All around US Road trip in a 911?

[privatepang]

So i've used the search function and found a lot of ppl doing smaller road trips. Fiance and I are looking at doing a final road trip around the US starting in August before we move back home to Australia. It's gonna be massive. Planning on covering approx 7500 miles over 2 months.

Plan is to start in Vancouver BC down the West coast via OR and CA to San diego, heading across to Vegas , down to Phoenix , New Orleans, up via Atlanta then cut across to drive up the east coast via new york then up to Montreal Quebec and finishing up in Toronto. Car will then be shipped back home to Australia via Toronto.

We have 2 options.

My 911s
-----------
No AC
Just getting painted now so worried it get all scratched up (i did just purchase a car bra tho)
way more fun on coastal roads
Not as comfortable
Will the road noise be super annoying?
Reliability?

2002 Audi A4
------------------
Way more comfortable
AC
More luggage space
Hassle of selling it in a different state

The A4 would be more comfortable but the 911 more fun. Sort of in a dilemna. Ppl say the 911 is super reliable for road trips but the search function shows a lot of ppl having issues with breakdowns. Now my mechanical knowledge isn't great but I do have Wayne's 101 book and enough tools to give it a shot. Read the posts regarding what to bring before hand as well.

No AC might be a killer too but just thinking about driving those coastal roads get me all excited... be a great story for the future kids as well!


Thoughts?

[doublestuff]

Whatever happens, I think you'll have a more memorable trip in the 911. Maybe you'll remember why you'd never do THAT again, but those are some of my best memories!
If you pass through Amarillo, TX, by the way, I urge you to stop at The Donut Stop and get the cherry frosted donuts. Unbelievable. Have a great trip, I'm hoping to do the same one day!

[porwolf]

You may want to ask your fiance! I rearily was a passenger in a P-car. But the few times I rode shotgun I remember the ride as uncomfortable, more like experiencing a roller coaster ride. I think it has to do with the fact that the passenger feels totally out of control in small car riding at high speed and at close distance with the other cars and trees, rock formations and precipices!

Of course, totally different experience for the driver!

[RSTarga]

Fiance? No A/C ? August?
Oh, ....I forgot your Australian!

[twin plugged targa]

With that mileage and conciderring your copilot is your fiance I would say the A4
I have both also and the A4 almost drives itself!
If you were doing a shorter run with a buddy I would say 911s hands down.

Save the 911 for shorter 'fun runs' with the fiance if you really want her to marry you!

Have fun!

[Dueller]

A question: You're considering selling the audi when you ship it back to Ozzieland? Are you shipping them both back to australia or just the one you take on the road trip. I'm confused. lol

It WILL be hot on the vegas to Atlanta and beyond leg in August. Especially hot and HUMID thru texas to NOLA and Atlanta.

[privatepang]

Yea we did a 1000 mile trip down the Oregon Coast and she loved it. Shes into cars & will be sharing the driving so it makes things easier but yeah a 7500 mile trip may be a different issue. Shes supportive either way and said its up to me... need her to be in it 100 % in those super hot days

I'm shipping the 911 back home regardless. So either ship it from Van or from Toronto.

The A4 will not be shipped. I'll be selling that either here in Van or in Toronto.

O and the Vegas to Atlanta portion will be done late August early sept. Not sure if that makes a difference with the heat...

Thanks for the tips so far guys.

[pete3799]

Take the 911.
My wife and i are going to do a tour out west. Probably only as far west as Utah.
She thinks A/C might be a good idea and i agree.
Looks like i'll be buying some $A/C parts shortly.
Have fun either way.

[RSBob]

It would be interesting to see the replies on some of the Audi boards. Since you seem a little unsure of mechanics, I would take the car to a good Porsche mechanic and have it gone through from stem to stern, similar to a track evaluation. then fix anything which is dicey and pick up a fuel relay, extra fan belt, etc. There are several threads on here on parts to take on a long trip which would be very useful. Driving the through the south in March and April would be fine but I would really hesitate May and beyond, unless you are looking to become single or have a very adventurous spouse. Sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!

[Canada Kev]

Wow, good luck with your journey! That's a dream of many people here, I imagine.

You said that your fiance would be supportive either way and that it's up to you which car you take. I think you're correct that she needs to be 100% in favour, especially when things might get ugly with hot weather. It also sounds suspiciously like one of those 'woman code comments' when they say one thing and mean something completely different, fooling our little male brains into thinking it's OK to buy that new motorcycle. Uhhh... Anyway, perhaps you should encourage HER to make the decision on which vehicle to drive. Late summer weather can get kinda warm and humid across the bottom and back up the right side. a PO'd future bride could make those miles very uncomfortable for you.

The 911 would be an awesome ride. However, two months in a small, hot car can get kind of old in short order.

[silver69]

A guy on NCRS forum did this last year in a 66 Corvette....several break downs
Done alone, no wife, etc
Good luck with what ever you choose

[Canada Kev]

These guys are doing over 8800 miles in a month. They're running from New Jersey to Tennessee, Colorado, up to Vancouver, through BC and Alaska to Anchorage. And they're all vintage (up to 1975). I imagine reliability is of some concern and AC is not. I'd love to do this. Targa California, eat your heart out!

The E.R.A. Trans-America Challenge

[gshiwota]

I think you need to plan on having a few inconvenient breakdowns and the reality of 100+ degrees with no AC going through the desert. Will your fiance still be your fiance after this?

If the answer is yes, then go for it!

[porwolf]

I think the Porsche would be the better choice if your fiance wants it and she gets to drive as often as you do. Who knows, it's possibe!

[johnsjmc]

Whichever car the trip will be memorable. My wife and I did a similar trip in 2002. We started in Toronto drove south to key West Fl. then back up and west to new Orleans then Grand Canyon,Las Vegas ,San Diago ,coast road to San francisco,east thru Yosemite,Salt lake Chicago Detroit and then back to Toronto. >We did it in 33 days . In July. We camped about 1/2 of the time and hotels every couple days to clean up. We drove our new (then) Ford F150 Lightning .(supercharged 385 hp short truck) .Newest car with the least chance of a breakdown should also be a consideration.We never went over 140 but July really gave the AC a workout across the desert. We found some out of the way places ,like Roswell NM and really enjoyed the coast road(LA to SF. ) Yosemite and the Grand canyon was breathtaking also. My wife says this was the best trip we have ever done and would like to do it again. We have a 993 (with AC) but wouldn,t consider the trip in a 911 without it.in the summer. Then again she points out that we are 56 and 61 and might have done it without AC when younger.

[RSTarga]

August and September through Arizona 120 degrees; Texas through Atlanta 100+. I've done it in a 911 ( cannonball One lap of America). With my best friend and we were in our bathing suits through Louisiana. Miserable.
Get some A/c in your 911 and get off the interstates occasionally to see the true America.

[BIGW]

Vancouver to San Diego is 911 Heaven. San Diego to Atlanta in August is 911 Hell. Don't do it.

[BIGW]

And September is even hotter and more humid.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by BIGW

Vancouver to San Diego is 911 Heaven. San Diego to Atlanta in August is 911 Hell. Don't do it.

+1 on hell from the west coast to Atlanta in a 911. Just to survive the humidity in the south east you have to be born there I think. I once had to be in Nashville for one week on a job in the summer. I could not move. It felt like having liquid lead in your blood system. I could only survive in heavily air conditioned places. I guess I am spoiled here in California.

[Jgordon]

I did a very similar trip in 2005. Started in NYC, down the east coast to new Orleans, through Texas, across to San Diego, up to sf and back east.

Take the 911. You only live once.