What £5k car for euro roadtrip?

[Craikeybaby]

In the next few months I am looking to buy spend £5k on a car. I walk to work most days, so can get away with something fun/uneconomical, the only restriction being it needs to be suitable for a 2 week European road trip next year.

My current shortlist is:
Porsche 944
BMW M3 (E36)
Nissan 350Z
Honda S2000

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.

Has anyone done long roadtrips in the cars above, or advice? And are there other cars I should be looking at?

[Craikeybaby]

jke11y said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

That is a good shout - perfect for cruising around Europe. I had also considered something American, but hadn't looked into it further and the TVR S series is another good shout!

[Craikeybaby]

Challo said:

Elise18S said:

How about a cheaper yank?

Lhd, so good in Europe, mechanically simple... And lots of fun/character...

Like this?

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'm not too sure about that, I've also seen camaros in budget, but not too keen on them either.

Matt UK said:

It has to be a Jaguar XK8

For example:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

I've spent a lot of time in the current XK/XKR and although they are great cars I've never really clicked with them, I also feel about 20 years too young for them.

jke11y said:

For warm evenings driving on the continent it has to be a convertible, surely?

I'm not fussed either way, we're going early may, so it shouldn't be too hot, but roof down would be good around Monaco etc. the car will also live outside in the UK, so a coupe may be better suited.

g3org3y said:

Boxster worth a look? Early ones are hitting 5k.

I forget about the Boxsters because I always look at 944s. My Dad had an early 2.5 Boxster and used it for some big trips like this and really liked it. So much so that he's replaced it with a newer Boxster. The reason for the change was impending tyre/brake/suspension work, which were going to be pretty expensive. A Boxster is on the list now!

Edited by Craikeybaby on Tuesday 23 July 19:24

[Craikeybaby]

sparks_E39 said:

E39 M5- nice one's can be had in budget
XJR circa 2002

Both great barges, but at this is a fun car I'd prefer something smaller.

[Craikeybaby]

rallycross said:

Sounds like a nice excuse to buy something fun.

Have previosuly owned all the ones on that list and I would take a 944 or M3.

944's are brilliant long distance cars, comfy and cover ground in a very relaxed fashion, decent MPG at high speed, long geared, quick, compliant, great seats. Finding one with aircon for £5k will be the problem as its usually the turbo's that have a/c (rare to find on an S2).

S2000 is not great on long motorway trips, a lot of noise with the roof up, cabin has lack of places to put stuff.

350Z not in the same league as any of these but will be quite new so more toys and less chance of breaking down.

So that leaves the M3, £5k will get a decent one, make sure you take it for a decent drive before you buy, including in traffic, the clumsy gearchange and heavy clutch spoil it.

Porsche 944
BMW M3 (E36)
Nissan 350Z
Honda S2000

A very helpful post - thanks!

[Craikeybaby]

The Big G said:

Craikeybaby said:

That is a good shout - perfect for cruising around Europe. I had also considered something American, but hadn't looked into it further and the TVR S series is another good shout!

The s series is a great shout. Its the car I'd do it in Just think of the sound and experience. Thats surely what counts on one of these trips. Should be reliable too. Come and have a look in the s series forum and see the euro tour.

An unusually high number in the classifieds too at the moment...

I'll check that out. I showed the missus an S series thinking she'd hate it, but she actually really liked it

[Craikeybaby]

paulmnz said:

Loads of useful stuff.

Lots to think about there. Interestingly you were the first (I think) to suggest FWD cars - I do prefer RWD cars, but Integras had come onto my radar and I had thought about RS Clios, but I don't think they are special enough for this sort of trip. It's the same thing with the Impreza too.

Interesting comments about the M3, I think I'll have to drive one as there have been a few remarks about the gear shift - I need to bear in mind that my girlfriend will probably be doing some of the driving too.

I think with the places we want to go/stay we won't be in the alps too much. However, after hating an XKR on roads that I love in my MX5 I understand that a bigger, more powerful car isn't always better.

I'd love an Elise, but don't think I'll be able to afford one, or that it would be the car for the trip.

Have a great trip - it will be interesting to hear how you get on with the S2000.

[Craikeybaby]

billzeebub said:

That's a pretty good shortlist you have there. Though, also worth lookng at a Corrado VR6. £5k will get you one of the very best around. Obviously, I am biased but a very individual choice with lovely noise/character. Add a performance exhaust and a BMC Induction Kit and the awesome bark is amplified to spine tingling levels (epic in those roadtrip tunnels). Brilliant grand tourer, very comfy and good storage, seats 4 reasonably comfortably. I get well north of 30 mpg from mine when cruising. The standard set up may 'only' have 190bhp, but the car is rapid and lusty largely due to its relatively low weight. Top speed around 146 mph and mid 6s 0-60... There is currently a 41k mile example up for £5995 on eBay at a specialist dealer.

944S2 or E36 M3 (avoid the SMG cars) would also be brilliant grand tourers.

Another car that I'd not even thought of, thanks!

Of my original choices it seems the 944 and M3 are the front runners.

[Craikeybaby]

Slow said:

Bmw e46 330ci convertable?

I had thought of 3 series convertible, but was looking at E36 M3, but think I'd prefer a coupe.

[Craikeybaby]

kiethton said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

My EP3 did a good job and owes me 25% under your budget after a pre-trip clutch change and service

Working A/C helps though!

That was a good read, thanks for sharing. I do like the EP3s, they're on my list of potential cars to look at if I can't find something RWD I like in budget.

[Craikeybaby]

Chris71 said:

I'd be all over this if I had £5k to spare: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

My old S3 was the best all-round ownership experience I've ever had. Good compromise of B-road chuckability and long distance cruising, reasonably practical for a two seat convertible, wonderful noise (better than the V8s IMHO), reliable and not even particularly expensive to fuel.

That is nice, there's a maroon one in the classifieds too that I like. My only concern is lack of garage at the moment, but that could be worked around...

[Craikeybaby]

AH33 said:

big roadtrip? under £5k

surely you want a big merc coupe with a v8 and supreme wafting ability? cl500, a w208 clk55 amg?

I agree something like that would be perfect for the road trip, but not too sure about it being my only car for 6 months before I go.

[Craikeybaby]

Krikkit said:

Early Boxster S imo - they'll be £5k for reasonable ones once the summer's over for this year. Great engine and handling, not too impractical, and in the right colour/wheel combo imo look fantastic too. Definitely a car that's growing more appealing as the years pass.

I've noticed a few Boxster Ss, for some reason they don't seem to be much more expensive than the 2.5/2.7s. Not sure why that is?

[Craikeybaby]

911F said:

Mercedes 500SL/SL500 R129

Surprisingly good fun - 0-60 in 6ish, V8 noise

That is actually something very different to what I'd normally consider, but there are a few for sale locally, so worth a look!

Edited by Craikeybaby on Wednesday 24th July 18:06

[Craikeybaby]

twizellb said:

Have just done this in my E36 M3 vert, the french alps and on to the med from Nothumberland and it was a lovely way to travel, we had the roof down for most of it.
With the roof up you can cruise at well in to 3 figures, they are fairly good on petrol if your not in to much of a hurry, 3;5 revs in top is bang on 100 and redline is 7;5 so they are long in 6th.
One of the really great engines imho.
Have also done it in a Boxster s and that was really good aswell but doing it in 5 grand one might be a bit optomistic.
Have done in a Tuscan aswell when I was feelling really brave, it was the best experience to honest as the attention you got had been seen, but this is a bit outside your budget.
For 5grand, I would get a M3.

Thanks, I think the M3 is sneaking into the lead. I've found one locally to have a look at.

[Craikeybaby]

Ved said:

If it's just for a trip or fun have you thought about just renting something?

Flying down and renting something could be an option, but I do enjoy roadtrips. I've just been looking at mk3 MR2s, which are what I'd be buying if I didn't need luggage space for a road trip and have seen far more cars I'd consider buying.

[Craikeybaby]

Gaz. said:

Owned a 944 Turbo, own a S2000 and driven a handful of M3 Evos.

Of the 944's, only the turbos have a/c and the chances of it working are slim and even if it does you won't notice. Their seats are fantastic, driving position is good, handling is fantastic as is the ride quality although not a patch on the jags mentioned so far. On the autoroutes it'll be quite relaxing and a joy in the mountains, if turbo lag doesn't get on your tits. If it does then an S2 would be better. Power steering is very heavy so may get tiresome threading your way through a town at the end of a long day and my wife hated ours for this reason. Waterpumps are weak spots so change that before your trip. They also like to consume oil. The sun roof is a pain in the arse, it lifts out and can be stowed behind the front seats but it booms like hell. You can tilt it but it is as useful as a chocolate fireguard.

S2000. So much fun. Roof is brilliant, engine is a gem and changing gear is never a chore. Light but numb steering and quite loud with the roof up. The boot is a good size, the driving position and seats are comfortable but not as good as the 944's. Stereo is utter crap. I can drive it all day and get out as fresh as a daisy. It's a mechanically simple car and bomb proof. Put the keys to my Porsche or Honda infront of me for a road trip and I'd take the Honda without hesitation.

M3. Capable chassis, legendary engine, dreadful steering & gearchange. For straight line heroics this is your car, but ultimately is is just a hot version of a family saloon and feels just as boring in this company. Other than a straight line speed advantage, it does nothing that the 944 can't do better, and as you're considering S2000's and 350Z's I'm assuming you don't need 4 seats which is the M3's only trump card. M3s are great for parents who want an all rounder that offers some kind of excitement, but for a Euro-trip it wouldn't even make my shortlist.

I didn't notice this earlier - a useful posts. A lot of my friends have dismissed the S2000 as it is too similar to an MX-5, but then I like the MX5...

[Craikeybaby]

_Neal_ said:

Absolutely agree with this, especially about that engine. The wife and I did a 2500 mile 11 day trip in an E36 M3 Evo Coupe, including alpine passes, Route Napoleon, Switzerland and then back via the Rhine valley, a few laps of the 'Ring and some high speed autobahn work, and it was pretty much perfect.

I didn't drive the passes like my hair was on fire, but didn't hang around, and had great fun. Car averaged something like 28mpg over the whole trip, didn't use a drop of any fluid, had great aircon (as said above, essential for a summer trip to the Alps) and loads of space for luggage. I can also report it sounds excellent in the tunnel at Monaco

In addition to the usual buyer's guide stuff, tips on M3 purchasing/ownership for this trip are:

1. Make sure the aircon works on the one you buy. If the seller says it just needs a regas, it may well need a new compressor instead - they're a known weak point. I had mine done before the trip.
2. A storm motorwerks weighted gearknob is well worth it in terms of improving shift quality.

Enjoy!

That sounds like a great trip, pretty much the trip we're planning. Thanks for the extra hints.

[Craikeybaby]

GC8 said:

Id look for a £1,500 944 S2 and carefully spend £3,500 on it. Buying the right car wont be the easiest thing, but good core cars are available for this price and youll have enough money if you spend wisely to make everything good with the remaining budget.

Dont expect the air conditioning to work though!

Thanks. I think with an older car like a 944, is be spending less and doing some preventative maintenance before I go.

I haven't check temperatures yet, but early May (Monaco Classic weekend) might not be that hot, so may get away without A/C.

[Craikeybaby]

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.