100 mile round trip commute

[Noeggsomeyolk]

So got for a job 50 miles each way 100% motorway. Don’t try to talk me out it, it’s my dream job and I understand the negative side to it all I have the light about it all. Currently have a 1.4 boosterjet Suzuki swift on 65k I get about 38.5mpg at best.
My thoughts went straight to pd130 1.9 diesels they appear to have all been ragged with the lowest milage bring 100k with most being modified which is a no for me or a big diesel barge but again not sure of this would be more expensive to run

So my thoughts, low mileage and ideally 2019+ :

- keep Suzuki swift run it into the ground probs pay quite a bit of fuel

- get a hybrid: thinking Suzuki swace, corolla or Yaris / Hyundai pirius thing
Would this actually save much?

- big barge diesel

- get a small supermini eg Fiat 500 / aygo cheap running costs but higher revs tell me no?

- Suzuki ignis 1.2 very efficient but not too comfy

I have no clue what to do! Please help ??

[CooperS]

As some who did 42 miles each way for far to long - you want some big unless parking is an issue the other end.

But you didn’t need me to say the obvious.

As for talking you out of it….. use this role to get you to the next job that doesn’t take 3 hours of your day away from you.

[Noeggsomeyolk]

Thanks! So can sack off the smaller city car and ignis idea! That’s the plan, unfortunately in a very niche line of work!

[paradigital]

Pure electric might work out the cheapest to run. With a 7.2kW charger installed you should be good to shove in a good 150+ miles a night.

At Intelligent Octopus rates that would mean roughly £2/100 miles of range (2p/mile).

[Noeggsomeyolk]

Iv looked into this but my drive is away from me he house and can’t have a trailing wire 500m 😢

[paradigital]

That’s a shame as it also rules out PHEV.

[aproctor1]

I used to do 150 miles, 5 days a week.

From a cost saving perspective, I wouldn't change, whatever you save will be offset with other costs.

If you value your sanity, you will get a bigger car, with an autobox.

[GT03ROB]

I did 130 mile round trip 5 days a week, virtually all motorway. I used an A3 2.0 diesel. Comfortable, enough power, economical enough. Ran it from 75k to 145k without any real issues.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I did a similar thing for a decade some years ago.

I decided to make the trip an event, so did it in a TVR. 22 mpg but what the hell...it was fun and I looked forward to the trip every day!

[valiant]

I’d keep what you’ve got until it breaks. Cheapest car tends to be one you already own.

Then I’d get something more suited.

Must have,

Comfy seats.
Excellent ride (so no big wheels)
Cruise (adaptive if possible)
longish wheelbase
Good stereo
Diesel with at least a 2.0l engine.


There’s a thread here about a 300k S80 with the legendary D5 engine. You’d want something like that.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

valiant said:

I.

Must have,

Comfy seats.
Excellent ride (so no big wheels)
Cruise (adaptive if possible)
longish wheelbase
Good stereo
Diesel with at least a 2.0l engine.

Just comparing my commute with that. I scored zero

[valiant]

My back is already hurting thinking about that commute!

[Ezra]

Doing the sums, if your main concern is mpg and fuel cost for the daily commute you'd save about £1250 pa if you changed into something that does 50mpg versus your Suzuki. Not sure you'd be saving much over 2-3 years when the cost to change is taken into account. If it was me, I'd stick with the Suzy if its been reliable.

[keo]

Another factor when doing these sorts of miles is a big range/ large tank. I hate going to the petrol station it’s gets tiresome. People will say it’s no biggie but being able to do a weeks worth of driving on one tank is a big bonus in my opinion.

I also have an Audi A3 2.0 tdi. When I first had it I was doing 100 miles a day, now about 80. It’s not bad. I wouldn’t go Quattro next time though as I don’t really see the benefit and it eats into my mpg! Although I still average about 50mpg.

People always recommend a big car for miles but since iv never had one I don’t really know what I’m missing out on. I can see the appeal of an auto though.

[rosejem]

Yes I would keep what you have got it is only an 1 hr journey each way , unless your finding the Swift uncomfortable or really fancy a change. See how the new job goes it may not work out and you may regret selling the Swift.
Good Luck !

[ZX10R NIN]

Noeggsomeyolk said:

So got for a job 50 miles each way 100% motorway. Don’t try to talk me out it, it’s my dream job and I understand the negative side to it all I have the light about it all. Currently have a 1.4 boosterjet Suzuki swift on 65k I get about 38.5mpg at best.
My thoughts went straight to pd130 1.9 diesels they appear to have all been ragged with the lowest milage bring 100k with most being modified which is a no for me or a big diesel barge but again not sure of this would be more expensive to run

So my thoughts, low mileage and ideally 2019+ :

- keep Suzuki swift run it into the ground probs pay quite a bit of fuel

- get a hybrid: thinking Suzuki swace, corolla or Yaris / Hyundai pirius thing
Would this actually save much?

- big barge diesel

- get a small supermini eg Fiat 500 / aygo cheap running costs but higher revs tell me no?

- Suzuki ignis 1.2 very efficient but not too comfy

I have no clue what to do! Please help ??

Small engined cars can do that journey with ease but due to their short gearing you won't be getting the best economy from them, your biggest cost when doing this kind of mileage will be depreciation as well as general wear & tear.

So the hard part is finding that fine balance of not spending to much but also spending enough that you don't end up with a maintenence heavy car.

With this in mind I'd be looking at the E350d coupe, you'll get a nice one for sensible money they come with a nigh on bulletproof drivetrain & a nice comfortable ride as well as orpthaepedic seats:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311143...

If going down the 2.0d route then the Infiniti Q50/70 range is a good buy as they use the same 2.1d Mercedes drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305277...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312295...

[georgeyboy12345]

At that kind of mileage on motorways you want a diesel. Don't bother with hybrids.

What is your budget? I didn't see it anywhere. Anyway here are a bunch of cars that'd be suitable for around £10-20k

Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401115...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM TCT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...


Audi A3 35 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401245...


Mercedes C220d SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...


BMW 435d xDrive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311033...

[Brett748]

520d G30 would be my choice.

[rambo19]

100% motorway?
Do you live in the services.........

[Beethree]

Did the same commute 5 days a week, now only have to do it for a couple.
You want comfy and economical, anything small will not be fun after the first few weeks.
I’d go for a PD, either a Passat or Octavia. Don’t worry about being over 100k, mine had 200k on it and ran great.