What car? First car + European road trip + dilemma content

[Bammito]

Morning pistonheaders,

Let me set the scene.

I'm 35 and about to buy my first car. Now, I can see eyebrows raising and jowls beginning to wobble in outrage at the thought of a member of this illustrious site not actually ever owning his own vehicle. Call myself a man? How dare I?

Combine a lack of necessity (living in a city with great transport links), a certain 'easy come, easy go' attitude to money and a fondness for travel and I've just never got round to it.

That's all about to change. In October some bonds I own will mature and I'm gonna get me some wheels.

The facts; no kids, no commuting requirements and a budget of £8-9k means I'm open to ideas.

I'm being pulled in two directions; fast(ish) estate because I love them, or soft top. I'm going on a three week road trip round Europe for my honeymoon next July so a convertible is an attractive prospect there.

To help narrow things down, I'd like to limit myself to vehicles up to 10 years old and 100k miles, although I know that will be met with howls of protest from some quarters.

The only real requirement is that it fits two people and my guitar, although in rare lucid moments I recognise that being able to pack for camping trips might be useful.

So what do you think? I wait with baited breath.

[Yadizzle1]

Get a convertible, they're great fun in the summer. I'd suggest an MX5 but you can get way better/faster cars within your budget; Z4, SLK types maybe? They can be had with smallish engines that might be more insurance friendly. Can always rent a van when you need to move stuff!

[Osinjak]

You can get a surprising amount of kit in a Boxster so for a three-week trip in Yerp with a sparkly new wife and associated admin, that'd be my choice. Guitar might be tricky in any convertible unless it's a 2+2.

[Bammito]

Cheers Yadizzle!

Yeah I am leaning that way.

I've been looking at the Z4 35i, and other things with a bit more space like the 2 litre Eos or A5.

I was even thinking about the 4.2 litre Audi S4 but that way ruination may lie.

Outright speed isn't the be all and end all either, as I can't get away with hooning while my Mrs is in the car.

Insurance isn't too much of a worry, I've been driving and insured on other cars since I passed my test when I was 19 so quotes are pretty reasonable.

[Bammito]

Osinjak said:

You can get a surprising amount of kit in a Boxster so for a three-week trip in Yerp with a sparkly new wife and associated admin, that'd be my choice. Guitar might be tricky in any convertible unless it's a 2+2.

Hey Osinjak, yeah a boxster is a good shout. I have seen a few in this price point but worried that they might be dogs. Have you got one? What was your buying experience like?

[Jaybmw]

This your first car ? Will a fast car kill you ? Or is it a case of you do and have drove extensively? If the latter fire away but if not eu driving in a new fast environment might be a bit shirty

[Bammito]

Jaybmw said:

This your first car ? Will a fast car kill you ? Or is it a case of you do and have drove extensively? If the latter fire away but if not eu driving in a new fast environment might be a bit shirty

Haha good question but no, I've driven plenty in the UK and overseas and got the daftness out of my system (I think).

Speaking of BMWs, I've just been looking at a lovely 330i on Autotrader...

[Osinjak]

Bammito said:

Osinjak said:

You can get a surprising amount of kit in a Boxster so for a three-week trip in Yerp with a sparkly new wife and associated admin, that'd be my choice. Guitar might be tricky in any convertible unless it's a 2+2.

Hey Osinjak, yeah a boxster is a good shout. I have seen a few in this price point but worried that they might be dogs. Have you got one? What was your buying experience like?

Had one many years ago but plenty of advice out there on buying, www.boxa.net would be a good start.