Not a bucket list vacation

[rockfan4]

Thinking of driving east next summer for vacation. I'm in Wisconsin, my grandmother's family moved here from Vermont in the 1850's, both her grandfather and great grandfather made the trip with their respective families, I'm just curious what that area is / was like, and what would have made them move west. Also my fiance has a friend in Ohio and another in MA that she hasn't seen in a long time, neither is that far out of the way.

So the question is - Which car to take? She can't drive a stick and refuses to learn, so my Jetta and the Porsche are out, I'm not driving the whole trip. Her car is older with high miles and a questionable transmission. She wants to get a different car but not until next fall.

So the thoughts are -
1. rental car, new, no issues, boring.
2. Replace her car earlier than planned, use that.
3. Get something interesting but reliable, maybe something that needs work, fix it, drive it, flip it. I was thinking a mullet mobile, Mustang, Camaro, etc.

Any other ideas?

Route? I could go I-80/90 the whole way, or a route through Canada would not be that far out of the way. She doesn't have a passport and I think mine is expired, but we have plenty of time to remedy that.

When I was in college 100 years ago my girlfriend at the time and I took a '70's Chevy van through the UP into Canada, drove through Niagara Falls to Connecticut, picked up a friend there and drove back to WI. That was a fun trip, I would kind of like to repeat the experience although I know things have changed a lot.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I would vote for the Porsche and just drive, but that’s me. Sounds like a good candidate for a rental. Maybe a fun rental like a Mustang?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

So the thoughts are -
1. rental car, new, no issues, boring.

Rent a mini-van on some unlimited mileage, $29.95 per day deal from a national chain.

Why risk anything?

Women are funny. They will judge you. Maybe it's just my take?

[pavulon]

Here is the Cayenne TT purchase opportunity you've been looking for!!

[javadog]

When I rent a car on vacation, I typically rent a Jaguar XJ sedan. Lots of comfort, decent enough mileage, not too expensive. If you wait till about this time of year next year, instead of going in the summer, you could also rent a convertible and enjoy the fall foliage and weather.

[jpk]

Since you need to go both ways, I'd suggest the I80-90 route one way (can be relatively quick travel and will allow for the Ohio stop) but on the way back, head North up through Montreal (spend a day or two there if you can) and across the Trans Canada. If time allows, take the route around Lake Superior, but otherwise, you can cut back across the Michigan UP.

[wdfifteen]

Can't help you with the car/fiancee question. I'd get the car I want to drive and do all the driving myself.
Ohio is a big place, and where she wants to go in Ohio should inform your route decision. If you are going anywhere south of Findlay I would avoid the whole Wisconsin to Indiana corridor on 80/90 etc. It sucks. Just sucks. Go south from Beloit to 74 or take some 2 lane east. I hate the Chicago/Gary clusterfook. I would take a route through Canada on the other leg.
I used to take my son to college in Green Bay from southern Ohio. We would leave at 7-8 PM so as to hit Chicago after midnight and avoid some of the insanity. It was fast, but not fun.

[dan88911]

Rent something you might buy to replace her old car.
You will have a hell of a test drive.
Other wise perhaps something comfortable and fun.

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Here is the Cayenne TT purchase opportunity you've been looking for!!

I don't think I ever considered a Cayenne TT. I suppose I could always drive the pickup.

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Can't help you with the car/fiancee question. I'd get the car I want to drive and do all the driving myself.
Ohio is a big place, and where she wants to go in Ohio should inform your route decision. If you are going anywhere south of Findlay I would avoid the whole Wisconsin to Indiana corridor on 80/90 etc. It sucks. Just sucks. Go south from Beloit to 74 or take some 2 lane east. I hate the Chicago/Gary clusterfook. I would take a route through Canada on the other leg.
I used to take my son to college in Green Bay from southern Ohio. We would leave at 7-8 PM so as to hit Chicago after midnight and avoid some of the insanity. It was fast, but not fun.

I can't remember the town right now, but it's right off I-80.
I hate Chicago. I've been stuck in Chicago traffic at midnight on a Sunday coming back from Mid-Ohio. I've considered taking the ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon just to miss Chicago.

Originally Posted by dan88911

Rent something you might buy to replace her old car.
You will have a hell of a test drive.
Other wise perhaps something comfortable and fun.

That's a great idea. I still like the mullet-mobile idea though. A Smokey and the Bandit Trans-Am, as long as the air works.

[ckelly78z]

I am in Northern Ohio, and hate running on the turnpike 80/90, it gets you there fast, but really boring, and limited options for stopping. Going through Chicago on the turnpike is an excersise in futility having to stop for toll booths about 6-7 times for the complete trip with exact change unless you have an EZPASS.

Depending on where you are in Wisconsin, you may want to explore the UP, and down through Detroit to your Ohio destination.

[GH85Carrera]

My wife rode with me as I drove my 1985 911 up to Vermont in 2016. We hit all the New England states. 5,500 miles round trip. I drove 100% of the time. My wife can drive a stick, but has not driven a manual in 20 years or more.

They call Vermont the green mountain state. You will understand why when you get there. The trees cover everything. It is very pretty.

Drive you 911. Enjoy the drive. My 85 911 is a wonderful road car. I have done over 900 miles in a day 6 or 7 times.

[Seahawk]

A few things to think about:

- Air conditioning. GH85's SC has excellent a/c and that can make a huge difference between a fun trip and a forced march.

- Exchange rate. $1 to 1.26 Canadian. Keep and eye on it.

- Get the passport now. An essential item IMHO

- It is always harder to sight see on the way home. I'd do the Upper Pen through Canada on the way out and take my time for side trips, etc. See how you feel on the way back and plan accordingly.

- Make sure if you rent a car that they will allow you to drive it in Canada. Not always clear so make sure.

If it were my wife and I making the trip I'd get a sporty rental and not think twice. Get one with satellite radio, btw!

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, I forget how poor stock AC is in most of the SC to Carrera models. I did the AC upgrade so long ago I forget what it was like to have pitiful AC in the 911. We have driven for hours in high 90s and 100+ degree temps and staying comfortable is a huge thing on a long road trip. Of all the projects I have done on my 911 in the 22 years I have had it, the AC upgrade is the number one improvement.

[MRM]

I’m from La Crosse and have done the similar east coast trip before. (I’m in Connecticut right now). I can tell you from experience that a big, comfortable highway cruiser will make your trip much more enjoyable than any flashy looking cool car you think is fun to drive and fun to be seen in. Around the 13 hour mark and around 800 Miles, fun tondrive and cool appearance goes out the window in favor of comfortable and having a place to put everything easily. And then you realize you’re only 10% of the way through the trip.

Frankly, my vote is for renting a Toyota or Honda minivan with leather interior, big engine and a good sound system. You want something that will eat up the miles happily and keep you comfortable and alert while doing it. My daily driver is a 2011 BMW 535. That thing just loves to eat up miles on the freeway. so smooth and confident. It’s a joy to drive long distances. With more people and cargo, you’ll need a larger vehicle. Remember that minivans are purpose built vehicles just like a race car, and it had as honorable and important place in the automotive food chain as any sports car and more than any flashy SUV. Don’t let false pride keep you from taking the most sensible vehicle.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

Thinking of driving east next summer for vacation. I'm in Wisconsin, my grandmother's family moved here from Vermont in the 1850's, both her grandfather and great grandfather made the trip with their respective families, I'm just curious what that area is / was like, and what would have made them move west. Also my fiance has a friend in Ohio and another in MA that she hasn't seen in a long time, neither is that far out of the way.

So the question is - Which car to take? She can't drive a stick and refuses to learn, so my Jetta and the Porsche are out, I'm not driving the whole trip. Her car is older with high miles and a questionable transmission. She wants to get a different car but not until next fall.

So the thoughts are -
1. rental car, new, no issues, boring.
2. Replace her car earlier than planned, use that.
3. Get something interesting but reliable, maybe something that needs work, fix it, drive it, flip it. I was thinking a mullet mobile, Mustang, Camaro, etc.

Any other ideas?

Route? I could go I-80/90 the whole way, or a route through Canada would not be that far out of the way. She doesn't have a passport and I think mine is expired, but we have plenty of time to remedy that.

When I was in college 100 years ago my girlfriend at the time and I took a '70's Chevy van through the UP into Canada, drove through Niagara Falls to Connecticut, picked up a friend there and drove back to WI. That was a fun trip, I would kind of like to repeat the experience although I know things have changed a lot.

Uber.

I've heard good things about it lately.

[scottmandue]

Wife rented a Ford Fusion Hybrid on her last trip, got mind boggling gas mileage.

[MRM]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Uber.

I've heard good things about it lately.

True dat. I just sued them in Colorado and made a cool million bucks. Looking to retire early on a couple more of those rides.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by MRM

True dat. I just sued them in Colorado and made a cool million bucks. Looking to retire early on a couple more of those rides.

Are you kidding, or are you serious?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by MRM

True dat. I just sued them in Colorado and made a cool million bucks. Looking to retire early on a couple more of those rides.

LOL....get an Uber ride to Krispy Kreme, order an apple fritter

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by MRM

I can tell you from experience that a big, comfortable highway cruiser will make your trip much more enjoyable than any flashy looking cool car you think is fun to drive and fun to be seen in. Around the 13 hour mark and around 800 Miles, fun to drive and cool appearance goes out the window in favor of comfortable and having a place to put everything easily. And then you realize you’re only 10% of the way through the trip.

Frankly, my vote is for renting a Toyota or Honda minivan with leather interior, big engine and a good sound system. You want something that will eat up the miles happily and keep you comfortable and alert while doing it. Remember that minivans are purpose built vehicles just like a race car, and it had as honorable and important place in the automotive food chain as any sports car and more than any flashy SUV. Don’t let false pride keep you from taking the most sensible vehicle.

^^^^ This x 100...