What Car For European Trip - Economical, Ok Motorway & Fun

[V8RX7]

I'm a huge MK1 MX5 and RX7 fan and own both but I'm planning a 2 week trip and thinking that the RX7 is just too thirsty at circa 20mpg, my MX5 isn't much better and isn't the obvious choice for the long motorway sections

I wouldn't consider a dull car / diesel.

Budget up to £5k

I'm thinking:

Mk2 MR2 Turbo
Mk3 MR2
Mk3 MX5

[mike9009]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

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https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

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Ok some might not achieve 20mpg, but most should...…

[ZX10R NIN]

It would be the 350Z GTV or Fiat Coupe for me.

[MrB.]

BMW Z4 3.0i (but ditch the runflats!) or even (and don’t laugh!) a Z3 3.0i. I replaced my Z3M many years ago for a Z4 3.0i SE as I was driving from London to Scotland 3 times a year, and the M was just a bit too harsh for that. The Z4 is still a sports car, but much better as a GT.

[Nickp82]

350z is a good shout I think, comfortable on the motorway stretches and pretty entertaining in the twisty bits.

[V8RX7]

The Z4 seems the obvious choice, in manual of course but coupe or convertible ?

Which leads to it's competition the Boxster but I do prefer a playful rear.

350 should suit me, but doesn't.

[illmonkey]

From a BMW Z point of view; I have done road trips in a z3, Z4 and a z4m. The z3 made me feel tired after a stint (4hours) at the wheel. But both the z4’s I can do just as long and come out feeling fine. All top down motoring too.

I think the longest stint was 7 hours in the z4m, got out with no aches etc, straight to the room, freshen up and out to the bars.

For the money you’d get a good Z4 with some toys, I’d look at swapping out the run flats for some good rubber, get an iPhone adapter and away you go!

[Voldemort]

V8RX7 said:

I'm a huge MK1 MX5 and RX7 fan and own both but I'm planning a 2 week trip and thinking that the RX7 is just too thirsty at circa 20mpg, my MX5 isn't much better and isn't the obvious choice for the long motorway sections

I wouldn't consider a dull car / diesel.

Budget up to £5k

How far are you going in two weeks? I man maths you good for about 18,000 miles.

[V8RX7]

Voldemort said:

How far are you going in two weeks? I man maths you good for about 18,000 miles.

But if I spend it on fuel it's gone, if I spend it on a car I'll get it all back and possibly a profit (on past experiences)

Also the RX7 whilst epic, isn't convertible and I love being in a convertible, the MX5 (Mk1 supercharged) has done the Ring and it was ok but always worth considering all the options.

I'll have to go and try the Z4 as I can't stand the throttle delay that was on my E46, if no good I'll reacquaint myself with the Boxster which IIRC is a little too composed for my tastes