In reply to Apexcarver :
I have to admit, the older I get, the more I can appreciate a comfortable cruising car rather than an all-out sports car.
20 year old me would have been all over those pre-runners. Almost 50 year old me - notsomuch...
In reply to Apexcarver :
I have to admit, the older I get, the more I can appreciate a comfortable cruising car rather than an all-out sports car.
20 year old me would have been all over those pre-runners. Almost 50 year old me - notsomuch...
I am not sure these both can be had for 40k but I am going with a) a Raptor or b) a 911.
How about a separate Ford Escort for each state? Should be able to keep it under $40k total.
What about a newish Camaro/Mustang convertible? I've not driven the Mustang, but my Dad has a Camaro Convertible and its a great car. Comfortable seats, sporty but not uncomfortable ride, and great sounds. The drop top alleviates the visibility concerns when its down, and I think its a better looking car than the coupe version. He's got the 8-speed auto and it works well in that application, but our best friend Manuel can be invited if you want him along.
I'd imagine the Mustang would be similar, those two cars are so heavily benchmarked against each other.
If I were going to spend months on the road cruising the continent in comfort & style with V8-powered grunt ... I'd want to do it in a Mercedes (W124) 500E
In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
I mean the OP did hint at the potential of doing off roading in an Aston, which is support.
I know and readily admit that I'm giving adventure based answers, otherwise I'd be saying a lightly massaged 3.5 EB Ford Flex, it'd be perfect for the adventure, but perfectly boring.
Rough it. Wrangler Unlimited (with a soft top depending on where you plan on traveling and time of year).
therieldeal said:How about a separate Ford Escort for each state? Should be able to keep it under $40k total.
I like the way you think. If there's any V6 Tempos left in the US, swap that in for a wildcard option in one of the states. 
SC400? Acura CL 2.2 (I have an aversion to sideways V6's)? 3.7 V6 Mustang?
5th gen Honda VFR 800 with bags? You could buy a perfect example of the bike for $5k and spend $5k on the best camping gear, luggage, seat, and anything else you can dream up to spend a long time on it every day. Probably what I should have done instead of getting my Z900rs.
$1500 for a few nice lenses and a good film camera to document if you don't have that already.
Isnt this the PERFECT use case for a SCAT Pack Challenger? Something comfy, cruisy, and carvy enough to have a little fun getting there?
slowbird said:therieldeal said:How about a separate Ford Escort for each state? Should be able to keep it under $40k total.
I like the way you think. If there's any V6 Tempos left in the US, swap that in for a wildcard option in one of the states.
Heck you could do a Tempo V6 1st gen and a Probe GT V6 2nd gen. Do the changeover at a race track and see which one is faster!
Get a nice comfortable highway cruiser. That's were you're going to be spending most of your time. You can rent a Jeep to go off-roading. That's what I did in Silverton Colorado and Las Vegas.
Is it possible to rent a Jeep Wrangler via Enterprise while you're actually in the Rockies?
A big V8, drop top Mercedes sounds about right to me.
Mom and Dad used to do this every year to escape the Florida summer heat. They had a 4 wheel drive (small) Toyota pickup with a rigid/secure tonneau. They would leave FL in early June and Return end of Sept. The trips consisted of various rambling loops around North America to see the kids, friends and family and more than once up to Alaska and back down the west coast.
They camped in a tent half the time. The truck allowed Dad to explore northern logging roads as far as Mom's nerves allowed and get into some spectacular camping and fishing places.
Pete
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:5th gen Honda VFR 800 with bags? You could buy a perfect example of the bike for $5k and spend $5k on the best camping gear, luggage, seat, and anything else you can dream up to spend a long time on it every day. Probably what I should have done instead of getting my Z900rs.
I know where there's a really nice example with hard cases which could be for sale... and I could store it for the buyer. 
therieldeal said:slowbird said:therieldeal said:How about a separate Ford Escort for each state? Should be able to keep it under $40k total.
I like the way you think. If there's any V6 Tempos left in the US, swap that in for a wildcard option in one of the states.
Heck you could do a Tempo V6 1st gen and a Probe GT V6 2nd gen. Do the changeover at a race track and see which one is faster!
And for the warmer climates, a Mercury Capri XR2 would do nicely. Unleash those turbocharged B6T ponies with a drive up California's Highway 1.
Spending 6 months on the highway in an XJ or a GT6 would become all about surviving the trip and not about the trip itself. You would get to that point where you just don't want to get back in the car.
I'd be looking at the ubersaloon class. M5, a big Merc, CTS-V. I do really like the Vantage concept as well.
Either this with an LS9 swap:
or this with a hotrodded Duramax swap:
Towing this :
Domestic pony/muscle FTW. My number one choice would be SS sedan 2015-2017, LS3 6MT, MR suspension, Brembos, huge trunk, around $36k. Automatics are about $5k less.
after that, I’d say Challenger RT Plus, then C6, then Mustang.
or another 4-door at half the cost of the SS is the reskinned Camaro known as Cadillac ATS. 2.0T and 6MT in RWD, or AWD if you’re OK with an automatic.
This being GRM, I see the answer to be whatever sub $1000 car or truck you can buy fastest on CL or marketplace, driven till it breaks, abandon, and repeat as often as needed. Literally, no repairs, just walk away and start on the next part of the adventure. Bonus points for avoiding cars known for longevity and reliability (Hondas and Toyotas) and getting ridiculous European cars that nobody would ever consider due to potential repair costs.
Having cash in your pocket and no particular time frame takes the stress out of the whole endeavor and makes it a unique experience. If you have the skills to document the trip in words/pictures/video, it would be far more entertaining than some dude driving across the country with exactly zero drama.
Duramax Silverado, Open trailer, Maserati Biturbo. Because honestly, that’s the only way a Biturbo is going to see the USA.
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