This is precisely what I do.
I have a Peugeot 405 estate TD - and it has been a revelation (it's actually my second one on the trot from ebay). These reliable workhorses are good for interstellar mileage and the estate is so useful. I can park it where I like, parts are very cheap and there are plenty of very inexpensive specialists to help with anything major. I get 600 miles to a tank of diesel, it'll cruise at 85 all day and is surprisingly refined and quiet.
If you have the space for another car - I would highly recommend this route.