Cheap car for a winter euro trip
Discussion
Heading to Strasbourg just before Christmas, and we're likely to go the scenic route down through Belgium (and possibly Luxembourg & Germany).
I'm guessing it'll be around 1200-1500 miles altogether.
If I could guarantee the weather wasn't too bad I'd love to take the Chimaera (and still might), but although it's not let me down so far, 1500 miles over a few days may well accelerate any lurking issues.
I've also got a cheap 1.6 Focus, which is fine, but don't think it will be that much fun on a long tip.
Assuming you had £1500 to spend (what I could get for the Focus hopefully) on an everyday/work car that will also cope with some long-distance trips what would you suggest?
The barge bargains thread is obviously a good place to start looking, but I could do with something relatively economical (The TVR drinks enough!) and not too crippling on the insurance so a V8 Beemer is probably out of the question.
Given the rather vague criteria, what would you go for? I haven't bought a car for 6 months, so fancy swapping the focus for something else!
I'm guessing it'll be around 1200-1500 miles altogether.
If I could guarantee the weather wasn't too bad I'd love to take the Chimaera (and still might), but although it's not let me down so far, 1500 miles over a few days may well accelerate any lurking issues.
I've also got a cheap 1.6 Focus, which is fine, but don't think it will be that much fun on a long tip.
Assuming you had £1500 to spend (what I could get for the Focus hopefully) on an everyday/work car that will also cope with some long-distance trips what would you suggest?
The barge bargains thread is obviously a good place to start looking, but I could do with something relatively economical (The TVR drinks enough!) and not too crippling on the insurance so a V8 Beemer is probably out of the question.
Given the rather vague criteria, what would you go for? I haven't bought a car for 6 months, so fancy swapping the focus for something else!
RenOHH said:
Is the E36 328i becoming the new MX-5? (In terms of how often it is recommended in a what car thread.) I think it might be! But after a quick think I can't come up with anything better than that.
It's a great car with a great engine (I'm on my second) available for decent price. It's simple enough to work on yourself and if maintained properly, there's no reason why it shouldn't last 250k miles+. It can double up as a good (fairly economical) cruiser when needed but also with the right suspension mods be a proper hoot on the twisties.Proper straight six, RWD, what's not to love?
Ozzie Osmond said:
Don't forget you need a car that's new enough to be able to buy European breakdown cover! 
(Usually cuts off at 12 or 14 years, depending who you use.)
You can still get cover for cars older than that. (Usually cuts off at 12 or 14 years, depending who you use.)
Well here she is!
Sold the Focus last Saturday, and picked this up on Sunday evening.
2001 320ci Auto, with just over 100k miles. (I know a 325/330 is better in every way, but I wouldn't have got one of them for £1200!)
Seems like a lot of car for the money, and I'm loving the auto! (Apart from the mpg)
It's got a few niggles to sort out, but nothing major hopefully. Slightly rough idle, but seems like an air leak is the likely culprit so I'll sort that this week.
Also needs a new wheel speed sensor as teh ABS/TC/Cruise is playing up, but again should be a relatively easy fix.
Sold the Focus last Saturday, and picked this up on Sunday evening.
2001 320ci Auto, with just over 100k miles. (I know a 325/330 is better in every way, but I wouldn't have got one of them for £1200!)
Seems like a lot of car for the money, and I'm loving the auto! (Apart from the mpg)
It's got a few niggles to sort out, but nothing major hopefully. Slightly rough idle, but seems like an air leak is the likely culprit so I'll sort that this week.
Also needs a new wheel speed sensor as teh ABS/TC/Cruise is playing up, but again should be a relatively easy fix.
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