When I was in college I had a couple of months off one summer so I worked for half of it and spent the rest driving from Victoria BC to Ottawa and back in an old beat up Datsun 200SX. It was a great trip, and memories and pics I'll have forever. I won't say it wasn't without difficulties, such as a blown up (literally) clutch in the Nowhere WA, with a 60 mile tow to the nearest garage (make sure you get AAA, mine way more than paid for itself on that one) but even those were part of the adventure. I even packed really lightly, expecting to have to trade the car for a bus ticket at some point, but I made it something like 10,000 miles (it was a rather circuitous route, lots of detours and stops to see interesting things) in all and arrived home in one peice. Doing it in a Porsche would be that much better, although you'd be more tied to it if there were major problems. Just prepare well (talk to RoninLB, I think there are threads where he describes what he brought along on his big ride a couple of years ago and some preventative stuff done first) and you most likely won't have any troubles. And if you do, just remember that you're on holliday and can enjoy the places you get stuck in
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I agree with Kurt and Randy. Given the choice I'd much rather do a trip like that on my own. You never have to vote on any course changes you want to make, you don't have to listen to complaning about this and that, you just stop when you need fuel, see something interesting, want to visit someone, need a nap or are hungry. Much simpler
. I usually left the planning of the days route to the night before while I read guide books in my motel room.
Obviously I think you should just do it. You'll regret it if you don't take the opportunity when it presents itself, you might not get another chance. Mothers are supposed to worry about their kids but most likely the experience will outweigh the financial (as long as it's not too much) and the Mom troubles. Once you've reached home safely she'll be just as happy as if you had flown. Also, you're probably more likely to be involved in terrorist troubles in an aircraft than driving a car.