Good car to drive across country

[wdfifteen]

The only cars I’ve ever driven on coast to coast road trips have been 356s. Comfort, heat, AC, nobody running up to you asking about your car, no heads turning when you drive by, no need to carry tools or spare parts all sounds boring.

[speeder]

The perspectives here are interesting and reflect the mentality of many consumers, in fact it’s what drives the economy. To the OP, a 2018 car is getting, “long in the tooth,” whereas to me it’s practically a new car.

Of the cars in my current stable, my number one choice for a cross country drive would be my 1995 Mercedes E300 diesel with 265k miles. It runs like brand new, is as comfortable a car as has ever been made and in its current state of maintenance, I would bet my life that it would go from L.A. to NY and back with nothing but diesel.

I also have a 2022 Chevy Malibu with 36k miles in perfect condition and oddly enough, I’d have slight trepidation about going cross country in it. It’s under powertrain warranty for quite a while so if anything happened, it would be covered but the difference in build quality between it and a w124 MB is night and day. One is built to last one million miles and the other is meant to be disposable in a few years.

I’ve road tripped a LOT and any good car is fine, in the USA it’s mostly interstate driving with the cruise control on anyway. Other than the mountains and the coast, it’s mostly pretty boring. You don’t want to waste a lot of time in the middle. I’ve thought about a MB E63 sedan from about 2014 like the one the cannonball record was set with, it would be exciting to go 170 mph through the boring parts. I’d actually slow way down for the mountains and the pretty stuff like the painted desert in AZ. and the I-70 through Utah, etc.

Other than that, any newish lux car would be more than sufficient.

[KRLocke]

Originally Posted by Tobra

When are you picking up the Panamera? I ask because:



Hello, is this thing on?

Good point. She does humor me.

[Por_sha911]

A buddy of mine always rents a car for long trips. Newer cars, maintained, and he doesn't put a ton of mines on one of his. Not sure if you can find a Mercedes, Lexus or Panamera to rent but it would be like a long distance test drive to see if you like it.

[stevej37]

Where are you leaving from?

[MMiller]

In the middle of a 3k mile trip out west right now. 2024 Macan S. Fast, smooth and pretty good mpg. With satellite radio, what’s not to love….

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I can't imagine there's a big difference between how an A7 and a Panamera drive, what's the reliability on each one longer term? Even with the 2nd or 3rd facelift, the A7 is still a nicer looking car IMHO.

[unclebilly]

Cayenne. Just got home from a 200 mile each way day trip in my wife’s cayenne s. Now if we could just find a vehicle that could keep the kids from fighting…

[look 171]

I have done more road trips then my family likes. They don't want to do it anymore. I like my trucks or SUV (4 runner) for this. Done them in cars too when I was in my 20s including rentals. I am glad no one mentioned fun and must handle well because most of us have been there and done that. Dennis is absolutely correct, comfort, but not always luxury. Set cruise and enjoy what this great country has to offer and don't sweat the car too much. I know we are all car guys and are always excited to get out for a drive, long or short, just like Higgins is doing right now. Heck, I get excited just driving to San Diego by myself next weekend for a simple camping trip with old friends. I will take the Cayman this time.

Do it in an SUV just in case if there's a bit of dirt on the road. You'll need the ground clearance and 4WD

[Otter74]

If I had my pick of your cars, I’d pick the Volvo. I love those wagons and they have fantastic seats. I dont’ care about luxury, but it’s comfortable. I’ve done cross-country or otherwise very long trips in my ‘93 Sentra SE-R (when it was 5 years old), my 2013 TDI Sportwagen, my ‘85 Saab 900 SPG, my ‘78 BMW 530i, and medium trips in my 911 and a Tesla Model S. I’d do another one in any of them except the Tesla. For me a road trip requires a car that is fun and insteresting or, if practical considerations dominate, is at least fun and interesting enough.

[LWJ]

I heard Volvo. Done. No other conversation needed.

[KRLocke]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Where are you leaving from?

Jersey

[KRLocke]

We talked about the Cayenne and Macan, she wants something more stylish. An older Rapide better fits but would be a nightmare reliability I think. And would never drive one out of the state let alone around the country.

[KRLocke]

The Volvo has been a great car but 2kids learning to drive it, driving 2 dogs around in it, and using it as a pick-up, it's staying home. Kids in college, we're looking for a little romance on the trip. Old Volvo doesn't really do it.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by KRLocke

The Volvo has been a great car but 2kids learning to drive it, driving 2 dogs around in it, and using it as a pick-up, it's staying home. Kids in college, we're looking for a little romance on the trip. Old Volvo doesn't really do it.

If I eliminated cars from my stable for those reasons I'd be riding my bike everywhere. 250,000 is starting mileage for me on most of my cars.

I'm with Dennis, I don't get the criteria here, so I won't suggest anything.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by KRLocke

The Volvo has been a great car but 2kids learning to drive it, driving 2 dogs around in it, and using it as a pick-up, it's staying home. Kids in college, we're looking for a little romance on the trip. Old Volvo doesn't really do it.

Have the missus drive the Porker and the Audi back to back. Buy whichever she likes.

Or if you travel light and she is like my wife buy a 911. Guaranteed she will fall asleep in the seats then - they send her to sleep every time - and you won’t constantly hear “how fast are you going”…

[porsche tech]

Any long trip in a European car (especially old ones) makes me uneasy. Always had old Audis, VWs, MB, etc that were trade-ins that were going to be wholesaled…I could buy them for whatever the wholesaler offered. Put a couple hundred in it and put another 80K miles on it. Problem for me would be a break down far from home…sometimes hard to find someone who knows those cars. Even a coolant hose, belt or other simple part may be hard to find. On the other hand, Honda or Toyota is so common almost every gas station has seen and repaired them. Parts are much more readily available.

Upper radiator hose for a BMW for example:

[E Sully]

I've done long trips in many different cars and motorcycles.
Favorite of all so far is our Lexus ES350. Good power and gas mileage, plenty of room, and very nice ride.
The smoothest was a '76 Coupe DeVille, but of course gas mileage was an issue, as well as turning radius. I was able to get my motorcycle in the trunk when I raced at Bridgehampton and Loudon. I'll never forget pulling up to the gate and the track officials asked where my motorcycle was. When I showed them they had to take pictures.

[Rtrorkt]

I’d take my Range Rover Sport Diesel. Can go further on a tank than my bladder, is quiet, comfortable and full of torque.



Old school pick would be a 928.

Have done many AZ to CA runs in my clone. Given the right temps, I could run that one cross country as well.

In the day, I did the DC Long Beach run in my 1982 Supra performance package.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by KRLocke

We have a Boxster, my 86 Turbo, Volvo wagon and Mercedes GLE. Wife wants a Panamera.

Out of ^that^ list of vehicles (and considering that the Volvo and Merc are not trusted), I'd go with the Panamera. It is a "GT" car after all.