Hybrid or diesel for running up and down the M50

Nuw

Hey everyone,

Mate of mine is looking for suggestions about the best car to go down the M50 and up again everyday, should be outside of rush hours (early in the morning and mid afternoon). He's thinking diesel, I'm thinking hybrid (Auris hybrid, Civic IMA, insight). My first thought was actually electric but he has no opportunity for charging at either end of the trip so that's out.

Car would preferably be automatic, comfortable and able to sit happily at 130 for the yearly holidays on the continent. Budget would be 6-8k.

What do you think?

colm_mcm

How far up and down the M50 would they be going?

Nuw

All the way (or pretty much), from the Ballymun junction to Leopardstown's hospital. Also, one thing I forgot to  mention is that reliability is very high on the list of things they're looking for (hence my recommendation for hybrid), he'd need to be at the hospital for 7 in the morning (so should be free flowing me thinks) and he'd leave leopardstown around 4-4.30 (which might a bit more of start and stop).

Henry Ford III

Petrol/hybrid all the way.

Shefwedfan

Hybrid of course

Electric would be best as he will save on the M50 tolls. Why no charging at either location?

Nuw

Renting, so not in a position to get charging point installed apparently (appartement complex) and he wouldn't want to rely on public charging points (which I can totally understand). Plus, the odd long trip wouldn't be ideal in an electric car.

So yeah me thinks hybrid is the way to go here. Thanks guys!

Shefwedfan

Nuw wrote: »

Renting, so not in a position to get charging point installed apparently (appartement complex) and he wouldn't want to rely on public charging points (which I can totally understand). Plus, the odd long trip wouldn't be ideal in an electric car.

So yeah me thinks hybrid is the way to go here. Thanks guys!

Public charging is a massive headache, I would not rely on it and would not recommend to anyone buying a car without home charging



A good few offerings now available for apartments etc. SO it might be worth looking into to....hybrid does give him the option of those long trips away....


The saving per year on M50 is restricted to 500 maximum so might not be worth it

colm_mcm

That’s 30km each way, so 300km a week or 15000km a year, excluding weekends and other trips.
It’s not fashionable to say this, but given the lack of electric cars unless the budget is increased, plus the inability to charge, it’s between hybrid and diesel.

I wouldn’t rule out a diesel, but a hybrid will most certainly be more reliable. A diesel will likely cost less in fuel though.

Nuw

Thanks all, now the big one would be which hybrid, considering the budget I'd say honda insight for 6-7k which would save a good few bobs he could spend on the toll/petrol. Unless a civic is much more suited to motorway, I remember trying them out for with my brother a few years back and the civic coming out on top in terms of comfort, with the insight being a bit more "joyful". A prius within budget would be the mk2 with the 1.5L and a good few miles on it, so I think the hondas are the ones he needs to look at.

That's me though, anyone any experience with an insight or a civic for motorway driving?

Shefwedfan

colm_mcm wrote: »

That’s 30km each way, so 300km a week or 15000km a year, excluding weekends and other trips.
It’s not fashionable to say this, but given the lack of electric cars unless the budget is increased, plus the inability to charge, it’s between hybrid and diesel.

I wouldn’t rule out a diesel, but a hybrid will most certainly be more reliable. A diesel will likely cost less in fuel though.

Nothing to do with fashionable.

How could anyone advise someone doing a 30km trip that diesel is an option is beyond me?

Please explain how diesel is the right fuel for that trip?

Also the budget is perfect for electric. You will pick up a Leaf for 8k. I bought a 2012 Leaf with 20k km's last year from an Irish dealer, it cost me less than 7k.

MarkN

Not even the cheapest Leaf on Carzone is €6,000 so that budget might be a struggle too for a good hybrid or EV.

Shefwedfan

MarkN wrote: »

Not even the cheapest Leaf on Carzone is €6,000 so that budget might be a struggle too for a good hybrid or EV.

Leaf was just sold for 6k in last few days

Really if specific requirement then better going to the specialist electric car companies.

A lot of cars getting traded in at the moment for Leaf 2, most of the dealers hanging onto the 141/151 models and the rest are going to auctions.

So if home charger was option, buyer could check out auctions or ask the specific companies to source a car in budget.

Outside a Leaf the Zoe with the same battery etc can be picked up really cheap on battery rental or more expensive but still in price range with battery owned.

ba_barabus

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Please explain how diesel is the right fuel for that trip?

They've no charging points at home.

Also they'd be limited to a Leaf with the short range battery pack.

Also, they've said they don't want one.

Do we really given all of the above have to see another thread going OT because of electric cars?

Shefwedfan

ba_barabus wrote: »

They've no charging points at home.

Also they'd be limited to a Leaf with the short range battery pack.

Also, they've said they don't want one.

Do we really given all of the above have to see another thread going OT because of electric cars?

I told them to buy hybrid:P


Maybe read the thread first

ba_barabus

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I told them to buy hybrid:P


Maybe read the thread first

I'll get my coat :pac::o