whats your ideal car for a 2 week europe tour?
Discussion
Watchman said:
Two weeks in this was just never enough. It was totally addictive. Each day at a different hotel in a different European or Scandinavian city, town, village or just a hotel in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
Sometimes I regret selling it - most often when I look at pictures like this:
Sometimes I regret selling it - most often when I look at pictures like this:
irocfan said:
& you missed the £15k budget 
I know that comment wasn't aimed at me, however it is a fair comment to make. Most Caterhams are significantly more than the budget however there were a lot of non-Caterhams in our touring party that were as much fun, and for those with a bit more bodywork around them, were a bit more weather repellent (Caterham drivers get wet on wet roads).The view from my hotel window when I woke up in Bolzano was typical of the daily prep many of the drivers did, and includes two Furys. It makes for a great scene:
I planned to do a similar trip to this for our honeymoon in 1999, but my company Audi A3 1.8turbo sport had a hissy fit the afternoon before our wedding.
The nice chaps at Audi were 'persuaded ' not to lend me a VW Polo but found a v nice brand new A4 2.8 ltr Quattro for me to take instead.
Took it back 3 weeks later with roughly 4000 mikes on it.
Nice car :-) Nice trip :-)
The nice chaps at Audi were 'persuaded ' not to lend me a VW Polo but found a v nice brand new A4 2.8 ltr Quattro for me to take instead.
Took it back 3 weeks later with roughly 4000 mikes on it.
Nice car :-) Nice trip :-)
That's exactly what we are doing this summer in a 939 Alfa Spider, should be ideal,2 seats -perfect for 2 people,enough luggage space,convertible for those sunny south of France roads & twisty scenic Alpine roads. Pretty good motorway cruiser & it's Italian.
I'll let you know if it actually was ideal.
I'll let you know if it actually was ideal.
Tuvra said:
Yeah but the route becomes far more special in certain cars.
Are you telling me that a Beetle will be as comfortable or as entertaining as say a 600bhp V10 M6 on the Autobahn? sound as good as a V8 TVR through the tunnels? As good as an Exige in the mountains etc?
I get what your saying, but doing these trips in certain cars must be an unbelievable experience, I mean imagine doing it in a 650 Spyder like the chap earlier in the thread or something even more extraordinary like a Zonda?!? Watching Richard Hammond drive through a tunnel in a Zonda Roadster on TV is a memory I'll never forget let alone doing it myself
From 2:15 here for memory sakes
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIoFnfMhq_Y
Choice of car is a factor , if there is a choice , but my point was that you don't need a supercar to have a wonderful time . Re the cars you mention the appeal of an M6 is finite - I am not one for big cars. Zonda- well, in common with 99% of people on here it is a tad beyond my budget and whilst I am sure driving one through a tunnel brings out the inner 8year old in all of us it's a ludicrous looking thing and far too wide for most roads . If you like that sort of noise - but much , much louder , try a big Historic race meeting - still never seen a Zonda on the road but the shriek of a 512M(the proper one, not the road car) or MS650 Matra makes any road car I have heard sound tame.Are you telling me that a Beetle will be as comfortable or as entertaining as say a 600bhp V10 M6 on the Autobahn? sound as good as a V8 TVR through the tunnels? As good as an Exige in the mountains etc?
I get what your saying, but doing these trips in certain cars must be an unbelievable experience, I mean imagine doing it in a 650 Spyder like the chap earlier in the thread or something even more extraordinary like a Zonda?!? Watching Richard Hammond drive through a tunnel in a Zonda Roadster on TV is a memory I'll never forget let alone doing it myself
From 2:15 here for memory sakes
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIoFnfMhq_YBack on planet earth I will stick with my Seven and have a ball anyway.
nish81 said:
I have often wondered how people overtake with a RHD in europe, and other similar problems, but lots of people here have done the tour in a RHD so I imagine it's one of those things you can acquire as a skill.
If I'm in a hurry I'll be on autoroutes. I'm fairly relaxed so will often just wait for a suitable spot, long straight or a section of dual carriageway.I'll only overtake very slow traffic, so quite easy.
A decent passenger helps, but hang right back to give yourself some visibility and space, correct gear, stick your nose out to have a decent look, either dive back in, or go for it. Sign posting is pretty good, so you'll have plenty of notice if a dual carriageway is imminent. Often you can get a good view up the inside before starting the manoeuvre.
Traffic density is lower, country routes are quieter between 12-2pm, so never really been a problem. As in the UK mountain roads take patience, hang back and enjoy the view.
Actually more hassle in towns and cities, pulling out, lane changing, one ways, signs, scooters etc.
RHD on the continent isn't bad actually, you do need to take some time to get used to it, especially at the first few roundabouts as they really throw you!
Overtaking is OK as long as you allow for space to look and gaining an 'inside view', as helpfully noted above.
I also think that modern cars with oversized wingmirrors make motorway driving much safer and easier than before. My LCI e90 has massive great big mirrors and I had no difficulty in getting great visibility behind me in the passenger mirror. The little mirrors in the past were much harder.
One of the best things I have ever done was the trip to Italy and back.
Overtaking is OK as long as you allow for space to look and gaining an 'inside view', as helpfully noted above.
I also think that modern cars with oversized wingmirrors make motorway driving much safer and easier than before. My LCI e90 has massive great big mirrors and I had no difficulty in getting great visibility behind me in the passenger mirror. The little mirrors in the past were much harder.
One of the best things I have ever done was the trip to Italy and back.
I have done 2 euro trips in my tuscan, around 6000 miles.Never missed a beat.
Massive boot, fits all luggage plus roof and rear screen. Its fast and reliable and you feel like a movie star wherever you stop as the attention it grabs. All though i do find that a little uncomfortable at times
Massive boot, fits all luggage plus roof and rear screen. Its fast and reliable and you feel like a movie star wherever you stop as the attention it grabs. All though i do find that a little uncomfortable at times
so called said:
I go to Spain or Portugal in this every summer
Did the Algarve in this last year, no problem.
Apart from the Tuscan I've used two different Chimaera's, another Tuscan and a Tasmin.
I would say, overall, the Chimaera with the RV8 and a bit more tyre rubber.
The missus do'nt look to impressed.Did the Algarve in this last year, no problem.
Apart from the Tuscan I've used two different Chimaera's, another Tuscan and a Tasmin.
I would say, overall, the Chimaera with the RV8 and a bit more tyre rubber.
nish81 said:
PositronicRay said:
Actually more hassle in towns and cities, pulling out, lane changing, one ways, signs, scooters etc.
Ah, I see. makes sense. I suppose the hassle in town/cities is also something you get used to with time/skill as opposed to being unavoidably dangerous?I rather fancy wafting round the continent in one of these.
Met an elderly German couple in Scotland last summer, (right of pic wearing hats) touring Europe in this for about the 20th consecutive year. Up close it looked totally uncared for, with tatty old rugs on the seats and sunglasses piled high on the dashboard, but the engine was barely audible at tickover.
Met an elderly German couple in Scotland last summer, (right of pic wearing hats) touring Europe in this for about the 20th consecutive year. Up close it looked totally uncared for, with tatty old rugs on the seats and sunglasses piled high on the dashboard, but the engine was barely audible at tickover.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff