Shetland road trip - car suggestions

[rex]

I'm off on a road trip in May with 4 friends and need to get an interesting car to do it in. So far cars on the trip are a Cerbera, M3, Tuscan and a Mk 3 MR2.

I am looking for ideas on a car to buy just for the trip to probably sell on afterwards. Your ideas and input would be welcomed. Budget is ideally about £3000 but could push it up for something really interesting.

No restriction on age, body style or cylinders

My thoughts are
RX8
MX 5 (obviously)
Old school hot hatch
Alfa of some sort (not owned an Alfa yet)
90's Saab ( when they were interesting)
BMW 325ti

Any other suggestions welcome

[rex]

R8VXF said:

The car you can drive 800 miles and still feel comfortable in. No point aiming for the Shetlands and hating every minute of driving by the time you get there because you are in agony

Exactly. Have been hunting in the bargain barge thread.

[rex]

R8VXF said:

Not particularly interesting and needs a bit of work at £4k is my E46 320cd MSport. Plenty of space for 4, but does the miles very comfortably and reliably.

I am a big fan of BMW's. Have a track prepared e36 M3 (too uncomfortable for 100 mile road trip let alone 800 miles) and my e39 540 M Sport touring was written off a few weeks ago a diesel (although a great engine) is not for me on a road trip.

Just seen a S type R which I will add to the list myself.

[rex]

Trip is being planned by others with their own reasons for going there. Im joining along with a couple of others as I can see no reason to turn down a road trip invitation no matter where it is to.

So shortlist has grown to
RX8
MX 5 (obviously)
Old school hot hatch
Alfa of some sort (not owned an Alfa yet)
90's Saab ( when they were interesting)
BMW 325ti
Jag S Type R
Focus ST 170
Focus ST
Mini – Not brave enough for this one
A big old Jag (off to look at XJR prices)

Keep them coming.

[rex]

Ryvita said:

Well this is a slightly different suggestion that will probably get shot down.

Subaru Forester Turbo 2.5

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

or

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

200+ BHP, basically an imprezza under the skin. Not as quick as some of the others but fast enough to keep up and might just surprise a few. And you can become everyone's best friend by being the designated support vehicle, carry the trolley jack, carry the excess gear of the guys in the smaller cars. In fact, get it stickered up, "RAPID SUPPORT VEHICLE".

Plus it has enough offroad chops to go exploring once you're up in the wilds. And you get cruise control, air con, heated seats, a panoramic sunroof and scooby burble to keep you company. What's not to like.

Edited by Ryvita on Tuesday 13th October 14:30

Shot down. Not with a great left field suggestion like that. Could see me through the winter and then the road trip. How much can these tow as could use it to tow the M3 to the track now that the 540 is in the great scrapyard in the sky. Could be a keeper

[rex]

/\/\/\ made me chuckle regarding opinion on Shetland. It's availed on destination for reasons other than just driving.

Thanks for all the info on the Subaru. 2000kg is enough for the car and trailer.

Going to spend a while on the classifieds this evening.

[rex]

DonkeyApple said:

Range Rover.

It'll be better than all your mates' cars on the journey up there and just as fast.

Once onto the proper stuff you'll be faster than them as you'll be able to use all of the road on corners that they can't see through and you won't be slowing for holes.

Supercharged Sport should do the trick rather nicely. Especially as your mates will laugh when you turn up and be weeping by the time you arrive in the Shetlands.

Ironically the Cerbera driver sold his Supercharged Sport a few months ago

[rex]

Well car purchased. Pistonheads classified on Wednesday, phoned on Thursday, viewed on Friday, picked up on Saturday. Very little research, but went with gut feeling of the car and the owner. Spent 3 hours pouring over the car, looking underneath as ramp available and now the smiling owner of a Jap import MR2 turbo with some nice modifications.

Very period looking in immaculate rust free white with adjustable coil overs excellent quality matching tyres and putting out 280 bhp. Oh and it's a T-bar. Pops and whoosh like a old school turbo.

So many smiles for so little money.

May get the ride height increased for the Shetland trip though..

Thanks for everyone's input. Roll on May

Edited by rex on Sunday 18th October 22:56

[rex]

Will get some photos done on Friday. Work and driving it has taken up the time for photos

Edited by rex on Wednesday 21st October 18:06