Car choice: What would you pick to drive the Côte d'Azur
Discussion
You're cruising the twisty roads of Côte d'Azur, the Med sparkling below and not a cloud in sight. You're feeling like James Bond as you cruise in to Nice, before a fresh swim in the sea. It has to be the perfect drive for many, but the big questions is, what car are you driving?
After a rubbish couple of years of divorce and work being very demanding, later this summer *regulations allowing* I am planning to head south and do just that.
I currently have a 2010 Boxster which is more than capable, but lacks cruise control and maybe feels a bit tame. I have started getting carried away on the usual sites looking at dreamy cars, but have just confused myself even more. Budgets have got a bit carried away, as I am looking at this as being a trip to remember! I am looking at a few years old, as I want to minimise depreciation as much as possible.
So far the options are;
Porsche 997 Turbo Convertible
Porsche 991 Carrera Convertible
Aston Martin Vantage V8 Convertible
Jaguar F-Type Convertible
The car has to be able to comfortably be able to go from Suffolk to SOF, and back, without the constant worry of 'will it make it, what was that noise, was that a drop in power?'. So I reckon that rules out anything Italian!
I would probably keep the car for a couple of years, as well keeping the Boxster as it has a family importance. I lean towards the more sporty angle than soft cruiser, but most of all, it's got to look great! I also love the idea of using it a lot at home. Taking it work on sunny days and not worrying too much about racking up the miles.
Budget around £50k.
Any ideas are very welcome!
After a rubbish couple of years of divorce and work being very demanding, later this summer *regulations allowing* I am planning to head south and do just that.
I currently have a 2010 Boxster which is more than capable, but lacks cruise control and maybe feels a bit tame. I have started getting carried away on the usual sites looking at dreamy cars, but have just confused myself even more. Budgets have got a bit carried away, as I am looking at this as being a trip to remember! I am looking at a few years old, as I want to minimise depreciation as much as possible.
So far the options are;
Porsche 997 Turbo Convertible
Porsche 991 Carrera Convertible
Aston Martin Vantage V8 Convertible
Jaguar F-Type Convertible
The car has to be able to comfortably be able to go from Suffolk to SOF, and back, without the constant worry of 'will it make it, what was that noise, was that a drop in power?'. So I reckon that rules out anything Italian!
I would probably keep the car for a couple of years, as well keeping the Boxster as it has a family importance. I lean towards the more sporty angle than soft cruiser, but most of all, it's got to look great! I also love the idea of using it a lot at home. Taking it work on sunny days and not worrying too much about racking up the miles.
Budget around £50k.
Any ideas are very welcome!
Tend to agree with the poster above. Ze germans are more than capable of stranding you at the roadside as well 
As long as you get some UK miles in, you'll build trust. Foreign recovery tends to come with an age limit though, so factor that in.
I'm going to be controversial now - is a rag top the right thing for the South of France - what's an enjoyable bit of sunshine over here may well become a scalp frazzling experience down there, and having to have the hood up when being a boulevardier would spoil things a little.
As long as you get some UK miles in, you'll build trust. Foreign recovery tends to come with an age limit though, so factor that in.I'm going to be controversial now - is a rag top the right thing for the South of France - what's an enjoyable bit of sunshine over here may well become a scalp frazzling experience down there, and having to have the hood up when being a boulevardier would spoil things a little.
Many years ago I did that trip but starting out from Manchester - in a Mk1 (1.8) Mazda MX5.
Never missed a beat (obviously). Was fine for cruising along, great fun on the twisty bits and could be parked anywhere.
Oh, and we were camping (I would never recommend that bit though...).
If I were to do it again I would be happy attempting it in a modern MX5 though these days hotels would be on the cards.
Never missed a beat (obviously). Was fine for cruising along, great fun on the twisty bits and could be parked anywhere.
Oh, and we were camping (I would never recommend that bit though...).
If I were to do it again I would be happy attempting it in a modern MX5 though these days hotels would be on the cards.
randlemarcus said:
- is a rag top the right thing for the South of France - what's an enjoyable bit of sunshine over here may well become a scalp frazzling experience down there, and having to have the hood up when being a boulevardier would spoil things a little.
Lovely I the evenings though. The best Maserati Grancabrio you can find, it'll have all the theatre & specialness you're looking for & be reliable too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...
The other car I'd look at it the XKR Convertible they're imo a very good looking car, they're still on the right side of sporty & they can be bought for very sensible money
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104261...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...
If you could live with a coupe the XKR-S is a great steer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...
My leftfield choice is the C7 Corvette although not a convertible they're a Targa, with a cracking V8 Z51 Pack & a car you won't see lots of you'll have an epic trip in one of these:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...
Remove some of the graphics from the car above & you'll have a very sweet steer.
Convertible
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284274378621?hash=item4...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...
The other car I'd look at it the XKR Convertible they're imo a very good looking car, they're still on the right side of sporty & they can be bought for very sensible money
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104261...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...
If you could live with a coupe the XKR-S is a great steer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...
My leftfield choice is the C7 Corvette although not a convertible they're a Targa, with a cracking V8 Z51 Pack & a car you won't see lots of you'll have an epic trip in one of these:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...
Remove some of the graphics from the car above & you'll have a very sweet steer.
Convertible
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284274378621?hash=item4...
The Boxster would be nice down there, and bonus blast down the Route Napoleon from Grenoble. It is hot, crowded and often with narrow tight roads. A big barge is a liability unless you stick to the main roads. Parking is also hard to find (often on pavements and roundabouts) and then a squeeze....plus you have the French touch parking smacking bumpers. The underground parking is also tight to manoeuvre around.
Different if you swank up to Hotel de Paris in a Roller/Ferrari etc as the concierge pop it out front. All other times, you will worry about dings etc.
Decent aircon is a must. Used to run a mini convertible down there as the morning baguette car.
I would use the Boxster and splurge the spare cash on various chateau gastro hotels en route. On the way back definitely cross the Millau Bridge and stop at the viewpoint on the north side. Wow!
Different if you swank up to Hotel de Paris in a Roller/Ferrari etc as the concierge pop it out front. All other times, you will worry about dings etc.
Decent aircon is a must. Used to run a mini convertible down there as the morning baguette car.
I would use the Boxster and splurge the spare cash on various chateau gastro hotels en route. On the way back definitely cross the Millau Bridge and stop at the viewpoint on the north side. Wow!
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