept fun and economical rarely go hand-in-hand. Age, seats and doors not really a factor but I'd like to keep to petrol to avoid issues with DPFs, EGRs and the like. Hatchback, saloon or estate, not glacially slow (0-60 not particularly relevant but sub 10s seems to be a happy compromise). Needs to manage 50mpg+ on a 50/60mph A road run. Budget is circa £10k but will happily consider something a bit older below this. So far I've thought about:
- Leon FR 1.4 ACT (2014ish)
- BMW 118i 1.5 (earliest 1.5s, have driven these and prefer the engine over earlier 4 cyls)
- Civic 1.8 (2014 on)
- V40 or similar - not particularly familiar with specs or engine on these however, my Volvo knowledge doesn't go beyond the P2 platform
Previous commuting cars include the current S60, E46 325ci and FN2 Civic, obviously before economy was quite so important.
I'm certain there will be plenty of great candidates I've not considered so please share your thoughts!
Currently doing this in my 2004 Volvo S60 2.0T which seems incapable of doing any more than 35mpg. I'm keeping this up for now but expect I'll likely be changing cars regardless in the next 12 months so it makes sense to replace it with something more suitable as well as a bit newer.
Although I also have an MX5 for "fun" stuff, I like a car that's least remotely interesting, though accept fun and economical rarely go hand-in-hand. Age, seats and doors not really a factor but I'd like to keep to petrol to avoid issues with DPFs, EGRs and the like. Hatchback, saloon or estate, not glacially slow (0-60 not particularly relevant but sub 10s seems to be a happy compromise). Needs to manage 50mpg+ on a 50/60mph A road run. Budget is circa £10k but will happily consider something a bit older below this. So far I've thought about:
- Leon FR 1.4 ACT (2014ish)
- BMW 118i 1.5 (earliest 1.5s, have driven these and prefer the engine over earlier 4 cyls)
- Civic 1.8 (2014 on)
- V40 or similar - not particularly familiar with specs or engine on these however, my Volvo knowledge doesn't go beyond the P2 platform
Previous commuting cars include the current S60, E46 325ci and FN2 Civic, obviously before economy was quite so important.
I'm certain there will be plenty of great candidates I've not considered so please share your thoughts!
Tc24 said:
- Leon FR 1.4 ACT (2014ish)
- BMW 118i 1.5 (earliest 1.5s, have driven these and prefer the engine over earlier 4 cyls)
- Civic 1.8 (2014 on)
- V40 or similar - not particularly familiar with specs or engine on these however, my Volvo knowledge doesn't go beyond the P2 platform
I’ve driven the 1.8 civic but only got 35mpg. - BMW 118i 1.5 (earliest 1.5s, have driven these and prefer the engine over earlier 4 cyls)
- Civic 1.8 (2014 on)
- V40 or similar - not particularly familiar with specs or engine on these however, my Volvo knowledge doesn't go beyond the P2 platform
I used to own a Volvo v40 D3, it would get high forties- I could never break 50mpg. The petrols I drove as loan cars were not great on fuel and quite slow unless you got the rare T5 which drinks a lot.
The Leon may be the best combination of mpg and fun. I have the newer 1.5 engine in my golf and have driven it in various other VWs and Skodas , an easy high forties while still giving good performance.
Don’t loose sight the difference in cost between 35 mpg and 45 mpg over 12k miles, is only around £500
A saving that could easily be consumed in higher maintenance/ insurance /VED costs.
I know you said petrol, but I’d consider a Golf GTD (mk7) 55 mpg possible, look good, comfortable, super low VED, fun to drive, safe.
A saving that could easily be consumed in higher maintenance/ insurance /VED costs.
I know you said petrol, but I’d consider a Golf GTD (mk7) 55 mpg possible, look good, comfortable, super low VED, fun to drive, safe.
Or just accept that changing cars is going to cost you £xxxxx and the difference in MPG costs wont be that great and just keep the Volvo.
Recently had a mate who changed his car because it was costing him too much, the car he replaced with was more a month, more tax, more insurance... he then said it costs more to fill up but it goes further, turns out it was doing less mpg than the other car just had a bigger tank.
Recently had a mate who changed his car because it was costing him too much, the car he replaced with was more a month, more tax, more insurance... he then said it costs more to fill up but it goes further, turns out it was doing less mpg than the other car just had a bigger tank.
BoRED S2upid said:
You need to be thinking 1l turbo 3 cylinder hateful things to get decent mileage out of a petrol or just buy a Diesel.
This. The only petrol engines I can think of that will achieve a big enough cost difference is the 1.0 ecoboost in the Fiesta or the 3 cylinder equivalent in the C1/Aygo. Personally, I'd either keep the Volvo and reduce your Vmax to 60mph so that it's at its most economical (you might find it'll do as much as 40mpg) or get a small volume Diesel. Of the two, its obviously cheaper to just drive a bit slower and keep the Volvo.
the-norseman said:
Or just accept that changing cars is going to cost you £xxxxx and the difference in MPG costs wont be that great and just keep the Volvo....
Completely agree, even if the new car 50% more economical, at £1.50 a litre, over 8,000 miles, the saving is £540 a year.OP, if you need a new car or there are other high running costs, (£300 tyres, £550 tax) by all means think sensible, but changing into a 9 year old seat, to save £540 a year, best case is stupid.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
The obvious boring answer is something hybrid from Toyota. Auris or Prius.
Although with that sort of mileage and trip distances, you shouldn't rule out a diesel which will give you much more choice because loads will do mid 50s and better in those circumstances.
I'd also consider a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, they're good for 60+ MPG on the motorway and there's a couple dozen examples available in that budget. Premium or Premium SE trim cars are well equipped. On 15" wheels the tyres are quite cheap, ride good, decent automatic, auto cruise.Although with that sort of mileage and trip distances, you shouldn't rule out a diesel which will give you much more choice because loads will do mid 50s and better in those circumstances.
Used to have BMW 118i 1.5 auto , great car but really average mpg is only going to be low 40s if you drive carefully.
I doubt it would be as comfortable as the Volvo though. Understand if you fancy a change then I would recommend one .
Plenty of BMW specialists around to look after them.
I doubt it would be as comfortable as the Volvo though. Understand if you fancy a change then I would recommend one .
Plenty of BMW specialists around to look after them.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
The obvious boring answer is something hybrid from Toyota. Auris or Prius.
Although with that sort of mileage and trip distances, you shouldn't rule out a diesel which will give you much more choice because loads will do mid 50s and better in those circumstances.
This. Though depreciation will negate the savings. And an S60 is a lovely thing. I think I'd tend to keep what I have.Although with that sort of mileage and trip distances, you shouldn't rule out a diesel which will give you much more choice because loads will do mid 50s and better in those circumstances.
S60 D5 Euro 3 is usually very very economic to run, with no DPF etc.
Vsix and Vtec said:
BoRED S2upid said:
You need to be thinking 1l turbo 3 cylinder hateful things to get decent mileage out of a petrol or just buy a Diesel.
This. The only petrol engines I can think of that will achieve a big enough cost difference is the 1.0 ecoboost in the Fiesta or the 3 cylinder equivalent in the C1/Aygo. Personally, I'd either keep the Volvo and reduce your Vmax to 60mph so that it's at its most economical (you might find it'll do as much as 40mpg) or get a small volume Diesel. Of the two, its obviously cheaper to just drive a bit slower and keep the Volvo.
Avoid the 1 series! I had a 116d (2016) - Most unreliable car I have owned.
Regarding 118 (petrol) - please watch this youtube video, of an owners experience/engine failure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hua_c6coHHU
Regarding 118 (petrol) - please watch this youtube video, of an owners experience/engine failure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hua_c6coHHU
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