What car is best car because family road trip?

"Ross Kraz" (ropstafer)
06/22/2016 at 13:31 • Filed to: road trip, WI to NC

HELP WANTED: I need help choosing a car.

We are taking a family trip at the end of Summer from Wisconsin to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I love road trips, but there’s one hitch. As of right now, the default car that I’m in is my sister’s Kia Optima. Ugh. Please no.

Our other options are all either drab or impractical. So I’ve been searching Craigslist for something better.

Here’s the criteria:

1) Seats four plus luggage, including a baby seat

2) Reliable

3) Has character

4) Fun or comfortable or (preferably) both

5) Fuel economy-ish

6) $4000 or less

It seems everything that meets a few requirements has a drawback. Coupes aren’t practical; hatchbacks are too small; malaise-era boats would triple our fuel costs; older cars don’t have the correct seat belts; newer cars don’t have character...

With that criteria in mind, what should I be looking for? What have I been overlooking?

DISCUSSION (75)

d15b > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:37

Minivan.

Edit:

Minivan with captain’s chair’s in the second row, so you don’t have to hear “HE’S TOUCHING MY ARM, MAKE HIM STOP!!!!1!”

Jcarr > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:37

Older minivan? Not all that fun, but certainly up to the task.

Ross Kraz > d15b
06/22/2016 at 13:38

Character? I mean something that people will enjoy seeing on the road.

Ross Kraz > Jcarr
06/22/2016 at 13:38

Not sure that itticks the character box

Laurence > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:38

Only thing I can think of is an 80s/90s BMW; that seems to fit all the criteria

Nibbles > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:39

What year Optima? The newer ones make for excellent road cruisers...

A Saab 9-5 would meet your criteria though

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:40

First gen toyota previas are mid engined and have stick shift. Some even have superchargers. You’re welcome.

RT > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:40

Perhaps a Subaru Legacy or Volvo of some sort would work, they do seem to fit the criteria.

If that's too risky try a Mazda 6 wagon/estate. They're bulletproof cars that even drive quite nicely.

Jcarr > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:41

Maybe not, but in my opinion, if I’m driving from WI to NC, character is going to be pretty low on my list.

My citroen won't start > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:41

4000 can get you a pretty nice W124

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:41

Small-midsize pickup.

Ross Kraz > Laurence
06/22/2016 at 13:43

I was thinking that, too. My worry, though, isn’t reliability but serviceability. I guess I’d feel more comfortable knowing that, if something does break, parts are common and any shop could fix it if I can’t. And that isn’t really true for old BMW 5/6/7 series.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:43

Toyota Previa. Loads of space, reliable, fun, comfortable, cheap, mid engined, some had manual and supercharger.

HammerheadFistpunch > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
06/22/2016 at 13:44

yeah, previa is just in the right spot between quirky and modern.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > HammerheadFistpunch
06/22/2016 at 13:44

I very badly want one.

Boxer_4 > RT
06/22/2016 at 13:46

Outback with an H6. Great cruising vehicles.

Slant6 > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:47

Here’s what you do:

Forget character as a requirement. Every car has character if you drive it long enough, which you will. Get a van or a wagon.

What you’re looking for here is the holy grail and doesn’t really exist in your price range.

Some examples of things that are good for this:

Panther

Volvo or Saab wagon (these actually have a ton of character but loose some reliability points)

Mini van will do exactly what you need. Who cares what people think of you on the road? If you’re looking for street cred erase all the other credentials.

Ford Taurus

I’m also in NC. Outer Banks are nice but there are much nicer beaches on the east coast.

Slant6 > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:50

Nope. parts for old BMWs are like hens teeth. You can find them online alright, but from Wisconsin to NC has a ton of rural areas where BMWs rarely go.

My e34 was a pain to keep going when going back and forth to college.

Thomas Donohue > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:52

I’d be looking mainly for reliability, which will be hard to come by considering all of your requirements and budget. How long is the trip? You can rent a brand new Ford Fusion for ~$175 a week. You’ll probably save a decent amount in fuel costs vs something that’s over 10 years old, not to mention not having any worries about repairs or kids puking all over it.

Character and reliability usually don’t go hand in hand, but if you really want to buy, I’d go Passat Wagon.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volkswagen…

Ross Kraz > Nibbles
06/22/2016 at 13:52

I think it’s a ‘12 or ‘13 because it doesn’t have those weird square fog lights that the ‘14 got. I don’t like it because it’s not comfortable, my knees hit the dash, visibility isn’t great, and I’d like to make the trip with some style.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:53

We’ve taken a number of week-long family trips. The best vehicle so far has been a rented minivan.

Given your budget, I would avoid buying a car for a trip. At that price, the “character” you find may leave you stranded. A rental will cost a few hundred for a couple of weeks, but if you are stranded, the rental company will come get you and replace your rental with a different one.

Ross Kraz > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/22/2016 at 13:54

Bet you could fit a troll in there

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:56

Not trolling, if that’s what you mean.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:57

Kinja'd!!!

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:58

I think an third-gen Outback or Legacy wagon ‘02-04ish meets these requirements if you give it a good pre-purchase inspection for the common issues. The Legacy in particular handles very competently and can be had with a manual. I have a co-worker with an ‘02 Legacy wagon that I borrow every now and then and I always forget how fun it is to drive until I get behind the wheel. Combined MPG is right around 20, which isn’t too bad for a road trip.

Ross Kraz > Slant6
06/22/2016 at 13:59

So, Slant6, how about a 4 door ‘73 dart with a 225 in it? It’s mint green and in Milwaukee for $3000!

You make many valid points, though. Wagon would be ideal, but Volvo and Saab parts may be harder to find if something does break. Subaru might work...

JustAnotherG6 > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 13:59

throw some wood paneling on it and it would have character till you puke.

Party-vi > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:00

JEEP CHEROKEE!!!

Seats five with a bag-ass cargo area for luggage

The 4.0L will outlast cockroaches and Kardashians

Oodles of character from being owned by AMC, then Renault, then Chrysler, then Fiat

What’s more fun than taking your Cherokee literally anywhere you want that isn’t under water? Also, leaf springs out back and coils up front make it extremely wallow-like in comfy handling

It has fuel economy!

All Cherokees are under $4,000! Unless they have “low” (read: under 200,000) miles.

Roundbadge > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:01

‘Character’ is that thing that leaves you broken down on the side of the road, cruelly eating up a big portion of your trip.

Rent thyself something new and apply the miles to someone else’s car. We climbed Mt. Washington in a rental Passat a few summers ago, and blasted across PA and back in a rental Avalon back in April. We didn’t spend a whole lot, got great fuel economy, and got where we wanted to go and back.

Were they the most exciting cars? No, not really. What they were was brand new, comfortable, and someone else’s problem at the end.

Slant6 > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:03

That Dart would be awesome. I have a 65. Don’t know about a cross country road trip without AC though. But the 225 is unkillable and they’re dead simple to fix. I’d just make sure it runs cool enough for the summer heat.

A Mazda protoge or a 626 could work.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:04

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/560097…

Kinja'd!!!

Ross Kraz > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/22/2016 at 14:04

how does a small pickup seat 4? Unless it’s a Brat but I doubt my sister will want to put the baby in the bed of the truck for the whole way...

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:06

Crew Cab.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:07

Kinja'd!!!

It’s not called a “Roadmaster” for no reason. It’s also rated at 26mpg highway.

If that’s too much car for you, look for an OG Taurus wagon.

Ross Kraz > Roundbadge
06/22/2016 at 14:08

You sound like my sister. I see your points but what I want is an adventure.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Slant6
06/22/2016 at 14:09

Did you mean to say “unkillable"?

Ross Kraz > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/22/2016 at 14:10

so, full size pickup?

Ross Kraz > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/22/2016 at 14:11

That is a thing of beauty. More fake wood than a bottle of Viagra pills.

Ross Kraz > d15b
06/22/2016 at 14:13

Or just go full conversion van with a TV and everything...

Slant6 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/22/2016 at 14:13

Yeah.

I like them enough. Username.

Roundbadge > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:14

Fair enough.

In 1998 my college roommate, his fiance and best friend drove to Yellowstone in a ‘90 Chevy van. That was enough adventure for me...as we stopped three times during the trip for various issues and one electrical fire.

I like my adventures to go as planned...but I’m also 41. YMMV!

Ross Kraz > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/22/2016 at 14:15

But that’s boring. I want more adventure.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:15

No, compact/midsize.

Kinja'd!!!

Ross Kraz > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/22/2016 at 14:16

DeMuro would be proud

Ross Kraz > My citroen won't start
06/22/2016 at 14:17

Yeah I just worry about a breakdown. Not that they are necessarily unreliable, but if something breaks I need to be able to get parts/repairs anywhere.

Ross Kraz > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/22/2016 at 14:23

Whoa, I have never seen an S10 with a cab that big. Related, though, a Ford Explorer Sport Trac thing comes to mind. Or a Subaru Baja.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:28

Id go for a old E or S class honestly. 4000 will get you a pretty clean W124 or a decent W126. Here’s what appears to be a nice W126 420 SEL for sale in Lansing Michigan for $4300 http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:30

Now you’ve got it.

Bear in mind that both the Colorado and the Sport Trac were available with V8's. *nudge nudge*

My citroen won't start > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:33

I people can drive a Porsche 356 from Peking to Paris. You can drive a W124 for your road trip without problem.

d15b > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:33

Conversion van can be justified as a SUV, sorta.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:40

Adventure isn’t much fun when your transportation breaks down mid-adventure.

Time for an anecdote! My girlfriend and I went with a friend of ours to go check out a different college about 10 hours away. He was considering a transfer so he could change degree programs. We made it down without incident, but half-way back, the car died. We had it towed to the nearest dealership where we discovered that the timing belt had snapped and the valves were bent.

When my friend called his dad, he didn’t bother to tell him that he had friends along for the ride. His dad appeared in a single-cab truck with a trailer. My girlfriend and I ended up riding back home in the car on the trailer. It was dumb and dangerous, especially since his dad elected to drive all night instead of getting a hotel.

It makes for an interesting story now, but this was the “adventure” that taught me the importance of reliable transportation, especially when my family is along for the ride.

smobgirl > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:44

Focus wagon?

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:48

Maybe early 2000s 3 series wagon.

Ross Kraz > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/22/2016 at 14:49

Would you remember the drive at all if it hadn’t broken down?

Ross Kraz > smobgirl
06/22/2016 at 14:49

If it has three pedals, I would consider it

Roundbadge > Roundbadge
06/22/2016 at 14:50

Yellowstone trip included me as well...just noticed that I didn’t include that.

Ross Kraz > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/22/2016 at 14:53

Around here, we have about as many of those as we have wild kangaroo. Definitely would be pretty sweet, though.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 14:54

An SUV. But not just any SUV, but an AMG sub that scoots to 60 in 6 seconds... https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/560573…

Wait did you say something about reliability and fuel economy?

Otherwise, find a sedan and a roof rack and cargo box.

JRapp: now as good as new again > Roundbadge
06/22/2016 at 14:56

On the topic of 90s Chevy Vans and road trips.... Roughly the same year, my parents did a road trip in a 91 Chevy Conversion Van, that took them through Death Valley. In the middle of Death Valley their fuel pump more or less dies. There’s still some fuel pressure to idle, and maybe make a few thousand feet at a time uphill before it dies again. And this was before any of them had a cellphone. So they drive on the side of the road with the AC off as it seems to move better, and all this in 120 degree heat. While all this is happening, apparently someone had called the cops and told them that there’s an erratic driver on that road. Death Valley cops, bored and hot as they are, show up and start giving my dad a sobriety test in the 120 degree heat, on the burning blacktop..

Long story short, he obviously passes and cops take off not offering to help in any way. And they eventually make it to some small town somewhere where the local shop has a fuel pump and can replace it.

Moral of the story... no moral. Just a story.

Stapleface > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 15:02

You don’t seem to want to hear the practical answer (minivan), even though that is the best vehicle for the job.

Since the minivan is out, maybe a Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car would tick enough of the boxes. If not those, perhaps a Buick Park Ave, Riviera, or Pontiac Bonneville.

Ross Kraz > Stapleface
06/22/2016 at 15:03

Police Interceptor. Cop engine cop tires cop suspension.

Roundbadge > JRapp: now as good as new again
06/22/2016 at 15:08

As long as we’re doing no-moral stories...I also had my sobriety questioned while being pulled over one evening. I had just traded a ‘92 4.3L S10 for a ‘99 3.9L Dakota, and was driving my new (to me) truck through the town where I’d attended college.

The Dakota was wider than my previous S10, and in this town I was scared to death of drunken college students wandering out from between parked cars. There was no traffic at this hour, so I didn’t feel bad driving slightly left-er than normal. Soon, I saw flashing lights in my mirror. I pulled over, and the police officer approached.

“How much have you had to drink tonight, sir?”
“Not a drop, officer. I’m new to this truck and scared of students popping up out of nowhere.”
He looked me in the eye, saw I was telling the truth, chuckled and told me to be careful and have a good night.

How’s that for digression? ;-)

Sucks, getting stranded in the middle of Death Valley though. A little help would’ve been nice, I’m sure.

AfromanGTO > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 15:13

Kinja'd!!!

Get a big conversion van like this one. It has TV, 4 captain chairs, and a reclining bench that turns into a bed.

Brian McKay > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/22/2016 at 15:23

$4000?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Brian McKay
06/22/2016 at 15:28

Missed that part, but you should be able to find an CC S10 for that. Here’s 5 minutes worth.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

All in Canuckistan $.

JRapp: now as good as new again > Roundbadge
06/22/2016 at 15:45

Well, knowing my dad, he probably wasn’t overly polite to them either. They did just make him do circus acts in the middle of Death Valley. He rants and raves about that incident to this day.

Most other trips that I’ve been with them in that van though went more or less smoothly. There was this one time in Utah that we coasted to the gas station by the Bonneville speedway because we ran out of gas. And that gas station isn’t on any maps or anything because there is no town there, just a gas station and gift shop in the middle of the salt flats.. That 5.7L V8 was a thirsty one.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 15:52

Yep. It resulted in me transferring to a new school. :)

Ross Kraz > Slant6
06/22/2016 at 16:13

It looks like it has a new aluminum radiator. But yeah, NC in August without A/C probably isn’t the best idea.

Slant6 > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 16:15

You’d also get about 20 mpg on the highway, and there are 4x4s in your budget that could do that if you keep your foot out of it.

Think older suburban or high millage 4 runner, get 20 mpg and then drive on the beach at OBX. They let you do that if you have 4x4, and I can only imagine it being useful during a Wisconsin winter.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 16:20

Seriously, rent a car. How long will you be out there anyway?

Ross Kraz > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln!
06/22/2016 at 16:44

But that’s boring. Just over a week.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Ross Kraz
06/22/2016 at 17:15

Kinja'd!!!

Ross Kraz > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln!
06/22/2016 at 17:34

Closest 528 to me is in Milwaukee (90 miles away) and is saying $872. For an automatic. Not worth it. I have a wedding to pay for in fall.

That Maserati, though... But I can’t find it available anywhere.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/14/2016 at 09:32

It will also out-tow most trucks. And out-seat minivans and crossovers.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/14/2016 at 09:42

And out-handle most oxcarts