Budgeting for a fly and drive?

So e36. The big stranders are failing cooling system, water in the dme (kinda rare but a heavy rain and worn seal will stop you cold), coil packs, maybe a crapping out fuel pump or an alternator.

What do you know about the car? Is it a turd you're limping home to patch up or a well cared for one? For a decent one I'd pack a aaa card, cell phone and credit card - actually about the same for a turd. You're probably not going to do preventive r&r roadside to the cooling system. Enjoy the ride 15 hrs is not too bad if you stretch it out a bit.

I can rent from Enterprise at an extra fee of $20/day. I'll check up on UHaul, but I don't expect any failures.

Still finding out more as I go, it was listed on this forum and the seller says it can make it 15 hours. To me, it sounds like it can make 15 hours. I'm not worried about the cooling system. You're right about not doing any preventative maintenance either. I trust these old BMWs, I've done plenty of nothing (comparatively to what I see some people do when they are new owners) to my past few and they've taken some abuse. I haven't touched my 328i's rad or water pump yet, and I have no idea of their age...but I do have spares the moment they go.

Enterprise is one of the more difficult and more expensive for one way rentals.

In reply to John Welsh :

That is the truth. Last time I tried that I took a flight home from the nearest airport.

Good to know. Is Rentawreck still around? I feel like they would be cheaper.

Ive had good experiences with Hertz and Avis for one way rentals. My last Hertz was $80 per day for a Chevy Cruise.

Yeah, on a standard, non one way rental, you'd expect a price more like $40 or less for a Chevy Cruise but all the companies stick it to you on one way rentals and Enterprise sticks it too you the most.

Alright, good to know. Think all my worries are answered. Certainly doable now I know how much/little I should prep for everything.

The motto we followed on my recent non-eventful amazing trip was "If it's working, leave it until we get home". I probably should have changed the oil, or done this or done that. But it was working, wasn't making any extra noises so we rolled with it.

Moved my friend back from Naples to Detroit, 32 hours in a Box truck.

Got up, hit the Revs Institute, packed up his apartment, and headed north. Stopped at the original Hooters in Clearwater for dinner.

We drove to Valdosta, GA and slept from about 6:00 - 9:00. Thought it would be better to sleep for a few hours during the day, as opposed to the middle of the night. Made it to Detroit about 2:00.

If you're used to all-nighters, it isn't too bad, IMO. We were also up at 7:00 the previous morning so that played a lot into it.

I would pick up the car, address anything important before setting off, and find an affordable but decent hotel within an hour or so drive. This will give you enough time to do a basic shakedown and make sure there are no glaring issues.

Depending where in Delaware, I've done a similar drive (Charleston to Detroit) solo in one evening. Build some good Spotify playlists and pray for good weather. Having a fun car helps.

Been monitoring flight prices recently, Google Flights is the bomb for getting you a good idea for fares across the week. And no ads!

Just waiting on hearing back about the title situation. Then I'll be making serious plans and booking flights.

Download the app Skiplagged. Uses hidden-city ticketing and can save you big money, especially doing one-ways.

Hidden-city ticketing is a flight with a layover in your final destination. For example, I did a reverse fly and drive from NYC back to DTW. Spirit flight was $180, Delta $240. A flight from JFK to Charlotte was only $130 on Delta and $160 First class, with a layover in DTW. Got off in DTW and didn't hop on the connector. Only caveat is that you can't check bags. I have a Patagonia Paxat 32L backpack that I use for flights, it holds enough for a few day road trip and will fit even in the smaller "carry on" space that Spirit uses.

Don't leave yourself out by counting on getting the seller's plate. In FL, we transfer our plate to the next car.

If​ the seller lets you take it, he'll need to come up with a few hundred dollars more to register his next car.

Temp plates (or no plate) could be an option, YMMV. Some insurance carriers will cover a new car, even if it's not added to your policy. Might want to check on that. Worst case, get the VIN ahead of time and have it added to your policy. Cancel it immediately if you chose not to purchase the car.

I know in MI, you have 3 days to plate it without a late fee.

I will definitely notify my insurance about adding the car to the plan. They just send my an email stating I have coverage, which I print out.

I'll have to talk to the seller about plates then. If I fly in on Saturday, I may not make it to the DMV in time for a temp tag. So I'll have to inquire about the seller's weekday schedule or borrow their plates for a few days. I've used unregistered plates before, but I won't risk it for a 15hr drive.

Hmm any Floridians willing to check out this car for me? Near Tampa, New Port Richey to be exact.