Route Advice

Author
Discussion

onloop

Original Poster:

11 posts

48 months

Saturday 27th February 2021
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Hi Guys,

Firstly [potential] apologies i'm really not sure what section this could/should go. If there is more specific forum mods please do move it and thank you for your time.

Keeping it short, I'm currently in Doncaster, work have asked me to travel to Campbeltown on the west coast of Scotland. Its going to be like 2hr turn around in Campbeltown and then home [dont ask]. Given the distance I've decided to make it an overnight-er in Campbeltown.

What with the year we're having and stuff I've decided make a holiday of it; I've decided to rent a semi-prestige car and make a driving holiday of it. I'm looking at perhaps a 911 £300 per day or a Boxster S £200pd. Big price difference, so far i'm thinking the type of road i'm facing I wont see the difference between a Boxster S and a 911... so Boxster. Opinions welcome I've driven neither. For context its driving experience vs cost here, no one else I know will see the car so there is no showing off to worry about. Not 100% its relevant but my last weapons of choice were a Hayabusa and/or GSXR1000, I know I wont get that experience but at the same time i can't do 6/8hrs fast road riding a day back to back.

My question here is really about route.... I don't know the area at all; i'm conscious its fairly near the north500. I'm thinking once the m6/m74 are out of the way, a few canny choices could have me on great roads. I'd be more than happy to extend my journey out a few hours to capture them.

That's where i need you guys, whats the best bang for buck without deviating miles out of my way ?

Thanks in advance; and once again apologies for my lack of familiarity with forums and/or etiquette

Edited by onloop on Saturday 27th February 23:09

onloop

Original Poster:

11 posts

48 months

Saturday 27th February 2021
quotequote all
If it wasnt clear, the work i do the journey is within the covid rules. Without going into details Boris and Nicola would both agree with the journey, probably one of the the only things they would agree on.

Gary C

12,431 posts

179 months

Saturday 27th February 2021
quotequote all
A boxter or a 911, depends upon the desire, certainly you won't be pushing either to their limits so go with the one you want.

onloop

Original Poster:

11 posts

48 months

Sunday 28th February 2021
quotequote all
No real interest owning either longer term.

I figured in two days i'd not know either well enough to be getting anywhere near the edge of their performance envelope, esp on road I also dont know. So save £200...If everyone had been like "NO totally 911" it might have turned my head.

But really the question is about the roads...

Gary C

12,431 posts

179 months

Sunday 28th February 2021
quotequote all
They both will be fun.

If its nice weather, the boxter will be great with the roof down, and really its probably the better balanced.

But a 911 is some peoples dream so nothing else would do, so both will be great fun. Do you see yourself with the wind in your hair or not ? is a 911 a 'dream drive' or is it purely for something a bit different.

Either WILL be fun.

I have a classic 911 and its driving is like nothing else, it understeers unless you get the weight on the nose but traction under power out of corners is something else, but you won't be driving it like that,

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH

bugger, you want to know which way to go smile

In years gone by, I would draw a straiight line and try to stick to that, ended up in all sorts of interesting places. Drove from Shrewsbury to Pitlochry in Scotland by that method and had real fun (though the off road section in a Mk2 escort would probably not suite a boxter)

Edited by Gary C on Sunday 28th February 16:11


Edited by Gary C on Sunday 28th February 16:13

Riley Blue

20,955 posts

226 months

Sunday 28th February 2021
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You might want to ask a mod to move this to the 'Roads' section for a better informed response.

My tip: don't overlook the great roads in the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines before you even get to Scotland, they're well worth it.

vaud

50,482 posts

155 months

Sunday 28th February 2021
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Who are the hire company? - I 'd love one that doesn't have very low daily mileage rates.

Jader1973

3,991 posts

200 months

Monday 1st March 2021
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There aren't that many options really:
1) Glasgow to Campbelltown going up the A82 and then across the A83 = 138 miles
2) Come off the A83 and cut across the the east coast and down the B842 = 139 miles (bits of the B842 are single track I think, hence it will be slower, and less fun when you meet a tractor / log truck etc).
3) Ignore the A82 and go through Helensburgh and up the side of Gare Loch / Loch Long on the A814 to Arrochar and pick up the A83 there = 142 miles.

Alternatively
Glasgow - Oban - Campbelltown, A82 all the way up Loch Lomond to the A85 and across = 184 miles
or
Glasgow - Glen Coe - Campbelltown, A82 all the way and then loop back south through Oban on the A828 before picking up the A85 = 212 miles

Another possibility would be to use the A819 that cuts between the A85 and the A83 at Inverarary.

Be aware that many of the B roads will be single track, so aren't necessarily the best for pushing on.

Google Maps reckons anywhere between 3 1/4 hours and 5 hours for those options. Add on a bit though because you'll want to stop to admire the views.


GreatGranny

9,128 posts

226 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
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Are you booking through Enterprise Exotic Collection?

Just had a quick look and prices are pretty good IMO.

No mention of mileage limit. I know cars from their Luxury range have unlimited mileage.

vaud

50,482 posts

155 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
quotequote all
GreatGranny said:
Are you booking through Enterprise Exotic Collection?

Just had a quick look and prices are pretty good IMO.

No mention of mileage limit. I know cars from their Luxury range have unlimited mileage.
Just taken a look - not bad - E63 for £160/day is reasonable.

Chucklehead

2,733 posts

208 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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pretty sure the rest and be thankful is still open during daylight hours to convoy only - https://www.bearscot.com/a83-rest-and-be-thankful/

It's not a massive issue so long as nothing else happens and you'll be able to travel during those hours. Other option is the Dunoon ferry and then drive round?

irc

7,301 posts

136 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Another option is A82 to Tyndrum, A83 to Dalmally, then B840 single track road down east side of Loch Awe. Miles and miles of almost traffic free road.

https://goo.gl/maps/4FbVL5gKFEhmd57h8

Edit. This is a rally god time to drive in the highlands. Traffic levels much lower because of Covid.

onloop

Original Poster:

11 posts

48 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
quotequote all
Yeah it was enterprise I was looking, more cos it was the first place i thought of than any real intent to go with them

Thanks guys lots of really info to be getting on with, looks like it'd be a blast