Road trip to Geneva! Need help deciding what to buy!

[VladtheImpala]

Hi everyone,

I've got a fun game for you!

I cannot decide on what to buy for my road trip, and I need help to decide!

In March 2018 I'll be driving to Geneva for the motorshow from Manchester.

My brother will be driving his (amazing) brand new M4, and as I'm carless at the moment, I need something which is punchy.
He likes driving fast, hence the M4

I have no preference on make or model or fuel type, but I would ideally like a 4WD given I'll be looking to do some mountain blasts in winter.

Budget is my only limiting factor, I will be looking at a maximum of £4k for the car.

All suggestions welcome as I'm going to start seriously looking over the next few weeks!

I'm not arsed where it is in the country either.

Thanks for your help in advance!

[ZX10R NIN]

CLK55 not 4WD but fun your brother M4 is RWD so it shouldn't be a problem for you.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-W203-Mercedes-Benz...

Audi S4

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

BMW 540i

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beautiful-BMW-E39-540i-...

All the above will have the pace to put a grin on your face, or you could go FWD get a Focus ST-3 have it mapped & you won't be far off the 300bhp.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 15th November 21:36

[mike9009]

Last time I drove from Leeds to Geneva I used my mk1 MR2.







It was 1997!

HTH

Mike

[VAGLover]

I would rent a high end car...

Or go for an Audi S3....Gen 1, then re-map it

[steve-5snwi]

Have you budgeted for any repairs that might be needed and if winter tyres are needed for that time of year ? I'd fly or take the train and put the rest towards a holiday.

[A900ss]

VladtheImpala said:

I have no preference on make or model or fuel type, but I would ideally like a 4WD given I'll be looking to do some mountain blasts in winter.

You won’t need 4WD as the best Alps passes are closed in March, 4WD or no 4WD.

I’ve driven many miles in Switzerland (and Germany/Austria/Italian Alps, etc) in FWD and RWD cars and the authorities are great at keeping the roads free from snow BUT you will need winter tyres.

Good luck.

PS - don’t forget that the Swiss are demons when it comes to speeding fines.

[Willy Nilly]

VladtheImpala said:

My brother will be driving his (amazing) brand new M4, and as I'm carless at the moment, I need something which is punchy.
He likes driving fast, hence the M4

Your brother might like driving fast, but the Swiss police don't.

[ruhall]

Presumably your brother will have winter tyres? They're a legal reqt in some areas around there. You don't really need 4-wd but if that's what you want, many locals use Panda 4x4s.

Not quite as quick as an M4, though.

Many passes/cols will still be closed, irrespective of whether there's any snow.

[lucido grigio]

Jump into passenger seat of said M4 ,save mucho money ,to spend elsewhere.

I'd take a Fiat on that journey BTW.....

[VladtheImpala]

lucido grigio said:

Jump into passenger seat of said M4 ,save mucho money ,to spend elsewhere.

I'd take a Fiat on that journey BTW.....

I'd get frustrated that I couldn't drive! Convincing him to insure me on his car would be pretty unlikely too, he loves it more than air.

[Ursicles]

Dont forget if your going to Geneva youll also need to pay for swiss road tax - or take a chance.

We went into the mountains on our road trip a few years back and we all took a chance, but we were in the mountains with less police about, guessing in town they might be more prevalent.

[A900ss]

Ursicles said:

Dont forget if your going to Geneva youll also need to pay for swiss road tax - or take a chance.

We went into the mountains on our road trip a few years back and we all took a chance, but we were in the mountains with less police about, guessing in towen they might be more prevalent.

For clarity, you only need a Swiss vignette if you want to travel on their motorways. It’s free to drive on other roads.

[Yipper]

Honda Civic VTEC. A proper howler.

As above, never speed in Switzerland. Fines are ruinous and jail is not uncommon.

[GreatGranny]

Sorted Cupra?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Corsa VXR

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Remapped Mazda 3 MPS?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[PositronicRay]

As your brothers going anyway can't he give you a lift?

[VladtheImpala]

PositronicRay said:

As your brothers going anyway can't he give you a lift?

Well yeah but that will be very boring.

[VladtheImpala]

GreatGranny said:

Sorted Cupra?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Corsa VXR

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Remapped Mazda 3 MPS?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

That Cupra looks nuts but coilovers on such a long journey? I'll end up shorter than Hammond!

[anonymous-user]

You might just be able to get an Alfa Brera 3.2 V6 Q4 for your budget

[VladtheImpala]

MonkeyMatt said:

You might just be able to get an Alfa Brera 3.2 V6 Q4 for your budget

Ooh. If you see any let me know!

[GreatGranny]

645?

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

Not exactly quick but IMO looks great

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

Z4 Roadster 3.0

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

Impreza and remap

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