New job... Car change... Any recommendations?

Evening org!

So... I got myself a new job! (Wooo!) And will be changing from a 44 mile round trip commute from one side of Manchester to the other, to being out on the road average 3/5 days a week, munching up crazy miles from one end of the country to the other. And however much I love my Yaris Sport, it's pushing 10 years old, and just isn't quite going to cut the mustard day in, day out for that kinda mileage.

In short, got two questions:
- Is a 'typical businessman's car' actually needed? (Ie, Does it need to have a long wheelbase to be comfy? Is a bigger engine really needed these days?)
- What would you recommend?

In an ideal world, I'd like something that can be economical / comfy when cruising on the motorway, (which I'm assuming means a diesel, but please correct me if this isn't as true as it used to be), and doesn't have boat like handling.
Ideally something that is slightly practical in terms of potential to fold seats down/away/etc too as I've seen some 'Exec' type cars where the rear seats don't even fold!
Also not precious about the usual high brow brands either, as I'd like to pay as little as I can get away with for a 2/3 year old model that'll do what I need it too.

TL;DR: Recommend me a motorway munching car!

[DJ123]

by the sounds of it you'll be doing lots of miles. So I would look at cars with long service intervals. You want your creature comforts as well as decent build quality. Personally, I would be looking towards the Skoda (Octavia), VW Passat direction in terms of bang for buck.

Anything from the VAG group with the 2.0 tdi motor in it will do between 40-60 mpg. My SEAT Altea for example manages mid fifties trundling round the doors and between 40 - 50 on long journeys depending on application of right foot. My mate has a passat with the same motor but its much more sluggish in the VW and you can't drop the seats and make it into a little van.

320d

[joshwalker094]

Astra

Hate to say it but you'll be hard pushed to find better than a Mondeo if you are a bit stuck for cash.

Have a little more to spend then anything from Germany (Not Merc) is always a nice place to sit.

[Paul the 6th]

test drive a mondeo diesel 140bhp, look at the titanium's if you want all the toys

[Bibio]

if i were doing mega miles i would look for something with an auto box and cruse control. much more relaxed to drive and a lot less fuss in busy town/city centres. you want to get to your destination feeling refresed not like you have just done a marathon. keep away from cars with noisy cabins, if you have to turn the music up to drown the road noise out it's no good.

i hate to say it but the mondeo is a fantastic car to drive and in my opinion is only one of two cars that ford actually make that are good. the other is the big galaxy.

depending on your budget i would plumb for a Jag diesel which is a dressed up mondeo and is surprisingly good on fuel.

good luck on whatever you decide.

Well I have done 58k in a 61 reg passat estate and its really good. Not missed a beat and very comfortable a and lots of space.

Agree with everything said - Mondeo is a great car for the money and the Insignia's are nice to sit in but not sure on mechanical aspect. Any German car (or affiliates of eg Skoda, Seat etc) would be good shouts and should be reliable.

How come you don't get a company car if you have to do mega miles?

Rich

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[Ch00]

Who is paying for it? Who is paying for the running costs?

If its you then cheap as chips is needed.