Cheapest reliable car for motorway commutes to work (120 miles a day)

FATBALLZ

I'm considering taking a job that will involve commuting 120 miles a day, mostly on the motorway. I don't currently own a car so I need to get some feeling for how much it will cost me in transport to take the job.

What's the cheapest reliable car for the job? Ideally I don't really want to spend more than a few thousand, my preliminary thought was a Fiat Panda, but they have quite small engines so wasn't sure if it was suitable. Any ideas please?

John_3:16

over 30,000 a year so must be a diesel. Go for mid range, whatever must be with low milage. Possibly a focus?

interstellaflyer

I've got an Astra 1.3 CDTI estate on an 06 plate, handles motorway work very well, 6 speed box so 70mph at just over 2000 rpm, cheap road tax, cheap insurance, returns really good mpg and it's a good sized family car. Ok I'm sure many people will be recomending 2.0ltr Deisels however, I'm tight, fuel is expensive and mostly tax, I don't want to any more tax than I have too so I will sacrifice perfomance and top speed for economy.

iltisman

Another factor is is the motorway one that keeps moving or is it the M25. I had my annual visit to Kent last week and the M25 was hopeless.

leveller2911

Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi..............Theres a good reason many Police Forces have them along with many taxi firms......Reliable,economical and reasonably priced.

Just my opinion of coarse:D I'm on my 2nd one. 1st one was 120 bhp averaged 72mpg ,2nd one is 130 bhp and averages around 63 mpg