An Imaginary Autoshite Holiday

[phil_lihp]

This sort of thing has probably been done before and might well die on its arse but I'll try it anyway.

 

You're going on a long road trip touring the UK over the course of 2 weeks.

You need a car

It needs to take 2 people plus their luggage

It needs to be working, UK road legal and have some MOT

You're a bit broke so it needs to do at least 20mpg

 

You have £500 to spend on buying the car.

 

What would you pick on eBay, Gumtree or wherever else to fit the bill?  Currently running eBay auctions are out unless they're successfully completed, otherwise you've got the pick of Buy It Now and Classifieds.

 

Once you have the motor, where are you going?

[phil_lihp]

I'll start, and this was a lot harder than I expected!  I nearly went for a scruffy 1993 520i Touring but in the end plumped for this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-VOLVO-S40-2-0T-NO-RESERVE-/251290358834?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a82129432&nma=true&si=tGnRxKGq5F8B8mKysOWlnAzaT3Y%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

There are swarms of Vectras, Mondeos and Accords out there but nothing much interesting, this seemed to be a bit of a bargain though with some cash spare to tax it and will be ideal for a thorough exploration of the North as it's a bit of a black hole in my travelling experience.  Yorkshire and Cumbria primarily, fitting in Durham just because it sounds nice and then up to Scotland, finishing off coming back via Ireland to the South West.

 

It'll go straight back on ebay when I get back though, I don't have much interest in keeping a saloon as you can't fit much in it - should be a profit in it if I'm lucky given the low, low sale price.

 

No, that wasn't very interesting and hopefully someone can do a lot better!

[Bucketeer]

Job done. Ticks every box I think. Economical 2 seater you could even sleep in the back of (I can testify to this from personal experience) and only 435 notes.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Escort-Van-/261229362485?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item3cd27bbd35&autorefresh=true

 

Once I'd bought the little vixen, where am I going? To the tip first probably, then anywhere that doesn't rain and soak the inside of my inevitably leaky Ford Escotent. Reverse up to a cliff edge, open the back doors, hey presto, the best view from your bedroom you could wish for. Heaven.

Oh, just me then?

[Spiny Norman]

Few minutes trawling Gumtree produces this contender.

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/afa-romeo-gtv-twinspark-20/1021241164

 

My trip would replicate one I took a few years back, a casual stroll round Scotland. Headiing north from Glasgow, past Loch Lomond, up to Oban, Fort William and right round by Skye and Ullapool then up to Thurso and JoG before heading inland to play on some of the fantastic roads we have here. Since I've got two weeks I'd probably head back home to Glasgow to wash all my smalls before before spearing down the M6 to Wales for a play on their roads.

It was damn good fun in a old 5 series, even better in an Alfa Romeo.

[phil_lihp]

Funny, I saw that scrote van and thought about it but decided it was just too dismal a prospect for a long drive, I like the budget camper idea though, bung a mattress, camping stove and some tins of beans in the back and it's a home!

[John F]

A couple of minutes in eBay "Buy It Now" revealed this beauty:

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Omega-Elite-V6-Auto-1998-S-in-Silver-Long-MOT-Taxed-Bodywork-poor-/221242695426?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3383179f02#ht_1146wt_1399

 

1998 ('S') Vauxhall Omega Elite 3.0 V6, with tax until the end of August and MoT until next February. First £400 takes it.

 

I'd have the holiday (kayaking in Scotland, walking in the Lake District and climbing in Snowdonia) and then pull the engine out to stick in a V6 Calibra. I'd make a 3-piece suite out of the interior, flog the gearbox, cash in any remaining rent and weigh the rest in.

[CreepingJesus]

I'm straight down to Doncaster for Albert's spotted for sale 245. Provided it's got T+T of course. The remaining £200 goes on mattress, stove, kettle etc.

It's handy it being where it is, 'cos there's a whole lot of the North of England I'd like to actually see, rather than passing thro' at 56 mph. Industrial heritage stuff, open spaces, the Henry Moore collection and so on. Yep, there's a lot of it; and I'd round it off with a night on the lash in Newcastle. Park the Volvo camper somewhere shit, out by the sea; taxi in, get steaming, taxi out, sleep it off. Quality.

[Richard]

I'm not sure why this has to be imaginary, I go for long trips in shite cars all the time and I'd do it more if I didn't have family commitments.

[Guest Breadvan72]

Morecambe.

[Shep Shepherd]

Sorted:

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-740-1989-64-000-MILES-/261230220290?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cd288d402

 

Off to various places in the North of England I go!

[Formula Autos]

I've done it. Many times. I tend to take my holidays in Scotland and just drive around, enjoying the views and the relatively empty roads. I tend to go up in my Ford Cougar (seen here at the Coniston meet, parked between its GM equivalent and THAT Volvo). It's probably worth north of £500 these days (maybe?), but not much and, although not the most dynamic of vehicles, the roar of the V6 when you're going over somewhere like Rest and be Thankful is pretty pleasant. Even with enthusiastic driving, well over 20mpg is achievable. Oh, and it's pretty much a two seater, unless the back is occupied by kids - lack of headroom for adults sees to that.

 

I've yet to venture north of Inverness though. Maybe this year I will?

[Micrashed]

Now you see I instantly thought

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-CITROEN-BERLINGO-1-9D-600-WHITE-with-MOT-and-Tax-cheap-van-Good-Runner-/390613169128?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item5af25bf3e8

For the same reasons as Bucketeer thought of the Escrote Van

 

Sits 2

Sleeps 2

Diesel

Stores a metric shitload

Fairly comfortable

[messerschmitt owner]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/citroen-xm-estate-20-16v-1998/1021162082

 

 

New clutch Feb 2012; new battery Dec 2012; 2 tyres Aug 2012; new strut tops and hydraulic pipes within past 5 years. Needs new exhaust centre section; front plastic nose offside damaged, replacement supplied ready to fit.

Have owned car since 2002, from 23,000 miles to now 197,000. Oil and filter changes religiously every 9000 miles. All bills and receipts available.

She has been an excellent day-by-day workhorse, 33-35mpg, but now seeks semi-retirement and more TLC than I can supply.

Usual Citroen sillies - a few dashboard lights out, keypad cover catch broken, clock and temp display unlit.

 

£200

 

in my luggage on the plane to Aberdeen is a centre exhaust section and then it's a quick holiday around the Highlands before heading home - should do everything including the holiday and getting tae Furry Boots City and back for £500

 

 

[Junkman]

Easy decision for me.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-P6-2000-SC-Automatic-Tax-Exempt-1971-/230997580776

 

I'd drive it to Cleethorpes.

[Bucketeer]

 

I've yet to venture north of Inverness though. Maybe this year I will?

 

 

Do it. The further North and West you go the better the scenery and roads get. I quite regularly used to take a tired Orion round the circumference of Scotland, sleeping in it along the way. Utterly joyous.

[brickwall]

I'd go the Volvo route too.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-VOLVO-S40-2-0I-MAROON-/321144845262?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ac5b973ce

 

[fordperv]

I think for me it would be that lovely bluebird for sale on here for under £300, and I would do a tour of shite seaside towns collecting lovely stickers for the rear window eg "I've been to skegness"

[Guest Breadvan72]

Morecambe, FFS.

[Junkman]

Jaywick, FFS.

[barefoot]

I'd drive it to Cleethorpes.

We went to Cleethorpes in the Scirocco a couple of years ago. I sent off for a brochure and everything.

On paper it has everything that you could ever want from a seaside resort, chip shop, pier, fairground.

But in reality it was a bit shite, everything a little run down. A bit like me and the car.

The chips were very good though.

 

We really wanted to go to spurn point but they wouldn't let us on with the dog, something about scaring the birds.

[Cavcraft]

1,000 miles in ten days in a Cavalier automatic formerly owned by Mr Bo110x. Car never missed a beat and was a delight to knock about in.

[phil_lihp]

I'm not sure why this has to be imaginary, I go for long trips in shite cars all the time and I'd do it more if I didn't have family commitments.

 

It wasn't a 'if only we could do this, but since we can't, lets dream' sort of thing, it was more a case of 'who can find the best car for under £500 for this specific purpose' - with a destination or route thrown in for good measure.  Perhaps the holiday idea wasn't the best (I haz no imaginations) but I like a bit of healthy competition!

 

Interesting how many of us instantly went north, good call on the Bluebird by the way, forgot about that one!

[eddyramrod]

I think the Bluey has to be top contender at the moment, surely!  And where to go?  Well it's a good many years since I was in East Anglia, and a fair few since I set a toe in the West Country.  Two whole weeks to play with?  Might as well tackle both!

[phil_lihp]

Sounds nice, although I must warn you, it is customary when driving a Nissan Bluebird in the Westcountry to keep both hands tightly gripped at the top of the steering wheel at all times.  You must carry a minimum of 5 floral cushions within the car and are not permitted to exceed 45mph regardless of road signs or conditions. 

[Bucketeer]

This has to be be a contender. Strangely gone up from 550 to 600 in the last few days but I'm sure it could still be had in budget.

Sleeping arrangements (for one) already taken care of, and everyone would take of their hat and look solemnly towards you as you pottered by. Mmmmmmm velvety bed box.

And it would still be Scotland.

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/limmo-volvo-ex-conditon-8-seater-swap-low-milage-why/1021814366

 

EDIT - Just realised it's not actually a hearse so most of what I spouted doesn't apply but WHATEVA.

And still Scotland.

[eddyramrod]

That's me out then, 45 mph is for second gear only, and I believe in using them if you have them!*

 

*Assuming you have one of those antique gearboxes they make learners use, rather than a proper one that does all the unnecessary chores for you....

[castros_bro]

2012 £185 (scrap value) ZX diesel NA estate  -cement mixer in the back-Woking-Poole-Jersey-France-Spain-Porugal (Pombal)-new water pump 90euro-load of wine-Spain-France-Gurnsey-Poole-Woking. 2400miles@52mpg = 290 euro