What £5k car for euro roadtrip?
Discussion
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.
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...
edc said:
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.plenty said:
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.
Thanks. That's kind of my view on the MX-5, I've had a few good trips to Scotland in my current one and to the 'ring in my old one. Both were good, but I feel that I could find something better and also after 8 years I fancy something different!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.
deltashad said:
deltashad said:
I saw these at Silverstone at the weekend, but thought that 20 year old Italian cars would have too much borkage potential. Bonefish Blues said:
Earlier on you dismissed Renault RS models as not special enough but have you considered a Clio Trophy?
On a trip like that I'm willing to bet it would be more fun more of the time than virtually anything else that has been posted. Harry M certainly thinks so: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTI-aMKn60
Essential to get one that's been properly maintained, esp. the dampers. This one clearly has been: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
I saw that the other day and actually tweeted that a 182 Cup/Trophy could be an option. On a trip like that I'm willing to bet it would be more fun more of the time than virtually anything else that has been posted. Harry M certainly thinks so: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTI-aMKn60
Essential to get one that's been properly maintained, esp. the dampers. This one clearly has been: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Herman Toothrot said:
You in my opinion are correct to rule out the mk3 mr2 for a road trip, I usually do a road trip a year and always end up in the barge as the Mrs says the mr2 is too limiting on what she can bring.
My choice for £5k would be a 2.7 Boxster, they have loads of luggage space and are like a more civilised and grown up mr2.
Would the MR2 work for a long weekend away? Is there enough room for a soft bag, say the size of a full face helmet in the storage bins?My choice for £5k would be a 2.7 Boxster, they have loads of luggage space and are like a more civilised and grown up mr2.
The Boxster & MX-5 seem like the sensible choices, probably why me/my Dad have already got them (unfortunately my Dad will be replacing his before our trip).
Herman Toothrot said:
Yes can get a full face helmet in the bins, 3 full face helmets would fill the whole storage area.
You can bin the spare wheel for a can of tyre weld but if a uk car the alarm horn is also mounted in that space so it's very limited I have actually also relocated mine to free it up.
Thanks. That sounds plenty big enough for me, maybe not for this trip, but it certainly isn't the "no storage" that a lot of people say about them.You can bin the spare wheel for a can of tyre weld but if a uk car the alarm horn is also mounted in that space so it's very limited I have actually also relocated mine to free it up.
irocfan said:
I've done this twice in the past 18months in my Crossfire - comfortable, quick(ish), coped with everything I threw at it. I'm just about to put it up for sale if you're interested
Thanks, I'd not thought of one of those, it is a possibility, but not one of the cars I'd buy this early.Craikeybaby said:
Cars I have ruled out:
Mazda MX-5 - My last 2 cars have been MX5s, so I fancy a change.
BMW Z4 - 2 of my mates have Z4s, so I'd rather go for something different, but could be talked around if they really are the best option.
Toyota MR2 (mk3) - Probably the car I would go for if it wasn't for the 2 week roadtrip.
Mazda MX-5 - My last 2 cars have been MX5s, so I fancy a change.
BMW Z4 - 2 of my mates have Z4s, so I'd rather go for something different, but could be talked around if they really are the best option.
Toyota MR2 (mk3) - Probably the car I would go for if it wasn't for the 2 week roadtrip.
Toyota MR2 Roadster by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Doh!
I decided that I should get the car that would suit me best for 50 weeks of the year and I think my girlfriend is secretly pleased that we will be flying/hiring a car rather than driving all the way down. I was also £1k under budget, which is a useful contribution to my garage fund.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions, I feel like I looked at all the options, including loads I hadn't thought of and got what will be the best car for me.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff