Never done a road trip before
Never done a road trip before
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frye

Original Poster:

76 posts

115 months

Tuesday 5th January 2016
quotequote all
Evening

New poster here, but I find it interesting reading people's accounts on the journeys they have done. It's definitely got me wanting to to just get in the car and drive somewhere, especially now as have time of work but dont have anything planned!.

But I have noticed that most people who post seem to have top of the range motors, whereas my runner is a 2001 Astra Sxi. Still in decent order but I do think would it survive a trip to Europe.

So with that in mind, Im thinking definitely try at least get up to scotland at some point, get myself used to driving these distances and into the unknown.

Then hopefully Europe!

How did others first trips go?

Downward

4,681 posts

119 months

Tuesday 5th January 2016
quotequote all
frye said:
Evening

New poster here, but I find it interesting reading people's accounts on the journeys they have done. It's definitely got me wanting to to just get in the car and drive somewhere, especially now as have time of work but dont have anything planned!.

But I have noticed that most people who post seem to have top of the range motors, whereas my runner is a 2001 Astra Sxi. Still in decent order but I do think would it survive a trip to Europe.

So with that in mind, Im thinking definitely try at least get up to scotland at some point, get myself used to driving these distances and into the unknown.

Then hopefully Europe!

How did others first trips go?
Drove to John O groats in a 106xsi with bike rack and 2 bikes on from Birmingham.

Some of the best roads and I decide to take bikes which we used once in a week !


wazztie16

1,590 posts

147 months

Tuesday 5th January 2016
quotequote all
Downward said:
Drove to John O groats in a 106xsi with bike rack and 2 bikes on from Birmingham.

Some of the best roads and I decide to take bikes which we used once in a week !
Once drove to Scotland from Derby to visit my dad, took the road bike with the aim of doing some miles up there, did exactly zero miles.

It's staying here next time.

RiccardoG

1,717 posts

288 months

Tuesday 5th January 2016
quotequote all

I've been roadtripping through Europe since I was a 6 year old in the 80's. When I was 19 I did UK-Italy-Greece in my Punto 55bhp (admitedly a new car at the time). These days I take anything from an old Merc to newer cars. Often I've done a EU road trip as a "shake down" on newly acquired used cars.

Basically, don't worry too much. As long as your car is something you feel comfortable using anyways and it doesn't regularly break down, there is nothing different about taking it abroad. Make sure that tyres, cooling and oil are recent and you're good to go!

cailean

917 posts

189 months

Tuesday 5th January 2016
quotequote all
Did Scotland, Wales and Ireland (several times) before crossing the channel.

Chris1255

203 posts

127 months

Tuesday 5th January 2016
quotequote all
My first proper road trip was taking a 10 year old original mini cooper to Denmark. The last 2 summers I've done a trip to the South West of France in a 2003 Rover 25. Each trip about 2000 miles.

Make sure you've checked the basics, i.e. it isn't pissing coolant out, there's oil in the engine etc and you'll be fine. If you do go for Europe just be aware that breakdown cover may have a maximum value they will spend on recovery relative to the value of the car.

Much like the discussion about people who think cars fall apart at 100k miles you can worry too much about driving something old.

Red Devil

13,305 posts

224 months

Wednesday 6th January 2016
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frye said:
But I have noticed that most people who post seem to have top of the range motors, whereas my runner is a 2001 Astra Sxi. Still in decent order but I do think would it survive a trip to Europe.

So with that in mind, Im thinking definitely try at least get up to scotland at some point, get myself used to driving these distances and into the unknown.
The biggest thread in this sub-forum by a country mile (10 x the next nearest) - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I live south of the Thames so I'm looking at a 2000 mile round trip and a minimum of 6 days each time. It not worth going that far for any less.

Btw, I wouldn't describe my car as top of the range and it was first registered in 1999. This year will be its fifth of being let out to play on Scotland's finest. smile


coppice

9,253 posts

160 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
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My first serious trip to NW Highlands was in a Citroen Visa Super E with 55thribbing bhp and 155/12 tyres. Had a blast.JFDI

frye

Original Poster:

76 posts

115 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
quotequote all
coppice said:
My first serious trip to NW Highlands was in a Citroen Visa Super E with 55thribbing bhp and 155/12 tyres. Had a blast.JFDI
Haha, gave me a good chuckle that.

So basically give the car a quick service (oil, coolant , air filter etc) or check these are ok and start reading that link previously posted on scotland and get planning

I noticed some other guy had done something similar in his Sxi. His is 2004 but pretty much the same car as mine. Looks amazing where he's been.

http://scruffymuttproductions.com/blog/update-euro...



mon the fish

1,480 posts

164 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
quotequote all
Did 2 Euro trips in 2 years in my Cooper S, 2500 miles on year, 3500 the next (Croatia and back). Buggered a driveshaft on the Col de Turini the first year, but it was vibrating at speed when I set off so partly my fault hehe But Green Flag breakdown cover got it fixed in 3 days in Nice, so no biggie.

If your car has no issues, there's nothing to worry about