Considering driving Portland to Dallas, and back...

[look 171]

Agree with Seahawk on this one. You will make the teenager suffer on a much longer then necessary road trip in an old, loud, little car. Take the 911 on a shorter trip with her and enjoy that. Do it in one of them SUV or something.

[Scott R]

We’ve done a lot of road trips in the SC, it’s a Targa too. But it also has the best retrofit AC system available, there is no other way I would drive it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by gtc

It's a targa... no need for AC unless it's 95+ degrees and you're going slow.

So says the guy from the PNW! Our feels like temp yesterday was 105 and it only gets hotter as you go south.

[toddetch]

Sorry, too many things going on and didn’t give fill in some gaps when I started this thread...

One the many things going on right now is that I’m finishing the install on my Classic Retrofit AC system - agree it would be too hot without it.

Also have the Classic Retrofit CDI in the car, about two years old.

I had thought of the AAA membership or possibly one of the alternatives. Will research and sign up before leaving.

One reason for now is that I have some time between jobs, so I actually have the time to do the trip.

Thanks all of you for your thoughts and suggestions - all are taken with the understanding of the intention behind them.

[onewhippedpuppy]

In that case I say go for it! Including taking the back roads so long as your daughter is up for it and has a sense of adventure. These are awesome cars to drive and that will be an experience you both never forget.

[Steve Carlton]

Glad to hear you're doing the AC. How many miles do you think you'll put on the car? I'll need to see a picture of the Targa before I sign off on this...

Have a great trip!

[Scott R]

Yea, go for it!

[toddetch]

I expect to out about 4000 miles. I get he oils change thing by the way, good point made about that - will change the oil right before and take 6 quarts to be sure (burns about a quart every 1000 - 1300 miles.

I asked my daughter for about the fifth time today - are you sure you want to be in a car with me for five days? She was affirming before I could finish. She’s just going one way. My wife is talking about maybe doing the return with me.

As for pictures:

[Steve Carlton]

[gtc]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

So says the guy from the PNW! Our feels like temp yesterday was 105 and it only gets hotter as you go south.

I've driven across Kansas in a targa in July. Wasn't that bad. Just needed to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
Not sure why he'd go through Kansas or Oklahoma anyway.
I'd probably head down through Utah and cut east in Arizona or New Mexico. Lots more to see, and drier (more comfortable) than getting further in to the plains.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by gtc

I've driven across Kansas in a targa in July. Wasn't that bad. Just needed to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
Not sure why he'd go through Kansas or Oklahoma anyway.
I'd probably head down through Utah and cut east in Arizona or New Mexico. Lots more to see, and drier (more comfortable) than getting further in to the plains.

If you’re going to Dallas you can’t avoid it forever. The vast majority would find that sort of heat with no AC to be a miserable experience.

[Bill Douglas]

What a fantastic trip.

[masraum]

I had an '88 targa with stock AC (some of the best AC for pre-964 911s) for about 5 years. THere was one period of about 9 months where the AC was inop.

In the summer in Houston, having the top off of a targa is not an improvement over having the windows down. Having the sun beat on you down here sucks.

Upgraded AC sounds like a plan. The trip sounds like a blast/adventure and would hopefully be a great chapter with the daughter.

Hit any and all preventative maintenance that you can imagine and some that you don't, but the guys here mention. It might not be a bad time for new tires, new wipers, new consumables. Maybe adjust the valves which would include new valve cover gaskets, all filters. Flush the brake fluid, etc....

Good luck and enjoy!

[IS300]

I'm in salt lake .....

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by masraum

...having the top off of a targa is not an improvement over having the windows down. Having the sun beat on you down here sucks.

Yup, having the top off will make things far far worse.

The sun is so strong here you can get a sunburn in dead of winter.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Yup, having the top off will make things far far worse.

The sun is so strong here you can get a sunburn in dead of winter.

In my youth I had a 1974 914 2.0 that was my only car. No AC and 90+ full sun, for sure, put the roof on for shade. I loved that 914 but every summer I wished I had ordered the AC but it cost another grand and it was a dealer installed system.

I miss the 914, but the 911 is a good replacement and the AC kicks butt now.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

So says the guy from the PNW! Our feels like temp yesterday was 105 and it only gets hotter as you go south.

So let it be known:



(and me right now)

[Chocaholic]

Frying pan to fire.

Literally.

[rusnak]

I never understood why anyone would take the top down in a Cabriolet, or the top off in a Targa, during the day. Especially in the summer. To me, that is something you do at night.