A 6-week road tour of Scotland where I buy a car for the trip. What car?

[2012SLK200]

So my grandson is a Macdonald, which means I have to tour Scotland and learn stories to tell him of his ancestry sitting beside the hearth in winter.

Having done one too many holidays in a Hertz bubble car, I'm thinking of buying a car just for the trip, and then sell it at the end, or give it to the family member who will drive me to the airport. Budget probably under £2500. I have family in Kensington, so no issues on insuring or registering.

But what car?

It has to be an interesting car with character at the bottom of its depreciation curve, just before it starts rising as a classic. And it has to be European, not Asian or American. And it has to not fall apart for the duration.

An R171 Mercedes SLK would be interesting - I used to own a R170 and now have a R172.
A Jaguar S-type is on the list, as is the X350 (XJ series), although the latter may be hard to find in the right price range. I've owned both (and still have the XJ6), but have never driven the cheaper X-Type which can be had cheap as chips.
I just came across some old photos I took of a Smart Roadster, which would probably be a hoot but I may need to book a chiropractor as well.
Probably any Alfa, although I have never driven the newer ones... I have a 105 Spider now
Land Rover - any that will make the six weeks and hold together.

Convertible is the fantasy, although I suppose I should consider the likelihood if I get a convertible the top will be up most of the summer.

What would be the best car to tour Scotland - slowly and with many adventures (but not in repair shops) along the way?

 

[ALFAitalia]

I think your might struggle to make a tour of Scotland last six weeks....it's Scotland! I saw every major city and natural wonder in Australia in less time than that! Ok I used a plane to get from East to West but even so.

 

[st13phil]

My guess is that with the budget and manufacturer geographic location limitations you will struggle to find anything that won’t spend at least some of the trip in a repair shop.

Used car prices in general are pretty strong in the UK and £2.5k is more likely to buy you trouble than fun - unless you get lucky.

 

[2012SLK200]

I think your might struggle to make a tour of Scotland last six weeks....it's Scotland! I saw every major city and natural wonder in Australia in less time than that! Ok I used a plane to get from East to West but even so.

It took me 5 days to go from Dresden to Prague.

 

[2012SLK200]

My guess is that with the budget and manufacturer geographic location limitations you will struggle to find anything that won’t spend at least some of the trip in a repair shop.

Used car prices in general are pretty strong in the UK and £2.5k is more likely to buy you trouble than fun - unless you get lucky.

Yes, but if I get lucky, what car?

 

[Skd884]

Yes, but if I get lucky, what car?

Superb fun drivers car -

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[m80]

Up your budget and go for an E class 211 estate.
My suggestion would be post 2006. The diesels would be cheaper and more economical. But if you visit 'some' cities you'll be hit with low emission charges.
Imo the 2.1 litre OM646 engine is more reliable.
There are a fair few people off loading diesel's, especially around London as they have upcoming charging for a larger area.

I'm assuming you've researched Scotland's weather and midges.

 

[Petrol Pete]

SIX Weeks !!! Save some money and get some of these, no hurry

No , seriously . I like your plan . I have just spent 5 weeks driving a dull Chevy Malibu rental to and from work in the USA , A proper road trip deserves the correct vehicle . Good luck

 

[Skd884]

Up your budget and go for an E class 211 estate.
My suggestion would be post 2006. The diesels would be cheaper and more economical. But if you visit 'some' cities you'll be hit with low emission charges.
Imo the 2.1 litre OM646 engine is more reliable.
There are a fair few people off loading diesel's, especially around London as they have upcoming charging for a larger area.

I'm assuming you've researched Scotland's weather and midges.

Ignore the bs re midges - done the nc500 - not a single midge.

 

[Harrythedog]

Up your budget and go for an E class 211 estate.
My suggestion would be post 2006. The diesels would be cheaper and more economical. But if you visit 'some' cities you'll be hit with low emission charges.
Imo the 2.1 litre OM646 engine is more reliable.
There are a fair few people off loading diesel's, especially around London as they have upcoming charging for a larger area.

I'm assuming you've researched Scotland's weather and midges.

Good shout and you could sleep in it

 

[st13phil]

Ignore the bs re midges - done the nc500 - not a single midge.

That completely depends upon the time of year you make the trip. As does the number of motorhomes and other mobile chicanes clogging up (or not clogging up) the NC500...

 

[st13phil]

Superb fun drivers car -

Not a bad shout. Small Fiat's are generally a laugh to drive.

 

[KennyN]

I admire your enthusiasm and the "romanticism" of touring the highlands in a potential open top vehicle during the summer but the reality of your plan may prove a bit of a nightmare.

Land in London , source a decent suitable vehicle for £2.5k , do a bit of routine maintenance and take out breakdown insurance , drive 300 miles to start your adventure at the borders , tour the remote highlands and islands for the remaining weeks soaking up the scenery some of which have no mobile signal / decent garage or B+B in every small village , drive back to London and sell said reliable vehicle then fly home - what could possibly go wrong ?

FWIW - Fly to Glasgow or Edinburgh , dig deep and hire a reliable camper van and do it properly , six weeks will see you doing the NC500 / Skye / Islay (MacDonald clan seat)

Some report the Highlands (NC500) is some kind of driving Nirvana , it isn`t . Roads are narrow / busy / poor quality , when we did the NC500 the camper van was more suitable than an F50 for 95% of the time , plus we didn`t need to worry about places to eat / sleep etc.

K

PS - Dont ignore the midge on the West Coast , they are f##king savage and can (will) ruin any outside activity you have planned.

20200814_135150 by Kenny Niven, on Flickr

20200814_104824 by Kenny Niven, on Flickr

 

[Dippo]

Sounds like a job for a Saab 9-3 Convertible.

 

[davymead]

I’d choose something tall with a sunroof, say Suzuki Grand Vitara, cheap, normally pretty reliable and room enough for you and your gear.
The camper idea is a goo en, but won’t be cheap. In honesty I’d push the boat out and go campervan.

 

[anglaslt]

Get a Land Rover Freelander 2. A lot of the early cars are now within budget. Shop around and get the best you can afford. The SE/HSE spec are comfortable, have a nice high driving position and will go anywhere.
Despite LR's reputation the Freelander 2 is a decent reliable motor car.

 

[Gollom]

W209 CLK convertible would be my vote!

 

[Swotty]

I wouldn't recommend an electric vehicle, even if your budget would allow.

Any low-budget SUV, just in case you need to sleep in it. campervans probably out of budget.

Me? I'd do it in a Lexus SC430 but, again, out of budget.

 

[KennyN]

For the price of your B+B / Guesthouse accommodation for even five weeks (if you can get it) plus the initial vehicle purchase price / tax / insurance then a camper van would not be far off a similar price , for much less potential grief plus you can alter your itinerary to suit yourself.

K

 

[Ted]

I’ve toured Scotland in lots of cars and bikes, recently in R170, a209, a208, w210, Lexus RX300 etc, but one of the absolute best was a Kia Picanto 3 door with the 1.2 engine.
Perfect match of handling and punchy engine makes for loads of fun on the narrow twisty roads.
You could spend a week walking from Milngavie to Fort William. It has to be the best way to see Scotland.