02-21-2019, 08:16 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 680
|
Cross Country Drive on the cheap - Which Car?
I’m planning on driving around the country this summer and knock off the only three states in the lower 48 I haven’t visited but I want to do it on the cheap. What’s the best car for around $5000 you’d chose? Has to be relatively reliable, easy to fix on the road, relatively good on gas but cruise at 80 mph, be able to fit my bike, and not ride completely like crap.
Right now I’m looking at high miles Ford Focus but that damn thermostat was a bitch to fix.
__________________
My Little Mid-Life Crisis Cure!
First - 1997 Camaro 3800 Y87, M5, Green - Gone | Second - 1997 LT1 Z28, M6, Silver - Sold | Third - 1999 LS1 Z28, M6, Pewter, Almost Stock! - Sold Current - 2011 Camaro SS, M6, black, 1LE suspension parts - Current |
02-22-2019, 09:10 AM | #2 |
Master of All Things
Drives: '20 Corvette Stingray Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southeast of Houston, Texas
Posts: 22,339
|
well if I were going to do this and not take my own car....I would fly to my starting point and then RENT a car that fits your bike.
__________________
|
02-22-2019, 09:53 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 680
|
I love driving across the country - done it several times before - and stopping and seeing the sights and people. The three states i haven't been to are North Dakota, Idaho and Oregon. The rental car companies have tightened up on rentals. When I did this decades ago they gave unlimited mileage - i think I put several thousand miles on the rental and they kind of freaked out. Now they only allow you to travel several states over or limit the mileage.
__________________
My Little Mid-Life Crisis Cure!
First - 1997 Camaro 3800 Y87, M5, Green - Gone | Second - 1997 LT1 Z28, M6, Silver - Sold | Third - 1999 LS1 Z28, M6, Pewter, Almost Stock! - Sold Current - 2011 Camaro SS, M6, black, 1LE suspension parts - Current |
02-22-2019, 10:06 AM | #4 |
Banned
Drives: Camaro Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 215
|
06-11 Honda Civic LX/EX. They get roughly 42mpg hwy and have plenty of power and are fairly reliable.
|
02-22-2019, 10:26 AM | #5 |
Drives: 08 Tiburon GS, 2018 Camaro 2.0T Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Québec
Posts: 1,660
|
I have always enjoyed driving Hyundai. Fairly cheap after few years so you should be able to get a 4-5 year old car for that price.
Also, do you want an hatchback to fit the bike in the car or a car rack is fine? Hyundai Elantra would be perfect in my opinion. On top of that they are cheap to maintain.
__________________
2018 Camaro LS | 6 spd | 2.0L turbo | Nightfall Grey | RS package | Technology Package.
--------------------- Order WDGHKX 1100 - 5/08/2018 | 3800 - 6/18/2018 2000 - 5/09/2018 | 4200 - 6/21/2018 3000 - 5/28/2018 | 5000 - 6/27/2018 6000 - 6/29/2018 |
02-22-2019, 12:48 PM | #6 | |
Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 680
|
Quote:
I've seen quite a few of those for around $3500. The timing belt was a concern but obviously I can get that changed before I begin for fairly cheap.
__________________
My Little Mid-Life Crisis Cure!
First - 1997 Camaro 3800 Y87, M5, Green - Gone | Second - 1997 LT1 Z28, M6, Silver - Sold | Third - 1999 LS1 Z28, M6, Pewter, Almost Stock! - Sold Current - 2011 Camaro SS, M6, black, 1LE suspension parts - Current |
|
02-22-2019, 01:23 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6, '99 Tahoe 2Dr Sport Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South of Houston, TX
Posts: 890
|
Chevy HHR.. Will get you 30MPG's, very reliable, tons of storage space especially when you fold the back seats, ugly as sin and cheap.
|
02-22-2019, 01:42 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South of Raleigh, NC
Posts: 9,480
|
I used to have one and I mostly agree. Just get some good padded seat covers. Your ass will think you. That thing was brutal on a trip without them.
__________________
|
02-22-2019, 02:34 PM | #9 |
Banned
Drives: Camaro Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 215
|
The R18 in the 06-11's have a chain so no belt or 100k mile service to worry about but the spark plugs.
|
02-22-2019, 03:25 PM | #10 |
Drives: "Kara Zor-El" 2017 2SS HBM Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lower Hudson Valley
Posts: 2,036
|
Any interest in a 2001 Pontiac Aztek? Yes? No?
__________________
Lead me not into temptation. I already know the way.
Lana? Lana? LANA! LAAANAAAA!!!! What? Dangerzoooooone. |
02-22-2019, 04:45 PM | #11 |
B.O.D. 02/16/10
Drives: 2010 SGM Sp. Edition 2017 RS Conver Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Albia,Iowa
Posts: 3,959
|
Okay, this question all depends on the time of year. Maybe I missed those dates. North Dakota, hit Fargo, it is all you need to see of that state. You will see snow up to and possible April and possible early May. East North Dakota will try your sanity this time of year. Gas stations are not at every exit. I can say this, the curvature of th Earth can be seen from this state. Do not give up on Nodak, travel west and dive down to Nebraska. Scottsbluff area. Hit S Dakota, see Mt. Rushmore. Idaho, where does a person begin, so amazing. Stop and take a minute to plan Idaho. So much to see. I could give my ideas, but it is a state to find your fun! So many things to do and see, plan your time wisely. Oregon, I would have to say once again, find your fun and you will find it this state. Oh, a Camaro or great sports car. Twistys will be your friend.
__________________
|
Post Reply
|
|
|