Ideas for sub-$3k car for cross country adventure?

Hello all, I've been lurking here for years and finally created account. I always appreciate the discourse and vibe at GRM, looking forward to being more involved.

My girlfriend and I are planning on doing the Great American Road Trip this May/June, driving from San Francisco to the East Coast and back. We'll take a very scenic route, through the South there and back through the more northern route. We want to make it an adventure, and see friends along the way. There's only one issue, we don't have a car! Fortunately, I look at this as a fun opportunity to find the perfect combination of romance, fun, and practicality (room and fuel consumption) for a budget.

Both of us have quit or jobs so that budget is quite meager, dang it. We'd like to spend $2,500 but I think if the car was right we could go closer to $3k.

My last car was an E36 M3 that I autocrossed in STU and I loved how much fun that car was to drive with the suspension modifications, wheels and tires (star specs) I added for competing in the class. I love cars that handle really well, and I would like to find something that really makes me want to drive it. We might even stop at an autocross or two along the way. We want something a little more interesting than a 4 door Honda, or Toyota, something with more character. We want this to be an adventure, not a point A to B trip.

Given our needs, I am thinking an NA Miata might be the best choice. They are cheap, easy to find, fun to drive, so I hear, there's more romance with the convertible, and parts are fairly cheap I'm guessing. I have also considered an old Rabbit/Golf convertible. Or even an old VW Beetle but something worries me a bit there. Any thoughts on these or any I haven't considered? We're open to ideas.

A few questions regarding the Miata: I am 6'3" and haven't driven one. Am I crazy to think I can drive one of these little cars cross country, will I fit at all? Can I expect to get 30mpg? Has anyone here done a cross country trip in a Miata? Can we fit everything we need in the trunk? We pack very light. What should I look for in terms of maintenance records before we head out?

I have read the buyers guides and been doing a lot of research, but is there any year that sort of stands out? What can you guys tell me regarding the pluses and minuses regarding the 1.6 and 1.8, power, fuel mileage, etc? I do know about the crank issue regarding the early 1.6s and will look out for that.

Anything else I should know about a $2.5k Miata?

Phew, I think that's it, thanks everyone! Eric

Mercedes diesel? There are tons for that cheap in the SF bay area. I'm 6'4 and have driven a miata, I barely fit but it was not what I'd call comfortable. You would have to try it though.

In reply to Travis_K:

I don't think a Mercedes diesel is going to be fun enough to drive, the handling is terrible in most old Benz that I've driven. And maintenance is likely to be expensive...

Thanks for the feedback regarding tall guys in Miatas, fitting comfortably is one of my main concerns. We'll see when I test drive one.

I have an 83 300SD, handling isn't wonderful, but it's plenty good for freeway driving, and it's very reliable and maintiance is cheap. Whether or not it would be a good choIce depends a lot on exactly where you were driving, but for mostly freeway it would be worth considering.

i drove this from west central MN to TX via St Louis and Memphis last June:

we did 3980 (mostly) trouble free miles in 8 days, factory non AC car with t tops and a black interior with a mild 305 backed by a 700r4 that averaged 24 mpg.. the woman that was with me didn't totally hate it and even admitted that the car made it more of an adventure than if we had taken some boring late model reliable car..

the farthest south we got was about 100 yards from the Gulf of Mexico at the Mustang Island state park down by Corpus Christi, TX..

here it is at the site of the JFK assassination:

novaderrik wrote: i drove this from west central MN to TX via St Louis and Memphis last June: we did 3980 (mostly) trouble free miles in 8 days, factory non AC car with t tops and a black interior with a mild 305 backed by a 700r4 that averaged 24 mpg.. the woman that was with me didn't totally hate it and even admitted that the car made it more of an adventure than if we had taken some boring late model reliable car.. the farthest south we got was about 100 yards from the Gulf of Mexico at the Mustang Island state park down by Corpus Christi, TX.. here it is at the site of the JFK assassination:

I like it, not boring, definitely has oodles of character. Thanks for sharing. I think I'd like something with a bit better mileage and handling, but if the right Camaro or Mustang comes in to view, consider me tempted.

I forgot to mention, I am also loosely considering a Turbo Brick Volvo wagon, maybe a 740/940 or 850, mainly because you can tinker with the boost and I'm in a band so I could use it to haul gear after this cross country epic.

I could get high 20's out of our old 305 TBI 700R4 Camaro if I kept it on the freeway. Got 31 one time on my way down to Miami on I95, doing 80-90 for a stretch of it. Don't know how it did it, and I still chalk that up to an intermittently hard to fill gas tank, but meh. It still got as good of fuel economy on the highway as our Saturn Astra does now, and the irony is that we let the Cash for Clunkers program eat the Camaro for the Saturn.

The Camaro was on its last legs at that point, please don't let this turn into a political thread over my comment, I was just pointing out the irony there.

I think for $3,000, I'd buy the nicest Miata I could find, make it fit me (seat mods, seat replacement), and have fun. If you would swing more, I'd say look into Boxsters and S2000s. BMW could put together a nice 'vert, and an older one might be in your price range. My wife is bugging me about a 'vert, so I keep going through the same sort of lists with her.

Actually, now that you mention it, they did make a car with Honda reliability back in the era they still made cars that were good to drive. A Del Sol should be in your price range. I'm not sure about the headroom issue, though.

Del Sol is nice, and you should be able to fit, I'm 6 and had plenty of room to spare, iirc. Good luck finding a clean one, but when I looked it was east coast, you might have better luck out there.

A Del Sol is something I've considered, I just don't see many out there that aren't completely trashed/pimped. And regarding Hondas, an old Civic Si always gets me excited, but those too are hard to find and my lady isn't too interested by them.

Yeah, I like the idea of an E30 or other BMW convertible, definitely been keeping my eyes open for them too. They do seem a bit short of character, that's my only hang up.

How about the quirky swede...900 Turbo. More character than the normal camcord box. Pretty comfy. Readily available in that pricing range.

All sub- $3K cars are an adventure. Sub $1K cars are a better adventure!

Sounds like convertibles are high on your radar. For a long distance cruise, they are not my preference. They are loud when the top is closed and inhibit conversation, and they are loud AND promote severe sunburn when the top is down.

But everyone should have one for a while. I loved my Miata. Certainly a worthy possibility.

I think it comes down to your definition of "adventure" and "romance". What does your girlfriend say?

On a cross country trip you will find a great deal more open highways than twisty driver roads. My 1960 El Camino is just as much fun to drive as my Miata was, but it is a completely different animal. The Miata was fun to throw into corners. The Elky is fun because it turns heads and promotes LOTS of great conversations.

My personal choice would be a sub $2K classic. A head turner, with tons of character. Something that would make terrific memories and photos. Something that may break down, which would give me great excuses to meet local folks and enjoy their hospitality. A cruiser.

I'd put the extra $1K into fuel.

Then I'd do everything I could to stay off the interstates. Read "Blue Highways", by William Least Heat Moon.

Oh, and a diesel Mercedes is the worst of all possible worlds, as far as I am concerned. That's a terrible idea.

My $.02. YMMV.

E34? Comfortable, eats up hwy miles, not to much diffrent than an e36.

I'd look for an older Mustang or Camaro--if you have issues an American car will be likely easier to get parts for and service if you need someone to wrench on it for you. T-Tops or a convertible...

What do you have planned for lodging during the great adventure? Halfway through reading your post, I expected you would be searching vans/campers or at least a station wagon for camping and carrying capability.
If possible, I recommend stopping at as many National Parks as possible.

If you do go with a Miata, take this advise...put no luggage in the trunk. What I mean here is, rather, think of the trunk as the duffle bag itself. Place your shoes on the right side, shirts on the left, underwear and socks in the spare tire, etc. The point being that space is so limited you do not want to loose some of that space to additional bulk and maybe nonconforming sizes of luggage/duffel bags. You may find that putting your shirts in a typical grocery plastic bag may be wise. When you check into a hotel you just grab the bags you need like you were bringing in the groceries.

There are bags available that fit nicely on the rear shelf where the folded top rests. In a Miata, it is critical that you use this space. The bags I have work if the top is either up or down. Something like this soft bag

Plan to pack like you are going backpacking.

PS: 17 years ago I traveled with a girlfriend for 10 days in the same Miata that I still own today.

Good luck on your trip! I'm planning on doing the same thing in a $600 car. Probably over 8,000 miles by the time I'm back to Atlanta. I've tried to stay off the main roads, but there are just some states I want to get through as fast as possible...

Our tentative route: http://goo.gl/maps/UgH0s

I'm going to back up what SVReX has said. Im a huge fan of the roadtrip and for the past 8 years I've done BABE (NY to NewOrleans) round trip which is about 3000 miles with the routes we take.

Done it in a conversion van, small convertibles, large convertibles, a VW bug, etc.

Convertibles are terrible on long roadtrips for all the reasons mentioned above. Small cars are terrible on roadtrips, I don't care how light you pack, you dont pack light enough to spend 2 months roadtripping with the luggage space in a miata.

My personal mantra is fuel economy be damned and put me in a big station wagon or conversion van.

If you want a little more handling prowess find yourself a P71 Crown Vic. Probably the perfect long distance road tripper. Reliable, can get moderately good fuel economy, plenty of space. Added bonus that other cars automatically get out of your way.

Another lesson learned from years of roadtripping, something ubiquitous and american like the Crown Vic is always easier to find parts for if/when something breaks.

I am 6'2" 210lbs and I don't find Miatas comfortable at all. I sure wouldn't want to do a road trip in one.

My number one suggestion is a MKIII Supra preferable Turbo. Fun to drive, plenty of space with the huge hatch, pretty reliable and comfortable. My other suggestions MKII Supra, '94-'97 Jag XJ6 (actually has very few problem areas), Alfa Milano or if you are really adventurous TR7. Also a Z31 300ZX might be worth a look. I don't like them that much but some people do.

No doubt, I would make the trip in something convertible like this. I would put a radio in it. Girlfriend talking for 6k miles...not good.

1995 Z28 Camaro Convertible - $3000 (cumming/gainesville/dawsonville)

95 z28 convertible. Runs great, just spent $1200 on complete fuel system overhaul this summer. Car shows 90k on dash but motor has app 8k and tranny 2k. Lucas products used in EVERY moving assembly. Car is lowered 1 1/2 inches and is very very fast. Top is about 6 years old and is showing wear but does not leak. I have brand new correct year model leather to go in it, I just have not installed it. Tires are decent.CAR NEEDS RADIO, DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR AND EXHAUST TIPS. I got this car in a trade about 8 years ago and use to drive it every day, but in recent years not so much. I hate to sell it but I need to buy a truck. Would make someone a great vehicle. No joyrides, MUST HAVE CASH IN HAND TO TEST DRIVE. Will consider trades for chevy 4x4 or toyota 4x4. Will even consider partial trades with cash for tools, welders, hunting stuff, trailers, 4 wheelers ETC... I like man stuff. No junk. Do not need help selling. $3000 firm ***IF AD IS UP, CAR IS STILL FOR SALE***

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3653494660.html

I'm sorry, cross country road trip, there is only one vehicle I want:

You sit up, out of the traffic, the 2wd rack and pinion gives you great feedback and control, the seats never get tiring, it's quiet and knocks down low 20's all day. That picture was 4 days into a 8 day, 5800 mile road trip from Indy to Tucson, north through the grand canyon, out through southern Utah up into colorado, down through estes park, west side of Denver down to Colorado springs and home.

Even on the tiny, 2 lane mountain roads that were bracketed by 1500' dropoffs it was always a comfy ride, and that beautiful 4.8L with the magnaflow cackled off throttle going back down the mountains in a way only an LSx can.

Seriously though, a full size 2wd GM truck is the only way I want to travel long distance. Anything shorter than 2k mile round trip, we'll take the SeX.

And if you wanted a "for real bonding" adventure together with your soulmate:

RARE 1964 DODGE 880 CONVERTIBLE - $2400 (CARTERSVILLE GA) http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3607502589.html

I guess the bigger question on this is.... do you want the gf to STAY your gf? That will make a big difference in car choices.

How about a 2 for 1 deal?

I'l make you one helluva deal on an '87 Mark VII and a '97 Impreza!

Kidding...sort of...

Sounds like a fun trip! You could probably snag a decent Mustang for that amount.

Oohhh.... a C4 vette. You could come get mine! It is a little more than $3k though... but we can work a deal!

Never taken a long road trip in a Miata, but if that's what you and your GF want to do, go for it. At 6'3", it'll be a bit tight, but not ridiculously so. They are a bit noisy, and of course luggage space is minimal. Yes, you'll get 30mpg cruising the highway. I get 33mpg out of mine.

If you want something bigger, Saab 900 or 9-3 convertible may be a worthwhile option.