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Feb 17, 2012 18:24:32 GMT
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I've commuted 2 hours a day for about half a year now in various cars, you get to the point when you barely notice the trip. One thing i've noticed is huge back pains from the old mercedes seats when I drove my now sold 190, so that's a thing to take in consideration, the 190 I drive atm has mazda bucket seats installed and life quality has significantly improved ;D A nice sound system also shortens the time a lot
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 18:24:55 GMT by dude
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Feb 17, 2012 18:59:04 GMT
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I had a Carlton 2.0i - it lasted 3 weeks before some electronic fault rendered it weighbridge material. I couldn't diagnose it myself and the garage just said they'd not "rob me" the money I'd spend trying to find the fault. I've had a couple of Saab 9000s. I didn't notice any difference in MPG between the turbo and non-turbo models. Neither was great on fuel but the turbo would doubtless run nice with LPG. Turbo autos are very weird to drive though. Throwing LPG on a big yank is an obvious option.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Feb 17, 2012 19:01:17 GMT
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Mk1 Golf GTi?
I've just bought an AX GT for my commute but Its cosiderably less than 2 hours a day and no motorways.
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'03 Porsche 996 C2 3.6 - Sort of Retro '84 Porsche 924 - Definitely Retro!
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Hirst
Posted a lot
This avatar is inaccurate, I've never shaved that closely
Posts: 3,930
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Feb 17, 2012 21:37:28 GMT
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Akku, I ended up having a job with a similarly long commute and it was absolutely soul-destroying regardless of car. If you think it's a bit questionable the first time, the novelty will wear thin extremely quickly. I would seriously think about this as it made my life an absolute sodding nightmare for a few years and I'd never go back to it.
It did give me an opportunity to use all sorts of different cars though and I would say the best was near-definitely the E-reg Mazda 626 2.0 GLX as it was a nice balance - quick enough to be effortless without being a handful, great handling when you wanted it without being too over-involving otherwise, nice decent size and supportive seats. Fuel consumption was about the same as everything else I used, in all honesty I felt like I'd get roughly the same mileage from £20 petrol out of anything, give or take maybe 10 miles - this was across a range of carb-fed saloons from 1.3 to 2.0, a Cuore TR-XX and a Laurel taxi on gas.
A long-distance commuting car is a difficult one as it has to straddle all kinds of moods/situations - I loved driving the Cuore to work on a morning whizzing through the gears, but would absolutely dread driving it back on an evening when I was inevitably annoyed/tired and just wanted a relaxing drive home as all the stuff which you didn't mind previously suddenly starts to grate on you - gearchanges which require perfect timing, pedals you have to be delicate with, "grabby" steering, the slight crashiness of more sporting suspension setups, etc. Likewise the Galant 1.6 was a nice lazy drive, but would be a bit of a chore sometimes as flooring it doesn't really make it go much faster and you couldn't cheer yourself up on the way there by taking a few corners aggressively.
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Feb 17, 2012 21:43:29 GMT
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My vote goes to a Mk3 Granada. Retro-ish, the 2 litre's not too bad on fuel, and super-comfortable. Could probably pick one up for not too much cash as well.
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1953 Minor (Long term project) PT Cruiser
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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Feb 17, 2012 22:06:32 GMT
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Not really in the spirit of RR, but a 2 hour commute in anything is soon going to feel like you are losing a massive %age of your life. I've done a 2 hour round trip commute regularly for a number of years and this is very true. Which is why for me forget the fuel economy and boring stuff, it's just got to be a vehicle you love, otherwise you'll resent it very quickly. If you just enjoy driving the car, no matter the conditions then that 10 mis of every hours journey when the traffic is clear and there's a pretty view or some nice corners will make it all worth while and you'll arrive at work feeling cheerful after a nice drive. I've done the same commute in some cheap efficient cars I find dull and I end up bored and grumpy long before i get near work.
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Feb 17, 2012 22:19:13 GMT
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I also have a long commute. 3 hours round trip. Sometimes commuting in a sweet car is the only thing retaining your sanity. Here's what I use:
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glen62
Part of things
Posts: 100
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Feb 17, 2012 22:40:44 GMT
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I know its a bit newer than you wanted, but my vote would be Audi A4 diesel or a VW Passat diesel 40plus mpg
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Feb 17, 2012 22:57:14 GMT
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i do 100 mile a day commute from Sheffield to Leeds and although a bit newer i do it in a 2.0 turbo diesel MG ZT (BMW 320d engine) averages 45 mpg and the seats are really comfy and they're very cheap for the money.
I'm going to get mine remapped to ~160 bhp for about £200
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Feb 17, 2012 23:11:26 GMT
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I have a 112 mile commute (both ways); that's why I bought the W124 200TE. Does 35MPG sitting at 70 with a 4 speed. And it's comfy, yet can be thrown into corners quite well and has enough punch to get a little tail action (of maybe it's just the cheap tyres? ;D). I've done it in the Mini last year for a little time... Too exhausting... As much as I love that car and as much as I enjoy driving it - after 8-9 hours working... It's too demanding. The Merc however... Sink in seat, select 4th, relax and roll. And I tell you - it'll get even better once the W123 is ready! One step up the comfy-ladder
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Ryannn
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,421
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Feb 17, 2012 23:44:18 GMT
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Not 100% economical... but you wouldn't want that! I commute in my 924 every day... I wish it was longer! Mine's doing 30mpg and could be improved not mine obv
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I used to do a commute of that sort of length and tried loads of cars from a classic mini upwards. I found the best blend of comfort, economy, price and poke was a V6 Calibra. Good aerodynamics, heater leather, aircon, with a little scrapyard rummaging cruise control was plug n play, very long gearing meant a low revving engine and the grunt meant it was rarely working hard, so economy was pretty good too.
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1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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Honda Accord Gen3? Comfortable, lots of room, 2.0l engine around around 30mpg'ish (possibly better on the motorway) Almost bought one of these instead of the 100, but the insurance was V.Expensive at the time. That or a 924 mentioned above, again, comfortable, happy at motorway speeds and should be able to get over 30mpg on a run.
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I really don't like front drive stuff. Porker 924 is an odd suggestion but interesting...
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,558
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924 with a gas kit sounds like a plan!
Rysz.
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My 944 is a lovely drive and very comfy on long trips infact I have selected it over the two 'moderns' I have to do a 300mile trip today. And it's good for some fun when you want it!
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Feb 18, 2012 10:09:43 GMT
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Take a job nearer home AK........ 10 hours a week just travelling back and forth is almost like having a part time job as well.
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Last Edit: Feb 18, 2012 10:11:27 GMT by arrocuda
'71 Arrocuda.... '71 Sunbeam Rapier Turbo (The Grim Rapier).... '63 Hymek D7076..... Audi GT5S
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,624
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Cool commuters?skinnylew
@skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member 11
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Feb 18, 2012 10:59:01 GMT
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Mk1 Golf GTi? I've just bought an AX GT for my commute but Its cosiderably less than 2 hours a day and no motorways. Winning right there how much and where from? Get over to axownersclub.com if you need anything oh and AK what you really want to commute back and forth in is something like this: in srdt flavour can't beat some gallic luxobargeness
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Feb 18, 2012 11:56:58 GMT
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ford granada with a pinto engine
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if sparks don't fly you're ridin too high !
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Feb 18, 2012 12:24:43 GMT
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Well, for the whole of last year I had a job 50km north of my place, which made it a 2.5 hour per day commute. I found it a bit annoying at times, but it was worth it for the job. The fact that it was a defined 12 month contract made it not worth moving. For about 8-10 weeks worth of the year I was using this: 1984 Holden WB ute. 4-speed manual, floor shift with a heavy cable clutch. Non-power steering with a 14" sports steering wheel and 7" wide rims. The steering is a good workout! The fuel economy isn't that great, but I enjoyed firing it up every morning and every afternoon, even though the auto choke was playing up and it was a pig to start. For a relaxed cruise at 60km/h in top gear, there's nothing better. That big six cylinder just lopes along. Is it a sensible commuter car? No, especially not with the deafening 3" exhaust. Did I enjoy commuting in it for two and a half hours a day? Yes. That is all that really matters! If you love your Fairmont, by all means put it on gas and commute in it. What else are you going to do with it? When you drive that much every day, you won't be bothered to take a hobby car out in the evening, so that only leaves weekends free. Drive what you love every day and enjoy it.
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