What Car for the Grand Tour?

[mcbook]

Circumstances are such that you’ve managed to get the entire summer off work and have decided to take an extended road trip down through France, into Spain, back up along the Riviera and into Italy, possibly going as far as Sicily. There’s no rush to get anywhere fast, but fast is fun and you’d like to do it in relative style. The weather is going to be good so a soft-top would probably make sense.

The variety of roads you will be travelling on is extreme; boring motorways, fast A-roads, mountain passes, cliff-top white knuckle rides…

Anyway, you’ve found ten thousand pounds in an old pair of jeans and need to make a decision on the transport.

The BMW E46 M3 Convertible seems to tick most boxes but what else should you consider?

[vx220]

An XKR...

...or a Caterham

[Disco You]

SL600/ CL600

[V8mate]

BMW 6er convertible.

Your budget doesn't quite stretch to an M6 'vert; which would be perfect (for me!)

[mcbook]

vx220 said:

An XKR...

...or a Caterham

XKR - Yes, can you get a good one for 10k?

Caterham - Good fun but no room for the travel necessities assocaiated with a long jaunt through Europe.

[mcbook]

V8mate said:

BMW 6er convertible.

Your budget doesn't quite stretch to an M6 'vert; which would be perfect (for me!)

Never knew these were so cheap now! The looks around the rear are an acquired taste though...

[Malcster]

I did this last year, through Holland, Belgium, to the south of France, then over the alps to Berlin and back.

A TVR Chimaera was my weapon of choice under the same budget.

Roof back with the noise from the V8 bouncing off of the alps was absolutely fantastic.

Can't recommend it enough!

[V8mate]

mcbook said:

V8mate said:

BMW 6er convertible.

Your budget doesn't quite stretch to an M6 'vert; which would be perfect (for me!)

Never knew these were so cheap now! The looks around the rear are an acquired taste though...

I love 'em; but as with all cars beauty is in the eye etc.

I think they're a good choice for holiday/touring as they are big enough to hold a bit of luggage too.

[Krikkit]

Surely there's only one answer for a PH'er?

[mcbook]

Malcster said:

I did this last year, through Holland, Belgium, to the south of France, then over the alps to Berlin and back.

A TVR Chimaera was my weapon of choice under the same budget.

Roof back with the noise from the V8 bouncing off of the alps was absolutely fantastic.

Can't recommend it enough!

I like it. Would no doubt turn a few more heads than an M3 as one pulled up outside the casino.

[Dog Star]

Krikkit said:

Surely there's only one answer for a PH'er?

I consider myself a PHer, however a TVR holds about as much appeal to me as a steaming turd.

(Sorry )

[Grenoble]

Cheeky low ball offer for something left hand drive?

BMW 645?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Seriously, you might get more for your money looking for a used LHD car?

[Big Fat Fatty]

Choice seems limited to XKRs, Chims or Mercs when looking specifically for a convertible (I've only had a cheeky squint at the PH classifieds) I think this would be my choice

CLK55 AMG


http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[0llie]

As long as I had a good contingency for spare parts! Not a Convertible, but something different anyway.



http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

What a fantastic colour combo.

[mcbook]

Would it be a cliche for me to question the ability of a TVR to cover upwards of 3,000 trouble-free across countries with limited knowledge of TVR repair...

[Bill]

mcbook said:

Caterham - Good fun but no room for the travel necessities assocaiated with a long jaunt through Europe.

How many credit cards and spare pairs of pants could you need?

[Grenoble]

Personally I would be wary of a (nice) UK plated car as far south as Sicily. Have heard some stories...

[Output Flange]

Grenoble said:

Personally I would be wary of a (nice) UK plated car as far south as Sicily. Have heard some stories...

What have you heard?

[Krikkit]

mcbook said:

Would it be a cliche for me to question the ability of a TVR to cover upwards of 3,000 trouble-free across countries with limited knowledge of TVR repair...

I'm sure many of the TVR bunch on here have done that. To say they can all do it would be a fallacy, and I wouldn't attempt it on the first day of ownership, but a well cared-for (and occasionally used) example should do it without problems.

[Grenoble]

Output Flange said:

What have you heard?

High number of thefts; it is, I understand, quite easy to shift cars from Sicily to North Africa. Especially 4x4s. Very low recovery rate; non-Italian cars are targeted.