What £5k car for euro roadtrip?
Discussion
thewildblue said:
Look for a late 944 S2, mine has Air con and cruise control, though only the CC works. Brilliant at distance, I did a motorway blast of 200 miles between 70-90 most of the way and it returned 36mpg overall.
I don't want to detrail the thread but what rpm does the 944 do @ 70mph? That's decent mpg at such a high speed.On the return journey I filled up the M3 10mls outside of Dunkirk before crossing on the ferry and that tank got me home, 20mls past Newcastle
Did'nt use a drop of oil or water over the 3000ml trip either, unlike the Tuscan which got through a gallon and a half of oil, admittedly at 100+ everywhere
I think the steering in the evo M3 is not really that bad, it was the earlier 3ltr version that was highlighted by the press as being to slow, the evo got a quicker rack and improved geometry.
Gearbox is notchy though on the 6speeder but it gives it much longer legs for a trip like this.
I would really think hard about going on a trip like this in a 25 year old car though, you could be a long way from base when it all go's a bit pete tong.
You will not get breakdown recovery on anything that old.
I bought my M3 last summer and made sure everything was good before attempting it this year.
Did'nt use a drop of oil or water over the 3000ml trip either, unlike the Tuscan which got through a gallon and a half of oil, admittedly at 100+ everywhere
I think the steering in the evo M3 is not really that bad, it was the earlier 3ltr version that was highlighted by the press as being to slow, the evo got a quicker rack and improved geometry.
Gearbox is notchy though on the 6speeder but it gives it much longer legs for a trip like this.
I would really think hard about going on a trip like this in a 25 year old car though, you could be a long way from base when it all go's a bit pete tong.
You will not get breakdown recovery on anything that old.
I bought my M3 last summer and made sure everything was good before attempting it this year.
twizellb said:
I would really think hard about going on a trip like this in a 25 year old car though, you could be a long way from base when it all go's a bit pete tong.
You will not get breakdown recovery on anything that old.
I bought my M3 last summer and made sure everything was good before attempting it this year.
That is my main concern about getting something older. You will not get breakdown recovery on anything that old.
I bought my M3 last summer and made sure everything was good before attempting it this year.
Craikeybaby said:
edc said:
I'll be doing a similar trip in my Boxster. 2 boots, roof down, louder exhaust, uprated suspension, what's not to like
I think a Boxster is the best car for this sort of trip, but having experienced cheaper Boxsters I'm not sure I could get a good one in budget.I think I'll be going to Le Mans in a 987 Boxster next year.
Another left-field choice - albeit not a convertible. Mazda RX8. Very comfortable to drive, tons of space but lightweight, rev up to 10k and rear wheel drive. Low mileage ones can be had for between 2k-3k. Just make sure it's compression tested. Can then be used for a track toy afterwards!!
tannedstamina said:
Another left-field choice - albeit not a convertible. Mazda RX8. Very comfortable to drive, tons of space but lightweight, rev up to 10k and rear wheel drive. Low mileage ones can be had for between 2k-3k. Just make sure it's compression tested. Can then be used for a track toy afterwards!!
Not a bad shout, but fuel/oil costs on a 2-3k mile trip might be a bit offputting...I wouldn't worry about the oil part - owned one and oil isn't anywhere as bad as what people make out. However, petrol-wise they certainly are thirsty. Doesn't help that you need to rev the nuts off it to go fast.
At least you could have the super-car fuel bills without needing to have the supercar investment cost!
At least you could have the super-car fuel bills without needing to have the supercar investment cost!
Classic - 500SL
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Wafting around in this would be amazing. I'm sure this was the car of choice for all rich people in all early 90s american movies.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Wafting around in this would be amazing. I'm sure this was the car of choice for all rich people in all early 90s american movies.
OR, if you really wanted to fulfil your Smokey and the Bandit dreams:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Not sure if the interior would make you sick though...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Not sure if the interior would make you sick though...
As others have said soft top is a real bonus if you plan on spending time towards the South of Europe. Also if you are going to anywhere with mountains make sure you've got a car with a bit of poke for overtaking. I did a similar trip in an MX5 and whilst the car was ace fun when the roads were empty getting stuck behind camper vans spoilt a few roads.
As for the 944. a £3k budget is not going to go far tidying one of those up (i speak from experience) find rust on the sills and that's your budget gone before you've even thought about refreshing brakes or suspension.
As for the 944. a £3k budget is not going to go far tidying one of those up (i speak from experience) find rust on the sills and that's your budget gone before you've even thought about refreshing brakes or suspension.
va1o said:
For a Euro road trip I'd be looking at a barge of some sort. Early E65 7ers, D3 A8s and Phateons can be had for that money or perhaps an X350 XJR. Doesn't really answer your question I guess but that's what I'd be considering anyway
I think you're missing the point. The aim isnt to get there in ultimate comfort but to take in great driving roads and have a really spirited drive avoiding motorways where possible.Based on OP's original list I suspect his preferred style of roadtrip skews towards the spirited rather than the wafting. Personally my idea of a perfect roadtrip is 250-300 miles per day of twisties (avoiding M-ways as much as possible) at eight tenths, but I do appreciate that others might prefer to waft.
My experience with some of the cars mentioned:
MX-5: I did 3,000 miles in the summer of 2010 in two weeks. For £5k you can do better imo. The MX-5 doesn't feel special enough, and it is simply underpowered for some of the continent's faster stretches; at altitude the engine is barely capable of pulling a skin off a rice pudding. It is perfectly-sized for narrow Alpine passes, though, and my LSD-equipped car was a joy on the hairpins (with many a joyful moment practicing HnT down-changes from 2nd to 1st).
944: I've done many trips to Europe and across the UK in a 968, aka the 944 S3. It doubles up very competently as a mile-munching GT and a focused sports car when you hit the fun roads, and has just enough power to keep things interesting. The lack of AC was an issue for me personally during the continental summer - taking out the sunroof panel helps, but the car has a huge glasshouse and gets very warm when the sun is out. I'd opt for an LSD for hairpin fun, which most likely means a Turbo rather than an S2 - the Turbo will also suffer less from power loss at altitude.
E39 M5: two trips to Le Mans and an upcoming 3k miler to the Alps this coming Sept. Yes, it's a heavy barge but one that becomes a reasonable facsimile of a sports car when you want it to be, as well as relaxed cruiser and autobahn-destroying monster with V8 soundtrack. You won't get one with the necessary work done for 5k, though.
My experience with some of the cars mentioned:
MX-5: I did 3,000 miles in the summer of 2010 in two weeks. For £5k you can do better imo. The MX-5 doesn't feel special enough, and it is simply underpowered for some of the continent's faster stretches; at altitude the engine is barely capable of pulling a skin off a rice pudding. It is perfectly-sized for narrow Alpine passes, though, and my LSD-equipped car was a joy on the hairpins (with many a joyful moment practicing HnT down-changes from 2nd to 1st).
944: I've done many trips to Europe and across the UK in a 968, aka the 944 S3. It doubles up very competently as a mile-munching GT and a focused sports car when you hit the fun roads, and has just enough power to keep things interesting. The lack of AC was an issue for me personally during the continental summer - taking out the sunroof panel helps, but the car has a huge glasshouse and gets very warm when the sun is out. I'd opt for an LSD for hairpin fun, which most likely means a Turbo rather than an S2 - the Turbo will also suffer less from power loss at altitude.
E39 M5: two trips to Le Mans and an upcoming 3k miler to the Alps this coming Sept. Yes, it's a heavy barge but one that becomes a reasonable facsimile of a sports car when you want it to be, as well as relaxed cruiser and autobahn-destroying monster with V8 soundtrack. You won't get one with the necessary work done for 5k, though.
tannedstamina said:
Another left-field choice - albeit not a convertible. Mazda RX8. Very comfortable to drive, tons of space but lightweight, rev up to 10k and rear wheel drive. Low mileage ones can be had for between 2k-3k. Just make sure it's compression tested. Can then be used for a track toy afterwards!!
I was discussing this as an option with a colleague earlier - it's a lot of car for the money!tannedstamina said:
Classic - 500SL
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Wafting around in this would be amazing. I'm sure this was the car of choice for all rich people in all early 90s american movies.
I saw a bright yellow one of these on the M42 earlier, it did look good. There's one for sale at a Mercedes specialist locally, so that is on the list to look at. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Wafting around in this would be amazing. I'm sure this was the car of choice for all rich people in all early 90s american movies.
I'm at the Silverstone classic this weekend, so hopefully I'll get to look at lots if the potential models close up.
tannedstamina said:
OR, if you really wanted to fulfil your Smokey and the Bandit dreams:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Not sure if the interior would make you sick though...
That is awesome - but way too big for my drive unfortunately!http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Not sure if the interior would make you sick though...
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