100 miles a day on motorways- help

rockall81

Hi,

From Jan this year my job location is changed to Bristol and i live in outskirts of reading.

I tried to commute 5 days week in train from Reading to Bristol and the cost is GPB 952ish a month. Which i just felt its not worth it.

So in April i bought Mazda 3- 2009 and 37K (paid GBP 4.5K) miles on the clock and used it to commute every day to Swindon and take train from there to bristol.
This resulted in no change to my travel time (2 trains! outskirts of reading) but reduced the cost to GBP 400 a month. (including fuel)

I am allowed to work from home 2 days week.

Unfortunately my Mazda is giving me problems, its camp belt replaced, then back tyres replaced and recently someone rammed into back of my car.

i am not allowed to stay away from home Any one can suggest me any cheaper option? i am also thinking whether Mazda is the right car?

Norman_Castle

Cam belt is a service item. Tyres are wear. Neither are problems and would be similar on a different car.

System

As above. Other than the accident all of those would have needed doing even if you weren't doing 100 miles a day.

What cheaper option are you looking for, some kind of magic car that never wears out tyres, brakes, clutches and never needs a service?

Crabman

You've carried out the cam belt replacement and tyres - surely best to stick with the Mazda for now, unless you are aware of other issues on the horizon?

If someone collided with the rear it should be fairly straightforward - their liability and therefore not a cost for you to bear?

debtdebt

Go for a Saab. Studies show that people are less likely to drive into the back of them.

motorguy

rockall81 wrote: »

Hi,

From Jan this year my job location is changed to Bristol and i live in outskirts of reading.

I tried to commute 5 days week in train from Reading to Bristol and the cost is GPB 952ish a month. Which i just felt its not worth it.

So in April i bought Mazda 3- 2009 and 37K (paid GBP 4.5K) miles on the clock and used it to commute every day to Swindon and take train from there to bristol.
This resulted in no change to my travel time (2 trains! outskirts of reading) but reduced the cost to GBP 400 a month. (including fuel)

I am allowed to work from home 2 days week. You commute is approx 80 miles each way which isnt excessive.



Unfortunately my Mazda is giving me problems, its camp belt replaced, then back tyres replaced and recently someone rammed into back of my car.

i am not allowed to stay away from home Any one can suggest me any cheaper option? i am also thinking whether Mazda is the right car?

Drive on at the Mazda - tyres and a cam belt are normal maintenance - as others have said

Thats not a desperate commute by the way - 80-100 miles each way isnt undoable, particularly as its only 3 days a week.

AdrianC

Why are you "not allowed" to stay away from home? Who won't allow you?

discat11

READING STATIONS to DIDCOT PARKWAY
ANYTIME DAY R Return £10.20
Route: Valid via any permitted route.
Valid at any time. - please read this important ticket information
DIDCOT PARKWAY to BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS
ANYTIME DAY S Single £29.10
Route: Valid via any permitted route.
Valid at any time. - please read this important ticket information
BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS to DIDCOT PARKWAY
SUPER OFFPEAK S Single £20.80

Split the tickets now you're making 12 journeys a month max it'll work out at around £720.

or

a season ticket Did-Bri is £580 (1 month) and the £120 for the reading -didcot daily ticket.

forgotmyname

Or drive the whole way?
50 miles to Swindon? Only another 30 to Bristol?

Only 3 days a week? May work out cheaper?

Sub £60 a week in fuel.

pogofish

debtdebt wrote: »

Go for a Saab. Studies show that people are less likely to drive into the back of them.

If its anything like my old Saab, that's because they will always come-off a whole lot worse.

Over the years, mine was hit several times from behind and I once made the mistake of completely demolishing a substantial concrete block "feature" with it and the net damage after all of this was a slightly squinty bumper!

Cost of some parts/repairs was frankly terrifying though - but not others.

NigeWick

rockall81 wrote: »

my job location is changed to Bristol and i live in outskirts of reading.

2nd hand 30kWh Nissan Leaf. Charge at home on Economy 7 and Delamere services en route to Bristol if no charging at work, then charge at Delamere on return journey too. If you join Ecotricity it will be 19p per kWh charging, if not there's also a £3 connection fee. The 30kWh Leaf will do your 90 mile one way trip easily and if you do have to use Delamere. You're looking at under £12 per day if you get your home energy with Ecotricity. If you can charge just at home and work, it'll be less.

Just a thought.