40 miles a day - hybrid working - car choices

[stedaley]

As me and the OH are looking at new jobs, we realise the current fleet needs to be extended for 2 jobs that require cars that are a-bit better on fuel.

Currently in the driveway.

Corolla 2022 hybrid - perfect car for daily commute in my eyes. She really likes it so I may have to fight for it.

Landcruiser 2012 - drinks fuel but for winter it’s needed. I can work from home but she needs to be in. Absolute tank of car.

Two project cars In the garage but nothing that I could commute in. Audi tt and Subaru wrx Bugeye. Both need bits doing over winter.

If she takes the Corolla it gives me a few grand to play with for something for 2/3days a week into the office. Mostly dual carriage ways and B roads.

Ideally looking for 35mpg or more. My commute would be 40miles a day total. Is something unusual out there? Enjoyable drive?

Literally have no idea what I am looking for.

[macron]

What is "a few grand"?

Any other parameters? Doors, utility, or anything goes if it gets 35mpg?

Panda, IQ, MX-5, etc...

[stedaley]

macron said:

What is "a few grand"?

Any other parameters? Doors, utility, or anything goes if it gets 35mpg?

Panda, IQ, MX-5, etc...

maybe 3-5k?
Yes i would like doors. a Large 2 door or 4.
None really, Hence the open floor to what to look at, preferably big enough to put bags in and maybe the dog when he comes to work. (Have done that in a mx5 hence the no clue)

Always see Alfa Guilettas recommended mentioned on here, the 1750 seems very cheap atm, might squeeze 35mpg out of one,

But I have been looking at
C5 Estate (Youtube review), not massively fun but seems very cheap and cheerful atm around 1-2k
Saab 9-3 TTID - Dont think ill do enough miles for one but seems a comfy car to be in, 1-3k

Cruise control might be my only ask.

[Shabaza]

330d estate is the answer.

Alternatively Id consider a skoda octavia VRS

Bit of fun, decent amount of space

[stedaley]

Shabaza said:

330d estate is the answer.

Alternatively Id consider a skoda octavia VRS

Bit of fun, decent amount of space

Not completely in need of an estate, but I do like the sleeper look of the Estates for sure.

Anything to look for on the 330d? Not really a german fan, ill be googling common issues.

[ZX10R NIN]

stedaley said:

maybe 3-5k?
Yes i would like doors. a Large 2 door or 4.
None really, Hence the open floor to what to look at, preferably big enough to put bags in and maybe the dog when he comes to work. (Have done that in a mx5 hence the no clue)

Always see Alfa Guilettas recommended mentioned on here, the 1750 seems very cheap atm, might squeeze 35mpg out of one,

But I have been looking at
C5 Estate (Youtube review), not massively fun but seems very cheap and cheerful atm around 1-2k
Saab 9-3 TTID - Dont think ill do enough miles for one but seems a comfy car to be in, 1-3k

Cruise control might be my only ask.

1.6T Astra GTC SRI 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310082...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

2.0d BiTurbo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306279...

2.0d SRI 170:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311164...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...

Mercedes E220cdi Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310042...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

Laguna:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209059...

Giulietta Sportiva Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

[stedaley]

ZX10R NIN said:

1.6T Astra GTC SRI 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310082...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

2.0d BiTurbo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306279...

2.0d SRI 170:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311164...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...

Mercedes E220cdi Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310042...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

Laguna:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209059...

Giulietta Sportiva Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

Not a Vauxhall fan at all, really couldn't run one, just not my cup of tea at all.

Shall have a look at the others. Laguna has popped up, dont see many of them

[Coldplaya]

They arent' the best looking things but can be made to look OK with a few mods and upgraded OEM wheels but a mk9 civic 2.2 diesel is a very good car. I've got a 1.6 and it pulls OK for a 1.6, a remap livens it up a lot and the 2.2. takes it a step further. They are a surprisingly good steer and I've had a couple of iconic sports cars plus driven many others. Not going to set the world on fire, but so incredibly boringly reliable, great specs, ride very well & smoothly and as said the diesels pull well to make driving interesting.

[Snow and Rocks]

Worth doing the calculations and see if there's actually any going to be any saving over using the Land Cruiser. The costs of running a third car quickly mount up and once you add in a budget for repairs at this end of the market you might find the most sensible option is just to use what you've got.

[braddo]

Snow and Rocks said:

Worth doing the calculations and see if there's actually any going to be any saving over using the Land Cruiser. The costs of running a third car quickly mount up and once you add in a budget for repairs at this end of the market you might find the most sensible option is just to use what you've got.

More especially if considering buying a diesel car for a few grand.

[stedaley]

Snow and Rocks said:

Worth doing the calculations and see if there's actually any going to be any saving over using the Land Cruiser. The costs of running a third car quickly mount up and once you add in a budget for repairs at this end of the market you might find the most sensible option is just to use what you've got.

25mpg, It is a good possibility that I could use it, I just wanted to try and convince the OH to let me get something else. The LC is hers, but our jobs may swap in terms of distance.

[Disco You]

Do you want something sensible or can it be fun? For £5k you could get a mk3 clio 200.

[BenS94]

Suzuki Swift Sport 2012-2017. Cracking fun, great on fuel, reliable.

[C70R]

Snow and Rocks said:

Worth doing the calculations and see if there's actually any going to be any saving over using the Land Cruiser. The costs of running a third car quickly mount up and once you add in a budget for repairs at this end of the market you might find the most sensible option is just to use what you've got.

This. It seems mental to me to spend £5k on a car to do 35mpg, when you've got two unfinished projects and a car that will probably do 20mpg.

If you're really going to do 8,000 miles a year in this car, you'll be spending c.£1500 on fuel. At 20mpg in the Land Cruiser you'd spend c.£1200 a year more on fuel.

So if you're doing 8,000 miles a year (40 miles a working day), it's going to take you 4 years before that £5k 'investment' pays itself back (ignoring any other costs incurred for owning and running the car for 4 years).