One off Highland tour £20k

[trickywoo]

What are your suggestions for £20k ish to do a shoulder season tour of Scotland?

I m not especially bothered about performance more the best experience possible.

I could keep the car a bit longer but long term ownership wouldn t be the plan.

Reason for mentioning is that running costs won t be a concern although ease of sale would be. I also wouldn t want to worry about a breakdown.

On balance id rather be comfortable than thrilled.

[edc]

Boxster? 2 boots and a soft top.

[paul_c123]

Porsche 911 Targa

[a311]

I’d probably be tempted to rent something interesting unless the buying and selling is part of the experience for you. For a one off tour, £20k tied up in a car plus insurance, tax, servicing and the hassle of moving it on again feels like quite a lot of effort.

That said, if you specifically want the car to be part of the trip then a Boxster makes a lot of sense. I’d also be looking at something a bit more GT biased if comfort matters more than outright performance. A Jaguar XK, BMW 6 Series or similar could suit the brief really well.

My wife is from Oban and we live in Cumbria, so we know that run pretty well. There’s a fair bit of motorway trudge before you get beyond Glasgow and into the more interesting roads, so I’d probably favour something comfortable enough to eat up the boring miles but still feels special once you get into the Highlands.

For me the ideal would be something that sits somewhere between sports car and GT rather than anything too hardcore. You’ll get far more enjoyment from good seats, decent ride and something that feels special at sensible speeds than chasing outright performance on Scottish roads.

[Paul_77]

paul_c123 said:

Porsche 911 Targa

£20K would get a fairly rough 996 Targa. The OP doesn't want to break down so I'm not sure that's the best option!

[paul_c123]

Paul_77 said:

£20K would get a fairly rough 996 Targa. The OP doesn't want to break down so I'm not sure that's the best option!

Yes its more risky.......but.......its much more likely to keep its value. And I forgot the OP would have to buy retail, I can get a nice one for £20k no problem.

Also, it is more practical, it is a hatchback.

Edited by paul_c123 on Friday 21st August 21:01

[trickywoo]

Thanks so far.

Boxter is a consideration. Having the option to take the top off is a bonus. Had thought mx5 but also maybe something bigger would be better suited.

I had thought about a rental but also that I’d be doing a lot of miles starting south of London something interesting would cost a lot more than buying. It’s hard to say until it s sold how much the whole exercise would cost.

I was thinking September / October and keep the car until spring. Hopefully sell for what I paid.

Perhaps it’s more about the journey than the car or I would need a bigger budget to have the car itself play a bigger part.

Not that I have £50k but what options does that give? 996 Turbo?

[Tighnamara]

Flight to Inverness, pack light / smart and rent a Caterham

https://www.highlandcaterhamhire.com/

[paul_c123]

Paul_77 said:

£20K would get a fairly rough 996 Targa. The OP doesn't want to break down so I'm not sure that's the best option!

Or you could be quite boring and just buy a fairly new Audi TT.

[Josemartinez]

Sub £20k convertibles you could get
Audi RS4 or RS5 with the highly rated 4.2 V8. There's a bronze RS5 on AT that I shouldn't like but do.
Honda S2000
Maseratin Grancabrio only 1 non write off on AT though.
A V8 Jag
Mercedes SL

I've not driven any of these though and some may be more reliable than others.

Would you have to buy and sell private so you don't lose the dealer spread?

Edited by Josemartinez on Friday 21st August 21:38

[Voldemort]

A brave pill and a Bentley GTC

[edc]

Various 55 AMGs.

[robemcdonald]

This

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608084...

[Rayny]

Hedge your bets:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607244...

Roof down and luggage on the back seat if the weather is kind to you.
Roof up and luggage in the boot if the weather is less good.

[pidsy]

R172 SLK55

[tomsugden]

Job jobbed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608195...

[robemcdonald]

tomsugden said:

Job jobbed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608195...

£800 tax….

[ZX10R NIN]

2.9 Cayman:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608215...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605162...

370 Nismo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608104...

SLK55 AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601229...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608205...

Z4M:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605222...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510207...

All the above are slightly niche & will sell but maybe not as quickly as you want BUT I will say all of the above will be great on a tour.

Now when it comes to selling on easily I'd be looking at these as they have the following.

TT RS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608054...

M4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605042...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607134...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606233...

Both will be very good but will also be easier to move on than the others.

[normalbloke]

Are there any decent driving opportunities left in Scotland now that the NC500 has opened it to all and sundry with a roof tent or mobile home?
We might do a trip up to Lomond/Plockton, hopefully in Jan when there’s a chance of snow and less tenters etc..