6K Roadtripper

[podgeorge]

Going on a 3000 mile eurotrip this summer. Have 6K to play with and feel like getting something suitable.

Ideally great on those Alps and Dolomite passes with enough space for camping gear, luggage and 3 people!

Megane R26 is my current favourite.

What would you buy?

Cheers

[chrisispringles]

Depending on how tall your other passengers are going to be, I suspect a Megane is going to be quite tight in the back for a 3000 mile jaunt. I'd look along the lines of a Mazda 6 MPS or a Subaru Legacy Spec B. Still plenty of fun, but a bit more spacious for everyone else in the car.

[kiethton]

I got a very, very low and chavvy EP3...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=13...

[Croutons]

Surely the majority of that trip will be spent at motorway cruising speed, so where I'd want some point and squirt, I don't think I'd want to deafen myself on the rest of it!

ZX10 linked to a cheap 2005 CLK 350 on Autotrader recently, 272bhp, 0-60 in 6.4 and allegedly 38mpg on a run (before 3 people etc). Suffice to say I think I'd look at something like that and accept it might not be quite so crisp in those few brief turns (on the off chance your tent doesn't upset the perfect handling you may, potentially, experience seeing as there can be traffic on them) rather than have a complete boneshaker on the rest of the trip. But then I'm old and cantankerous, so I'd probably look at a C215 CL and to hell with the passenger in the rear!

[ZX10R NIN]

The R26 is a good shout for the twisties but there are some alternatives:

Hot Hatch wise:

Focus ST-3 (try & find one with an exhaust! Well it would be rude not to be up there & have an exhaust note to add to the enjoyment) They're great fun & not as sharp as the R26 but still a good steer with a cracking engine.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

One with all the upgrades done.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Another hot hatch with a charismatic engine:

Golf R32 Not as capable as the Megane or Focus but still a decent steer.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

As someone else said I'd be tempted to buy a CLK350 (yes I'm bias ) they handle well & will be a great place to eat up 3000+ miles with ease if you get a Sport they come with a sports as standard.

CLK350 Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

If you have any questions about these feel free to ask.