What is the best vehicle to drive on a road trip for under 30k?

"JR1" (type35bugatti)
05/14/2016 at 09:51 • Filed to: Random question

I can think of no better vehicle than a CL65 AMG. The ultimate in grand touring and luxury. And you will need that 600hp and 700+ torque, you know for the mountains.

DISCUSSION (56)

djmt1 > JR1
05/14/2016 at 09:58

DB7 as this V12 has traction and a manual. Plus since it’s a Ford Era Aston, it’s really a Ford Mondeo underneath because everything was a Ford Mondeo underneath back then and thus should be easy to repair.

Kinja'd!!!

Disclaimer: The DB7 is really a Jaguar XJS underneath. You have been warned.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > JR1
05/14/2016 at 09:59

You know, I'd argue with you that it could be a S65, but it's really not worth it.

JR1 > djmt1
05/14/2016 at 10:01

For under 30k

djmt1 > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:03

They are...

in Łs but I’m guessing that’s not what you’re getting at.

JR1 > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
05/14/2016 at 10:04

And it doesn't have as much style as the CL anyway. If I could afford a 60k car I would heavily consider a 30k CL

JR1 > djmt1
05/14/2016 at 10:04

Nope not at all. But that is still impressive

Cherry_man1 > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:09

E55 AMG Wagon because Wagon and it’s got 500HP

EL_ULY > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:10

THIS !

It says $33,500 obo. 30 in cash should do

Vimto > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:10

I paid less than $10k for my 2007 Grand Marquis LS a couple of years ago, and I’d gladly take it over just about anything else regardless of cost to eat up hundreds of miles in blissful comfort, decent MPG and bulletproof reliability. My 2009 C70 is great too and well under $30k, but you just can’t beat a Panther.

Steve in Manhattan > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:11

I am actually well placed to answer this - I’ve been renting cars for long trips since I moved here in 2001. The worst was a Dodge Avenger - poorly built and a poor ride for a car of that size. The best was a Volvo V70 - decent ride and handling and ridiculously comfortable seats. Surprisingly, a newish CRX was very capable.

Cost no object? I’ve always wanted to try a Continental Flying Spur - the seats look great and I’ll bet the suspension is tuned for comfort. A big Jag would also be nice to try, as would a Volvo S80 (or whatever its equivalent is now).

Berang > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:13

Kinja'd!!!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:18

Kinja'd!!!

A chevy suburban with an auto ride (air) suspension. These things are like a couch on wheels.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/14/2016 at 10:22

This is true. I love roadtriping my fathers, though I'd rather take my S class.

LongbowMkII > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:23

There's an occasional one on eBay.

flyingmetalbird > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/14/2016 at 10:24

Actually though!

My beef with that gen (11th) is that the seats got way harder from the 10th gen. I'd take an 11th gen with the squishy captains chats from the 10th

LongbowMkII > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:28

Coast to coast?

Probably a CPO Chevy Impala. The in car 4GLTE will be worth it’s weight in gold crossing the plains.

Er, I mean distracted driving is deadly driving or something.

LongbowMkII > LongbowMkII
05/14/2016 at 10:29

It probably doesn't weigh much of anything, but you know what I mean.

Land_Yacht_225 > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:36

Kinja'd!!!

The Hyundai Equus dipped below $30k a while ago. I’m talking “60+ available under $30k on cars.com right now” levels of availability. And I got two words for you: ultimate trim. As much standard equipment as a Maybach Type 57. And I got for more words: four corner air-ride. This thing is what the Lincoln Town Car should have become.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Land_Yacht_225
05/14/2016 at 10:42

WTF is that thing on the hood?

JR1 > Cherry_man1
05/14/2016 at 10:46

Wagons are boring but it would be practical

JR1 > EL_ULY
05/14/2016 at 10:47

“Not Street Legal”

tpw_rules > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:48

I love roadtripping my Saab 9-3. 35MPG highway even at 80, very comfortable and stable, and that drama-free passing! Just a pinky toe on the pedal and you’re doing 100 way before you should. (Granted I haven’t driven something like an AMG, but it looks like around crusing RPM the AMG may not have much more torque) Bonus points for superb safety; long drives can be deadly.

They’re also pretty cheap and easy to upgrade to stupid amounts of power:

http://www.saabplanet.com/saab-9-3-430-h…

JR1 > Vimto
05/14/2016 at 10:48

Luxury boats do soak up the miles better than most

JR1 > Steve in Manhattan
05/14/2016 at 10:49

I really like the new CRX. Some people hate the new crossovers but I think thy are all great vehicles.

Interesting you picked the Flying Spur. Why that over a CL?

JGrabowMSt > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:49

GET OFF MY LAWN

JR1 > Berang
05/14/2016 at 10:49

Good old or go home

JR1 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/14/2016 at 10:50

These has air ride?!

JR1 > LongbowMkII
05/14/2016 at 10:51

4G is nice but when your cell phones have unlimited data I just don't see the point in it

Land_Yacht_225 > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
05/14/2016 at 10:52

A rare, dealer installed, optional Equus hood ornament.

JR1 > Land_Yacht_225
05/14/2016 at 10:52

I love a good cheap luxury alternative but damn that car is ugly

JR1 > tpw_rules
05/14/2016 at 10:53

What year is your 9-3?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:54

My 2002 suburban did, the LTZ models are all pimped out it’s still probably an option.

1111111111111111111111 > JR1
05/14/2016 at 10:56

A Prius. Seriously good for road trips. Especially long hilly ones.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > flyingmetalbird
05/14/2016 at 10:56

We have a 2012 truck at work, the seats are fine, but yeah the older model captains chairs were modeled after lazy boy and they are wonderful.

LongbowMkII > JR1
05/14/2016 at 11:01

I didn’t realize that it didn’t work in non 4g zones, well that’s worthless.

I thought it’d be like XM/Sirius and have satellite data rather than cell towers.

tpw_rules > JR1
05/14/2016 at 11:02

Mine’s 2003. It’s the family’s spare car now. It was my dads but now he has a 2007 wagon. I actually drive my Miata now. Roadtripping in that is not very exciting, but tolerable. It really needs an overdrive gear. 4000rpm for 8 hours at a time is horror.

The 1999 9-3's could get to like 450HP with just injectors. It’s stupid.

Steve in Manhattan > JR1
05/14/2016 at 11:06

Just realized the typo - I meant CR-V. We rented one three years ago to go pick up our cats waaaay out on Long Island. Huge storm on the way back, but the car tracked great.

Why a Flying Spur? Rare, and I’ve always like the design even though it’s a bit tepid. I see a few of them all over town, and you sometimes have to look twice to determine what the car is.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > tpw_rules
05/14/2016 at 11:09

I know the power of the turbo Saab. Great road trip car

JR1 > tpw_rules
05/14/2016 at 11:11

That is crazy. The torque steer would be immense

Steve in Manhattan > Land_Yacht_225
05/14/2016 at 11:15

Far too much bling ....

While I always think it’d be nice to have a Gallardo or a 458, in actuality I’d be horrified to be seen in car like that. I’m generally pretty attention averse, and I like a car with subdued styling. The Flying Spur is very understated, and the Jag XJ somewhat less so, but I like both designs. I think that’s why I like Volvo wagons - it could be anything, really. And those seats over long distances ....

EL_ULY > JR1
05/14/2016 at 11:20

not with that attitude

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > tpw_rules
05/14/2016 at 11:31

At cruising rpm the AMG may not have much torque?

Lolololololol

Compared to when the turbos are spooled perhaps, but compared to other cars it’s still a powerhouse even when it’s being lazy.

Land_Yacht_225 > Steve in Manhattan
05/14/2016 at 11:58

That’s a interesting take. I seem to recall sombody, I think motortrend, said that the Equus had no bling, it looked like a Buick and blended in with the woodwork as such. But I always thought it stood out more than people were giving it credit for.

I’m not in love with the design, but I’d drive one in a heartbeat. I saw the options list before I looked at the car itself, so I guess I primed myself to be tolerant of the styling though.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > JR1
05/14/2016 at 12:13

I think Chevy’s LTE is satellite based, so it'll work where there are no towers.

LongbowMkII > Land_Yacht_225
05/14/2016 at 12:16

Big sedans generally look best in black.

LongbowMkII > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
05/14/2016 at 12:18

It runs off of at&ts network.

Steve in Manhattan > Land_Yacht_225
05/14/2016 at 12:18

I’ve a couple Hyundai Genesis (Genisysysys?) around town with drivers. Apparently the back seat is a nice place to be.

MPA > JR1
05/14/2016 at 12:32

I took my former C6 on a trip from STL to NY. Very comfy amazingly, and I was able to get 500 miles from a single tank - I only needed to stop for gas once on my way back.

I’m taking my FiST to the Smoky Mountains in a few weeks, I’m sure it will be a blast.

JR1 > MPA
05/14/2016 at 12:35

I thought the C6 was comfortable too the view times I went on a prolonged drive with my grandpa but he did not think so. He ultimately sold it because it was uncomfortable.

You'll have to let us know how you like the Smokies.

Chasaboo > JR1
05/14/2016 at 13:53

This is a great thread, because it’s what I’m trying to figure out in terms of my next purchase.

Pickup trucks make for great mile eaters. I’m passed the pickup truck phase in my life, and I’m in search of a great car to move me large distances when called upon.

JR1 > Chasaboo
05/14/2016 at 13:59

Nothing beats a luxury GT car or a good luxury SUV. Something with magnetic ride. If you're willing to pony up the good expense ABC is the Mercs is supposed to be excellent I have heard

Cherry_man1 > JR1
05/14/2016 at 16:38

You know what Here then http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5547927326…

Kinja'd!!!

1965 Mercury Marauder Pro Touring.

JR1 > Cherry_man1
05/14/2016 at 17:56

Oh hell yes!

Cherry_man1 > JR1
05/14/2016 at 20:41

Drop dead awesome isn't it?

derf > Steve in Manhattan
05/17/2016 at 18:22

Newish CRX?

Kinja'd!!!

ROAD TRIP!

(ok, maybe a bit more -ish than new)

Steve in Manhattan > derf
05/18/2016 at 01:23

Owned a ‘91 CRX Si for a few years - it was a good commuter car, and fun to fling through the corners, but there are other cars I’d use on a long drive.