Road trip, which car to drive?

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Well, I'm no longer employed at Ford (took the salaried employee buyout) and I start my new job on 3/19. I've kicked around the idea of a roadtrip to Key West, FL to relax and unwind. I wanted to drive my 911, but she won't start and I'm trying to figure out why, but now I'm thinking that I might be better off driving my brand-new Mazdaspeed3 instead of the 911. The MS3 would definitely be more comfortable and reliable, but I had really wanted to drive the 911. This would be a very long trip (approx. 3300 miles) and I've never driven the 911 that far before. I just replaced the engine, clutch, Webers, etc... last year and wanted to drive the Porsche but the fact the car won't even start (last ran it on 1/1/2007) today doesn't really inspire confidence in the car's ability to make it. The last thing I want to do is break down on the side of the road somewhere... Opinions?

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Get the 911 running and drive it.

And be sure to post pics of the trip here!

Cheers,

Paul.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

911 will probably be very hot, if you have the typical 911 stock A/C

pwd72s · 03-03-2007, 11:29 AM

A long haul road trip? Through countryside I'm not familar with?

I'd go for comfort, reliabilty, and anonymity in my car selection...But hey, I'm an old goat...

onlycafe · 03-03-2007, 11:30 AM

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Paul K
"Get the 911 running and drive it."

they don't like to sit idle for too long. you need to run it on a more regular basis. a long trip would be good for it, and you as well. the mazda may be more comfortable, and may even be more reliable, but you won't enjoy the drive even half as much. [detour to the dragon.]
have a safe trip. enjoy yourself, and your car.
david

artplumber · 03-03-2007, 12:01 PM

Go with the trend. If the 911 hasn't been running recently/you don't have confidence in it, go with the Mazda. They're supposed to be plenty fun. Now if the 911 had been tuned up & running, and you have plenty of time to kill....

wreckersteve · 03-03-2007, 12:25 PM

Take the 911 and a list of Pelicans who can help along the way. It will be atrip to remember.

onlycafe · 03-03-2007, 12:40 PM

don't listen to those other guys. paul k , wreckersteve , and i are the ones who want you to have a good time.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Guys,

Thanks for the good advice! I got Helga started (I had to turn the engine over with a wrench, then crank it a few times) and drove 20 miles for a brief "shakedown" and she's running great, so I'm driving the 911 to FL.

My real purpose is to enjoy the drive and the car, so taking the Mazda would be reliable, safe and fun, but the 911 will make the trip an adventure to be remembered! I'll take pics and see if I can call a few of my "Pelican buddies" on the way.

Monday AM, I'll be departing Wyandotte for a 3300 mile adventure in Helga! Wish me luck. I've got the two most important "tools" to have in situations like this... a credit card and a cell phone!

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I'll prep the car tomorrow and get my gear together, then it's the "open road" for me for the next week. 3300 miles will be a challenge, but I can take my time and enjoy the trip. I don't have any particular place to be at any particular time, so this is the kind of trip I really enjoy and the 911 is the car I want to make the trip in.

It will be cold until I get to Atlanta, but I'll dress warm. Once I get to warmer climes, the 911 should be fine because I have the Carrera-style external oil cooler and the car is running better than it ever has.

pwd72s · 03-03-2007, 02:19 PM

Be sure to pack a V-1

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I don't have a radar detector and I'll just drive at about 10mph over the limit and see how I do. My father (retired cop/detective) and my brother (cop/detective) both insist that radar detectors aren't effective so I've never invested the $ into the V-1. I'm not in any hurry and I'll enjoy the drive!

Venetian · 03-03-2007, 02:43 PM

I"ve taken mine on several long road trips and really enjoy it. As you say it becomes more of an adventure and less of a boring road trip.

Sometimes , I go by myself for a real sense of freedom. The drive becomes the attraction rather than the destination.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

I'm unemployed as of yesterday, too. For an indefinite period. But if I were to take off on a road trip like that, my pregnant wife might kill me for leaving her home with the kid and pets. Have a blast, and don't forget to take pics (for us to vicariously enjoy). Some tools and a few spare parts wouldn't hurt, either.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Noah930,

Good luck with the job search! I know how it feels as I just went through it. All of the parts on my car have been replaced recently, so I'll take tools, towels, flashlight, credit card and cell phone. I'm going to take my time and enjoy the drive. If anything weird happens, I'll stop but I really hope this will be a good trip. I'll take pics but I won't have access to email or the Internet until I get back. My laptop belonged to my employer (Ford) and I haven't started my new job yet, so no laptop!

syncroid · 03-03-2007, 04:13 PM

Ah! Road trips are the best! Have fun on your trip. I think you chose the right car. One of my best memories is a road trip I took right after losing a job. (couldn't have been a worse time either) My dad called me up and said "Hey! Why don't you jump in that car of yours and come out and see us for awhile." (They were living in Kansas at the time) "And don't worry about the expense. I'll pay for the gas and lodging. Just get your butt out here and see your mom and I." My wife told me to go for it. I had a buddy that got let go the same time I did and asked him if he wanted to go. Two words....ROAD TRIP! I had a 1980 928 at the time. We ended up going through thirteen states and a whole lot of beers. What a great time! I hope you have as good of time on your trip as I did on mine.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

syncroid,

Thanks! I would be happy if my trip is just 1/2 as much fun as yours! I'm going to try and drive 750-800 miles the first day to get out of the cold/bad weather, then take it easy the rest of the way. Wyandotte, MI to Key West, FL is 1500 miles each way and I'm driving by myself, so I'll get my share of seat time!!

Jims5543 · 03-03-2007, 05:09 PM

If you want to meet up let me know. If your stopping near the West Palm Beach area I am game to get in my Targa and meet up.

We just had a break in the weather here. It was 90°+ yesterday and this afternoon it was 70 and dropping fast. The forecast for monday is sunny and in the 70's up this way probably high 70's in Key West.

I'll PM you my contact info, if I can help you out once you hit florida let me know, I am glad to help a fellow Pelican.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Jim,
Thanks! I should be in FL next Tuesday in the afternoon. I'm going to take the southern route to Tapma/Ft Myers, then to the Keys, then the east coast route back up north 4 days or so later. I'm giving myself 2 days to get to the Keys, 3 days in the sun and 2 days to get back to the cold misery here...I'll try to call you!

Jims5543 · 03-03-2007, 05:34 PM

BTW - Just checked the forecast, I am sure you have too, perfect Targa weather. Mid to upper 70's the whole time your on the peninsula. A small chance of rain on Thurs. next week.

Great weather to chill in Key West too. Pick your wife up a pair of Kino sandles while your there and score huge brownie points. They are hand made right there in Key West.

http://www.kinosandalfactory.com/