What next commuter/daily - comfort, reliability, cost - £8k
Discussion
Good Evening All,
My venerable Civic is approaching 19 years old (had it for the last 9 years), and it's starting to be on its last legs - the next MOT might be a bit too much for it.
Looking for a car to be my main daily/commuter.
The missus has the sensible/long distance car (diesel CR-V), so I don't need anything big.
Commute is 55 miles/day (total)/275 miles a week. This gives 12,650 miles per year, but I probably do a third (or more) of that by motorbike.
Roads are mostly A Roads - I go from Telford to Stoke (please remember me in your prayers), and the amount of flooding/potholes/debris is huge. Had to fix the bike's sump earlier this year!
No real "must haves" (am quite flexible, don't think I can hit all of my wants, but would like to get most):
- Budget £8k, but could stretch to £10k
- N/A Petrol, Manual preferred (less things to go wrong really)
- Decent mid-range punch for overtaking safely/easily
- Would like a decent running cost - R18A2 Engined Civic averages a easy mid 40s
- Small wheels. Ride comfort! A appreciate a lot of the decent-spec'd variants of cars come with daft size wheels. If so, I'd like to budget for a set of 16" wheels and a decent set of all season tyres
- Ride comfort (yes, again, but there's only so many times I can take having my teeth rattled by the roads around here)
- I'd really, really like adaptive cruise control. I'm one of the few who really like it. I find it brilliant for motorway journeys.
- I'd rather not have an SUV, but could consider a "small crossover" if they are genuinely more comfortable
- Would prefer a C-Segment car (no need for anything too big), but this might limit cool toys/comfort etc
- Would like to keep it for 5 to 10 years
- I'd like to get something no older than 10 years old
- Front wheel drive preferred, rear wheel drive ok, would rather not have four wheel drive/all wheel drive
- Heated seats (bonus points for being heated without being leather)
- Heated windscreen (bike lives in the garage)
Currently thinking of:
Different Mazdas with the 2.0 Skyactive engine. Direct injection, but it has oversize intake valves and seems to take high mileages quite well. Mazda3, CX3, Mazda6 all seem like options. Cool HUD only comes in "sport" models with large wheels and low profile tyres though. Apparently some models do have adaptive cruise, but it's hard to find them
T3 Volvo V40/V40 Cross Country - Yes, it's a turbo, but it's that or a diesel. And most of the Volvos seem to be diesel.
Mercedes C Class, C200 - Again, turbo'd...
Citroen C4 Cactus - meant to be very comfortable, but the highest powered ones (a heady 130 bhp from a 1.2 litre turbo) seem to be like hens teeth.
Mondeo - I've never been unimpressed with one. Always seem to feel good to drive, and comfortable, but I've only ever driven diesel ones. Maybe that's the way forward?
And so, I put it to the hive-mind of Pistonheads! What cars would you recommend I look at please? I'm not expecting a unicorn, but I'm pretty sure I must have somehow missed a few gems. Thanking you in advance, with my utmost apologies for you having to read my utter brain dump.
(The other option is to push the boat out a bit and get one of the electric cars that have depreciated like a stone, and enjoy low running costs for the next five years... but I'm not sure how I can man maths that)
My venerable Civic is approaching 19 years old (had it for the last 9 years), and it's starting to be on its last legs - the next MOT might be a bit too much for it.
Looking for a car to be my main daily/commuter.
The missus has the sensible/long distance car (diesel CR-V), so I don't need anything big.
Commute is 55 miles/day (total)/275 miles a week. This gives 12,650 miles per year, but I probably do a third (or more) of that by motorbike.
Roads are mostly A Roads - I go from Telford to Stoke (please remember me in your prayers), and the amount of flooding/potholes/debris is huge. Had to fix the bike's sump earlier this year!
No real "must haves" (am quite flexible, don't think I can hit all of my wants, but would like to get most):
- Budget £8k, but could stretch to £10k
- N/A Petrol, Manual preferred (less things to go wrong really)
- Decent mid-range punch for overtaking safely/easily
- Would like a decent running cost - R18A2 Engined Civic averages a easy mid 40s
- Small wheels. Ride comfort! A appreciate a lot of the decent-spec'd variants of cars come with daft size wheels. If so, I'd like to budget for a set of 16" wheels and a decent set of all season tyres
- Ride comfort (yes, again, but there's only so many times I can take having my teeth rattled by the roads around here)
- I'd really, really like adaptive cruise control. I'm one of the few who really like it. I find it brilliant for motorway journeys.
- I'd rather not have an SUV, but could consider a "small crossover" if they are genuinely more comfortable
- Would prefer a C-Segment car (no need for anything too big), but this might limit cool toys/comfort etc
- Would like to keep it for 5 to 10 years
- I'd like to get something no older than 10 years old
- Front wheel drive preferred, rear wheel drive ok, would rather not have four wheel drive/all wheel drive
- Heated seats (bonus points for being heated without being leather)
- Heated windscreen (bike lives in the garage)
Currently thinking of:
Different Mazdas with the 2.0 Skyactive engine. Direct injection, but it has oversize intake valves and seems to take high mileages quite well. Mazda3, CX3, Mazda6 all seem like options. Cool HUD only comes in "sport" models with large wheels and low profile tyres though. Apparently some models do have adaptive cruise, but it's hard to find them
T3 Volvo V40/V40 Cross Country - Yes, it's a turbo, but it's that or a diesel. And most of the Volvos seem to be diesel.
Mercedes C Class, C200 - Again, turbo'd...
Citroen C4 Cactus - meant to be very comfortable, but the highest powered ones (a heady 130 bhp from a 1.2 litre turbo) seem to be like hens teeth.
Mondeo - I've never been unimpressed with one. Always seem to feel good to drive, and comfortable, but I've only ever driven diesel ones. Maybe that's the way forward?
And so, I put it to the hive-mind of Pistonheads! What cars would you recommend I look at please? I'm not expecting a unicorn, but I'm pretty sure I must have somehow missed a few gems. Thanking you in advance, with my utmost apologies for you having to read my utter brain dump.
(The other option is to push the boat out a bit and get one of the electric cars that have depreciated like a stone, and enjoy low running costs for the next five years... but I'm not sure how I can man maths that)
Unless it's rusting or has been constantly unreliable then I'd just spend the money on preventative maintenance on the civic. Even if it's £3k, it'll keep it going for years, and you'll have saved £5k over buying an unknown car.
If you just want a change then fair enough, it's your cash
If you just want a change then fair enough, it's your cash
If ACC is a 'must have'...
VW would seem the obvious candidate as they often seem to have it, along with some Mazdas and Lexus Ive seen.
My 2005 IS250 had adaptive cruise, but I wouldn't recommend it... used to phantom-brake at a sniff of a truck 1 mile away in a different lane, and wouldn't operate below 50mph. The more modern system in my '14 Merc CLS is a revelation in comparison and like you, I'd be reluctant to do without it.
VW would seem the obvious candidate as they often seem to have it, along with some Mazdas and Lexus Ive seen.
My 2005 IS250 had adaptive cruise, but I wouldn't recommend it... used to phantom-brake at a sniff of a truck 1 mile away in a different lane, and wouldn't operate below 50mph. The more modern system in my '14 Merc CLS is a revelation in comparison and like you, I'd be reluctant to do without it.
SAS Tom said:
I think a golf would be the obvious option
I also agree, currently running a 17 plate Gold TSI (121 hp) while it is a turbo and you want NA, it's a great little unit, good enough power, smooth, car is comfy and quite and handles fairly well (not a patch on my MX5) brakes etc are good. Currently doing 45 mile each way commute mainly Mway but a/b roads each end for about 10 miles and it's doing just short of 50mpg. They are a nice place to be in, mine is the tech spec so carplay.android auto adaptive cruie etc. Carnivac said:
Good Evening All,
My venerable Civic is approaching 19 years old (had it for the last 9 years), and it's starting to be on its last legs - the next MOT might be a bit too much for it.
Looking for a car to be my main daily/commuter.
The missus has the sensible/long distance car (diesel CR-V), so I don't need anything big.
Commute is 55 miles/day (total)/275 miles a week. This gives 12,650 miles per year, but I probably do a third (or more) of that by motorbike.
Roads are mostly A Roads - I go from Telford to Stoke (please remember me in your prayers), and the amount of flooding/potholes/debris is huge. Had to fix the bike's sump earlier this year!
No real "must haves" (am quite flexible, don't think I can hit all of my wants, but would like to get most):
- Budget £8k, but could stretch to £10k
- N/A Petrol, Manual preferred (less things to go wrong really)
- Decent mid-range punch for overtaking safely/easily
- Would like a decent running cost - R18A2 Engined Civic averages a easy mid 40s
- Small wheels. Ride comfort! A appreciate a lot of the decent-spec'd variants of cars come with daft size wheels. If so, I'd like to budget for a set of 16" wheels and a decent set of all season tyres
- Ride comfort (yes, again, but there's only so many times I can take having my teeth rattled by the roads around here)
- I'd really, really like adaptive cruise control. I'm one of the few who really like it. I find it brilliant for motorway journeys.
- I'd rather not have an SUV, but could consider a "small crossover" if they are genuinely more comfortable
- Would prefer a C-Segment car (no need for anything too big), but this might limit cool toys/comfort etc
- Would like to keep it for 5 to 10 years
- I'd like to get something no older than 10 years old
- Front wheel drive preferred, rear wheel drive ok, would rather not have four wheel drive/all wheel drive
- Heated seats (bonus points for being heated without being leather)
- Heated windscreen (bike lives in the garage)
Currently thinking of:
Different Mazdas with the 2.0 Skyactive engine. Direct injection, but it has oversize intake valves and seems to take high mileages quite well. Mazda3, CX3, Mazda6 all seem like options. Cool HUD only comes in "sport" models with large wheels and low profile tyres though. Apparently some models do have adaptive cruise, but it's hard to find them
T3 Volvo V40/V40 Cross Country - Yes, it's a turbo, but it's that or a diesel. And most of the Volvos seem to be diesel.
Mercedes C Class, C200 - Again, turbo'd...
Citroen C4 Cactus - meant to be very comfortable, but the highest powered ones (a heady 130 bhp from a 1.2 litre turbo) seem to be like hens teeth.
Mondeo - I've never been unimpressed with one. Always seem to feel good to drive, and comfortable, but I've only ever driven diesel ones. Maybe that's the way forward?
And so, I put it to the hive-mind of Pistonheads! What cars would you recommend I look at please? I'm not expecting a unicorn, but I'm pretty sure I must have somehow missed a few gems. Thanking you in advance, with my utmost apologies for you having to read my utter brain dump.
(The other option is to push the boat out a bit and get one of the electric cars that have depreciated like a stone, and enjoy low running costs for the next five years... but I'm not sure how I can man maths that)
If you get a car with a conventional auto they're no worse than a manual in terms of reliability, dual clutch gearboxes are less reliable but most are pretty decent.My venerable Civic is approaching 19 years old (had it for the last 9 years), and it's starting to be on its last legs - the next MOT might be a bit too much for it.
Looking for a car to be my main daily/commuter.
The missus has the sensible/long distance car (diesel CR-V), so I don't need anything big.
Commute is 55 miles/day (total)/275 miles a week. This gives 12,650 miles per year, but I probably do a third (or more) of that by motorbike.
Roads are mostly A Roads - I go from Telford to Stoke (please remember me in your prayers), and the amount of flooding/potholes/debris is huge. Had to fix the bike's sump earlier this year!
No real "must haves" (am quite flexible, don't think I can hit all of my wants, but would like to get most):
- Budget £8k, but could stretch to £10k
- N/A Petrol, Manual preferred (less things to go wrong really)
- Decent mid-range punch for overtaking safely/easily
- Would like a decent running cost - R18A2 Engined Civic averages a easy mid 40s
- Small wheels. Ride comfort! A appreciate a lot of the decent-spec'd variants of cars come with daft size wheels. If so, I'd like to budget for a set of 16" wheels and a decent set of all season tyres
- Ride comfort (yes, again, but there's only so many times I can take having my teeth rattled by the roads around here)
- I'd really, really like adaptive cruise control. I'm one of the few who really like it. I find it brilliant for motorway journeys.
- I'd rather not have an SUV, but could consider a "small crossover" if they are genuinely more comfortable
- Would prefer a C-Segment car (no need for anything too big), but this might limit cool toys/comfort etc
- Would like to keep it for 5 to 10 years
- I'd like to get something no older than 10 years old
- Front wheel drive preferred, rear wheel drive ok, would rather not have four wheel drive/all wheel drive
- Heated seats (bonus points for being heated without being leather)
- Heated windscreen (bike lives in the garage)
Currently thinking of:
Different Mazdas with the 2.0 Skyactive engine. Direct injection, but it has oversize intake valves and seems to take high mileages quite well. Mazda3, CX3, Mazda6 all seem like options. Cool HUD only comes in "sport" models with large wheels and low profile tyres though. Apparently some models do have adaptive cruise, but it's hard to find them
T3 Volvo V40/V40 Cross Country - Yes, it's a turbo, but it's that or a diesel. And most of the Volvos seem to be diesel.
Mercedes C Class, C200 - Again, turbo'd...
Citroen C4 Cactus - meant to be very comfortable, but the highest powered ones (a heady 130 bhp from a 1.2 litre turbo) seem to be like hens teeth.
Mondeo - I've never been unimpressed with one. Always seem to feel good to drive, and comfortable, but I've only ever driven diesel ones. Maybe that's the way forward?
And so, I put it to the hive-mind of Pistonheads! What cars would you recommend I look at please? I'm not expecting a unicorn, but I'm pretty sure I must have somehow missed a few gems. Thanking you in advance, with my utmost apologies for you having to read my utter brain dump.
(The other option is to push the boat out a bit and get one of the electric cars that have depreciated like a stone, and enjoy low running costs for the next five years... but I'm not sure how I can man maths that)
Also ride quality comes from how much sidewall youu have & also if you have run flats.
Adaptive cruise will be hard to find with your budget, the Mondeo is a very a good car. Having a car with a turbo isn't an issue as long as you maintain it, one benefit is that due to the extra midrange from the turbo normally makes them a bit better than a pure N/A.
The Sport Nav Mazda3 rides welll.
Here are some very good options.
1.6T Astra Elite Nav these are very good cars reliabe good ride & well (android auto/lane assist etc) equipped.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410044...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408263...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...
SRI Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410054...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409244...
Focus Titanium X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410044...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409284...
Mondeo Titanium Hybrid:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410074...
1.5T:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410064...
Infiniti Q30, these are a Mercedes A Class except for the body panels but they're a very good car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407141...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311133...
Kia Ceed GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410074...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409134...
i30:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409164...
Giulietta QV Line these are very robust & reliable:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410044...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409214...
This Cat N Mazda6 could make a very good buy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410034...
Non cat:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405159...
Unless there are known reliability issues I would be looking at a SE spec Merc C-Class, something like this one, and put 4-season tyres on it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409234...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409234...
ZX10R NIN said:
Any of the above work for you OP?
Plenty of food for thought! Thank you all (apologies for the late reply, things have been a bit hectic - the missus parked her car in Birmingham and someone tried to break into it).(Also, as an aside, I did consider a Ninja 1000 SX as a commuter instead of the CBR600F).
braddo said:
Unless there are known reliability issues I would be looking at a SE spec Merc C-Class, something like this one, and put 4-season tyres on it.
I do like that idea. Whilst I wasn't a fan of e-handbrakes when they first came out (my boss at the time was forever rebuilding the system on his Passat), it does make a manual C Class a lot easier! ZX10R NIN said:
If you get a car with a conventional auto they're no worse than a manual in terms of reliability, dual clutch gearboxes are less reliable but most are pretty decent.
Also ride quality comes from how much sidewall youu have & also if you have run flats.
Adaptive cruise will be hard to find with your budget, the Mondeo is a very a good car. Having a car with a turbo isn't an issue as long as you maintain it, one benefit is that due to the extra midrange from the turbo normally makes them a bit better than a pure N/A.
I quite like traditional "slush drive" automatics. Torque convertors are really quite nice and do a lovely job of protecting the rest of the driveline. I guess a lot of my reticence is due to the fact that a lot of dual clutch 'boxes have dry clutches, rather than wet, and some (like the Powershift stuff) have quite well defined service intervals that I'm sure get missed.Also ride quality comes from how much sidewall youu have & also if you have run flats.
Adaptive cruise will be hard to find with your budget, the Mondeo is a very a good car. Having a car with a turbo isn't an issue as long as you maintain it, one benefit is that due to the extra midrange from the turbo normally makes them a bit better than a pure N/A.
Agree with you on the tyre sidewall - the trend to ridiculous size wheels does have me scratching my head - and the extra midrange from a turbo. All top end and no midrange can get a bit wearing after a time. Also, other than the Mazda petrols, I can't find anything that isn't turbo'd nowadays (without going for loads of extra displacement).
I like the Giulietta QV Line, and I never even thought of the Infiniti Q30 or the Astra (my last Vauxhall was a Mk3 Cavalier, and I regret selling it - but I did run it for 8 years and sold it for more than I paid for it), so thank you for those suggestions.
The Cat N Mazda6 is properly tasty, especially for that price.
SAS Tom said:
I think a golf would be the obvious option
66HFM said:
Seat Leon / Skoda Octavia / VW Golf / Audi A3/A4, all from the VAG family
Robertb said:
VW would seem the obvious candidate
Cylon2007 said:
I also agree, currently running a 17 plate Gold TSI (121 hp)
I did see that the BlueMotion Tech has Adaptive CC as standard, which is nice. Also, the 1.4 Petrols do seem to have a few on AT that have sensible sized wheels, as opposed to the GTis which seem to all run 19" teeth breakers as standard.covmutley said:
Lexus is?
Now that's a hell of a shout. I had a scout on AT, and there are a few in budget.jaydeeuk1 said:
Unless it's rusting or has been constantly unreliable then I'd just spend the money on preventative maintenance on the civic.
The slightly sensible approach... the underbody isn't the best, and I bought it for about £1k less than similar cars because it wasn't in fantastic condition back then. But it still drives well - did 240 miles today on less than half a tank and didn't miss a beat. Eeking another year out of it might be an idea.Again, thank you all!
I've expanded my searches on AT to incorporate some of the suggestions, and have started building up my saved adverts based on this. I'll try and get some test drives in in the next few weekends (and get the Civic in for an early MOT) and see what feels good.
Is a mk10 civic too obvious a choice?
1.5t petrol is punchy enough, very economical. Manual or CVT.
Full of tech too and mines just the sport model not the sport plus or the prestige. Radar cruise, carplay, usual other tech stuff. Really good drive and steer on them.
Perhaps NVH isn’t the best but not the worst. £10k should get you a 2019 privately with ok miles.
Alternatively, the mk9 civic was peak civic IMO. Hugely reliable, insanely big boot and magic rear seats to make it into a van. Good enough tech.
1.5t petrol is punchy enough, very economical. Manual or CVT.
Full of tech too and mines just the sport model not the sport plus or the prestige. Radar cruise, carplay, usual other tech stuff. Really good drive and steer on them.
Perhaps NVH isn’t the best but not the worst. £10k should get you a 2019 privately with ok miles.
Alternatively, the mk9 civic was peak civic IMO. Hugely reliable, insanely big boot and magic rear seats to make it into a van. Good enough tech.
Forgot to add that the 1.5t Insignia in SRI form with the smaller wheels is a very good car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408293...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409093...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406120...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410084...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408082...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408293...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409093...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406120...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410084...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408082...
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