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Bit of an odd one this but bear with me... What car for an NC500 road trip for 2 people at the end of October (so if a droptop/convertible, heated seats necessary!) for a £2k budget?
The idea is it's the GF's 40th in a couple of weeks, I'm not flush with cash right now but have £2k in savings I can loan myself for the short term as long as I don't lose too much of it when I sell whatever I buy, and we've talked about doing the NC500 a number of times and I think it might just be the time to bite the bullet as presumably it's at least going to be a bit quieter up there now than mid summer... That and I can't really afford a luxury holiday!
So... Thinking what can I buy that's a bit of fun, likely to get us there and back (from Worcester, so guessing it's gonna cover 1500-2000 miles in only 4 or 5 days), won't cost the earth in fuel (I'm setting my arbitrary mpg limit at 30mpg average so ruling out any big V8's etc.), and is likely to return me most of my £2k budget if sold straight on when we get back, or if I kept it to sell at the height of next spring it might actually turn me a little profit. My thoughts so far...
-Audi TT 225bhp... Seems to be loads of these around now, both coupe and convertible, for as little as £1k! £1500 private seems to get something at least with good history, £2k history and warranty from an independent dealer. Not the last word in "fun", but fun enough, and with my GF in the passenger seat I definitely won't be pushing that hard anyway.
-Peugeot 207GTi (or the CC folding top)... Bear with me here! I know they got slated, but my mate had one, I drove it a couple of times, it was a riot! And because they have such a poor reputation with timing chains, the prices are loooooooooow. I've seen them for £1500 with bills present for recent timing chain replacement etc. I've heard horror stories of people spending £2k+ on the engine inside 12 months, but I'm planning on doing 1500-2000 miles in it, then selling it on.
-BMW Z4... Had an 03 plate 3L sport one of these already, and loved the car despite its faults, but £2k will only get you an early 2L or a doer-upper 2.5-3L engined car. Though not totally turned off by a 2L bearing in mind I am not going to be gunning it.
-Fiat Panda 100HP... EVO loved it! It's not fast, but an awesome back road blaster I understand, and £2k gets a reasonable one it seems.
-Mazda 6 MPS... Don't know why, I've always loved these! The idea of a 2.3L turbo 4wd car that will keep an Impreza or a Mitsubishi Evo honest but looks like your grandads car, really appeals! And they got good ratings when new, and are cheap now!
-BMW 1 series... Small and RWD, sadly I wouldn't be looking at a 135i at that money, but sub £2k seems to get a 120i or 120d hatch in good condition without too many miles on. Bit boring relatively speaking perhaps, but also not likely to cause many problems and will not lose any money most likely.
-Golf GTI... Not sure what I'd get for £2k though. Don't think it would score a mk5 worth buying, and the mk4 wasn't exactly a fun car!
Cars I've already ruled out...
-Mazda MX5... Too obvious for me! Dunno why but never really appealed aside from an original 1.8 mk1, but finding one of those in good condition these days is way out of my budget.
-MG TF... My Dad has one! They might be fun to drive (possibly), but I've always despised them and I don't fancy my chances of it not breaking down on route!
So yeah... Thoughts... Any help/advice/thoughts appreciated.
Saab?
There are 253 of them listed on Autotrader unto £2k - hardtops and convertibles.
With that remit I'd scour the internet to find a rental bargain.
With that remit I’d scour the internet to find a rental bargain.
Big excesses, and will cost me WAY more than the depreciation on a £2k car to rent for 5 days or so...
Saab?
They're different I guess... Don't really hit the fun to drive factor though I'd guess. Would be comfy though for the journey!
Id be looking at rental too. Less risk. You might buy a turkey, it ruins the holiday and costs a fortune.
Start ringing round and see what the cost is before you dismiss it.
On the plus side, you won't be left with a car to shift that might not sell for a while.
Toyota MR2 roadster might do the trick.
An MX5 would be perfect. MK2 1.8 SVT has very nice heated seats - good down to -10c
You can hire something Ford Focus sized from Worcester for 7 days end of October for only £165 from Europcar. Less for something smaller. Might be able to get even cheaper through comparison sites.
Will be comfortable, efficient, reliable, no buying /selling hassle, no insurance admin and people usual say that hire cars are the most fun cars to drive.
A week driving in a soft top in the rain is no fun, nor is the 10+hour Motorway and main road drive to get up there in a noisy, low down, sports car.
(have driven up there from the South of England a few times, and have had 2 seat sports cars of the budget you are looking at, no way would I want to combine the two, especially not in October)
Have you seen how this works out on top gear usually right ?
I'd also be hiring -and I hate hiring things.
A chap at work got an old MX5 dirt cheap off a neighbour, a totally spontaneous purchase. thought he'd run it over the summer for a bit of fun and either sell it or scrap it. Ten years on he still has it. He loves it. Done it up a bit over the years so it's alot tidier than it was, but seems to me to be great driving fun for not alot of money - very comfy, decent heaters and all the usual normal car amenities so perfectly practical and comfy for a Scottish winter road trip. Also they're really popular with loads of spares and off the shelf mod kits.
If you're doing a road trip you want to try to get something a bit sporty. A Vectra dressed up as a Saab isn't really a road trip kind of car in my mind as good as they are as a daily drive option, and certainly far superior to the Vecra's they're based on. They don't drive very well and most of the older diesel ones seem to kick out clouds of black smoke these days and the petrol ones do negative miles to the gallon and they have some odd bespoke parts you simply can't get these days. A mate used to have a 93 Griffin and had to sell it because he couldn't source a power steering hose!
But for £2k you might be able to rent something from one of the big rental companies Prestige range of cars then you don't have to worry about breakdowns and duff cars. It'd ruin your trip if you had to come back on the back of a flat bed.
If I was doing that trip at the end of October, it wouldn't be in a convertible.
It's be in something comfortable with as much glass as possible.
Rent something with a big windows and a panoramic glass roof.
how about one of the classic car rental / club schemes?
MR2 roadster has practically zero space for anything other than two people and the clothes they're wearing. MK2 MR2 on the other hand... I've had two of those and they are terrific cars. Brilliant to drive, pretty much bombproof engines, comfortable, reasonable on fuel, surprisingly large boot and with a t-bar you get to have the wind in your hair as well. There are plenty within budget and there's even a possibility you could make a bit of money on it when you come to re-sell.
If you fancy a risk then maybe an Alfa Spider? A few 2.0 T-sparks on eBay for under budget. Look sweet but that famed Alfa reliability...?
From your list I'd go TT or MX5.
If you do hire just buy your own excess car insurance for £40
Ask your dad if you can borrow his MG? Ticks most of the boxes!
MX5. Get it serviced too.
Perchy has it.
Hire a glass roofed nice car.
Audi TT 225bhp… Seems to be loads of these around now, both coupe and convertible, for as little as £1k! £1500 private seems to get something at least with good history, £2k history and warranty from an independent dealer. Not the last word in “fun”, but fun enough, and with my GF in the passenger seat I definitely won’t be pushing that hard anyway.
Probably the best option. But, there are some pretty rough examples around and £1500 isn’t a lot. Yes it should do the trip (fingers crossed) but you may spend more of your time looking around them first...
Get on the TT FB page, always good examples coming up for sale and by some folks that love em’ too.
If you refuel in Laide, say hello to my cousin. She and her husband own the post office/general store/petrol station.
Yes it should do the trip (fingers crossed) but you may spend more of your time looking around them first…
No more Likely to make the trip than any other car.
The part that bothers me is buying any new(to you old) car and then setting off on a road trip to the arse end of no where where recovery will take quite some time and may even involve walking to get signal.
That alone is why I'd hire. I'd even go as far as driving up to Scotland in your own car and just hiring from somewhere near Inverness for the loop.
Excesses shouldn't be an issue . Your not going to be driving like a maniac on single-track roads to be stuffing it into the ditch.....
79 quid a day for a modern mx5 that's ready to roll and someone else's issue if the breaks down in the arse end of no where
Highlandmx5 in Inverness and that was my first hit.
Used to be able to get caterhams too not sure if you still can but I wouldn't bother just encourages driving like a dick on roads that are not suited to it and when you meet the oilfast truck head at silly mph on death will ensue.
Seriously, the MX5 is the perfect car for that trip.
Interesting fact. At over 45mph you can put the roof down in the rain and the airflow over the windscreen stops you getting wet.
I did some of the NC500 the other week in a SAAB 9-5 Aero. It was fine - nice and comfortable, and plenty powerful. They don't handle as badly as folk make them out to be, but it definitely wasn't as nice as the MX5. To be fair, I had lots of camping and kayaking stuff with me which wouldn't happen in the Mazda.
I missed my Mazda.
For a special experience unless you want it to end like your Z4 trip to Goodwood? Don't get something that close to the time especially at the wrong time of year to sell a convertible without being prepared to be driven home in a vehicle transporter or at least be sat in a puddle with windows that won't clear. Convertible that is being sold before winter probably leaks. You know the weather could be worse weather than Wales?
Borrow/hire something that is actually going to get you there and back. Your dad's MG dose sound a good bet if it's had no expense spared on maintenance by a good mechanic.
You could hit lucky with any purchase but do yourself a favour and don't self sabotage the break.
Clio 172 can be had for that sort of money.
Fast enough to be fun. Compact enough to be easy to drive on narrow roads. FWD will be a bit more predictable on unfamiliar and probably wet roads
They might be fun to drive (possibly)
On that note if you won't borrow the mg tf... Then hire it's inspiration.
A lotus Elise..... Great fun how ever again will likely lead to driving in appropriately due to handling so well.
The roads really are not set up for driving at speedwhich is why the rep mobile Saab didn't feel too bad.
You'll just be cruising between passing places.
Mercedes SLK.
But at your kind of budget, you might struggle to reach Kidderminster unless you can find a clean example.
Actually, big question is who is going to be driving because the most fun to drive may be a grim for the passenger.
May be better experience in something higher up and comfortable tyres/ride to enjoy the scenery?
From your list I'd probably go for the TT, because it's probably going to feel the most like an event rather than just a drive.
But personally I'd go for an MX5. You should get a decent NB for that, and not need to worry too much about rust if you're punting it on. The heater is incredible even without heated seats you'll be toasty even in the cold (though you may need a hat if you're tall). They're also super warm with the hood up as the cabin is too small. And you should break even easily enough if you time selling it right.
-Mazda MX5… Too obvious for me!
Sometimes you should go with the obvious. I would hire one too for that kind of use. Trying to buy and flip cars is too much hassle, especially in that price range.
Have a look here https://modernclassics.cc/the-cars/ For more interesting stuff to hire, they’ve got a selection of vehicles at very different budgets.
They’ve got a base right next to Glasgow airport although it’ll depend where the cars are as to what’s available. Lytham has a decent selection at the moment.
My mate runs the Scotland base.
Edit: just had a quick look and you can have their Impreza for £300 or their Porsche 997 for £800. Both of which seem a much better option than buying.
Volvo C70, get one with sorted electrics and it'll go on for years. Few about, heated seats, comfy, loads of space.
NB MX-5 with the top down. Why do you think they're so obvious? Don't discount the best option.
Other than that, you'd easily get one of these for under 2 grand. They're a blast to drive and they rarely break the speed limit. 40mpg easy.
Ours has been from the Peak District to the Italian Alps and back twice now. I wouldn't hesitate to do a lap of Scotland in it.
Evo, Pistonheads etc. love them. LINKY
I have a TT 225 Roadster & can recommend it for a road trip. There is enough space for luggage, lots of cubby holes for your bits & pieces & space behind the seats depending on how tall you are. We did a road trip down to the Loire valley & back in a week this summer & the car was really comfortable, we always emerged fresh & ache free. The car ran perfectly & I think we got about 38mpg keeping up with the traffic & speed limits. You get heated seats & an good heater, I have had the top down in 2°C! I did need a warm coat and woolly hat though.
If you do decide on a TT this is the advice from Hoggy on the TT Forum.
Service history is very important.
Cambelt/water pump 75K miles or 5 years which ever comes first.
Dash instruments (dashpod) read correctly & coolant temp reaches 90 within a couple of miles & stays there.
3.2 V6 no turbo or cambelt to worry about, so should be more reliable & a nicer exhaust note.
V6 Chain wear can be checked using VagCom, very expensive to replace.
DSG may be weak link, unless you can find a manual. Expensive to repair, but probably no more expensive than a manuals clutch.
Check no delay when pulling away & no juddering when reversing slowly while turning up an incline or into a tight parking space.
Don't rush into it. A good TT is a wonderful car, a bad un can be a money pit.
Plenty of good uns out there, but probably more bad uns, so as I said don't rush into it.
A bad TT, could be the most expensive car you've ever bought.
Roadsters, check roof operation thorougly & carpets for damp, especially in the rear. Roof drains block easily & damp can cause lot of future probs in rest of car.
Hoggy.
Ours has been from the Peak District to the Italian Alps and back twice now. I wouldn’t hesitate to do a lap of Scotland in it.
But the acid test is would you buy one for 1500 quid tomorrow and do a lap of Scotland in it on Friday with confidence.
What about a Ford Focus ST170 like I just bought? Prices have bottomed out and Modern Classics reckon they're the next Ford to start going up in price so you shouldn't lose money. Not the fastest in the world but the handling is huge fun.
Desirable features are full leather Recaro seats, original audiophile stereo with factory fitted sub + amp in the boot, small factory fitted spoiler, 3 door, zenon headlights with washers and no rust! Most sought after colour is imperial blue. I picked up mine on 76k in this spec for £1850 (possibly over paid a it but had some extras chucked in) so £2000 will get you one of the best about.
I reckon this is a BAD idea. 'Fun' cars at £2k or under are a massive risk. The 'fun' factor puts the prices way up, so it's probably mechanically equivalent to a £500 car, except they cost lots of money to fix. Also, people are more likely to have ragged them, which adds to risk. If you are in any way attached to the money then putting it into an old expensive car is the worst possible thing you can do with it besides gambling. Which this sort of is.
You've got a known expenditure of £400 or so for a decent hire car vs either £0 or £2,000 for the banger. So you have to ask yourself one question - do you feel lucky?
Oh and singletrack roads aren't great driving roads, so a nice fast car would be wasted.
I have a TT 225 Roadster & can recommend it for a road trip.
We had one for a few years and totally agree. Not the most exciting thing to drive but plenty quick enough, comfortable and mostly reliable.
But a £2k roadster these days has the potential to be pretty ropey.
We got rid of ours due to me getting fed up of fixing the little niggly things that were showing up once we started doing 15k+ miles a year in it. Great car though.
I miss my 225 Roadster. It was lots of fun.
But the acid test is would you buy one for 1500 quid tomorrow and do a lap of Scotland in it on Friday with confidence.
The OP can have ours for 1500 quid in a few weeks. I'd bet my life on it surviving the journey. I love it but we're looking for a van.
I sort of did this back in 2017 with a Porsche 924. I bought in February for £1400 with the aim of driving around Europe in it. I spent about £300 making it more reliable then took it on the trip in May. The exhaust centre section snapped (we bodged it back together with some aluminium, tin snips, jubilee clips and some mastic for fixing cracked wood burning stoves) and the radiator pipe connected to the alternator popped off but other than that it was fine. Crucially, though, I have 4 months driving it about to figure out what needed doing before I went. I then sold it for £1600.
With tax, insurance and depreciation I was down £350.
The 924 was big, comfy and fun to drive (wasn't fast though).
There's a write up of it here-
https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/mtb-roadtrip-europe-368191
However, I've owned an MX5 in the past. And if I were doing what you're doing, I'd buy or hire one of them. More fun to drive and MUCH more reliable. We bought ours for £1800 and it took a bit of owrk to get it perfect but most at the budget you'd just jump in and go.
BTW if you are doing the NC500 then avoid the B869 the takes a circular route from Locninver to Kylesku.
Its the slowest most fidgety bit of singletrack road on the whole route and there is nothing much to see unless you hike across a bog to the Old Man of Stoer
Nice campsite at Clachtoll though and lighthouse at Stoer, we walked the dog out to Old Man of Stoer too and stayed at the lighthouse. Midges in the morning were horrendous though. (You'll be fine in October).
Get an Aston for £800 for a 4 day weekend... https://bespokes.co.uk/prices/
How mechanically minded are you? It sounds a fun plan and a mate did similar, though for a somewhat longer "summer off" in a large Jeep, though he wanted something two people could sleep in the back of.
If you want a decent return, I'd be considering buying a convertible now, servicing it and getting some miles done so you trust it before your trip then parking it up until spring when demand / prices before selling.
For my money in your situation, BMW E46 325 coupe or convertible for a solidly built / comfort / fun / luggage space compromise.
Take a new mini on a 48 hr test drive. Cover the route in that time and spend the balance of the time in a nice hotel at the end?