European road trip - Car advice
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm planning a European road trip next year for at least 3 weeks. My current car is a 1.0 c1 which for obvious reasons I am not keen on taking. Given that renting is pretty expensive especially for something decent; I'm thinking of buying a car just for the trip, probably a E90 320d or an A4 B7 2.0 TDI, and then selling it upon my return.
I've heard about people doing this before however I'm concerned that when I come to sell it will look really weird that I've only owned it for a month and have put so many miles on it in that time. If I don't make all or at least most of my money back, the idea quickly falls apart.
Is buying and selling the car in such a short time wise?
Sean
I'm planning a European road trip next year for at least 3 weeks. My current car is a 1.0 c1 which for obvious reasons I am not keen on taking. Given that renting is pretty expensive especially for something decent; I'm thinking of buying a car just for the trip, probably a E90 320d or an A4 B7 2.0 TDI, and then selling it upon my return.
I've heard about people doing this before however I'm concerned that when I come to sell it will look really weird that I've only owned it for a month and have put so many miles on it in that time. If I don't make all or at least most of my money back, the idea quickly falls apart.
Is buying and selling the car in such a short time wise?
Sean
A lot depends on your DIY skills and whether you want performance, comfort, space, etc. Budget / cashflow also a factor.
If I didn't have something already, I'd buy a barge for £1000. Add 5000 miles to the 150000 already on the clock and stick it on eBay for £1000 or offers when I got back.
I've did Europe in a Smart car in 2010 and in a 330 in 2013. 2018 will be my Brexit tour. Not sure what I'll do that in.
Let us know what you decide
If I didn't have something already, I'd buy a barge for £1000. Add 5000 miles to the 150000 already on the clock and stick it on eBay for £1000 or offers when I got back.
I've did Europe in a Smart car in 2010 and in a 330 in 2013. 2018 will be my Brexit tour. Not sure what I'll do that in.
Let us know what you decide
Be wary, I did this a few years back for a trip to Croatia
Started looking at the normal suspects, diesel, convertible etc....eneded up with a fully track prepped EP3 civic type R with broken AC, 2 inches of ground clearance, leather seats and in black with tinted windows - sticky and not that practical/economical!....
Now look at them in the classifieds, reminiscing about an amazing trip, part made all the better by the car!
Started looking at the normal suspects, diesel, convertible etc....eneded up with a fully track prepped EP3 civic type R with broken AC, 2 inches of ground clearance, leather seats and in black with tinted windows - sticky and not that practical/economical!....
Now look at them in the classifieds, reminiscing about an amazing trip, part made all the better by the car!
As a buyer it would look a little odd to me BUT if the person had a believable excuse/story and the car was in good condition, I'd be ok. The C1 is really uncomfortable after a few hours. I drove from the Midlands to Edinburgh once and had to lie on the floor when I arrived as my lower back was so tight.
You need to get a decent demo in the new wagon, to check the seats.
Personally I found Mrs PR's 107 seats okay, certainly for a regular 5 hr trip, and better than her current Hyundai. The worst thing about the 107 was having to change down on long inclines to maintain speed.
I guess we all have different backs.
Personally I found Mrs PR's 107 seats okay, certainly for a regular 5 hr trip, and better than her current Hyundai. The worst thing about the 107 was having to change down on long inclines to maintain speed.
I guess we all have different backs.
I will just share my experience but as mentioned, we do all have different backs.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Looks, like a fun trip - i'm actually going to some of the same places. I've driven a the BMW in question before and it was soo much comfier than my car. There is no way I'm going to use the c1.
Another point you have made me think about is where did you park everyday? I will be driving in the countryside e.g. polish mountain towns and also in urban areas like Bratislava.
Another point you have made me think about is where did you park everyday? I will be driving in the countryside e.g. polish mountain towns and also in urban areas like Bratislava.
kamilb1998 said:
I will just share my experience but as mentioned, we do all have different backs.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
If that doesn't get you going, perhaps this will...http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Combustion29 said:
Can i buy the vignettes before i go. If so where from? I thought you had to buy them at the border.
And again, in general how did you find places to park? Was it expensive?
Yes. I got mine from tollticketsAnd again, in general how did you find places to park? Was it expensive?
https://www.tolltickets.com/
Combustion29 said:
Thanks for the link, that's really helpful! Seriously though, I'm really curious about parking issues and I've asked you twice already....
Sorry, missed the bit about parking.I'm not sure what you mean, but I just looked at maps and used sat-nav to find out-of-the-way places.
You have to be aware of your surroundings if you are planning to slum it. It's very easy to find yourself in the wrong place. Make sure that you suss out the area in daylight. Darkness can hide some pretty nasty surprises.
HTH
Well I mean, is parking in a city a no go? Is it better to find accommodation with parking on the outskirts and then use public transport to get into the city centre? Also, non-permit parking can be really hard to find on UK streets and requires you to look at the times on the signs - this will be pretty hard when the signs aren't in english.
Combustion29 said:
Well I mean, is parking in a city a no go? Is it better to find accommodation with parking on the outskirts and then use public transport to get into the city centre? Also, non-permit parking can be really hard to find on UK streets and requires you to look at the times on the signs - this will be pretty hard when the signs aren't in english.
Each country is different. Some cities in Germany need you to have the emission sticker to enter the city
Generally, there is parking in cities, but not much free parking. Most signs are pretty self-explanatory. Most hotels have free car parks, even the ones in the city centres (check for this on Trivago if in doubt)
Most parking in towns and villages is free. The main problem is that you will be parking on the right, and pulling out into the traffic can be daunting. Your left-hand mirror is your best friend
.Make sure that you have access to the internet. McDonald's do free wifi
. Google is your friend. For instance, if you are in Amiens, https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=parking+in+... gives you much more info than I ever could .Combustion29 said:
Thanks for the info. Is that emissions sticker in addition to the vignette? If so, where do i get that from?
a German city emission sticker...an Austrian motorway vignette...
a BroBizz dongle for the Danish and Swedish bridges...
Some peeps also get a French motorway dongle and a Swiss vignette. You need the Swiss vignette if you want to use their motorways - non-motorways are free.
You can get them all from tolltickets.
Check RAC website for what you need for what country.
Edited by pingu393 on Monday 7th November 23:28
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