Driving long distances alone: Which vehicle do you prefer OPPO? 

"My citroen won't start" (lucasboechat) 08/23/2015 at 22:50 • Filed to: None

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Cramped but comfy grand-tourer is my choice, I like being near my luggage, but I’m not sure why. How about you? Station Wagon? Something floaty and comfy?

Alfalfa > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 22:55

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Touring car all the way. I loved road trips in my Thunderbird. They’re sporty enough to keep from getting bored, but not so rough for long distances as a proper sports car.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 22:57

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Big luxury sedan or coupe.

dogisbadob > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 22:59

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Something with a good amount of comfort and space

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:00

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I’d choose a BMW 328i with the 8 speed auto any day hands down. It’s so comfortable and sporty that I absolutely adore it. It has a decent trunk, split fold rear seats, and it gets upwards of 35 mpg on the highway.

Tom McParland > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:00

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I would choose this for a solo long distance cruise.

LongbowMkII > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:01

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Full size sedan with 5+ liter motor. The longer the gears the better.

smobgirl > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:01

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A rental, as long as it has cruise control. Drove 16 hours through Nebraska in a rented Fiesta without it and it may have been the worst day of my life.

Took the dog in a rented minivan from CO to VA and back and it was kind of awesome. Room to nap. Room to store all of the beer you can’t get here or there. Warning light on? Not my problem. Deer on the side of the highway? At least I’m not in a car anyone cares about. Plus it didn’t have CO plates so the cops in Kansas left me alone.

XJDano > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:02

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It’s a matter of what I have, usually not what I want.

I drove from StLouis to Dayton, OH every weekend (6.5hours) for a while in my metro. I can reach around the whole car. I’ve also had to drive box trucks a few hours at a time one way & throughout the week, then a few hours back home.

The worst is being too comfortable you want to sleep, like late at night, or after a long day of work then driving home.

stuttgartobsessed > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:03

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Something comfortable, effortlessly fast, and with sat radio

marshknute > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:04

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Audi S8. It’s supremely comfortable, it’s understated so it doesn’t draw attention, and it has incredible range on a full tank.

Oh, and it’s an absolute rocket ship so you need only the smallest of openings to undertake left lane hogs.

qbeezy > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:06

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Crossover. SUV space, sedan mpg.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:06

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The Oldsmoboat will be nice once it’s had some kinks worked out, but so far the nicest thing I’ve road tripped in is my father’s 08 Silverado with the LTZ package, means leather seats and a real nice Bose stereo. Hauled all 3600 pounds of Olds all the way from Guelph to Kingston without any problems. From the truck at least. I lost a ratchet winch and strap right near the end.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:06

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V12 jag all day

Nice long gears for highway crusing

nothing inside to distract you from driving

nice ambient interior lighting

good luggage space

and the V12 power

sure the fuel economy may be a bit crap but you shouldn’t really be penny pinching while vacationing either.

chaozbandit > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:07

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Wagons are bae. Having driven 700km in a day, in a mini-van, something decently mid-size with good power would be more than enough.

Must be red.

JR1 > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:10

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Grand tourer for sure. That is likely my favorite “type” of automobile

JR1 > Tom McParland 08/23/2015 at 23:12

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Tom didn't choose an Audi RS6 Avant? I'm shocked!

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/23/2015 at 23:12

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So basically a grand tourer? Or like Lincoln Mark III luxury car?

El Rivinado > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:19

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Any old, big, V8, American land yacht.

I don’t care if it’s a Lincoln, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Mercury, Chrysler, whatever. If it floats on the road, has seats I can go to sleep in, a powerful air conditioning, the turning radius of the moon's orbit around the sun, and has a thirst that would put a Scotsman to shame. That's the ultimate long distance vehicle in my book.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:21

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Never, ever. EVER. Drive long distances in the 2nd Gen Lexus IS with AWD.

Drove from Dayton, Ohio to Chicago and back in one last week and it was agony.

The seat does not lower enough to fit me so I had to lean back too far to keep from brushing the roof with my head. And the AWD transfer box juts into the driver footwell so far they moved the pedals over about 4 inches to the left.

Seriously, I actually hit the gas trying to get the brake when I first set off the pedals are so far out of position.

I spent the while drive with my hips angled slightly to the left which gave me a bad case of muscle fatigue on the return trip. My right hip is still a little sore from that horrid driving position.

What an absolute shit-fest for a car. I’m ashamed Lexus sold them at all.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:22

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2016 Land Cruiser. Comfortable, reliable, has plenty of creature comforts, and if I get tired of the smooth path, I can take the beaten one.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 08/23/2015 at 23:25

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Grand Tourer. S600/A8L/760li/Continental GT/Wraith/DB9/CL600. Also maybe a Range Rover or Escalade if I didn’t plan on driving the twisties.

Master Cylinder > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:26

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You want passing power? You got passing power.

Comfortable enough to put 800+ miles behind you in a day. You can even stand up to stretch if you want. Try that in your car.

Luggage space is limited, but you did say we’re traveling alone, right?

Great fuel mileage compared to the vast majority of cars, especially compared to any car that can come close to matching its acceleration.

JeepJeremy > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:28

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In 1996 my dad had a ‘Burban just like this. He loaded up Ma and sis and me for an old fashioned family road trip. We drove from Lebanon, Ohio out to the Black Hills in SD. That truck was an amazing machine! Super plush. Great ride. Ice cold AC. Plenty of power (Pop took it to 100mph several times out on those highways marked SPEED MINIMUM 70) Room for EVERYTHING. Traveling in style!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:29

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Not even joking. Mine was a blast to drive on long trips. Comfy and loud.

Money Hustard > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:31

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Just did 10 hours in my new Tundra. After having been in nothing but cars for a long time, I finally gave into the largeness. I have to say, it sucked way less to drive on the interstate than I thought it would, and the comfort level was outrageous.

Tohru > El Rivinado 08/23/2015 at 23:31

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Seconded.

DisplacementForDayz, ironically lusts after a Honda Grom > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:31

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GM B-body

Tohru > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:33

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The nicest car I’ve done a distance run in was my 1976 Olds Delta 88 town sedan. You could run over a Honda and it would bounce twice and level out.

Textured Soy Protein > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:33

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Ideal characteristics in a long distance vehicle, for me:

GOOD SEATS

Not-too-punishing ride

Good power for passing

At least decent mileage

Cup holders and cubbies for gadgets and assorted items

Room for me to spread out a little bit. Like if I’m using the cruise control there should be somewhere I can put my right foot and be able to relax.

Neither my 135is nor my Grand Cherokee quite satisfies everything on this list.

The 135is ride comfort takes a hit from the damned run flat tires, and there’s no good place for my right foot to rest while using cruise. The cup holders are sufficient for one person but quickly overwhelmed by two. Because if you want to use the second cup holder, you have to flip up the armrest. The only storage besides the glove box and the almost worthless armrest cubby (which is mostly taken up by a molded plastic insert that serves no purpose and can’t be removed) is the door pockets, cup holders, and laughably small ashtray.

My Grand Cherokee is pretty good with everything on the list except mileage. It’s lucky to get 16 mpg thanks to much-heavier-than-stock all terrain tires.

Nauraushaun > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:44

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I love a big sports coupe like the 300ZX. It’s maybe not the best way - compromised in terms of space, no cupholders for some reason, not enough storage either. But it’s big and comfy enough and does a good job.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:44

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Hot hatch. You can haul ass, haul stuff, and do it all under the radar. I’ve talked before about my road trip last year. 4000 miles in 5 days in a Fiesta ST . The next person who tells me the recaros are uncomfortable is getting punched. Hard. It was not as comfortable as a cadillac but was very awesome for doing some mountian driving and desert blasting. I was comfortable enough on the highway too. Maybe if you’re old and broken you might want less driving feel but this thing just ate mile after mile of roads. Never once missed a step or put a foot wrong the whole time. 11/10, would do again every year if I had the time and money to go to other destinations during those 5 days.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:51

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Having made the drive between SoCal and Las Vegas several times in my E34 I have a few things that I’d like on a long-distance cruiser:

1) Firm, ventilated seats. The back sweat proved to be a reason to stop for a break more often than not, and I generally don’t sweat all that much. Maybe it was the leather seats, which may explain why I prefer cloth.

2) Suspension tuned for ride. It doesn’t have to be cushy, just not optimized for hard cornering. My E34 was modified a bit too much for cornering, and stock suspension would have been much more pleasant.

3) Several hundred horsepower. When you need to pass, it would be nice to do it in a hurry instead of downshifting a couple of gears, flooring it, and hoping you have enough (power, room, etc.) The E34 was a bit like an Airbus A340-300 in this regard, namely small engine(s) optimized for cruise which make dramatic changes in speed a challenge.

4) Reasonable size. For one or two people and luggage the E34 was perfect, the E30 a bit tight. Room in the back seat if I needed more space for hauling things, otherwise everything for a week or two fit perfectly in the trunk.

4) Decent noise isolation. If I’m going to be cruising at speeds approaching triple digits I want it quiet enough to still communicate if necessary, like warnings about cops on the shoulder and things like that. The E30 was a bit too loud, the E34 just fine.

6) Stealth. During long-distance drives I don’t want to be noticed. No flashy colors, no bling, just let me blend in with the surroundings.

So basically I guess I’d want a semi-powerful variant of a mid-range German sedan, something like an A6, 535i or E400.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Tom McParland 08/23/2015 at 23:58

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I like the way you think.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > My citroen won't start 08/23/2015 at 23:59

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I prefer something like my TL..in fact out of my familys vehicles, my cars the only thing taken for long drives

blacktruck18 > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 00:01

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Definitely a grand tourer with a radar detector.

Shark-Attack > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 00:07

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Something responsive, somewhat harsh riding, no power steering or brakes, with decent power, climate control, and a sound system. I have a really bad habit of dozing off on longer trips with newer stock cars and SUVs

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 00:14

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Well I recently did a 3500km trip with my kids in the Focus Wagon. And that sucked up almost $300 in fuel. I’m glad I don’t drive a gas guzzler.

So for long distance driving, I would want something that gets as good or better mileage and has decent space for my luggage and possibly to use the back as a bed (which I would totally do if I was by myself).

So my vote goes to the Golf Sportwagen TDI... with a manual transmission and cloth interior:

Honorable mention goes to the Prius V and Tesla Model S with the 90kwh battery upgrade...

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 00:25

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Somthing comfortable, effortlessly fast, un-involving, comfortable, and quiet. Namely my car

Arben72 > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 00:39

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I did 1000 miles in one day in my m3. It was an amazingly enjoying ride. Only complaint was the gas range, 300 miles a tank isn't the best but it was worth all that noise.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 00:42

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I just did a 700km (450 mile) round-trip in my Niva. It’s loud. It’s not particularly comfortable. It smells like (pick your own automotive fluid). It doesn't have a stereo. But road tripping my ride is always awesome.

EmbraceTheRasp > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 01:12

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I have done this at least 3 times per year from Western NC to NY for the last 25 years. I began in a 90 4.0 Jeep XJ which was not ideal, chiefly because of the seats.

I’ve done it in an A8L 4.2 (circa 2005) which was awesome wonderful as long as you could keep the battery charged overnight. I’ve done it in a consumer version of the interceptor Vic, which was less awesome (but gave me no end of pleasure in forcing left-lane-bandits right as I came though.)

I’ve done it in an e30 325is with no air-con (not recommended), a V10 gas Excursion (very expensive in fuel and shall we say less than direct steering),a pre-powerstroke diesel F250 (cheaper in fuel, worse steering) a V8 SHO (look at me and my 85 mph average), a 04 Ford Eacape V6 (not quite gutless, but third worst after the XJ) and most recently in an 06 Lexus GX470 (pretty darn fast and comfortable) I’ll make no comment about the Hertz 40’ box truck.

But the best overall vehicle I’ve done the east-bound-up&down run was a 2005 F150 v8 FX4 extended cab with a 6ft bed, Leer top and Michelin LTXs. Super seats. Great lights (always do the overnight to dodge traffic). Super low “hello officer” quotient. Loads of room. Great ride and plenty of power. I averaged close to 20MPG at 75/80. Miss that truck horribly.

However, given an unlimited budget, I’d go for a long low grand touring car something like an S7 or S8 unless I could find an E65 AMG wagon, in which case I’ll take it in brown please

RedPir8Roberts > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 01:25

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Jaguar XK8. San Francisco to San Diego, no problem. Seats are comfortable. Cruises effortlessly at 80 all day long, gets about 22 mpg or better depending on speed, trunk is enormous for a 2+2, and there is also the back seat if you need to bring more stuff. And you look good getting there.

Saracen > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 08/24/2015 at 02:30

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Agreed on the Golf Sportwagen TDI (because I own one), disagree on the cloth seats part. Partially because I don’t like cloth seats, and partially because cloth is only available on the “S” trim line which lacks all the creature comforts on my SEL and they have already served me well on a few road trips. The SEL’s sport comfort seats are also more comfortable and supportive.

Saracen > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 02:30

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My ‘15 Golf Sportwagen TDI SEL 6MT.

Quiet, comfy, efficient, roomy, practical, and a great stereo.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/24/2015 at 08:09

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I struggle to call four doors or SUVs grand tourers. They might be grand touring sedans but that isn't really the same. Still awesome but not a GT car.

Tom McParland > JR1 08/24/2015 at 08:13

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I figured this long distance drive would happen in the US.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 08/24/2015 at 09:32

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SUVs defenitily aren’t, sedans probably aren’t either. I just want a big, powerful luxury, but not the ‘79 Thunderbird type.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Saracen 08/24/2015 at 10:01

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My current car has leather seats. On long trips (like one I went on recently), I find I sweat a lot more because the seats don’t breathe compared to previous cars I’ve had with cloth seats.

I suppose it would be better if the seats themselves were ventilated and cooled. But without that, leather seats are hot in the summer, cold in the winter, you slide around more and (as mentioned) they don’t allow the skin to breathe.

For my next car, if I have a choice, cloth is the way I’m going to go.

Saracen > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 08/24/2015 at 10:39

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I last two cars (B6 A4 and Golf R) had leather seats and had I put a total of 225,000 miles on them mostly highway miles. never had an issue with sweating. And sure leather and vinyl aren’t grippy but I don’t exactly find myself sliding around in them. I will probably avoid cloth seats as much as possible =P

Autofixation > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 11:06

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I liked my 97 Subaru Legacy GT wagon for traveling, The gas mileage could have been better (23 mpg) but the ride was nice, it would take corners at 90+ on the interstate, flew under the radar, and since I have a terrible habit of over packing, has plenty of space for whatever.

911e46z06 > My citroen won't start 08/24/2015 at 23:43

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Straight-6 e39 me, bro. I saw 44 states in one.

TheBaron2112 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 08/25/2015 at 22:17

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No. No. No.

I’m 27 and the suspension on the FiST is far too stiff to be comfortable on a long distance drive. And the seating position is all wrong in relation to the pedals, wheel, or gear shift. You can adjust the seat/wheel to get two of these things to be comfortable, but never all 4.

I love my FiST, but god help me if I have to drive more than 2 hours in it.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > TheBaron2112 08/25/2015 at 23:11

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Really? Do you have health problems of some kind? Or perhaps a body size/shape that deviates far from the norm or something? I love everything about the seating position and seats themselves! The only change I made was a spacer block for the gas pedal to make it level with the brake so I can heel-toe now. The recessed gas pedal becomes a pain in the ass on the track or at the autocross.

I feel sorry for you if you can’t do 2 hours in it. I regularly drive from one side of Michigan to the other to visit parents and friends and that’s 2.5 to 3 horus and I do that twice in one weekend no sweat.

TheBaron2112 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 08/26/2015 at 07:52

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No. I’m 5’6” and regularly proportioned. When I adjust the seat to where the pedals are comfortable the shifter is too far away for my comfortable reach. When I adjust the seat to where 5th gear is comfortable the pedals are too close.

I’ve made it work but I’ve sacrificed leg position.