Car for ~5k for an extended road trip

[Neil4Speed]

I was just doing a bit of daydreaming about how fun it would be to do a epic road trip around North America. There is so much to see and since the lack of good train networks, by car is probably the best way to do it.

Now, being a car guy and all, renting a Elantra from Budget would be of zero enjoyment for me. This trip would be about the journey and not the destination. Now, say you were given a budget of 5k to buy this journey car - what would you pick?

Lets hear your pick.

[streethondas]

A honda civic or a toyota corolla

[corsvette]

Keeping in mind you would probably want this thing to be dead reliable narrows down the choices a whole bunch. Myself, I've often thought of doing the same kind of trip, these would be my under 5k picks in no order.

#1- Some type of big GM or Ford strarcraft style travel van, the ones with big windows, raised roof, and ladders on the back. Not much fun to drive, but I could sleep in it and bring a couple bikes along. They look super comfy, and would be simple and cheap to fix if anything went wrong.

#2- Luxury car, a Big Lincoln/Cadillac/Lexus/Benz, the type of car that floats down the highway like you're on a cloud, can eat up highway miles all day in comfort, and big enough for all your stuff. Also, they would be a reliable choice.

#3- sporty car, I'd like to have a rag top on a trip like this, but the 5k budget limits the choices here. Maybe a Miata, it would be reliable and fun. maybe a newer Prelude, or a 90's 3 series BMW, even a LT1 powered Camaro with T roofs would be fun.

[Euro_Trash]

MKI or MKII VW

[Skrilla]

For me it would have to be a ragtop, so in that range I think a VW Cabby would be my easy first choice. Other than that maybe a Miata. :dunno: 5.0L vert would be sweet but that range would be a tough spot, mine gets great mileage on the highway

[90_Shelby]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1980-Volkswagen-Bus-Vanagon-Westfalia-Minivan-W0QQAdIdZ386884308

[MrSector9]

I do agree with the camperized somewhat van, only issue is hard on fuel, but the ability to sleep in it offsets cost of hotels and sleeping in a car in the rain sucks pretty bad.

my choice though.

MK2 vw golf, reason is i know them inside out, cheap for parts, extremely reliable (at least the fanboy in me says so), not many different tools needed for repairs, easy on fuel, can lay the back seats down and sleep a little more comfortable then in a sedan type car.

[Euro_Trash]

Originally posted by 90_Shelby
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1980-Volkswagen-Bus-Vanagon-Westfalia-Minivan-W0QQAdIdZ386884308

Nice, would love to revamp one of these into a modern camper

[CanmoreOrLess]

VW Westie with a Subie engine. I had the diesel Westie, too many hills in NA and wind can reduce the top speed.

[CanmoreOrLess]

Originally posted by Euro_Trash


Nice, would love to revamp one of these into a modern camper

EEEEK.... an automatic..... and I thought the colour was a negative.

[black13]

I'd take an import SUV of some kind. One with a decent AWD system. Some mud tires and go camp or stay where ever the hell you want and can easily sleep in the back with the seats down.

For $5k hmm maybe an Isuzu Rodeo. Heard they were decent and its cheap.

[Maxt]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1990-Dodge-Power-Ram-2500-Pickup-Truck-W0QQAdIdZ382012282

[Sugarphreak]

...

[statick]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed
I was just doing a bit of daydreaming about how fun it would be to do a epic road trip around North America. There is so much to see and since the lack of good train networks, by car is probably the best way to do it.

Now, being a car guy and all, renting a Elantra from Budget would be of zero enjoyment for me. This trip would be about the journey and not the destination. Now, say you were given a budget of 5k to buy this journey car - what would you pick?

Lets hear your pick.

A 1996 Mercedes-Benz C220 or C36 in great condition... You know it's the right answer:thumbsup:

[JZS_147]

Cmon Neil, you already know the answer is an LS400

[Rat Fink]

.

[DEATH2000]

Id take an E38 7 Series. Preferably a 740i

[trieuth]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1993-BMW-M5-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ384070521

this would be my pick.

[dieselpower91]

Originally posted by Rat Fink
My Roadmaster has enough room to sleep accross the front seat or back seat. Seats 6 people comfortably. Auto levelling rear air suspension means you can pack the hell out of the car and it will take it like a champ. 2:56 gears means it gets over 30mpg crusing at 120km/hr with a V8 giving you plenty of power when you need to pass (260hp, 330ft-lbs torque). Air conditioning that will give you frostbite when set on max.

All this can be had for 3K, leaving you 2K that will more than cover all the gas you'd ever spend on the trip.

Oh, and reliability? There was a reason police forces throughout north america used the Caprice version of this nearly identical platform for many years.

As a fellow Roadmaster Wagon owner I am 100% with you on this!

I have used the car for camping, moving, everything!

Fold the back 2 rows down and carry everything you need for a few weeks, then move stuff to the front/outside and comfortably sleep 2 inside (heat if needed) and with a glass vista roof for stargazing.

1994-96 comes with the 260hp 330tq LT1.
Like Ratfink said - Buy for $3k (if you can find one)
Then put 2k into suspension/engine mods and you'll have a fun to drive, awesome highway cruiser/camper. :D

Plus they get great mileage for a big V8 wagon.

Just make sure to replace the optispark and it'll be super reliable and cheap to fix.

<End sales pitch>

B-Body Fanboy #1 :clap:

[Dave P]

Assuming Your With Buds:

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1989-Lincoln-Town-Car-limo-W0QQAdIdZ386149054

[asifka]

Last oct, I took my winter beater from Calgary to Seattle. It was a 1993 Buick Park avenue. Comfy, good highway mileage, reliable. It had over 300K. :thumbsup:

My trip was 4000km overall:D

http://www.voiture-france.fr/img/Buick-Park_Avenue-Gris_fonce-Berline-18996.jpg

edit: mine was identical to car in picture.

[Neil4Speed]

I just realized I created this thread and didn't post what I would pick.

Some really cool suggestions!

I think I would stick to what I originally thought of. Earlier I thought the best choice would be a early model SC, but simply, the space isn't really available. The trunk is way too small for an extended road trip. Natural progression would be a LS400 and while it would have fantastic road manners, I think it might be a bit dull for that long of a drive (sorry Jimmy, you know I love the LS's though!) - I would settle I think with a High Mileage GS400 - Reliability, Performance, Comfort.

E38 7, or a W140 S (especially the coupe... :drool: ) would be pretty hype too, but I would be constantly worried about when it would break down. W210 would be cool too but due to reliability issues probably not the right choice.

Hopefully I can bring this idea to fruition sometime.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed
Now, say you were given a budget of 5k to buy this journey car - what would you pick?



70's highway cruising beast.


Like so...
http://pictures.dealer.com/c/catrestorationstctc/0063/ac05db8f1c90c1de0a328daef8d2b275x.jpg

http://catrestorations.autotrader.ca/used/Lincoln/1979-Lincoln-Continental-9a564032404638b5014d8c014ee77521.htm

[DEATH2000]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
mid 80's BMW 633i
Reliable as a clock, manual transmission, 3.3L inline 6, fun to drive, big comfortable seats for long distance cruising (really, you have to check out these seats). This thing has epic road trip written all over it.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1982-BMW-6-Series-633-csi-Coupe-W0QQAdIdZ388055444


Link is dead for this one. How much did they want for it? Me and a friend have been wanting to get one (each) for a while now.

[nismodrifter]

Jetta TDI, gotta have the MPG's and you get crazy looks when you pull up in the middle of a line of semi trucks at a truck stop (semi nozzle fits MK4 TDI's).

[G-ZUS]

w124 Mercedes 400E or E320 or the TE wagon version