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As this thread proceeds, I'm going to be hitting a few key categories:
1. Time. Time isn't *really* an issue. I don't take long vacations, so I have a lot of (paid) work leave on tap to take whenever. Taking 3-4 weeks off is doable with some light planning. My wife and kids go to the beach with her parents for 3 weeks each year (I rarely go), so that would be a good time to make the trip without disturbing family life too much.
2. Money. Money is what I don't have a lot of to spare, especially if I want to keep doing stage rallies here and there (which are not at all cheap). First order of business is to quit a few bad/expensive habits (no,nothing illegal) that probably would free up the budget for a trip like this.
3. Car prep. As it sits, most of the big reliability items are good. Since I built the car last year, it has a new clutch, new engine bearings, new timing/balance shaft belts, water pump, and hoses. Most of the things that are trouble points on these cars. I also now have working A/C, which is a huge plus. Almost everything works on this car. I'm tracking down the last few rain leaks (mostly sunroof-related) and a few minor electrical gremlins, but generally consider the car reliable at this point. One major outstanding issue (and my next project) is to replace the original fuel lines into the engine bay, which are dated 1984!!! I also want to get better seats. The stock 924 seats just don't fit me well and I dislike them after a few hours. Looking into options (boxster seats, perhaps). Gotta be comfy. I know from the internet that a ton of people have done this trip in old 944s, and this is the same car mechanically so I'm confident the car can do it as long as I prepare it well.
4. Car "trip" prep. How to pack stuff I need. Shouldn't be an issue. These cars have an amazing amount of cargo and storage space. Two deep wells in the back for gallon jugs of coolant/oil. Full-size spare (replacing the mini collapsable one), huge hatchback area. And I'm going to remove the useless rear seats and build a form-fit storage area in their place, to hold tools and other "on the road" gear, spare parts, etc. Do I get a roof rack and a little cargo box? probably not needed, but do I want to carry a tent to camp, or are cheap hotels the way to go? I do like a real bed and a shower. I like adventure, but not a huge camping type. Again, we'll see.
5. Planning. I have a general start and route in mind, but will want to find the best drives and places that I've always wanted to see.
6. Co-driver. Do it alone? Take a friend one way or both ways? We'll see if anyone wants to do it, or can, once the time gets closer.
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