To roadtrip or not?

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
10/03/2017 at 11:28 • Filed to: None

I’ve since cleared up the headlights, that was the only thing Ive done to improve it aesthetically

So I’ve got a 1998 Dodge Neon RT that I recently picked up and have done the following maintenance:

Upper radiator hose

Lower radiator hose

180 degree Thermostat

Coolant reservoir

Radiator cap

Oil filler cap

Oil change with filter

Spark Plugs

Spark Plug wires

Coil pack

Crank position sensor

Rear O2 sensor

Fuel Pump

Fuel Tank Straps

Other recent maintenance by previous owner

Timing Belt, water pump, seals (within 50k miles, not documented but the guy seemed trustworthy and the belt looks good under the inspection cover. Should be done within ~30k anyways as a precaution)

Battery

Shocks/Struts and springs

Brakes (rebuilt calipers, new rotors and pads)

Exhaust

Tires are recent enough and have enough tread that I approve of their safety

Some stuff I plan to do before leaving

Intake Gasket (maybe)

Change and bleed Brake Fluid

Front Engine Mount

And some outstanding maintenance items, but shouldnt affect a road trip (no power steering obviously):

Power Steering Reservoir

Power Steering Fluid

Power Steering Belt

Power Steering fluid return line

Mild exhaust leak (could use some exhaust gasket maker)

And some other positive notes

Compression check was good, 180-200 all four cylinders

Clutch is pretty good, no issues there

No obvious fluid leaks with the power steering bypassed

No scary rust on the frame or anything like that

Lights are all good and functional

Now the only issue is I havent driven it very far yet so this would be the maiden voyage beyond an hour drive. I have tested it out enough to be sure it wont overheat or massively leak oil but who knows what else could go wrong on a 19 year old car. Brake lines are rustier than I’d like but otherwise its a great little car.

So the question to Oppo is, to road trip or not to road trip? I’ve got like 500 miles of driving planned for the weekend. Alternative plan is a Subaru BRZ (manual) on Turo. But I really do want to drive the Neon since it is fun to tool around with. I just am of course worried about something else breaking. But I think I really did cover EVERYTHING that could go wrong.

2013 BRZ would be a nice car for the weekend, but do I want to spend $400??

Also, I need to wash it and take pictures for Oppo! I only have the first day photos still. And random internet photos of other ones. Would love to get it to look like this:

UPDATE: Girlfriend is the sensible one and has decided we are renting the BRZ. It helps that I absolutely love those cars anyways. Oh well, I will try to plan a road trip the following weekend with the Neon anyways. It will get road tripped!

DISCUSSION (8)

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/03/2017 at 11:33

I’d road trip. I’d also do a 0-60 test while your roadtripping

crowmolly > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/03/2017 at 11:37

Got AAA?

I’d road trip it with some spare fluids in the trunk (oil, brake, coolant).

Chuckles > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/03/2017 at 11:39

I would definitely take the new car on the road trip. If you took it on an hour long drive, that’s at least a decent indicator that it might be able to handle it. I might avoid any seriously strenuous driving though. Give yourself enough time to occasionally pull over and let the Neon (and you) take a break.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > crowmolly
10/03/2017 at 11:40

I’ve got 12 miles of free towing through my insurance, but none of that unlimited AAA crap lol. Id certainly bring tools and fluids. Biggest likelihood is tires going to crap from age rather than wear. But those are replaceable easily.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
10/03/2017 at 11:41

Its kind of Miata-like in terms of speed. So its definitely slow but not painfully so.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/03/2017 at 11:44

I give horrible advice for situations like this. I’d say go for it. I did 2 >1,000 mile road trips in my 1975 datsun B210. That car was literally held together with duct tape and bailing wire. Had to do a couple of roadside repairs and it died in the middle of Idaho. Whatever, it was a blast.

BritishLeyland™ > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/03/2017 at 11:55

ROAD TRIP ROAD TRIP ROAD TRIP!!!

Dave the car guy , still here > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/03/2017 at 12:56

Do it. The shakedown tour. Take along some tools, oil, coolant and McGyver type stuff to cover some other issue... also a rabbits foot.