Dream practical car for a European travel tour?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sun 24 Nov 2024 15:58
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - Warning

I always wanted to tour Europe by car. Of course most people would want a sport cars, except they are not practical in terms carrying luggage / boot space.

Some cars are just too big for Mediterranean countries or tight parking spaces.

I wanted a car that is fun to drive on mountain roads, great on adventure and enjoyable to drive on long journeys. A great sound system.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 16:30
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - Adampr

Sounds like an admirable goal.

New or used?

Budget?

Number of passengers?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 17:27
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - Warning

New or Used - either

Budget - If dreams have to become true, something affordable. Open to ideas.

Passenger - 2.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 17:55
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - Orb>>.

We have done it in a Kia Venga, Tardis like space and compact. 1.4 petrol good or later 5 speed auto or Hyundai cousins.

Also in our SAIC MGZs soft suv. Chevrolet epica and cruze Also in the Korando, but a fairly hefty beast that one..

The higher seating position is better for seeing whats around.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 18:16
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - Adampr

I'd probably look at compact saloons like an Audi A3, Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla.

Or maybe a coupe not renowned for being sporty. A Mercedes SLK / SLC?

Edited by Adampr on 24/11/2024 at 18:18

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 18:19
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - Adampr

Actually, possibly a bit long, but I really liked the Kia Proceed when I drove it.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 20:01
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - daveyjp

Compact size for parking, room for 2 with luggage, hoot to drive on twisty roads, anonymous Q car.

Toyota GR Yaris.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 20:39
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - Brit_in_Germany

Nissan 370Z Roadster

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 25 Nov 2024 09:43
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - movilogo

Great idea!

The car needs to be very reliable. You would not want it to break down in middle of nowhere.

Budget for winter/all season tyres.

Although only 2 people will travel, better get a 4-5 seater car in case you need to carry more people for emergency etc.

Do you need manual or auto? I never took my own RHD car in continental Europe. Always hired LHD auto cars locally. I could not be bothered to shift gears using right hand.

I don't know how the used car prices in continental Europe. But if you are using the car exclusively for EU travel, pershaps a LHD car will be more suitable?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Nov 2024 23:55
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - SLO76
I did this in a £300 Ford Mondeo many years ago and enjoyed it immensely.

Looking for reliability but driver enjoyment in mind I’d be looking at a Mk III Ford Focus 1.6 petrol, these use the very robust Yamaha designed normally aspirated petrol motor that has no real vices. Get one that’s in good order and not rotten underneath and I’d probably do the timing belt if there’s no proof it’s been done already - it’s an easy job and not expensive. These are fun to drive and cheap to own yet there’s enough room for 4 and a few suitcases in the boot. If you need more room then the estate is worthy too. Don’t touch the 1.0 Ecoboom, a cheap diesel or anything fitted with the awful Powershift auto box.

The Mk II (2008-2013) Mazda 3 1.6/2.0 petrol. Related to the Mk II Ford Focus but uses Mazda’s own chain driven petrol motors so there’s no timing belt to worry about. Great handling, decently comfortable and with a lovely crisp gear change, these are fun to drive and very reliable. The 1.6 is a bit lacking in go, but it’ll get down the road with a few revs, the harder to find 2.0 is very much worth seeking out. Look for Mot advisories for underbody rot.

If you can find a solid Honda Civic EP3 1.6/2.0 then it would be a worthy option too. The 2.0 Type S 5dr in particular is a belter of a thing. They’re old now however so most are pretty crusty underneath. I’ve every confidence a tatty example would still get you there without any hassle. Even the diesel isn’t bad since it uses the hardy old Isuzu 1700 turbo diesel. Rust is the killer.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 26 Nov 2024 13:46
Dream practical car for a European travel tour? - John F

Dream practical car for a European travel tour?

A medium sized well engineered reliable and durable sports car. Mrs F and I went on a camping holiday around Europe in 1982 in my newish 1980 TR7 DHC, and still have a nostalgic 'Boenigen Camping' sticker stuck behind the seat. The only spare we had, apart from a wheel, was a fan belt. I am fortunate that Mrs F, the TR7 and its still unused spare fan belt are still with me, as reliable and durable as ever.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....