Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 09:44

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Pete Jons

Hi, I am looking for a second hand car, to commute (90%) on motorway (@60ish MPH) and do around 600 miles a week. My search so far has taken me from the Kia Ceed, to the Astra 1.6 and now the Peugeot 206 Hdi (1.6), all ranging from 2016-2019.

My question is, what would be the most efficient and reliable car for that kind of journey? Like I said, I am currently looking at the Peugeot 208 but even within the few variants with that engine there's a wide range of MPG figures. To keep the comparison fair ive only been using the same site, but I have seen figures as low as 64 MPG (GTI) up to 104mpg for the Allure and back down to 60ish for the Tech.

I am expecting the manufacturers MPG to be different from the real world range, but this difference would be the same for all. However, is there really as much as 30+ MPG difference between the same engine/models just with different specs? From what little I know Engine, weight and wheels/tyres make the biggest impact to MPG - have I missed somthing?

Ultimately, I dont want to pick the Allure over the Tech Edition on the proposed MPG, which isnt realistic in the firstplace.

Your thoughts please.

Pete

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 10:04

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Adampr

The spec will make little or no difference to the MPG. What will change sit hugely is how it's driven, and that's the bit you can't really see.

You can check the official MPGs on this website and see if there is any variation between models. You can also look at the Real MPG pages. The real MPG figures might not apply to the vehicle you're looking at, but will give you an idea of how that car's actual MPG compares to the 'official' figure. Multiply the official figure by that percentage and you should have your answer.

As for what car to buy, let us know your budget and people will be very happy to drown you in opinions. I had a fairly similar commute to you (now saved by hybrid working) and think it's really worth considering comfort and refinement as well as economy.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 11:12

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Pete Jons

At the moment im driving a10 plate Toyota Avensis, 2L estate, which if im honest I really like and is really comfortable. Im driving it as about efficiently as I can but can't get it above 56MPG, so increasing it to 80ish (if thats realistic) is worth it.

My budget is up to 10k.

Thanks

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 11:20

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Alby Back

Your Toyota is likely to stand more abuse than most, and anything that’s giving you north of 50mpg in real life use is pretty good. At +/- 30,000 miles a year I’d probably stick with the car that you find comfortable and has a good chance of remaining reliable.

Edited by Alby Back on 25/09/2022 at 11:20

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 11:45

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - nellyjak

Your Toyota is likely to stand more abuse than most, and anything that’s giving you north of 50mpg in real life use is pretty good. At +/- 30,000 miles a year I’d probably stick with the car that you find comfortable and has a good chance of remaining reliable.

I'd agree...certainly wouldn't change from the Toyota and go for a Peugeot 208.

Enjoy the reliability.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 11:56

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Pete Jons

I suppose I haddnt added the potential repair costs into the overall cost of the mileage I'm doing. Potentially the Peugeot or another make will require more maintenance? Fundamentally though, im still driving an estate, when almost a 2 seater would suffice as I reawdont need so much space.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 12:49

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Adampr

I think stick with the Toyota too. Overall, it's probably the cheapest option. If you really want a change, something like a Citroen C4 Cactus might work; similar efficiency to a 208, but a bit more space and more emphasis on comfort over handling.

You could consider a Honda CR-Z, but you probably won't get better MPG than the Avensis, just more fun, less room taken up, less pollution and what you fail to achieve in MPG you get back in petrol being cheaper.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 12:59

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Terry W

I used to do a similar commute of 65 miles a day, mostly motorway.

My take on it would be to buy a car which:

is comfortable and quiet - you will spend 1-2 hours a day in it. If doing a normal job, you don't need more stress than absolutely necessary
can easily cope with high mileages. Major cost will be depreciation - adding 30k a year will rapidly devalue whatever you buy. Best strategy for the long term may be slightly larger car with a reputation for 150-200k+ without major repairs.

I had a Mondeo 2L diesel for 6 years and a petrol Octavia for 3. No problems with either and ~50mpg if not abused.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 13:20

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Grenache

Absolutely agree, my Mazda 6 is bigger than I would probably buy now, but at 10 years old and 180k on the clock is running fine and has never let me down, so far!

A few years ago I had a Vectra which I ran to 12 years old and 212k miles, then gave it to a family member who ran it for a while after that.

Both these cars average about 55 mpg and much of my driving is on the motorway.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 13:52

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Steveieb

Our man in the trade SLO drives an Avensis and thoroughly recommends it.

You have the best car by far and buying a 206 it will dawn on you what a great reliable car you used to have when you see one pass you while you are waiting for the recovery truck for your 206.

I got to know all the recovery fellas around here by name when I drove a French car and broke down three times going on holiday .

Never again !

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 14:04

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - pd

French cars are fine but in reality whatever you buy you won't improve your real world mpg much

What i find depressing about so many small cars is how rubbish they are on fuel compared to large ones.

There is very little out there which does real world much over 65 on a motorway unless you drive it in a very compromised manner.

The most economical cars I've spent any time in this year was a Clio 1.5dci which did about 70mpg and a 2014 320d ED which could also get to around 70mpg on a run.

Your savings from a car which does 55 ish won't be huge.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 14:28

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Ethan Edwards

If your looking to improve on 56mpg on a 60 mile commute then can I suggest you approach the issue in a different way. A significant increase can be had by going Electric. My 70mile commute costs me 1.2p per Mile. I have a fixed tarriff for EVs that gives me a five hour window of electricity at 4.5p per kw. My previous ice car used to do 40mpg. 70 miles or 1.75 gallons at 1.60 per litre so 12.72 my EV 1.2p per mile 84p. You save 11.98p every trip. Or 84p buys half a litre of unleaded. How far does that get you? So used Renault Zoe / Nissan Leaf and you too could be saving cash, and time. No more trips to the petrol station. Just get home plug it in next morning unplug and go.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 15:37

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Pete Jons

If your looking to improve on 56mpg on a 60 mile commute then can I suggest you approach the issue in a different way. A significant increase can be had by going Electric. My 70mile commute costs me 1.2p per Mile. I have a fixed tarriff for EVs that gives me a five hour window of electricity at 4.5p per kw. My previous ice car used to do 40mpg. 70 miles or 1.75 gallons at 1.60 per litre so 12.72 my EV 1.2p per mile 84p. You save 11.98p every trip. Or 84p buys half a litre of unleaded. How far does that get you? So used Renault Zoe / Nissan Leaf and you too could be saving cash, and time. No more trips to the petrol station. Just get home plug it in next morning unplug and go.

I'd been looking at EV's, though, well above the budget ive set for a diesel. My prolem with then is the high cost and the lack of range. Even a brand new Mokka/Corsa have a range just over 200 miles, but on the manufacurers range calculator as soon as you add motorway, temperature etc the range drops to just over 100. Given they then allow almost 30% battery loss in only a few years id need to charge up before heading back and thats time I dont want to waste getting home.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 16:23

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Adampr

I agree on budget, but a Corsa-e will do 150 miles at 70mph in the middle of winter. I have done it.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 16:51

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Pete Jons

Thats actually really reassuring, as a while back I was in the Vauxhall showroom but they couldn't explain why their own online calculator was giving such low range. They got in touch with their Tech department and told me that they cant go against the online calculator - which meant that the car after a few years the official range would go far below the 120 minimum I need.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 14:50

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Andrew-T

You have the best car by far and buying a 206 it will dawn on you what a great reliable car you used to have when you see one pass you while you are waiting for the recovery truck for your 206.

Stevie - although the OP did write '206' he is actually talking about a 208. 206s are pretty long in the tooth now !

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 14:43

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Andrew-T

I suppose I hadn't added the potential repair costs into the overall cost of the mileage I'm doing. Potentially the Peugeot or another make will require more maintenance?

All cars require maintenance - some a bit more than others - but they should repay any maintenance cost with reliability, especially if you invest a few minutes each weekend checking for any warning signs.

Ignore the occasional francophobes on here who suggest that any French car is rubbish. My family has owned about 20 Peugeots over the last 25 years. One broke a cambelt because the Pug dealer who serviced it at 48K miles hadn't advised changing it (it was early days and they didn't really know how long they lasted). On another the clutch cable broke at about 7 years old. None of the rest gave any trouble at all.

If you buy second-hand you are always at the mercy of previous owners' habits, which means you have to buy carefully. Documentation and the evidence of your own eyes are essential.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 15:20

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - badbusdriver

Fundamentally though, im still driving an estate, when almost a 2 seater would suffice as I reawdont need so much space.

Not relevant. What matters most at a steady cruise is aerodynamics, not size, nor (within reason) weight.

Assuming it to be in budget, I'd consider a Honda Civic 1.6 DTEC. This is one of a few modern diesels recommended by the aforementioned 'man in the trade' because it does not seem to suffer from the maladies affecting modern diesel engines. 70 mpg seems to be achievable if driven with a degree of restraint.

But, I think ultimately I'd concur with the suggestion that you'd be better sticking with the Toyota.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 16:24

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Terry W

Look at it another way.

You have an Avensis which may achieve (at best) £3000-4000 as a trade in, possibly £4000-5000 as a private sale depending on condition and mileage.

Any replacement may lose ~£3k pa in depreciation due to the mileage you will be doing.

Save the £6k cost to change. If the Avensis runs for a year it will be about breakeven. If it lasts two years you will be winning. Three years or more (entirely possible with the reputation Toyotas have) and happy days.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 16:44

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Pete Jons

Hi and thanks for all the replies so far.

I didnt explain the current car situation as I've kind of written my one off. Shes done 230k and although I regularly maintain and service it its now becoming more costly to repair. A short while ago the engine warning light popped up with a couple of warnings "Check Parking Break System" & "Check VSC" system.

My local garage took it in, did a clean of the DPF and service but the warnings are now back. Essentially, to replace the part/s is going to be around £2k, I have to think if its just better to spend the money on another car. Thus the topic of this thread.

I dont know if its worth mentioning, but theres nothing wrong at all with the breaks/eletric handbreak. The only thing I noticed is the drop in power/high revs.

Edited by Pete Jons on 25/09/2022 at 16:59

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 18:07

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - badbusdriver

My local garage took it in, did a clean of the DPF and service but the warnings are now back. Essentially, to replace the part/s is going to be around £2k, I have to think if its just better to spend the money on another car. Thus the topic of this thread.

In that case, I'd repeat my earlier suggestion of a Honda Civic 1.6 DTEC.

You have not given a budget, but £8k is enough to get into a 2014 car with less than 70k miles (excluding insurance write offs), or a 2016 car if you were happy with a near 100k miler.

Edited by badbusdriver on 25/09/2022 at 18:10

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 20:16

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Lindylootoo

Would it make things better if you paid less for your second hand car? I have a 2007 Peugeot 207 SW and I get at least 60mpg on motorway driving.

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Sun 25 Sep 2022 20:45

Peugeot 208 - Efficient Second Hand Car - Pete Jons

I dont necessarily need a 16 plate or newer, but I guess im offsetting the history/unknowns and potentially breakdowns/repairs with my £10k budget. I want to be able to get another 4 years out of the motor, so thats 120k miles commuting plus any social.

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