Cars

[.Bishbash.]

I know very little about these four wheeled boxes.

I passed my test back in January and inherited my Dads Suzuki Vitara. Please hold off the hairdresser and poor excuse for a 4 X 4 jokes, I've had them all. Saying that they are a poor excuse for a 4x4, mine struggled to reverse up a curb in 4 wheel drive mode.

Anyway, this car sucks, it does(on average) 350 miles on average for £60 worth of fuel(full tank), which I found out yesterday is the same as a modified Audi TT that my work colleague has.

So, question is, I need a car, diesel or petrol, I don't mind, I'd even hit up an automatic. But need something that will be able to tow a bike trailer without exploding and not bankrupt me on my 120 mile daily round trip to work.

What can you lot suggest? Don't worry about price range, just need some ideas for now.
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

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How old are you and how much do you want to spend on insurance?

Something mundane like 2.0L tdi would fit the bill if the insurance wasn't too silly.

Mondeo, Golf, Avensis, Focus, Astra etc... You can't go far wrong with most of those.

My daily driver is a 4.4L V8 on LPG, so does around 23mpg. At 58.8 pence a litre though, who gives a toss!

Motorway cruising luxury for family hatchback running costs. (so long as you're a bit handy with the spanners.)
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TZR250 2MA road, TZR250 1KT road, TZR250 2MA race, TDR250, YZF-750R Boost colours.
Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[Holdawayt]

Any German Diesel with the 1.9tdi PD115 or PD130 engine would be ideal for you. 2004 Passats, Audi A4, Skoda Octavia etc are all brilliant. Electrics can play up sometimes but easy to fix.

Failing that an E46 320D or 330D would be good too.

[chris-red]

Whatever it is make sure it is modern, they are so much more effiecent my 06 fiesta, standard 1.4l granny mobile gets an average of ~35mpg on a run at 60mph I can get 40 if I'm lucky.

My Dad's 3l v6 remapped 300bhp Jag XF does better than that.

Ragging my missus Fiat 500 returns over 50mpg.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[.Bishbash.]

I'm 33, so insurance isn't astronomical, even for a first years insurance on the Vitara was around the £500 mark.

I'm mechanically minded, so do not mind tinkering/fixing my own vehicles is second nature.

But good shouts so far, I will start searching up on these. Any other ideas, please list them up.

@mpd72 What make is your daily commute? Sounds like a beast.

EDIT: And Chris, I feel your pain, my GSXR1000 has better fuel economy than my car.
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[G]

[.Bishbash.]

Ah yeah, as much as I'd love a van, and believe me I would, I can't turn up to my work in a van, nor take the Mrs BB out to nice restaurants in
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[G]

That's why you get two .

What about a Viano or similar?

They're basically the same as a Vito, but with more windows and classed as a car. Similar from VW, think ford etc.

(Ok, you will look like an airport Taxi.)

[MarJay]

My car does about 300 miles on £60 of fuel... I didn't think it was that bad. But then again it does have a 265bhp straight 6...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[LustyLew]

Can't offer any real recommendations, my choice in cars is shocking (Mainly Citroen and Rovers!), but remember to take online reviews of makes/models with a pinch of salt.

Every marque will have shitters. Some people will bitch and moan that the 'nearly new' ex minicab they bought with 120,000 on the clock runs rough and is worn out. While some with low mile granny mobiles will say they're lush (yet they rarely post reviews).


Not sure what other peoples opinions are but given the VW 'scandal', I wouldn't put it past the DVLA/DoT to 'align' diesel emissions with petrol and rake in a huge hike in VED!

Something common with lots of pattern and affordable spares given the mileages... Oh and comfort!
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[angryjonny]

Honest John's car review section on his website is a relatively impartial* guide to whether a car is any good or not and, crucially, gives a list of potential problems to expect.

(* he described my current motor as "as close as you'll come to a faultless car" so my own opinion may not be impartial)

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[J0Al1]

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[.Bishbash.]

[J0Al1]

[MCN]

BMW 320D

160BHP 2lt TDI.

I get 55/gal on m/way at an Avg. 63mph.

I had a 1.8 Mazda 6 before and it was shyte. with 260kg bike on a 40kg trailer is struggled.

The Beemer I have now is a 520 bigger than the 320 but same power unit.

They are damned reliable. I have done HeeHaw to mine since I bought it. New DMF and brake pads at 90K but since then sweeeet.

Only drawback is you will be shunned on bike forums because all BMW/Audi drivers/owners are cnuts. I have been flashed and beebed at too.

ps Towing a bike is baaad for fuel econ more due to the crazy drag co. more than simply the weight. I reckon my MPG drops 15/20% towing the bike/ I had a loan of my friend's little Ifor Willaims to collect two auld BSA singles and the MPG was pornographic. I felt like one of them hos who's 'pulled a train' on the pron channel.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Robby]

Standard advice. Any popular family hatchback.

Whilst it may be tempting to go for something that was expensive/luxury when new, a £60k car will still have the running costs of a £60k car when you buy it for a couple of grand.

You're doing enough miles to make diesel worthwhile.

[MCN]

[Robster]

Bare with me here....

.....Rover 75 2 litre Diesel estate.

Cheap as chips, good on fuel, make sure its a later one (the one Rover built during BMW ownership). Lad at work has one, cheap and reliable and quite lush inside. His has leccy seats, nice stereo, leather etc.

Had a few come through our work and they don't climb much north of a grand, engines in them run very sweet usually and not much rust.
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Up the bum no babies.

[MCN]

[dydey90]

[P.addy]

Easy... A Rover 75 was my 2nd car at 19...

Was probably one the nicer cars I've driven...so yes. A vote for it.

[Shaft]

[Vracktal]

Volvo 940
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2007 BMW R1200R: On road
2009 BMW G650X Challenge: On road
1975 Norton Commando 850: Off road, awaiting recommissioning