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Mar 22, 2017 13:54:02 GMT
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I am heading to Europe for around 4 months and trying to decide what car to do it in.
I have about £1500 to spend.
It could be an estate for carrying things, small van for carrying more things, left hand drive, lpg, diesel or petrol.
At the moment I keep looking at MX5'. Not too practical really, but a convertible and good handling would be great for the mountainous parts.
So, what do you suggest??
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Mar 22, 2017 14:34:51 GMT
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How much stuff are you planning to take? You can actually travel pretty light in Europe... hell people do it with a single backpack
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bigrod
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,654
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Mar 22, 2017 15:05:17 GMT
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Saab/Volvo/Audi Convertible?
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If I have to explain, you won't understand. Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
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Mar 22, 2017 16:02:43 GMT
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V70, abit boring on the outside, but practical. Diesel's go forever, petrols pick up there feet well enough for a big car.abit numb in the corners,but ur towards 2 ton of car.
Avoid autos with any niggles, early phase2s had terrible boxes that slip and bang.
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Mar 22, 2017 17:43:14 GMT
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How much stuff are you planning to take? You can actually travel pretty light in Europe... hell people do it with a single backpack [/quote The bigger the vehicle, the more I would take, that just seems to be how it goes. I can travel light and will be on my own. I will be taking a 2 man tent if I can't sleep inside whatever I buy, plus a stove and camping chair. I've seen a couple in Slovenia with an MX5 with a trunk attached to the luggage rack, so I know that's an option but would try to avoid needing to do that. An Audi convertible could be good. I'm sure doing the trip in a A4/6 would be easy, maybe too easy?
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Mar 22, 2017 19:12:34 GMT
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A nice big estate car means lots of wine to bring home from France. I brought back about 132 bottles back last September with a case of beer or two, which made the back mudflaps catch the ferry ramp. At half the price or less, it's rude not to!
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Mar 22, 2017 20:26:13 GMT
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I think I'd be tempted to look at an e36 estate. Multitude of engines to choose from, plenty of room ( with the possibility of using it as a mobile bedroom when needed ) plus they handle quite well..... good fun in the corners....
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'96 Volvo 850T5 x2, '97 Alfa 145 Cloverleaf '96 Alfa 155, '91 XR2i 2.0 Zetec (sold), '88 BMW 520i slug (sold), '81 Escort Mk3 Project, '68 Mk1 Escort Estate, Berlingo Parts Chaser.
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,645
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Mar 22, 2017 20:34:40 GMT
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If you are planning on sleeping in it get a small van like a Berlingo as you don't want people to be able to see you are in there when you're kipping.
MX-5 is a nice idea if you are going for the driving but not secure.
I drove a 1989 Toyota Corolla around Europe in 2005 and even that got broken into in Budapest because there were bags visible. Nothing was taken except my mates razor as the rest was dirty t-shirts.
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,645
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Mar 22, 2017 20:35:40 GMT
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It also costs a lot in fuel depending upon your choice.
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Mar 22, 2017 20:55:50 GMT
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W202 Estate. C220 CDi Auto. Perfect for eating the miles. Spacious, economical, luxurious and nice to drive.
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Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern
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Mar 22, 2017 21:07:59 GMT
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How about a c50?
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Mar 22, 2017 21:54:02 GMT
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I have family in Europe who do a lot of miles with big/bulky loads. They have been running a Passat estate for a few years and seem to love it. Big load space, comfortable mile-eater, spares (& folk who know how to fit them) are fairly common if anything breaks ... it's not very interesting or exciting but is great for what it is.
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,409
Club RR Member Number: 52
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What to buy???qwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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BMW estate. Probably an E36 or E46 Touring. Practical and an alright drive.
Tom
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A Honda C90 is all you need. Road-tested and proven around the globe.
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Mar 23, 2017 13:07:41 GMT
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A Honda C90 is all you need. Road-tested and proven around the globe. No good it's not lhd!
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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What to buy???Rob M
@zeb
Club Retro Rides Member 41
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Mar 23, 2017 13:30:00 GMT
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I am heading to Europe for around 4 months and trying to decide what car to do it in. I have about £1500 to spend. It could be an estate for carrying things, small van for carrying more things, left hand drive, lpg, diesel or petrol. At the moment I keep looking at MX5'. Not too practical really, but a convertible and good handling would be great for the mountainous parts. So, what do you suggest?? On the basis that the car is going to be part and parcel of your jaunt through Europe you really want to get something that is going to be FUN!!! That will rule out most of the practical stuff previously mentioned. If its just you travelling then I really don't see why you are looking beyond your initial choice of the MX5. Its going to handle well Its going to be comfortable ( I found the leather seats lovely and supportive) Its not going to slaughter your wallet by drinking too much fuel Its quite nippy Its good looking It will carry all the stuff you are going to need and whatever it cant you buy when you are out there! Its probably well served over Europe if something breaks. £1500 should get you a half decent one? Get an MX5.
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Mar 23, 2017 13:31:36 GMT
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THIS and depending on how much you pay there's £500-£600 left to service & tidy it up. At a push you could sleep in the back, plenty of loadspace, characterful, reliable, it has a sunroof so is practically a convertible , cheap insurance, good parts availability, plenty of mpg's & you'd be able to get quite a few crates of wine into the back for the return journey. I bet you'd get most of your money back after your journey. If you're planning to take the kitchen with the kitchen sink you could put a towbar on and get a trailer, (or even a trailer tent).
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Last Edit: Mar 23, 2017 13:33:00 GMT by MkX
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Mar 23, 2017 13:40:15 GMT
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Depends on the countries your going to as well. The last thing you want is a car that no garages have parts for. If its the usual trip around Europe (France, Germany, Italy), I'd be sticking with something from these countries
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1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
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miaspa
Part of things
Posts: 829
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Mar 23, 2017 13:58:09 GMT
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Can't fault my daily soft top, I can push it up to 50mpg, cheap as chips to buy! Just had the front tyres changed for less than £100, I could of got a few more miles out of them but 40k is acceptable. You just need to like big arses,
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Found my flashing Pao again.
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Mar 25, 2017 19:46:41 GMT
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I'm looking at going pretty far east, and down, so Poland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and back up through Slovenia. I'm not sure if I would fit in a Berlingo. I've had a Polo GT, they are fun to drive, but I wouldn't sleep in the back. I do have a motorbike, and a C50 is a no I'm still kind of stuck on the idea of a MX5. Or a van. Something American on lpg would be fun, but not likely I guess.
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