Grand Touring in the 21st century

[jimclots]

Hi everybody.
I would like to have a discussion on the right car to tour Europe in this day and age.
Aston Martin and Maserati tick a lot of boxes but I am not in that tax bracket.
Ford Mondeos and Toyota Avensis are the other end of the scale but lack the sense of occasion I believe such a venture should possess.
I have done a journey from the West of Ireland to Malta in 2012 on a 32 year old Yamaha XS 1100
with no major incident so anything is possible.
What are the criterion for such a vehicle. Comfort. Reasonable fuel consumption. For me 2 door is a must. I like rear wheel drive, but this limits choice.
Too much choice!

So I await your input.

Yours indecisively.
Jim.

[hidetheelephants]

I recently read a book by a loon who bought a sheddy Shadow and drove it to Venice and back, inspired by the Grand Tourists of the past; not helpful in terms of fuel consumption or door quotient but it was quite funny. Grand Tour by Tim Moore.

[jimclots]

I thank you for this and have just order said publication on Amazon.

[BricktopST205]

370Z/350Z must surely be a great option if you're on a budget.

Edited by BricktopST205 on Saturday 28th November 17:15

[Mr Tidy]

Love that idea - how about a BMW Z4 of some description?

[ethomas]

BMW 6 series
Jaaaaaaaag XK/XK8
Mercedes SL or CL

Or if you would prefer something less terrifying:
Saab 9-3 convertible or coupe
Volvo c70
Peugeot 406/407 coupe

[jimclots]

Always loved the old 6 series.
I actually have a 9-3 convertible. Well, I gave it to the wife.
In my dreams it is a 1960's Ghibli. But then I wake up to the real world.
Maybe a Bi-Turbo Ghibli......

[RS Grant]

Roughly, what sort of budget do you have to play with in this scenario??

Edit... my first thoughts would be an M3, a budget of 10-15k in an E46 and a budget of 18-25k in an E9* series.


Cheers,
Grant

Edited by RS Grant on Monday 30th November 00:56

[Truckosaurus]

Merc SL would be a good compromise between low price, kerb appeal and reliability.

[Shiv_P]

Merc CL

[gareth_r]

V8 Toyota Soarer.

De-badge it if the Toyota emblems bother you.