"BlythBros." (blythbros)
04/09/2014 at 12:51 • Filed to: None
2
34|
"BlythBros." (blythbros)
04/09/2014 at 12:51 • Filed to: None | 2
| 34 |
My last day at Cummins is Monday, the 14th. I don't start work in Detroit until May 5th. Time for a road trip! I'm planning on 6,000-10,000 miles in 12-16 days. I'll have 3-5 days for repairs and mechanical preparation beforehand.
I'm looking for some input on car and route selection. First, let's look at the car situation - provide your thoughts in the comments!
1984 VW Rabbit GTI
The good:
Fresh tires, oil, coolant, brakes. New Blaupunkt stereo w/ iPod and decent speakers would compensate for the loud cabin. Also, plenty of space for gear, decent fuel economy, and it's more fun than a bathtub full of otters.
The interesting:
The car could use new suspension bushings and ball joints. I need to replace an inner CV joint. Car isn't 100% waterproof due to windshield leak above fuse box - might silicon for temporary solution.
1989 Alfa Milano Verde
The good:
Everything besides the engine is perfect.
The interesting:
The rebuilt engine is sitting next to the car. It will need a 750 mile break-in before leaving for trip. A properly rebuilt engine is obviously an asset, but troubleshooting far away from home is not ideal.
1988 Alfa Milano Verde
The good:
Perfect mechanicals, decent interior.
The interesting:
Car sustained body damage from roof collapse in winter storage location. It is completely driveable, but small water-resistance concerns that could be solved with a new door or some clever taping.
1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16
The good:
Clean cabin, fresh suspension, and no mechanical needs. My brother has the car serviced at a M-B specialist, so it's in great shape. Easy 30-32 mpg highway. It's a freaking Cossie.
The interesting:
Car is lowered on H&R sport springs, so ground clearance is limited off road. Not stanced, just sporty. Still, campsite access could be limited.
1994 Alfa 164 Q
The good:
Great driving experience (ride, handling, power). Alfa sound.
The interesting:
It's my brother's new addition to the fleet. We will need to do a timing belt and H20 pump service first (only a 5 hour job with the correct tools). 24V Alfa V6s are not unreliable, but they are on the riskier end of the spectrum. I'm much more comfortable in a 12V Alfa.
1988 Porsche 911 Carrera
The good:
Mechanically sound. G50 trans. 911.
The interesting:
Asking my dad to borrow it. The car might end up smelling like me forever.
My Take:
I think that sorting the GTI would make for the most bulletproof car. My second choice would be the 2.3-16, due to its proven reliability in my brother's hands, and its lack of mechanical needs.
Then, there is the Milano Verde situation. Easily the best combination of fun and comfort. My best bet would be to take the rough car, but what if I were to swap that engine into the nice car and deal with breaking in and troubleshooting the rebuilt engine later? I'll have 2 weeks of vacation at my new job, so I'll have another chance to get the Verde out if I can't get it out on this trip.
What are your thoughts? Route selection to follow later this week.
Previous BlythBros. road trips for reference:
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Natchez Trace in Saab TrollBlazer
Tackling the Dragon in the 2.3-16 and GTI
Where have all the lightweights gone?
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 12:57 |
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I'd go with the Cossie Merc or 164. Both sound like an epic adventure car to me.
505Turbeaux
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 12:58 |
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go with the 164. They are pretty reliable as long as the HVAC is sorted. I am a veteran of some pretty long Milano and GTV6 trips so maybe I just want to see a slightly different version!
Party-vi
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 12:59 |
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Assuming you don't want future hearing loss (or to mitigate it as much as possible) leave the GTI at home. The 911 is the most obvious answer here, but I'd be too worried about logging 6,000-10,000 miles in my dad's almost $30k classic.
Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:01 |
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I think the 89 Verde or the 87 190E are my two favorite cars out of the list.
A recently engine-swapped car sounds like somewhat of a risk, with infant mortality and all... I would be more comfortable with ~1k miles on it to get a chance to rule out and/or fix problems that'll come up early and to find some likely inevitable adjustments you'll need to make.
I still say take the Alfa, lol. It sounds like it has the makings of a very interesting roadtrip story.
But I wouldn't blame you if you took and of the other cars, they are all interesting in their own right.
BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:01 |
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I'd go for the 164 :) better driving position than the 75, which will tell on a long trip.
Personally, I'd go and find a cheap V12 XJS. Just to prove that it can be done, even if it shouldn't :)
Biased Plies
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:02 |
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190 seems like the most sensible choice and one of the most fun as well. I want it/one.
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BlythBros.
> Party-vi
04/09/2014 at 13:05 |
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BlythBros.
> Party-vi
04/09/2014 at 13:08 |
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The GTI isn't that loud at 80mph, and the windows would be open since it doesn't have A/C. I honestly enjoy how it sounds at 4.5k RPM for hours on end.
And the 911 would be more agreeable for 1,000 miles or so, so I'm with you on that.
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BlythBros.
> Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
04/09/2014 at 13:09 |
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If all goes well with the installation, I may be able to get a teething trip in (Chicago and back or something). I'm definitely with you.
But...I think the best story is where you make it without anything breaking.
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BlythBros.
> 505Turbeaux
04/09/2014 at 13:11 |
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I've only done two 300 mile trips in the Milano, but it was great for that.
And 164 is plenty reliable, but if it has engine problems, it's not always easy to fix on the side of the road.
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BlythBros.
> Where have all the lightweights gone?
04/09/2014 at 13:12 |
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I'm leaning towards the Merc at the moment.
timateo81
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:12 |
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Christ are you a masochist? there are good reasons not to choose any of those rides. rent a minivan and enjoy yourself.
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505Turbeaux
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:13 |
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lol yeah side of the road you are looking to be n that Rabbit. I know you did a haul in that though recently. I have done long road trips in Peugeots too, great cruisers, but if you get stuck, boy are you STUCK
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BlythBros.
> 505Turbeaux
04/09/2014 at 13:14 |
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Hah, yep. Keep an eye on the H20 temp and you're good. Bring an extra H20 pump belt and a spare timing belt and tensioner and nothing that bad can happen. Non-interference engine ftw.
Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:17 |
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What a difficult/awesome dilemma to have. I wish I had cars as nice as yours at my disposal haha. For me it'd have to be the mercedes depending on how low it actually is and how rough the off road stuff will be.
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BlythBros.
> timateo81
04/09/2014 at 13:19 |
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The 164 is the only actual risky car on the list. The other cars are simple to fix with a full set of tools and a cell phone.
Renting a minivan would cost more than most repairs on those cars, I'd think. That would make sense if I actually needed to be somewhere, I guess.
revrseat70
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:39 |
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Even if you have the coolest dad ever, I just can't imagine not feeling guilty for either the miles, or the inevitable raccoon you hit while night-driving. Go with the bullet-proof, comfortable, sporty, and all-around awesome Cossie and whip around the countryside like your Ayrton Senna.
Scott Keelan
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:39 |
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I'm going to recommend the 190e as well. I think it would be a pretty good compromise between fun, practicality, and comfort. The fact that you know the previous owner and the car's history should seal the deal.
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 13:41 |
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I'd say take the 2.3 Cossie! Never driven one, but they seem like relatively comfy highway cruisers (and supposedly decent gas mileage according to you)...but still plenty fun, esp with the H&Rs I'm sure.
Tangentially related, if the Blyth parents are accepting applications I'll have my adoption papers signed and notorized by the end of the week. All I have to offer in return is an 89 E30 325i(s-ish!) and an 05 Subaru Legacy GT wagon.
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BlythBros.
> Scott Keelan
04/09/2014 at 13:46 |
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I'd definitely say that we're converging on the Cossie...
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BlythBros.
> revrseat70
04/09/2014 at 13:48 |
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Yep, I agree. Also, you guys are being nice, but there's a certain douche factor associated with driving "dad's Porsche".
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BlythBros.
> Scott Keelan
04/09/2014 at 13:50 |
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Well, I know the current owner - my brother. But I agree. FYI, the cars represent the BlythBros. collection of cars (me, my brother, my dad).
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Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 14:00 |
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Haha road-side-repairs make for a good story too though. Making it without anything breaking would be like reading one of Demuro's Ferrari updates, you keep thinking you'll read about one, but you don't :P
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revrseat70
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 14:01 |
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$150k 997/991? Absolutely. But I don't really want to spend a lot of time with the people who are going to be ugly towards someone just because something cool and fortunate happened to them, when they know good and well they would gladly accept too. A classic porsche arguably doesn't carry that kind of baggage though. Classic porsches are a mix between the billboard to the world that you enjoy driving and wrenching more than flashing badge (like an old mg or something like that). But I've pretty much decided things are called douchey when the accuser is just jealous, and accepted by his peers when they share his jealousy because none of them have the work-ethic or determination to earn their own M3/911/RS_/Vette/AMG/etc.. No one calls a Golf GTI, FRS, or Fiesta ST douchey because just about anyone who can breath can afford one if they have a long enough financing term. And if they do call them douchey, it's because they drive a '93 Camry and "the man is keeping them down".
JEM
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 14:07 |
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It's admirable that you're considering anything but the 190. Foolish, but admirable :-)
Having done a couple 5K mile trips I would definitely go for the Merc. My requirements for road trips basically go: 1 - damn good seats. 2 - rock solid mechanically. 3 - good stereo.
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BlythBros.
> JEM
04/09/2014 at 14:51 |
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What did you take on your trips? I've been on two long trips in a 2004 Passat wagon (stick, 1.8T, awd) and an e46 325ix wagon and both made me feel like I was degrading the car. When I take old cars out, I feel like I'm clearing cholesterol from their delicate little arteries.
I'll agree on those basics! Perhaps add 27+mpg to the list? Stereo is huge, and proper source of music is as well. I like putting 20 gigs or so of music on shuffle and going to town on the highways.
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JEM
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 15:06 |
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See I kind of feel the opposite, to me taking an older car out make me feel like I'm making it run a race it no longer should have to run.
And yeah mileage is big but I think as long as you're getting over 25mpg it's ok. Both times were in my '05 Hyundai Tiburon which was really comfortable, decently sporty (I made 3 passes down the Tail of the Dragon in it), and overall a great travelling car.
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Scott Keelan
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 16:59 |
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I know the 16v has a ton of different components compared to the base models, but my Dad had a 190e 2.3 that lasted 400k miles. Now that was a comfortable road trip car. I would hope the Cosworth version retained most of that same ability.
Dunnik
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 17:24 |
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I think you're right in that the little Rabbit should be the most bulletproof, but despite its name its not a GT car. Ask yourself if you want to drive thousands of miles in a compact car designed in the '70s.
I'd say your brothers W201 would be a far superior GT car, and since its sorted and you have its owner along you shouldn't face too much trouble along the way.
Wouldn't trust the Alpha. The Porsche is tempting but it's radar bait, and over a very long trip that may cost you.
Teena Blyth
> BlythBros.
04/09/2014 at 19:49 |
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Auntie says bring the Porche via Yorktown and leave it here...we will babysit it.
jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
> BlythBros.
04/10/2014 at 02:25 |
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I don't think I noticed before, what work are (were) you doing at Cummins? I'm guessing you're leaving Indiana?
And to answer your question, I would want to take either the 190E or the 911. An Alfa would be cool and uncommon, too... but I like the other two more for some reason.
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BlythBros.
> jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
04/10/2014 at 08:41 |
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I am/will have been a design engineer in R&T. Cool group, but I don't have the attention to detail to really excel at that type of focused work. And yeah, I'm moving up to Dearborn. MI ;)
I think I'm 95% settled on the 190E
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jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
> BlythBros.
04/11/2014 at 02:07 |
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Ah, gotcha. I work for Cummins also, and have a coworker leaving on the 14th too. Sounds like you got a more impressive degree than myself. :) Did you find a job at Ford? I also know people there...
Good luck in your endeavors, and I'm sure the 190E will be a great roadtrip companion!
cabarne4
> BlythBros.
04/17/2014 at 22:03 |
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Add another vote for the Cossie. The 190e is one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven (2.6 — not sure if Cossie seats are that much different). The seats are incredibly comfortable, the car has a bit of weight to it so it's not blown off the road by trucks, and it's got decent power.
Second choice would be the GTI.