While i do have a soft spot for the Celerio, i would steer clear for this type of useage, i.e, predominantly motorway. The Celerio is light narrow and fairly tall, fine attributes for urban environments but not so much on the motorway where you will find it hard work in crosswinds and passing large vehicles. Same goes for other 'city cars' (the next size down from a supermini, that is Fiesta, Polo, etc) such as Citroen C1, Peugeot 107/8, Toyota Aygo, etc.

£2.5-3.5k is not a lot to work with, but because of the motorway useage, i'd be looking towards at least a supermini size, but also the next size up (Golf, Astra, etc). In fact, assuming your travelling doesn't take you into places where an oldish diesel could be banned, i'd look at diesel. If that is viable, some to consider would be a Vauxhall with the 1.7 diesel (Isuzu sourced and very reliable), Peugeot/Citroen with the 2.0HDI, a VW with the 1.9 turbo diesel, something with the Renault 1.5DCI (this includes Renault, Nissan and Dacia)

Also, regarding your budget, i'd be looking at the best car you can find rather than the cheapest. Spending that extra grand could be the difference between something reliable and something troublesome. You really need to be judging each car on condition and making use of the MOT history available (www.gov.uk/check-mot-history)

Indeed - I had a Celerio for a day or two as a courtesy car (my car was in for a clutch change which was delayed at the last moment) and whilst it drive fine in town, down the local bypass it ran out of puff up the inclines, and was rather buffeted around on exposed sections of the road due to it being high-sided.

Very good on the jungle juice though. I personally didn't like the driving position - more that the handbrake was positioned rather low and I felt I needed to be 'perched' on the seat in order to reach both the steering wheel and pedals properly.

When my sons gf was looking for a car, we looked at the celerio, whilst doing our research, just a point to note , only the top of the range gets more safety kit ( extra airbags I think) so just be aware if this is important to you, in the end she went for a Hyundai i10 and she loves it, although she’s done a few motorway trips it’s mainly used around town, where it excels

Thank you so much, SLO, for coming back to us after a short break and being willing to help.

This isn't the first time that someone has been looking for a car that isn't too big yet can cover motorway miles in reasonable comfort. For me the priorities would be seat comfort, for obvious reasons, and gearing, more than the size of the car.

Around the turn of the century SWMBO had two Ford Kas in succession, then one of the first Honda Jazzes. The Kas were excellent both in town and - an unexpected bonus - also on a long motorway run. The Jazz was lower-geared and quite frenetic at 70 mph. And despite its small size, the Ka, with a wheel at each corner and no overhang, was very sure-footed and I can't remember ever feeling blown about in one.

That original Ford Ka was a hoot to drive and I have very fond memories of it.

Perhaps a post-2011 equivalent for Rog 46 might be a 1.3 Toyota Yaris. Some of these had 6-speed gearboxes and this would be relaxed and economical for his commute.

Edited by Avant on 30/07/2020 at 23:42

Just a few notes on the Celerio, although appreciate the thread has moved away from smaller cars. We bought one for my wife 3 years ago and it has been very good. Does a consistent 61mpg (measured brim to brim) even on motorways as long as you stick to an indicated 70-75mph, can get up to mid 60'smpg on 50-60mph roads. Reasonably long geared in 5th for 1.0 non turbo, 24-25mph/1000rpm, but it's light enough to cope with this especially one up. Very rarely need to change down on motorway hills. I've done a few long motorway journeys for work when my car has been out of action (or wife has needed the estate car), and it is comfortable, if slightly noisy (wind noise mainly), all season tyres have improved noise levels and ride comfort. With regards earlier comments on wind buffeting, yes this can be an issue, not so much an issue from lorries, but strong side winds can be hard work. The bluetooth phone connection gives very clear call quality, quite surprised given price point of car. The aircon is hopeless, uses the new refrigerant that costs £90/recharge, which lasted a week, needless to say we don't use it anymore. Drove the dualjet version as a courtesy car, which drives noticeably better, and is supposed to be more economical although didn't get a chance to measure.

Thanks for all the advice, I have a civic 8th 1.8 and real mpg is around 35mpg(been serviced, use additives). So thats the reason for a better eco car.

So options are Astra 1.7, megane 1.5dci, focus(1.6 d).

The Focus 1.6d has had a history of turbo problems relating to oil supply and if not properly repaired failing again shortly afterwards.

Be careful checking condition and service history - all diesels around the minimum age you are asking for will have a Diesel Particulate Filter . Some implementations around that time were better than others so check and check again - the potential bills could eclipse your fuel savings. Make sure you don't buy a car that has had a DPF delete otherwise you could be in for a lot of pain come MOT time. Also diesels of that age will be hit with charges for any city Ultra Low Emission Zones.

Fuel cost is important but don't get fixated on this and ignore other costs. My current car is a petrol that does a real life 46mpg, has a Single Mass Flywheel, an external clutch slave cylinder, water pump fed by seperate belt, simple suspension, not 4wd, cheaper tyres(was caught out in the past with tyres costing £250 each and lasted 10,000 miles!!). It's also quiet (I've had some real rattle buses before), comfortable and has good headlights (I've had candles in some cars before - my commute needs them!).

My own choice of cars is limited though - but that is because of my size - I just don't fit in some cars. Leg room can be limited, clutch foot rests in the wrong spot, my right knee hits trim in the wrong position for me, my right elbow hits be B pillar etc......

Edited by Big John on 01/08/2020 at 23:30

Hi i still havent purchased a car yet, bit reluctant with the celerio due to price 3.5k plus, i want to stick to the £2/2.5k budget.

cars im considering are

Aygo(2012ish) / Hyundai i20 diesel

Any other suggestions with good reliabiity

Thanks