If you were to drive from Alaska to Panama, what car would you take?

"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada) 02/14/2016 at 23:29 • Filed to: completely hypothetical questions

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The Pan-American highway in it’s North American leg runs from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Yaviza, Panama. It’s over 12000 kilometres, or about 7500 miles. That’s alot of road. So what would you take for the journey?

Here’s the catch: You can’t choose a Land Cruiser, and it has to cost under $100k US.

I’d take a Chevy Silverado HD. Big fuel tanks for good range, and a bed to carry extra gear and fuel. On top of that, it’s got a comfy interior to eat up all that distance and four wheel drive to drive over bears and snow in the northern bits of the journey.

So Oppo, what would you pick?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:32

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Ford Raptor

Connqr > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:34

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Well... This. Great car.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Connqr 02/14/2016 at 23:35

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Reasonable.

Connqr > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:36

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If it fails I still have 97.5k left

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 02/14/2016 at 23:36

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Dang was gunna say that haha

WhiskeyGolf > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 02/14/2016 at 23:38

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I would say Raptor with a fuel cell, and maybe Ken Block style rear jump seats, if you can clear the fumes away.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:38

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Ariel Nomad. If I wasn’t using roads.

XC90 of their isn’t much off roading involved

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:39

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Truck’s not a bad idea. Skip the HD(rough ride) and the dually (sketchy handling in rain or ice).

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:39

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This:

Costs $99,900 new. Pretty sure can get a used one for less

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:40

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Not really. Not even I’m that crazy.

My real choices would be the new 7 Series BMW or the Volvo XC90

Flavien Vidal > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:42

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Obviously!

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:44

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1968 ford ranchero

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:49

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AMG, of course... Richard Hammond wrung one out on “Top Knob” and he couldn’t praise it enough. “Just gets the job done ,” he said.

JGrabowMSt > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:50

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I’d take I-5S and detour to cruise down the PCH.

We’re not in a rush, are we? Throw some high end, winter capable tires on it and go. Pack the trunk with the luggage, drop the hard top off at a friend or relative’s place and hit the road.

not for canada - australian in disguise > JGrabowMSt 02/14/2016 at 23:51

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I can dig it.

AM3R shamefully returns > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:52

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G63 AMG. Conquer all terrain fast

fhrblig > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:53

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I’ve been thinking about this recently. I have a bizarre urge to do the trip in a Mitsubishi Mirage. I know it’s a horrible idea, but dammit I want to.

Nibby > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:54

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A diesel Ram 1500

/slight bias

not for canada - australian in disguise > fhrblig 02/14/2016 at 23:54

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I think the car would probably fall apart before you even reach Fairbanks.

jkm7680 > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:55

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Panamera because why not.

fhrblig > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:55

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Never underestimate the hardiness of small shitty cars.

atfsgeoff > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:57

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Honda Grom, natch.

Milky > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/14/2016 at 23:58

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F-Type S awd. See it can off-road. But in BRG because obviously.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:01

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My 1992 Grand Marquis. I love that thing. It was my first car (I still DD it) and it has been there with me through a lot. It’s like it has a soul/personality that mine just meshes with.

Wheelerguy > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:05

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E350 wagon, in gunmetal with hi-vis green highlights.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:08

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Production car? G-wagen or Raptor. Would probably need some mods on the G-wagen.

A modified older Jeep or Defender 90 would be my vehicles of choice on a tighter budget.

And as I think about it more, another perfect vehicle would be a diesel Hummer H1... Hard top wagon body style in this case.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:11

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The GMT900 trucks do have large fuel tanks. My GMT800 only has an alleged 26 gallon tank with GM alarmist fuel gauge.

I could put in a 52 gallon Titan tank. Then I would be set from a range perspective. Plus I would be ever closer to 500,000 miles on the odometer.

I’m considering doing the Trans Canada Highway for a vacation...

DanZman > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:14

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I have a ‘14 Silverado and have driven it from Phoenix to Maine and back. It was comfy and easy, but it is also boring as hell.

If I knew that I didn’t have to worry about getting robbed, I’d take the C6 z06. I have made several long trips in it and it never gets boring. It also has a huge trunk for anything you may want to bring with you.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:18

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I’d want something comfortable, quick enough, capable of dealing with adverse conditions, and spacious. Provided I won’t be beating the shit out of them I’d either take a new XC90 or Q7. I’d also consider a Grand Cherokee Summit diesel.

MLGCarGuy > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:20

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One of these in T8 trim. It gets good gas mileage, is powerful enough, has enough space for tons of gear, and looks relatively discreet.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jkm7680 02/15/2016 at 00:22

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Of all the cars you pick, of all the Porsches, the Panamera.

Try again, but add “ica” to Panamer, and you've got something cooler.

for Michigan > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:35

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I’d happily do that trip in my daily driver.

Berang > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:40

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Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:48

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Have to research road conditions in Central, South America. That seems to be the Hardest part. Infrastructure to get replacement parts? Or to get repairs?

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:57

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Fast, comfy, unassuming, cheap to fix, not terrible on gas, fun, etc. What more is there?

phenotyp > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 00:58

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Something like this.

TheHondaBro > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 01:01

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Whatever car I get, it’s going to need two fuel tanks for those lonely roads between Alaska and Canada.

I’d get an Audi A8 W12. Comfortable, powerful, has AWD for when things get rough. And of course I’d install a secondary fuel tank and maybe have a couple of jerry cans just to be safe.

asindhidude > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 01:45

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The most Macan I could get for that price cap.

Hoccy > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 01:46

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Volvo XC70

Best seats I’ve ever been in, higher ground clearance than the V70 (which is surprisingly low). The diesel gets good mileage as well, if I am allowed to chose that.

asindhidude > asindhidude 02/15/2016 at 01:53

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Turbo. Sport chrono, sport exhaust, fancy stereo, panny sunroof, air suspension, torque vectoring and turbo interior pack. No carbon brakes. 98k.

6Cylinder > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 01:58

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Lexus GX470 fitted with overland gear.

not for canada - australian in disguise > 6Cylinder 02/15/2016 at 02:00

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Technically still a Land Cruiser.

But I’ll allow it, I mostly added the rule because everyone would’ve just posted Land Cruisers.

pip bip - choose Corrour > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 02:14

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Mitsubishi Triton 4D56

CAR_IS_MI > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 02:58

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Well since its a paved highway... I would take my S63. If I had my druthers it would be a brand new S63 4 matic with pano roof, rear fridge, and night vision.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > for Michigan 02/15/2016 at 04:35

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As would I, in the same daily driver :)

Just slap some summers on it, and it’ll not only provide enough comfort, but will entertain as well.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 07:39

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Bam. Later model Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette with a 602cc engine. You don’t need anything too “off-road” for the trip, as we are talking about roads....not great ones, but still roads.

The 2CV was designed to drive over farmer’s furrowed fields at 30mph without damage or damaging anything in it and the engine was tested at MAX RPM for thousands of hours at a time, so you can abuse the crap out of them and they keep on giving back.

Air-cooled boxer-twin, so less to go wrong...no radiators to leak or keep full of water...plus they are simple as hell regardless. Fuel efficient already, and although the efficiency would be worse with the added weight, another fuel tank would give you ample range. Tires are narrow and tall and it’s FWD - get some decent winters and you should be able to plow through anything. Fit some auxiliary LED lighting to go easy on the little engine’s alternator. Fit an auxiliary heater for the cold weather. Set up the back end as a little single-person camper, and you’d be golden. :P

It may not be slow, but it would get me there and it would give other folks smiles for days while I was doing it.

bingham123 > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 08:02

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a volvo 240 estate. some of the comfiest seats ever.

or a range rover

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 08:05

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silverado quad cab, single wheel rear with duramax. Or toyota 4runner

Ryanator122 > for Michigan 02/15/2016 at 08:12

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Would add additional seat cushion

Ryanator122 > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 08:18

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How about a 535xd GT?

GT- a bit more luggage space (dedicated set of spare summer or winter tires)

5 series- quiet, comfortable, composed on tight roads

35d- diesel for even quieter at cruising speed, decent MPG

X- because possible snow

for Michigan > Ryanator122 02/15/2016 at 08:19

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I spend 40 hours a week in my car and am perfectly comfortable. No need for extra cushion.

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/15/2016 at 09:04

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Oh that’s funky.

MikeP3 > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 09:06

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http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-class…

Ford Tempo AWD. It will get the job done, and is naturally car-jacking repelling. I assume that the goal of the trip is to get to Panama without getting kidnapped.

Alex Zapata > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 09:09

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Hate to be the barer of bad news, but...

(Disclaimer: I’m obsessed with the Panamericana and I plan to do it by motorcycle at least once in my life)

Answering your question, there is only two things I would do it on:

Either one is fine...

GE90man > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 09:20

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I don't know but one of the first things to jump to mind was a s class which can semi autonomously drive itself while I play with all the electronical goodies onboard. or a tesla, because autopilot. but I also have the urge to do it in a 2006 Volkswagen passat

LeadfootYT > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 10:18

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Oh that’s easy, obviously a J100 La—

Here’s the catch: You can’t choose a Land Cruiser

Dammit.

vicali > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 11:55

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I like Ed March’s choice; C90 all the way!

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 02/15/2016 at 12:04

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I totally agree with the choice, but the #1 complaint I've heard about it (besides looks) is that it's terrible on gas. It only gets 14/22 city/highway. Some V8 trucks can do better than that.

The Stig's former college room mate > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/15/2016 at 14:36

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well, technically a Land Cruiser Prado. The actual Land Cruiser would be an LX570. The Prado is not sold in North America so I say the GX is fair game.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 02/16/2016 at 00:17

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Yeah, I bet it would be better with an LT1 and an 8 speed auto (or 7 manual). I was thinking that it was good compared to say an E60 M5 or other large sport sedans of that generation.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > fhrblig 02/16/2016 at 01:18

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