Spanish Road Trip Classic

[Jaguar99]

We go to Spain quite often and I have always been keen to drive but my wife is not interested and won’t travel abroad alone so every time we go we fly and hire a car

Next year the in-laws will be joining us and my wife is happy to travel with them while I drive

This leads me to the decision of what to drive… I could just take my daily driver but I am thinking that I could get something more interesting for the trip. So, I am toying with the idea of some sort of classic/modern class that I can buy, make the trip and then sell again afterwards

Whatever I take must have room for four people’s luggage and have four doors so the in-laws can get in and out of it when we are in Spain

Budget isn’t really a problem as I plan to sell again afterwards but four doors, luggage capacity and reliability are a must. Any suggestions or ideas which motor might fit the bill?

[ZX10R NIN]

Manual VXR8 enjoy some V8 loveliness whilst having something that can cruise when your 4 up:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407131...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410205...

[Jaguar99]

ZX10R NIN said:

Manual VXR8 enjoy some V8 loveliness whilst having something that can cruise when your 4 up:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407131...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410205...

That’s not a bad shout. Had forgotten all about those!

[ZX10R NIN]

You might just find that you don't sell it

[Jaguar99]

ZX10R NIN said:

You might just find that you don't sell it

[jamesbilluk]

How about a Quattroporte 4.7 GTS? Stunning sounding Ferrari V8, I used to have a 4.2 Granturismo, very reliable, and did a trip to spa in it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302013...

Or the 6.3 V8 from the C63
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17600422

Alfa Giulia quadrifoglio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410245...

Aston Martin Rapide, lovely V12, although not sure what the luggage space is like
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411116...

Jag XFR
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16909810

Edited by jamesbilluk on Monday 18th November 21:49

[Jaguar99]

Defo some interesting options there - not sure were high on the reliability scale with some of those though

[jamesbilluk]

Jaguar99 said:

Defo some interesting options there - not sure were high on the reliability scale with some of those though

There is that

[Roboticarm]

Classic, reliable and comfortable... Got to be an old Merc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305900871787?mkcid=16&a...


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315927386622?mkcid=16&a...

OR

Get there quickly and sell easily as it's LHD

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256692834432?mkcid=16&a...

[skyebear]

jamesbilluk said:

Aston Martin Rapide, lovely V12, although not sure what the luggage space is like

It takes four carry-on size cases but if the in-laws are taller than 5'10" they'll struggle in the rear seats.

Audi RS6 would be ideal.

[Jaguar99]

Roboticarm said:

Classic, reliable and comfortable... Got to be an old Merc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305900871787?mkcid=16&a...


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315927386622?mkcid=16&a...

OR

Get there quickly and sell easily as it's LHD

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256692834432?mkcid=16&a...

Yeah, I had similar thoughts already so I’ve been looking at lot of old Marc’s on eBay. Finding the sweet spot between age and reliability is the key with them I think. A real oldie with bench seats and a column shift would be great but then the age may work against it

LHD wouldn’t help me sell it as I will be selling back in the UK (it is a round trip) but I have been looking at left hookers as most of the journey will be on the wrong side of the road and it keeps the prices down

[Jaguar99]

skyebear said:

jamesbilluk said:

Aston Martin Rapide, lovely V12, although not sure what the luggage space is like

It takes four carry-on size cases but if the in-laws are taller than 5'10" they'll struggle in the rear seats.

Audi RS6 would be ideal.

They’re short arses so space in the back shouldn’t be an issue. I will need to look into luggage space and whether I trust AM reliability first though

RS6 ticks a lot of boxes but not quite interesting enough

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're going to go for an Audi then embrace your inner Transporter & get the S8 nigh on RS6 power in a velvet glove:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402256...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410044...


If you want an interesting version of the above then I'd suggest test driving a Jaguar XJ in either Supersport/Autobiography spec, they're a great steer for their size & that drivetrain is a peach:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408042...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405139...

[skyebear]

Jaguar99 said:

skyebear said:

jamesbilluk said:

Aston Martin Rapide, lovely V12, although not sure what the luggage space is like

It takes four carry-on size cases but if the in-laws are taller than 5'10" they'll struggle in the rear seats.

Audi RS6 would be ideal.

They’re short arses so space in the back shouldn’t be an issue. I will need to look into luggage space and whether I trust AM reliability first though

RS6 ticks a lot of boxes but not quite interesting enough

Old M5 Touring with the V10?

Or... interesting, classic and possibly LHD? Cadillac Eldorado!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024081227...

Is the trip going to be a long weekend, a fortnight, or longer?

[SydneyBridge]

Audi S8

[Jaguar99]

I think Audis are out of the frame, Nice and comfy (and fast if I choose an RS6 or S8 or something) but just not enough specialness for me. A VW van with upgraded mechanicals could be an option from the VAG family though

I have looked at loads of XJs/Daimlers/etc as I used to have an XJ and loved it but a little bit of been there done that maybe. Flip side is that I know I like them and have done a lot of miles in them in the past

I also keep looking at old Rollers and Bentleys but I think that might be a bit too much risk…

Cars that have caught my eye today have been a 1990 Crown Vic and a Hummer H2

[Jaguar99]

skyebear said:

Old M5 Touring with the V10?

Or... interesting, classic and possibly LHD? Cadillac Eldorado!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024081227...

Is the trip going to be a long weekend, a fortnight, or longer?

Been looking at a few Cadillacs of various ages. Don’t know much about them though

Trip is probably going to be a fortnight (dates still tbc)

[edc]

Modern classic and 4 doors, how about E39 M5. Or C36/43 AMG.

[omniflow]

How about the Lincoln convertible that Mickey Haller drives in the Lincoln Lawyer series on Netflix (no idea what model it is, but I'm referring to the blue one).

It's 4 door and the boot looks massive.

[LayZ]

Quattroporte. Generally they are quite reliable. Definitely an event to drive. Plenty of room.

They are hard to sell though if you wanted to move it on quickly.