Planning a trip to the USA in November........ What car for a coast to coast drive?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Planning a trip to the USA in November........ What car for a coast to coast drive?

Posted: 3/14/2006 4:22:13 AM EDT

Checked into quite a few "exotic" hire cars (top of the list is the Viper), but found a nice XK8...... Hitting snags with picking up in Florida and dropping off in California? Most hirers don't like to see their property drive off Thelma and Louise style.

What would be your preferred method of travel? About 4000 miles (with excusions) over 3 weeks.

Posted: 3/14/2006 5:39:50 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Checked into quite a few "exotic" hire cars (top of the list is the Viper), but found a nice XK8...... Hitting snags with picking up in Florida and dropping off in California? Most hirers don't like to see their property drive off Thelma and Louise style.

What would be your preferred method of travel? About 4000 miles (with excusions) over 3 weeks.

Nothing beats a larger car for long distance travel, Ford Marquis, Lincoln towncar ect..but they are expensive. As for me, I love pickup trucks. I drive a Chevy Silverado. Plus you'll fit right in when you hit Texas!

Posted: 3/14/2006 5:08:26 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:

What would be your preferred method of travel? About 4000 miles (with excusions) over 3 weeks.

Lincoln Towncar. It'll cost you, but it'll be worth it. Lots of room in the passenger compartment to stretch during long drives, you can comfortably seat multiple passengers for extended periods of time and plenty of trunk space for luggage.

I had a Lincoln Towncar that I used to drive all over the midwest for work. I covered just about all of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Minnesota in that car. Boy do I miss it now.

Posted: 3/15/2006 2:49:08 AM EDT

[#3]

For a trip that long, I would suggest something like a Ford Escape (midsize SUV). Enough room and comfortable but won't break the bank.

You may have some problems though with dropping off in a destination other than where you are picking up. American rental car companies toss on tons of "drop-off" surcharges when you pick up in one state and drop off in the next (or even different location in the same state some times).
If you have a good travel agent, check with them, as they may know of some deals or ways around this. Hell, I'd like to know of a way around it.

ETA: if you are coming anywhere near Atlanta, GA drop me a line and we'll go shoot some machine guns and chase some "Georgia Peaches", LOL.

Posted: 3/15/2006 5:31:34 AM EDT

[#4]

How about a Dodge Magnum, for you and the rest of the Ant-Hill Mob

There's one sat in the carpark right now, and it's very impressive.

Posted: 3/15/2006 5:41:59 AM EDT

[#5]

Make it interesting. Get a new one for each state or so.

Be sure to give dates and course. I am sure members will work out some firearm related entertainment.

SRM

Posted: 3/15/2006 6:10:42 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

You may have some problems though with dropping off in a destination other than where you are picking up.

We picked up a Chevvy Blazer in Denver last time and dropped off in San Francisco, the company we booked via last year no longer offers this, it seems that only the BIG companies are game.. Hertz, Avis etc......

Not too bothered about the price as trips like this have to be done in style

There are only two of us travelling and we generally have only a couple of small cases (took 3 home with us last time

)..........

Many thanks for the kind offer of a shoot......

Posted: 3/17/2006 8:28:11 AM EDT

[#7]

Check out Budget.

The Ford Taurus is a good choice, or the Cadillac CTS if you want to spend a little more.

Posted: 3/17/2006 6:31:16 PM EDT

[#8]

since european countries tax according to engine size displacement rent a vehicle with a v8 engine and enjoy yourself. you are on vacation after all.

Posted: 3/18/2006 11:21:33 AM EDT

[#9]

just a thought, but have you ever considdered a big convertable like a seabring

just think... top down on a nice sunny day pulling warp speeds on the interstate with the wind in your hair....

ive done many a long summer ride in mustang convertable. IMO it was fun as hell.

Posted: 3/19/2006 1:53:46 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
just a thought, but have you ever considdered a big convertable like a seabring

just think... top down on a nice sunny day pulling warp speeds on the interstate with the wind in your hair....

www.car-buying-strategies.com/2002-photos/2002-chrysler-sebring-convertible.jpg

ive done many a long summer ride in mustang convertable. IMO it was fun as hell.

This is what we drove around Ontario in last year and it was indeed cool.......

At the moment the XK8 is the front runner.......

..... I can't find a dealer that will let a Viper leave their state.......

Posted: 3/19/2006 7:38:38 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Quoted:
just a thought, but have you ever considdered a big convertable like a seabring

just think... top down on a nice sunny day pulling warp speeds on the interstate with the wind in your hair....

www.car-buying-strategies.com/2002-photos/2002-chrysler-sebring-convertible.jpg

ive done many a long summer ride in mustang convertable. IMO it was fun as hell.

This is what we drove around Ontario in last year and it was indeed cool.......

i20.photobucket.com/albums/b212/bunnyassassin/DSCF0381.jpg

At the moment the XK8 is the front runner.......

i20.photobucket.com/albums/b212/bunnyassassin/jaguar_xk8_us.jpg

..... I can't find a dealer that will let a Viper leave their state.......

hmm a jag, that could be interesting. Make sure ya smoke the tires before ya leave the lot

Posted: 4/1/2006 5:57:11 PM EDT

[#12]

I have rented cars in Miami and droped them off as far as Chicago with no extra fees. You may want to check into drop offs from different cities. Miami - Atlanta. Atlants texas. Who knows it may work.

If you want to shoot Machineguns in Miami? shoot me me a line too. I have this puppy you can try out.

Posted: 4/2/2006 7:15:06 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Check out Budget.

The Ford Taurus is a good choice, .

Nothing personal but

Bunny, if you dont want to exchange cars enroute (for variety's sake) I'd suggest a full-size SUV or a minivan. While minivans may be viewed as "Mommy-mobiles" by many, they have a lot of seating and cargo configurations that make for extra comfort on long trips. My theory is never scrimp on space when travelling long distances by road....

ETA: if you plan on passing through NY or PA, LMK, I'll see about putting out the Welcome mat for you..we very rarely get a UK member passing through.

Posted: 4/2/2006 12:49:27 PM EDT

[#14]

You hitting the NW at all?

Posted: 4/2/2006 2:43:49 PM EDT

[#15]

NW?

The wife is now trying to convince me that we should set off from the West coast and finish with 4 relaxing days in Disneyland (her goal, not mine)...... I have a "go" from Hertz on the XK8 but setting off from California may offer more choice that Florida?

The book is far from closed on route, and will be making more enquiries with regards to the Californian rental situation...

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep em coming.

Posted: 4/2/2006 7:25:02 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
NW?

The wife is now trying to convince me that we should set off from the West coast and finish with 4 relaxing days in Disneyland (her goal, not mine)...... I have a "go" from Hertz on the XK8 but setting off from California may offer more choice that Florida?

The book is far from closed on route, and will be making more enquiries with regards to the Californian rental situation...

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep em coming.

If you come through Texas, then be sure and stop in Dallas. We'll have a dinner for you guys, get the whoel crew together, maybe take you shooting or at least to a gun show.