What's the best road trip car?

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish) 02/27/2014 at 15:11 • Filed to: None

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A friend and I are looking at doing a long trip this summer throughout BC, possibly Alberta and Washington as well, we'll see. We aren't exactly affluent, but with a reasonable repair budget and a reliable car, it's doable. I mean I've done road trips in far less reliable cars than my current E30, but it's more fun to plan the car we take as a purpose-built road trip machine. It would need to be reliable, as good on gas as possible, comfortable, and capable of the mountainous highways all over BC. My car, with some work, fits that bill, but something else might fit it better.

So, first option, take my E30. It's a 1986 325. In order to do this trip, here's what it would need:

-New steering rack/PS delete

-Proper suspension (not slammed)

-Front wheel bearings

-Putting the stock exhaust back on

-All 4 rotors, front pads

-Trans fluid flush/change

-Oil change

-Plugs/leads

-Timing belt (I don't know when it was last changed)

-Preferably 15"-16" wheels

-Maybe a new clutch? Haven't decided yet

It's my beater daily, which is why I'm thinking it might be a better, even cheaper idea to sell it as is, or after putting the stock suspension back in and stock exhaust, and then buy something better for a road trip. Hence my asking what all you Opponauts think the best car would be. Being able to sleep in it would be a plus, that's pretty difficult in my little bimmer. If it came to purchasing a car, it would be a low budget, maybe $3000 for the car? After selling mine.

Other things I had in mind….

offroadkarter > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:12

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i bet this would be the smoothest ride

505Turbeaux > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:13

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keep this on your list too.

dinobot666 > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:13

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If you can find a Corolla All-Trac wagon, then take that. It might not get you there in style, or very quickly, but it will never, ever, ever die.

gmctavish needs more space > offroadkarter 02/27/2014 at 15:13

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That was my thinking, and the diesel would be fairly economical as well I believe

gmctavish needs more space > 505Turbeaux 02/27/2014 at 15:14

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I'd love to, but the 5.7l under the hood won't allow that :p

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:14

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The Volvo wagons are pretty reliable and you could sleep in them, but I would probably fix up your DD. If you get a cheaper car you would still likely have to spend a few grand to make it ready for a cross province trek. At least you know the car you have now and its problems.

Look me up if you do end up going!

gmctavish needs more space > dinobot666 02/27/2014 at 15:15

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I'm always watching for them, but they're always either rusty, or very expensive. It's near the top of my list if I can find a middle ground

offroadkarter > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:16

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it didnt even dawn on me that it was a diesel, I just figured biggest merc = best ride

505Turbeaux > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:16

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If you keep it easy and on the highway, it will get better gas mileage than your 325 or that Volvo. I used to get at least 26-27 mpg at 65-70 mpg

gmctavish needs more space > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif 02/27/2014 at 15:18

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That was my thinking as well, but I'm gonna keep my eyes open in case something perfect pops up :p Oh whereabouts are you again?

jkm7680 > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:20

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I'd go for the Subaru Legacy wagon, something reliable would probably be the best, for a long road trip.

gmctavish needs more space > 505Turbeaux 02/27/2014 at 15:21

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Really? US mpg or UK? I think in UK and L/100KM haha. Either way that sounds impressive….I'm not sure about better than my 325 though, it's an eta, not the high comp M20. But yeah the Volvo's aren't exactly easy on gas...

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:21

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Crown Vic or a used towncar. Or a Lincoln Mark VIII, those can be gotten surprisingly cheap.

dogisbadob > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:21

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a Miata?

gmctavish needs more space > dogisbadob 02/27/2014 at 15:22

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I don't think the answer is Miata in this case….

gmctavish needs more space > offroadkarter 02/27/2014 at 15:23

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Yeah I forgot to put my intended engine/tranny combos under those….oops

gmctavish needs more space > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/27/2014 at 15:24

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I'll have to look at the fuel economy on those, but you can definitely find them cheaply up here, I forgot about those

505Turbeaux > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:25

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US, tested and verified by me. At 70 that lump is turning 2000 RPM maybe.

I have never had great mileage out of my e30's, probably because I like to romp on them. I had a volvo 745 diesel wagon last year that got 30 in and out of town. It was great but with parts being scarce I didnt like to take it far out of town much

offroadkarter > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:26

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I am not up on benzes at all but the turbosdiesel should run though anything to

gmctavish needs more space > 505Turbeaux 02/27/2014 at 15:27

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That's….really tempting, I'm gonna look into this more. Haha I'd be getting worse mileage out of mine for sure if it wasn't so stupidly low….not my doing, it was the previous owner. I just haven't gotten around to fixing it. Oh wow I've never seen a diesel 700

OPPOsaurus WRX > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:27

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Get a pick-up. you never now when you'll come across a sweet trail on the side of the road. Head out there, find a nice river to camp by. Get a tent that can cover the bed and a blow-up mattress that fits inside.

gmctavish needs more space > OPPOsaurus WRX 02/27/2014 at 15:32

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I thought about that, I just can't pay the mileage sacrifice, considering how far off road I've gotten perfectly normal cars. If I had more money than I'd be looking at that option more. Always wanted to take my grandpas pickup on a trip, it's this beautiful '93 F150, longbox extended cab, two tone blue and silver with running boards and all that jazz

505Turbeaux > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:33

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they brought the wagons over for exactly one year, 1985. Awesome but the vw d24 needs alot of love

gmctavish needs more space > 505Turbeaux 02/27/2014 at 15:34

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Oh right it was a VW 6 cylinder diesel wasn't it? Weird…the only diesel Volvo I've seen was a 245 for sale a while back

505Turbeaux > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:36

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yeah those were non turbo dogs

gmctavish needs more space > 505Turbeaux 02/27/2014 at 15:39

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Yum

jariten1781 > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:40

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Minivans are the best road trip cars.

Rent a minivan and you don't have to care about thrashing it either.

gmctavish needs more space > jariten1781 02/27/2014 at 15:42

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I'm not old enough to rent, I think you have to be 25 :/

jariten1781 > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:45

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You can. They'll require an 'under-age' drivers fee and may require you to take their insurance. It'll cost a bit more than an over-25 but it's still doable at all the major chains.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:46

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In southern Alberta now, will likely be in Fernie area most of the summer.

Jon-o > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:51

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i drive a 96 tbird with the 4.6 v8 and back when i lived in alberta i would get mid 20's cruising at a steady 110km/h and regular fuel also. Go much faster and they start to burn fuel like crazy. now when im driving in downtown toronto stuck in traffic im probably in the low 10's and probably worse pushing it up to 130/140 on the 401.

CRider > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:51

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Only $2500, runs well! What's a better road trip car than a 1971 Coupe De Ville? And best of all, it has a bigger trunk than that Volvo wagon!

gmctavish needs more space > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif 02/27/2014 at 15:53

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Oh cool, I'll letcha know if we're coming through!

gmctavish needs more space > CRider 02/27/2014 at 15:54

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How did you know my weakness for cheap land yachts….

gmctavish needs more space > Jon-o 02/27/2014 at 15:55

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That's not bad…not as good as my eta but it's worth considering

gmctavish needs more space > jariten1781 02/27/2014 at 15:58

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Really? Huh…maybe, but I still like the idea of some old car, it somehow wouldn't be as cool in something new

CRider > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 15:59

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And the extra money you spend on gas can be made back by sleeping on the hood or in the back seat. Or in the trunk. Or on the roof.

gmctavish needs more space > CRider 02/27/2014 at 16:01

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Honestly we could bring 6 people at treat it as a class C motorhome

Jon-o > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 16:01

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other thing to consider is they're cheap, and nothing ever breaks in the drive train and if it does its super cheap to fix. The only thing I've done to it is new wheel bearings (last week) and it needed a new steering rack and one set of breaks. But that's in 60,000kms and over 5 years of use. Under 2K in repairs for that much driving isn't bad and never been stuck on the side of a road. You might even find a towncar with no mileage on it some old lady owned nice and comfy and quiet. My car has about 150,00 kms on it and its just being broken in.

CRider > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 16:03

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That's true. I'm sure it has enough 12v outlets cigarette lighters to power all your standard home appliances too.

jariten1781 > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 16:04

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Nothin wrong with that. I've done coast to coast runs in a 3rd gen Prelude, a NA Miata, a 760 turbo sedan, and a Protege 5. Just carry any weird parts that are likely to break. For the E30, having a fuel pump and spark plugs on you is a good idea.

Audi-os, amigos > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 16:14

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Grand Marquis.

Nicer than a Crown Vic, not as nice as a Town Car. Happy, sweet-looking medium.

area man > 505Turbeaux 02/27/2014 at 16:16

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I'm glad someone else around here spreads the Gospel of Roadmaster

ihbase > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 16:19

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This is easy. Sub $3k, camping through BC, good fuel economy and reliable = 2 wheel drive Nissan Hardbody with a canopy. Yes, you will pay a slight penalty in fuel economy, but you can sleep in it and not hate life. And you will be a lot better off exploring Forest Service and BLM roads (Washington & Idaho) with this than in a $3k econobox because it won't leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere and it generally doesn't matter if you drag it over ruts / tree roots / whatever. It is not sexy, but it would be a solid and economical road trip vehicle. And here is the kicker- you could buy one for less than it would cost to prep your E30. So maybe you could keep your E30 and sell the Nissan after your summer road trip was over. -Michael

RPM esq. > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 16:32

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Subie or Volvo wagon for sure.

Leadbull > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 16:51

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You people disappoint me.

Rassss > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 17:13

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ANY MOTORHOME GUYS!

GUYYS!

overland86 > gmctavish needs more space 02/27/2014 at 17:59

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The answer is always Miata

gmctavish needs more space > Leadbull 02/27/2014 at 21:49

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Haha now we're talking. If budget wasn't an issue I'd be all over that

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > jkm7680 02/28/2014 at 03:22

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Maybe if you only have two people. I've roadtripped in a Legacy Outback LL Bean... and those things get to be really, really cramped when you have four guys in it. Also, gas mileage sucks, especially for the displacement. We probably averaged 21mpg US over 3000 miles. And another knock against them, if it's a 4cyl, you better hope you can trust its head gaskets.

I hoon, therefore I am > gmctavish needs more space 02/28/2014 at 11:33

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E24 , hands down. As voted by our peers , and agreed upon by this writer.

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gmctavish needs more space > I hoon, therefore I am 02/28/2014 at 12:40

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God damn what I would give to take an E24 on a roadtrip…..those are probably my favourite BMW, well one of my favourite cars anyways

Orange Torana > gmctavish needs more space 05/03/2014 at 01:36

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Travel interstate in my Corolla 4wd/ All-trac all the time. Super reliable and around 35mpg on the open road and great for camping just a little off the road. Really popular with backpackers in australia for these reasons.