View Full Version : Endurance trip to the Mediterranean
My brother and I have long had a dream that we would buy up an old car, and drive it to the mediterranean and back, then sell it again. :rolleyes: :thumleft:
My dream trip would have a few mechanical mishaps, but nothing that couldnt be fixed with an adjustable spanner, a haynes manual and some duct tape. This would only add to the adventure. :smt037
So I am looking for a car which will be cheap enough to abandon if everything goes wrong, but good enough to make the trip. :reaper:
I was thinking maybe a small simple car like a Clio, Aygo, Corolla or Focus. :smt080
What do you guys think? Is there something you know to be simple and reliable? :cool:
It does NOT have to be pretty, comfy or fast.
The producers, gave us £700 and told us to meet at Dover for a series of challenges...
:D
yorkie_chris
05-02-14, 02:20 PM
old mechanical diesel... pug 205d?
MK1 MX5, cheap, no major reliability issues, simple to fix and if you're off to the Med you'll get a good tan :)
Reliable? I thought the mx5 was quite flimsy :p
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SvNewbie
05-02-14, 02:54 PM
I've fancied the same thing myself, I always though the old Mercedes 300D would be an ideal vehicle for the job.
Why do you fancy the diesels?
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SvNewbie
05-02-14, 03:09 PM
Mostly because the old mechanical pump engines will pretty much run almost anywhere except under water. No spark plugs, distributor etc. Plus the engines tended to be built pretty strongly as where often based on van designs.
Good points :) I didn't know. So diesels up until the mid 1990's?
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Reliable? I thought the mx5 was quite flimsy :p
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Mechanically sound, just don't kick it too hard :p You'll have fun trying to squeeze your stuff in too!
Mrs DJ Fridge
05-02-14, 11:03 PM
If you are going to the Med through France go for a French car, if through Italy go for an Italian car, simple theory that whichever country is closer to your final destination is the one most likely to be to be where you need the spares. Surely that is simple logic.
I get your point but I would argue there are more Japanese spares in the UK than there are rover and jags :) I get your point though. And the cars probably shine most on the roads they were build for.
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MK1 MX5, cheap, no major reliability issues, simple to fix and if you're off to the Med you'll get a good tan :)
I know where there is one of these for sale cheap
It's a bit rough around the edges but runs okay, PM me if you are interested :)
L3nny are you selling yours or are you a dealer?
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yorkie_chris
06-02-14, 09:15 AM
Oh god don't buy a rover, wouldn't trust one of those to get me to middlesborough never mind the med.
You're going to the med not outer mongolia, you'll probably be able to find spares for almost anything... hilux or a land cruiser and do as much as possible off road :mrgreen:
atassiedevil
06-02-14, 10:01 AM
Get it to Malta, and you'd probably sell it at a profit, including paying for the ferry there.
Just a thought.
Wouldn't I need to reregister it in Malta?
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atassiedevil
06-02-14, 11:05 AM
No, thats for the new owner to do. A friend regularly gets vehicles shipped there, as 4x4s and BMWs fetch premium prices there.
L3nny are you selling yours or are you a dealer?
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My mum is thinking of selling hers. It's am L reg original Japanese import.
She was going to get me to put it on eBay for her
Okay L3nny. Thanks for the tip. I won't need it till July though, so eBay is probably the way to go.
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EssexDave
06-02-14, 06:01 PM
Do it on a motorbike...
littleoldman2
06-02-14, 06:46 PM
Do it on a motorbike...
:winner:
He hasn't got a licence :(
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EssexDave
06-02-14, 06:54 PM
Well tell him to get one, well worthwhile, plus bikes will be better on fuel and more fun.
Me and my friend are doing 8,000 round Europe on the motorbikes this year, gotta be so much more fun than the car!
True
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yorkie_chris
06-02-14, 10:28 PM
Well tell him to get one, well worthwhile, plus bikes will be better on fuel and more fun.
Better on fuel yer right... little bird-wagon type car with a diesel engine in it will do 10mpg more than any bike ive had and they'd be sharing it!
The fun factor I'm not arguing with though
also an old diesel?
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EssexDave
07-02-14, 02:29 PM
Better on fuel yer right... little bird-wagon type car with a diesel engine in it will do 10mpg more than any bike ive had and they'd be sharing it!
The fun factor I'm not arguing with though
Unlikely. My 2003 Polo will return 45mpg driven carefully (and about 40 if you drive like a nutter!) it's a 1.9 non turbo diesel.
My SV1000 will do 60mpg if you're careful, 40-45 if you're reasonable and not under 30 even if you're making good progress.
A 650 I've had 85mpg out of in Scotland being super careful!
Find me a cheap car that will get anywhere near...
andrewsmith
07-02-14, 07:05 PM
Was about to suggest that too.
The cabbies can't be wrong still tons of 406's on the roads with the same motor and running gear
Hammer or an accident seems to fix them too
written with a brio
yorkie_chris
07-02-14, 10:05 PM
Unlikely. My 2003 Polo will return 45mpg driven carefully (and about 40 if you drive like a nutter!) it's a 1.9 non turbo diesel.
My SV1000 will do 60mpg if you're careful, 40-45 if you're reasonable and not under 30 even if you're making good progress.
A 650 I've had 85mpg out of in Scotland being super careful!
Find me a cheap car that will get anywhere near...
40-45 x 2 is only 20-22.5mpg innit :-P
EssexDave
07-02-14, 10:08 PM
If you really want to get that into it then 40-45 x 2 is actually 80-90, but yes I get your point if there are several people travelling.
Even so, driving in a car would be boring, do it on a bike because I said so :)
carelesschucca
08-02-14, 08:15 AM
Biking across Europe or taking a car. Now let me think on it for a while. Both good but one will be EPIC!
Specially as it will be someones first biking adventure.
littleoldman2
08-02-14, 09:20 AM
In 2012 I met a bunch of lads on the Stelvio doing the Staples to Naples rally, seemed like a bundle of fun and grief in equal measure. http://www.streetsafari.com/streetsafari-events/staples2naples/
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