Europe has an exotic, old-school charm: narrow, cobblestoned streets, grand, ancient buildings and food that makes tastebuds dance with delight. It's too bad it takes at least seven hours to get there from Canada.
But wait – why not have a little bit of Europe in your driveway? The old continent has a huge selection of vehicles famous for performance, safety, reliability and style – though sometimes not all four at once. So let's look at something from across the pond to satisfy a little bit of those European longings.
Actual travel is expensive, so to save some cash for your next trip, we'll keep these small sedans to around $6,000.
Sensible
For Canadian winters, all-wheel drive is ideal, and the Audi A4 – from Germany and found up to 2005 here – comes standard with the company's famous quattro system. The A4 offers a solid, comfortable ride, a plush, upscale interior and a selection of 1.8- and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines – it's hard to find the 3.2-litre V-6 at these prices. But it's been plagued with poor reliability, and repairs can be costly. Having said that, it has just three recalls, depending on the model year in this range, for the fuel pumps, airbags and headlight reflectors.
How about a spot of ol' Blighty? Of all the Jaguars available at this price, the compact X-Type is the most reliable – but that's because it's based on the downmarket Ford Mondeo, which hurt its sales when new. But it still offers unmistakable Jaguar styling, along with good luxury inside, though interior space is cramped. It also comes with AWD, but overall performance doesn't measure up to many of its luxury sedan competitors. Recalls deal with a faulty handbrake, a fuel filler cap and the turn signals.
For safety, no marque is more famous than Volvo. The S40 can be found here up to around 2007, with either a standard 2.5-litre inline five cylinder with 168 horsepower or a turbocharged 2.5-litre five with 218 horsepower in the T5 model, both powering the front wheels; an AWD version was also available. The interior is an airy Scandinavian design with Volvo's "floating" centre stack that features a cargo bin behind the climate and infotainment controls. The S40 offers a comfortable ride and surprisingly fun handling. Being a Volvo, it also features traction control, side-curtain air bags, collapsible pedals and reinforced pillars for safety. With a slightly muscular styling outside, this Volvo could satisfy your European yearnings. Reliability was decent, but recalls look at the GPS system, brake master cylinder and vacuum booster and fuel pump and lines.
Indispensable
Mercedes-Benz is possibly Germany's most storied brand, and we can find the C240 here up to 2005. This is one of the more luxurious and well-mannered cars available for our prices, and it comes with a 2.6-litre V-6 that sends 168 horsepower to the rear wheels. Look for a 4Matic all-wheel-model, which is difficult to find on the used market but would be better for the colder months. Standard features include stability control and eight airbags, and the interior has real wood trim and leather seats for old-world decadence. It also has an excellent record of reliability and just two recalls that deal with the steering and seat belts. Plus, think of the bragging rights that come with that tri-star on the hood.
Questionable
There's no doubt that some of the most beautiful cars come from Italy, famous for marques such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. And while Alfa Romeo never had a large footprint in North America, you can still find a few sedans such as the 156, 164 or even a Milano for these prices, and you'd be getting something unique. You'd also be getting a ticking timebomb when it comes to the electronics and various other mechanicals. Plus, finding parts and knowledgeable mechanics will be difficult. It could be great for a hobby car, but if you need a reliable daily driver, best to just get your Italian fix at the espresso shop.
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