Our Summer 2022 Buying Guide

MINI Convertible

Starting this week’s blog of strong, we have the Mini Convertible. There is something about the soft-top convertible that just screams summer and excitement. The iconic design of the Mini is popular internationally. Therefore, adding elements that are only going to enhance its aesthetic and not take away from it is essential. Windswept hair, sunglasses, music playing, you’re on a road trip with your friends – what else could you possibly want? It’s stylish, functions well, and is still quite roomy when the seats are down. The UK’s starting price is around £25,465. We really do think that this is going to be the car of Summer 2022.

BMW Z4 Convertible

 For the sportier convertible, we give you the BMW Z4. It gives you the freedom between the road and the open sky whilst also still sticking to its sporty and uncompromising roots. It has powerful driving dynamics and progressive design throughout. As a starting price in the UK, you can get a 2022 Z4 convertible for £40,745. The benefit of getting a 2022 model of the Z4 is all the new technology that has benefited the automotive industry, things like parking sensors, head-up display, driving assistance, an intelligent personal assistant, etc. Not only can you enjoy the summer months with the roof down but you can also have a better driving experience in this car because of all these helpful elements allowing you to have a stress-free drive. 

Mazda MX-5 Convertible

Carrying on with the convertible aesthetic, we think that the Mazda MX-5 is perfect for your summer journeys. With only 2 seats the MX-5 convertible is shorter, lighter, more spacious, and better laid-out than its predecessor. Not only this, it’s a lot faster too. However, if you’re tall we recommend giving this one a miss. Without a doubt, there is no way you’re fitting in this one with the roof down and all your holiday luggage in the back. The lower-level spec (SE-L) brand new goes for around £26,000. The higher-level (GT Sport Tech) brand new you can get for around £32,000. However, if you’re not that bothered about the vehicle being brand new (and Mazda is a brand you can trust to be reliable) then you can get a second-hand MX-5 convertible with good mileage and in decent condition from around £5-13,000. So you can get a good bargain and a good summer road trip car for you and one other with the MX-5. 

Porsche 718 Boxster Convertible

With a similar sort of vibe to the Mazda MX-5, we have the Porsche 718 Boxster Convertible. But, it is astonishingly more expensive. Almost double the price of the lower-level spec MX-5 the Porsche 718 Boxster starts from around £49,000. However, we all know that with Porsche comes a lot of speed. You’re going to get what you pay for in terms of racing driveability. We also know that the Porsche name sells itself, which is why people will be more inclined to purchase this one for summer. Owning a Porsche Convertible is a spectacular feeling. When driving on the roads, this vehicle is a head-turner even from 1000 yards away as you can hear a Porsche coming before it makes its visual statement. This summer will be a summer to remember if you decide on the 718 Boxster Convertible.

Audi TT Coupe

This is the perfect car if you want a small car for a road trip but don’t want a convertible. It still gives you the convertible feel due to its shape but without all the hair on your face from the wind. The unique shape and design of the car makes it stand out on the road. This vehicle is a reasonable budget if you wanted a sporty road trip but aren’t willing to spend as much as a Porsche would be. The starting price in the Uk for an Audi TT Coupe is around £39,000. We feel as though this is completely worth it as it’s a timeless classic. Reminds us of a James Bond type of car – so if you’re a fan, this is the summer car for you. We would say that even though there are 4 seats, we shouldn’t suggest this car is right for taking the kids with you. It’s perfect for a couple’s retreat or a best friend vacation. 

Suzuki Jimny

We see this as the more affordable cousin to the G-Wagon. If you want an industrial jeep-style vehicle then this one’s for you. With the Suzuki Jimny, you are guaranteed reliability. This car is perfect if you want to take the caravan along with you but also want to drive around the cities, towns or country roads. The Suzuki Jimny can tow up to a mere 1300kg and also accommodates you with a spare wheel on the back of the vehicle – exactly like the G-wagon. The transmission is excellent, as the vehicle can manually switch between two and four-wheel drives. The Suzuki Jimny can cost between £18,000-£22,000. But if you are looking for something similar but larger, more prestigious, and have a larger budget then the Mercedes-Benz G63 is your car. It has a similar industrial/off-roading look about the car, however, it is more of a show stopper. One limitation to this vehicle for summer is that it does drink fuel. So remember to pack some spare fuel jerrycans. But, like the Porsche 718 Boxster Convertible, the G-wagon also sells itself due to its prestigiousness and likeability.

Mercedes-Sprinter 4×4

If you’re looking for a more American-style road trip and need a vehicle that is appropriate no matter the occasion then the Mercedes-Sprinter is the vehicle for you. It’s a 4×4 campervan with a bit of an edge. It combines functionality with fun as it’s large and sturdy. The wheels add so much more of a mean character to the van, and even just from looking at it, you can trust that this van will get you to any destination. We suggest getting the sprinter’s exterior colour in black, as this adds an even meaner look to the van. You can use front-wheel drive but can also switch to all-wheel drive with the switch of a button. Making this van efficient and easy to use no matter what the climate. It’s not your typical holiday/road trip home but it sure is one for the adventurous. Starting price is around £79,000 but we think that investing in this van will not only enhance your summer trip in 2022 but also for many more years to come. 

Ford Tourneo Connect

Taking a van on a family holiday is always a good idea. They’re spacious, comfortable and efficient. You can obtain a decent van on a budget if you choose the right options available. There’s no need to splash out on random extras if you genuinely don’t need them (no matter how much the kids say you do). You can save a large amount of money on selecting lower level optional extras on the overall total of the van. For example, if you get your Ford Tourneo Connect in white instead of any other colour, it costs £0. Other colours range from £180 to £600 depending on what sort of premium paint materials they use. This is a helpful feature and informative feature on the configurator as it helps you leverage how you want your summer car to look and also budget on what to spend money on/if you can afford to buy extras. The van comes in either 5 seats or 7 meaning there’s plenty of room for friends, family, kids, and luggage no matter where you’re travelling to. Optional extras we do suggest for the Ford Tourneo Connect if you can stretch your budget is the 3rd-row seat entertainment for £252, this will keep the passengers entertained. Especially if you struggle with younger children who can’t settle, this will benefit your longer journeys. Another essential extra is the flip-open side window for £240. If anyone you’re travelling with suffers from travel sickness this is essential. It can help make the journey enjoyable in this situation. Regardless of this, it’s always good to keep a light breeze flowing throughout the van so it doesn’t get too stuffy. The next most important extra is the detachable trailer coupling for £480. This is good for carrying an extra trailer or caravan. It is even more useful if you opt for the 7-seater van as the extended trailer can keep all of your belongings separate from your vehicle so the area inside the van doesn’t get too crowded. Lastly, if you really want to push the belt out then we suggest the panoramic roof, for £876 more you can get extra light, air and entertainment for the kids to stare out the whole of the journey. In total, without the extras, this van will cost you £26,708.00. 

VW Campervan California 6.1

VW Campervan California 6.1

Bringing it back to the campervan style, we believe classics are back. The aesthetic of the original ‘hippy vans’ is back with the VW California 6.1. Especially if you choose to go for the split exterior colour. One colour for the top and one colour for the bottom – serious flower movement style. Based on the Type 2 Kombi/microbus, the newer and upgraded version is a lot more spacious. It can sleep up to 2 adults and 2 children. Perfect for a family or group of friends. 

VW Campervan Grand California 500

If you want to bring back the power from the 60s whilst also having a more emission friendly campervan then for £72,980 this van is for you.

If you want a larger version of this then do not panic the Grand California 500 is also available. This is the same van but a lot larger. Starting at £80,666.00 and an even larger option called the Grand California 680, you can see a noticeable difference in both compared to the original. You can get the latter version for £83,362.00. These are all very good traditional Volkswagen models and can vary in size depending on what you’re after. 

VW Campervan Grand California 680