Good car to drive across country

[KRLocke]

The wife and I are taking time off in August-September to drive to the west coast, visit friends along the way and see the country then drive back and see more of it. We have a Boxster, my 86 Turbo, Volvo wagon and Mercedes GLE. None of these are ideal and the Merc is getting pricey and don't trust to make it without incident. We don't need it anymore so it'll go. Wife wants a Panamera to replace it and good car for the trip. I'm thinking A7 and have suggested a 992 which got me a look.

What would you recommend?

Any we're taking the northern route out and southern route back. What has to be seen?

[pwd72s]

Coast to Coast? I'd probably opt for luxury & comfort...maybe a Lexus?

[Erakad]

Absolutely, coast to coast you'll want #1 comfort, then the icing on the cake, #2 luxury. I've done the coast to coast too many times, in my 911, it was fine, but you feel the sports suspension; a Rav4, ok, but the short wheel base made it tiring to drive; moving trucks....don't even go there; best was the BMW 530i...held a straight line, comfortable, would go 80 all day long. Have done more recently in large SUVs, they're comfortable (Hyundai/GMC), but definitely not luxury.

Have you thought about a Cayenne?

[HardDrive]

Funny, I’m in LA, and was given a Lincoln Aviator as a rental. Very comfortable, actually gets decent mileage as well.

[vonsmog]

My wife and I did it a few years ago, and I wanted to use our old Mercedes wagon. We had a great trip and it was fun to use the 85' wagon! Left from NY and headed west. We were gone for two weeks.

[stevej37]

Any car that starts with the name Honda.

[herr_oberst]

I'm in the middle of a little road trip as I write this, Portland to Salt Lake to Boise to Portland.

Plenty of smooth power, 360º visibility, hours-long seating comfort, accurate navigation. Those things would equal "luxury" for me right now.

[pwd72s]

Since the OP is kinda a newbie, I'll relate a tale I've told here before. As the then President of the Auto Dealers Assn., Portland Oregon megadealer Ron Tonkin found himself in Washington D.C. for a meeting on 9-11-01. All flights cancelled, so what else, he bought a car to drive back home to Oregon.

Now this guy could have chosen pretty much anything. His family of 17 dealerships even includes Ferrari.

So what did he choose? Some time later, a slightly used Toyota Camry appeared on the lot of his Toyota dealership.

Thinking about it, with the nation just having suffered a terrorist attack, it was the perfect choice...blending into the herd was wise.

[recycled sixtie]

In my 70's now I prefer an SUV for out of town travel. Am able to see better from a higher seating position. Have been happy with a used Lexus RX350 since 2014. No major issues. Might consider a hybrid or plugin hybrid in the next two years.

[KRLocke]

Eclectic mix of suggestions, some like the Mercedes wagon would be very worth considering 15-20 years ago. But this will be double duty, 6 weeks of fun and then practical grocery getter and ski house car for a few years. The GLE was great for 2 years but last 2 have been nothing but trouble.

[Bill Douglas]

I agree with the Toyota (Lexus species of Toyota included) and Honda. The drama of getting something more "exotic" fixed along the way would ruin the trip.

[pwd72s]

Good point by Bill. In a way, Toyota is like Ford used to be...a dealerhip located in most towns big enough to have a mayor.

[GH85Carrera]

I might possibly, maybe, be a tiny bit prejudiced about it but in my view, nothing beats a 1985 911 for hauling two people coats to coast. I have driving my 85 Carrera to Northern Main. the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. To Key west, and the park at the border to Mexico at the ocean. I have been to California 4 times.






Joshua Tree park, and a total of 41 states and Canada.




It was a bit toasty outside but my AC kept me cool.

[1990C4S]

What is the Volvo? And does the AC work?

[dad911]

Driven the Rav4 up and down the east coast. Easiest trip car I have.

IMHO adaptive cruise control is a necessity for long trips these days.

[KRLocke]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

What is the Volvo? And does the AC work?

it's a 2018 V90, nice car which has served us well but getting a little long in the tooth. Great for Home Depot/transporting the dogs/dump runs and maybe car for daughter.

We need to replace the 2019 Mercedes with something nicer and more reliable but interesting and fun to drive. So 2023-24, has to go across country with no trouble, fun/exciting to drive, go to VT regularly in the winter.


.

[Alan A]

Something AWD with good AC and adaptive cruise control. AWD - for ski duty.
Also (for me) it needs to be quiet. 750 or an A8 would be my pick.

[Tobra]

When are you picking up the Panamera? I ask because:

Wife wants a Panamera

Hello, is this thing on?

[Brian 162]

I have a Tahoe for our long road trips. Been to Arizona and Florida this year. It has comfy seats, adaptive cruise, and xm-radio. Plus tons of storage. For 10-12 hour drives it’s a great vehicle.
I’ve taken my Z06 on long trips as well but you feel every bump with that car.

[RANDY P]

OP has new cars- why would any of 'em be a problem?

Oh an ya a Z06 gets old after about an hour or so.

rjp