Long Commute - what do you drive and why?

[Onderbroek]

Hi Fellow Carburetors

I recently starting working at a new company in Germiston - but I live in the buzzing metropolis of Sasolburg.

Currently drive a Ford Ranger DC Manual - but it feels like such a waste tugging such a big bakkie up and down to JHB, and especially in traffic.

On a recent business trip we rented a polo TSI with flappy paddles, and it was just the best to slip through traffic, accelerate at the speed of light, uses less fuel etc.

The only concern I have is the small tyres, occasionally i need to visit the Mordor (Witbank), Rustenburg, Klerksdorp - and the bakkie is not as sensitive for potholes.

For some extra context, i'm fortunate enough to have the company pay for fuel and maintenance, which was the big deciding factor to do a 190km round trip everyday.

Bakkie is on 180000km now, and I do about 15000km every 3 to 4 months.

I'm looking for a raised body type car, that will laugh all the way to 300 000km without breaking the bank

Will probably have to replace end of 2024.

Who else commutes long distances and what do you use?

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Get a Ranger with auto box.

 

[yourang]

You would 320d G20 get optional drive assist where bassically drive car for you. This might be standard .
If you need SUV go gor bmw x3 20D

I had F30 when i sold it was 4.8L/100km!

 

[Onderbroek]

Forgot to add, I have 2 velociraptors and a wife that I take along on holidays. So the packing space is handy, and I use the bakkie a lot on weekends to haul around other work stuff.

Also in 2 minds if is should push this bakkie to 300k or not, to date it has not given me any issues, and is paid for. Insurance is cheap (R518) and the long distance mileage is not too hard on a car.
I would love a x3 or 320d.

At this stage I am putting money away as if I am paying for installment, and would ideally like to pay cash for the next vehicle (have never financed a vehicle and don't want to start now) This means my budget will be smaller. At this stage it is around R250 000 depending on what the Ford will be worth when i sell it

 

[Areola Grande]

Given the above post, keep the bakkie and drive it until it's done. Then trade it in on something newer. You really need two vehicles by the sounds of things, the bakkie for the weekend stuff and hauling and a cheaper runner for the work commute. But then you're probably looking at something like a Renault Duster or a Polo Cross or something with extra ground clearance. The problem with those cars is they'll make you hate life because they're kak.

 

[Onderbroek]

Given the above post, keep the bakkie and drive it until it's done. Then trade it in on something newer. You really need two vehicles by the sounds of things, the bakkie for the weekend stuff and hauling and a cheaper runner for the work commute. But then you're probably looking at something like a Renault Duster or a Polo Cross or something with extra ground clearance. The problem with those cars is they'll make you hate life because they're kak.

I might be able to replace need for 2nd vehicle if i can get a car with a towbar, as I have a trailer that can do most of what I need.

I really like the concept of having a bakkie, and with my wife starting a new job (2km from home) next year, it might be worthwhile to get her a bakkie, and I get a smaller commuted, or take her car, which is a low mileage Opel Meriva. Just not sure what my streetcred will be like pulling up to site in a soccer mom's car - and she loves her car.

But I have +- 10 months to make a call.

*interesting side note
The business I work for now have a fleet of corolla's for their sales team, all 10th generation, varying between 200k and the highest on 800k

If the Corolla Cross was not that expensive it would have been ideal, maybe even RAV 2.2d

It's probably clear I dont know what i want lol

 

[TheJudge]

What about something like the older Suzuki Brezza or the new Fronx? Fine they're made in India but have elevated ride height and are more frugal. Plastic abounds for sure but thats become the norm in that price range.

 

[Areola Grande]

I might be able to replace need for 2nd vehicle if i can get a car with a towbar, as I have a trailer that can do most of what I need.

I really like the concept of having a bakkie, and with my wife starting a new job (2km from home) next year, it might be worthwhile to get her a bakkie, and I get a smaller commuted, or take her car, which is a low mileage Opel Meriva. Just not sure what my streetcred will be like pulling up to site in a soccer mom's car - and she loves her car.

But I have +- 10 months to make a call.

*interesting side note
The business I work for now have a fleet of corolla's for their sales team, all 10th generation, varying between 200k and the highest on 800k

If the Corolla Cross was not that expensive it would have been ideal, maybe even RAV 2.2d

It's probably clear I dont know what i want lol

Have you considered a Bentayga? It has the ground clearance and towing capability, smooth ride for the commute and space enough for the family.

 

[Confucius]

I think more importantly is the need to find something that keeps your sanity. 190km a day is insane.

I remember the days when I did Alberton to Midrand and that was far less km but the traffic was a nightmare. Minimum 2 sometimes 3 hours a day in traffic.

You want something comfortable and big enough to not let the taxis run you over.

Get a second vehicle, if possible. An older SUV and keep the ford for the rugged trips.

 

[Oj0]

The only concern I have is the small tyres, occasionally i need to visit ... Rustenburg

Just stand at the side of the road asking for R20 to get to Rustenburg.

 

[Onderbroek]

Have you considered a Bentayga? It has the ground clearance and towing capability, smooth ride for the commute and space enough for the family.

Waiting list for leopard print seats and white wall tyres are too long

 

[albaster]

I think more importantly is the need to find something that keeps your sanity. 190km a day is insane.

I remember the days when I did Alberton to Midrand and that was far less km but the traffic was a nightmare. Minimum 2 sometimes 3 hours a day in traffic.

You want something comfortable and big enough to not let the taxis run you over.

Get a second vehicle, if possible. An older SUV and keep the ford for the rugged trips.

I 2nd this. Immediately the older Honda crv comes to mind. Great vehicle which ticks all the needed boxes.

To comment on the Corolla, lovely cars! The only thing they don’t like are the potholes. Otherwise well worthy of reaching your 300k km goal and can even double that if maintained properly.

 

[Trompie67]

You've seemingly lucked out on a Ranger that will not implode. Keep it. Drive it until it is dead or uneconomical to repair. The sell / junk it and start looking for something else.

Don't mess with the Karma of the Ranger now buy seeking something else, as it will, out of pure First On Rubbish Dump spite break. Drive it until it is dead, thank your lucky stars and move on.

 

[Onderbroek]

The CR-v did pop into my mind, as I have to admit, or at least i think the ranger is not the most comfortable, it is the basic model so there is nothing fancy about it, but it gets the job done.

I did see an Opel Grandland X yesterday, which looks real nice, and is auto, has more power, and has space for kids stuff, and is not priced too badly.

But for now I think I will stick with the ranger. According to my stats, I will do about 40000km per year. So the Ranger probably has about 2 years left.

 

[goldfritter]

Question about the pothole thing. Isn't the main reason a 4x4 or bakkie or SUV is better over potholes, the thicker tyres and larger rims, rather than ride height? E.g. going through a pothole you're much more likely to pop a tyre than bottom out the car and damage something else, right?

Which would mean the crossovers that have normal rims and tyres aren't necessarily any better over potholes than normal hatchbacks/sedans.

 

[Onderbroek]

Question about the pothole thing. Isn't the main reason a 4x4 or bakkie or SUV is better over potholes, the thicker tyres and larger rims, rather than ride height? E.g. going through a pothole you're much more likely to pop a tyre than bottom out the car and damage something else, right?

Which would mean the crossovers that have normal rims and tyres aren't necessarily any better over potholes than normal hatchbacks/sedans.

That is true, or at least I think so.

I dont think our roads are going to get any better soon. So for low profile cars, you will be limited to stick to main roads and big cities.

The town I travel to are all becoming like most small towns, where the only thing that is looked after is the pockets of the ANC. Strange this is they prefer the low BMW's even if they cant drive it the their home in Kerk straat without scraping

 

[aiccc]

Subaru forrester na engine. Cheap to service. Cheap to buy. Brake pads from a hilux

Fuel cost on new cars are less.

I drove a Subaru impreza WRX 190 kms (round trip) in daily traffic. Cars in my rear view mirror were losing even at 40kph jhb traffic

 

[aiccc]

Question about the pothole thing. Isn't the main reason a 4x4 or bakkie or SUV is better over potholes, the thicker tyres as.

They have higher sidewall height and better bead adhesion

 

[Confucius]

Question about the pothole thing. Isn't the main reason a 4x4 or bakkie or SUV is better over potholes, the thicker tyres and larger rims, rather than ride height? E.g. going through a pothole you're much more likely to pop a tyre than bottom out the car and damage something else, right?

Which would mean the crossovers that have normal rims and tyres aren't necessarily any better over potholes than normal hatchbacks/sedans.

The advantage with the added height is that you are able to see the pothole much easier. I used to, and still drive a s4 where I’m not much off the ground. Main drive is now an X3 and it’s a lot easier to spot the craters now.

But I agree that actually hitting the pothole with similar size tyres isn’t going to be much different unless it’s very deep in which case the damage is limited to the rim and tyre as opposed to something on the undercarriage.

 

[donsterza]

I used to be quite a car nut, last year I sold my Forrester S edition and bought a CRV 2.2d because the Scooby cost me ridiculous amounts to drive and maintain.

If I take emotion out of the equation the crv is probably the best car I'v owned, I get around 6.5l/100 km on the open road, it's quite, comfortable and it was cheap.