Budget Car Challenge: Route 66 Edition

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
11/05/2016 at 10:25 • Filed to: None

What’s the best budget car for the task of driving 2,451 miles from Chicago to LA?

Budget: $5k

Must have 6 or more cylinders (that’s the American way)

Good acceleration

Roomy enough for you, significant other or friend, and all your luggage and souvenirs.

Must be reliable enough to last 5000 miles round trip (which rules out that Jaaag you were thinking of)

A comfortable ride is key. You don’t want to drive a Miata on coilovers for 5000 miles, across poorly maintained roads.

Can’t be FWD. FWD is not the American way.

Bonus challenge A: Less than 10 years old.

Bonus challenge B: American, built before 1976.

DISCUSSION (24)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 10:31

Nothing says America like a V8 and RWD.

http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5848464919.html

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 10:38

Buick Park Avenue Ultra. Fuck the RWD elitism. Big Cadillacs of the 70's were FWD, and it’s not like you are doing sick drifts on the flat landscape of middle America.

Also, why the Park Avenue? Because you are invisible, while wrapped in comfort, being propelled by a torquey supercharged 3800 V6. So long as you don’t Jake it, it should be perfectly reliable for 5k miles, all the while invisibly doing 90+ mph in comfort.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
11/05/2016 at 10:51

I was wondering how quickly the LS400 would show up.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/05/2016 at 10:54

I guess I’ll let it pass. I looked at those when looking for a car but decided it was a bit too old man for my tastes (says the one with a Lexus).

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 11:03

Bam! Any questions?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 11:11

Maybe not quickly, but smoothly and elegantly.

BorkBorkBjork > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 11:50

Crown Victoria for A

2nd gen Caprice for B

shop-teacher > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 12:03

Duh. Roadmaster wagon ;)

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/5809234909.html

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/05/2016 at 12:03

This is a VERY good answer.

Berang > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 12:32

Kinja'd!!!

Long wheelbase Lark. Lots of room.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-Studebaker-Lark-V8-cruiser-/112193208544?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1a1f3c80e0:g:O44AAOSwOyJX-AI1&item=112193208544

One on ebay right now for $5,999

Or how about the later restyled model:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Studebaker-Cruiser-/272434517547?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f6e5cd62b:g:zkMAAOSwal5YGNy5&item=272434517547

Seems maybe too good to be true.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 12:42

For the B challenge: This 1970 Lincoln Continental:

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1970/lincoln/mark-iii/100804621

Kinja'd!!!

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/05/2016 at 16:23

Those MPG’s tho.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
11/05/2016 at 16:24

I mean, it’s not slow. Not fast, but not slow.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > shop-teacher
11/05/2016 at 16:25

If only I knew someone who had one...

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Berang
11/05/2016 at 16:26

It’s definitely too good to be true, but for the purpose of this challenge, it works!

Berang > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 17:16

On closer inspection, with all the dents, the price may not be that surprisingly low. Considering a perfect one would only be worth 7 or 8K.

shop-teacher > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 17:52

They’re hard to find ...

Die-Trying > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 21:26

1956 Chevy 3100 Apache - $4500 (North Houston

Kinja'd!!!

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Die-Trying
11/05/2016 at 21:43

I don’t think that’s quite ready for a 2500 mile journey.

Die-Trying > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 22:14

its got an inline 6, and a manual 3 speed.......... it will still be on the road, running long after most of the other cars here have give it up.

Kinja'd!!!

maybe a little air in those back tires, and a little bit of gas in the tank on the roof, and its ready to go.

quite honestly though........ old, ancient trucks like this are an adventure to drive. ANYwhere you go is an event, exciting. and that is what a trip like route 66 is about.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Die-Trying
11/05/2016 at 22:22

I was more referring to the fact it doesn’t have seats but ok.

Die-Trying > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/05/2016 at 22:35

yeah, that......... load up a spare tire, and an old tool box( you need those when you have old trucks), throw an old blanket(quilted moving pad) for “comfort”, 2500 miles should just FLY past........