What car for a cross-country run?

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Jun 16, 2022 | Road Trip, Discussion

Photograph Courtesy Cadillac

You, a buddy, and miles of road ahead of you. Whatcha driving?

Do you go for comfort or speed? Choose economy in these times? Hardtop or convertible? Something stylish? Do you place reliability above all? Or just something that will make for a memorable trip?

[Project Rabbit GTI: Time to Retrieve a Car via Another Road Trip Adventure]

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/16/22 9:35 a.m.

As much as I'd want ultimate speed, I'd place a higher value on comfort and economy.

So I'll pick a Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo. wink

Duke
Duke MegaDork
6/16/22 9:50 a.m.

Road trip?  Something big, quiet, powerful, decent handling but not at a major compromise for comfort.  That Caddy would be ideal.  If you really want, one of the sportier GT cars.  Audi S5?

I love convertibles but they are not made for long trips, unless you're talking about a Bentley Drop Head Coupe or something like that.

If it was me I'd probably go for this:

2020 Volvo V90

Big, fast enough, quiet, comfortable but nice to drive, invisible to most cops.  25+ mpg at 80 mph.

 

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
6/16/22 10:02 a.m.

Comfort and economy.  Top speed is almost useless when going on a cross country cruise, as pretty much every single vehicle sold in the US can clear the speed limits by a comfortable margin.  Or uncomfortable, considering traffic, I suppose.

eastsideTim
eastsideTim UltimaDork
6/16/22 10:08 a.m.

Did it in a Fiat 500 Abarth, which definitely fit the memorable criteria.  When I do it again next year, comfort is going to be a much higher priority than last time.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/16/22 10:20 a.m.

I'll report back if a 997 makes a decent cross-country road trip car in a few weeks

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/16/22 10:29 a.m.

I've done cross-country twice. Need to do it again.

Porsche 944: comfortable, cool, not great a/c.

Honda S2000: a little less comfortable, good a/c.

Ian F (Forum Supporter)
Ian F (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
6/16/22 10:35 a.m.

For me, it depends on why I'm driving across the country.

Most of my long drives involve mtn biking, so having secure inside space for my bikes is the #1 priority.  Being able to go almost anywhere to ride and not have to think about where to stay is also something I think about. So for me, the ultimate road trip vehicle is a custom camper van.

If it's more of a meandering trip to see the countryside, then a Volvo 1800ES. Interesting and comfortable. 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ UltimaDork
6/16/22 10:38 a.m.

My record so far:

77 Maverick- handled like crap, kinda cool, too slow
77 DeVille- handled like crap, more cool, too slow
RV- way too big, you can sleep in it, too slow
Penske Truck- way too big, you can sleep in it, too slow
16 Forester- relatively efficient, not cool, too slow

So it seems like next time I need something faster.  I disagree with alfadriver, depending on your route the ability to cruise at 85mph+ can be very important.

Evanuel9
Evanuel9 Reader
6/16/22 10:46 a.m.

I can't imagine you could go wrong with most any modern sports or GT car. A porsche 911 or a ferrari gt car would probably be awesome. Panamera hybrid would also probably be awesome.

 

I'd love to do it in an MG Midget for the hell of it, but that would be neither fast, nor comfortable. Wonder how a miata would do....

Placemotorsports
Placemotorsports GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
6/16/22 10:51 a.m.

Money no object, probably Bentley Continental GT Speed

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