Recommended to ask here from FB group

[Pete01]

I am after some honest advice / Informed opinion. I am embarking on a trip of a lifetime that takes us through Spain, Italy, Switzerland and France over 6 weeks in the Autumn. (So no immediate rush to purchase but would if the right vehicle available now)

I am planning on buying a car, in the UK, to use only for this trip and then sell it again at the end (Australia won’t let me bring it home) or may keep it wit family as have an alpine trip planned for late ‘24

I have set a budget of £17k for the vehicle. Will a 08/09 GT be reliable enough for such a trip? I’m not too concerned around fuel consumption and consumables, just need to start and go when needed!

The other vehicle options I am considering are a 06/07 Bentley GT or a 13 Merc 350SL (the sensible choice I guess)

ThankYou

 

[dickygrace]

Welcome along, yes it’s doable, but at £17k for a GT (or a Bentley for that matter) you’ll have to be careful. It’s bottom of the budget for a GT, so a PPI is essential. If you can find a car with a clean bill of health from a recognised indie, it’ll do you round Europe just fine.

 

[Pete01]

Thanks Dicky, I’ve read great things around your knowledge and integrity. I always seem to find myself with a beer budget with champagne expectation!!

Would this be too low a budget to enter your world? As mentioned, no rush, but ready for the right thing

 

[Scaf]

QP’s offer great value in that price bracket so perhaps worth considering.

 

[Andyk]

Sounds like a great adventure. You may get a better QP than GT for your price range but as long as you get the car checked by a specialist then you will get something suitable. Good luck.

 

[dickygrace]

Thanks Dicky, I’ve read great things around your knowledge and integrity. I always seem to find myself with a beer budget with champagne expectation!!

Would this be too low a budget to enter your world? As mentioned, no rush, but ready for the right thing

Sorry no, I only sell >2010 4.7’s. Like others say, a QP may do it, but £17k hard to find a good one of those. You can find an 08 GT, just be careful and don’t buy without inspection.

 

[mjheathcote]

Would have to be roof less motoring for that type of trip for me.

 

[Pete01]

Sorry no, I only sell >2010 4.7’s. Like others say, a QP may do it, but £17k hard to find a good one of those. You can find an 08 GT, just be careful and don’t buy without inspection.

Thanks Dicky, understand. So you reckon a 350SL may be the better bet, for I am looking to achieve?

 

[Pete01]

Thanks Dicky, understand. So you reckon a 350SL may be the better bet, for I am looking to achieve?

Just out of interest Dicky what £ does a 2010 4.7 usually come in at? Thanks

 

[Andyk]

Just out of interest Dicky what £ does a 2010 4.7 usually come in at? Thanks

There is a 2009 car on Autotrader with 76k on the clock for 20k. If you look at what has been done it feels like a well sorted car as it has been through Sports Italia and rejuvenated in 2022. But low mile cars with good pedigree between that and 25k maybe. They are so rare it is hard to put a price on them as at the moment there are only three on Autotrader:

2009 65k miles £15490
2009 76k miles £20000 (The one above)
2012 62k miles £23995

Dicky will have a better idea though.

 

[Gazcw]

If it was not going to be a keeper I would be looking at roof down. SL or even Boxster. Something fun on the twisties but relatively reliable and comfortable.

 

[Andyk]

If it was not going to be a keeper I would be looking at roof down. SL or even Boxster. Something fun on the twisties but relatively reliable and comfortable.

I think I would agree and while it’s a great idea to cover continents in a Maserati you would want great reliability for that trip and the cars at this price range and getting on and usually need love and attention.

 

[dickygrace]

Just out of interest Dicky what £ does a 2010 4.7 usually come in at? Thanks

£26k and up for an auto, bit more for a good MC.

 

[Andyk]

There is a 2009 car on Autotrader with 76k on the clock for 20k. If you look at what has been done it feels like a well sorted car as it has been through Sports Italia and rejuvenated in 2022. But low mile cars with good pedigree between that and 25k maybe. They are so rare it is hard to put a price on them as at the moment there are only three on Autotrader:

2009 65k miles £15490
2009 76k miles £20000 (The one above)
2012 62k miles £23995

Dicky will have a better idea though.

Sorry didn’t realise you were asking about the GT. The above is for the QP 4.7 S.

 

[Phil H]

I'd go with Andy's pick anyway; forget the GT and look for a good QP automatica. Speed with comfort, plenty of luggage space for a 6 week tour, and no clutch worries. A 4.7 would be great, but if a 4.2 would suit there's even more choice.

 

[Gazcw]

QP is great for long runs agreed but for potentially tight and twisties depending on the route of course, I would not want to do it in one.

 

[Pete01]

There is a 2009 car on Autotrader with 76k on the clock for 20k. If you look at what has been done it feels like a well sorted car as it has been through Sports Italia and rejuvenated in 2022. But low mile cars with good pedigree between that and 25k maybe. They are so rare it is hard to put a price on them as at the moment there are only three on Autotrader:

2009 65k miles £15490
2009 76k miles £20000 (The one above)
2012 62k miles £23995

Dicky will have a better idea though.

Thank you Andy

 

[Pete01]

If it was not going to be a keeper I would be looking at roof down. SL or even Boxster. Something fun on the twisties but relatively reliable and comfortable.

Thank you. I’d love to bring one back to Australia, but the rules don’t allow it unless it wasn’t available for sale at Time of
Manufacture in Australia. They are close to $100k over here!!

 

[Gazcw]

Thank you. I’d love to bring one back to Australia, but the rules don’t allow it unless it wasn’t available for sale at Time of
Manufacture in Australia. They are close to $100k over here!!

Yep that is bonkers.

 

[Gazcw]

Thank you. I’d love to bring one back to Australia, but the rules don’t allow it unless it wasn’t available for sale at Time of
Manufacture in Australia. They are close to $100k over here!!

You might want to message Zep or Conaero and see if they can share the trip maps we did last September. Spain, France, Italy and home via Switzerland and across France.