New highway car?

[Benzadmiral]

The regal is a good road car. https://www.buick.com/sedans/regal/sportback

That one in that video looks fantastic, and if it's anything like my 2011, it would be reliable and economical.

I would also recommend the Buick LaCrosse, a bigger and more comfortable-riding car. The 2017-2019 has the Auto Stop Start that you can't defeat without an aftermarket $150 part; the 2016 and earlier does not have that. My '16 is great.

 

[sloinker]

You can buy a Nissan Versa new for cheap. @12k miles a month you can just abandon it at the side of the road when the warranty terminates and it needs something expensive to repair it. Like wiper blades or a tail light. Rinse and repeat. Enjoy that CVT.

 

[cb_13]

Mercury Grand Marquis

There is no automotive question that a Panther platform car is NOT the answer to lol

 

[Rand]

so highway car you want long wheelbase.. and some decent tires to soak up expansion joints etc.. well at least you do in OHIO.

Regal TourX?

I'd assume you want auto driving that much?

subaru outback is another great highway car could get turbo if wanted.

If you want crazy gas mileage.. you could try driving a hyundai ioniq

Going the other direction a full size ram v6 gets mid twenties highway and rides very nice with rear coil suspension.

Can you give us more of what you are looking for. there are plenty of great trip cars.. but we dont know your priorities.

does it need to be a fun car? no problem.. plenty of those too.. but wont be as comfortable as others.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Our Lexus GS350 F Sport melts the miles away.
Reliability is stellar; gas mileage not so much.
This is a great car.

 

[JHZR2]

I wa thinking a 15 year old V-8 S-class Mercedes. One of the nicest riding cars made, and with great seats...my V-12 gets about 20 when cruising, well above the speed limit, and I hear the S500 gets about 25 - 28 highway...

Not a sports car, but not run of the mill, either...

I was thinking the same... maybe a bit older

The late model W126 cars would be a good cruising car, safe, heavy, and with less complexities than the newer ones. Im very pleased with the AC performance in my 1991 350SD, but that would be the one sticking point in FL. I suspect there are a lot of lowish mileage cars like this in FL. Mine was used for the I-95 cruise between NYC and wherever the snowbird lived...

 

[Nick1994]

“Reasonably inexpensive” can vary greatly. What’s the actual budget?

I’d consider a Toyota Avalon Hybrid or Accord Hybrid.

If you want some fun, get a Kia Stinger.

 

[Barkleymut]

rent a couple of different cars and take them on long trips, some people fit really well in one seat but not in another. Rentals will make your decision 100x easier.

 

[cb_13]

A newer Fusion with a 2.5 or Hybrid would be my recommendation.

 

[JohnnyG]

I wa thinking a 15 year old V-8 S-class Mercedes. One of the nicest riding cars made, and with great seats...my V-12 gets about 20 when cruising, well above the speed limit, and I hear the S500 gets about 25 - 28 highway...

This is a good idea, but you don't need to get into that price range. Mercedes is having their "Summer Clearance" right now on CPO vehicles. A nice E class or one of the SUV's with the turbo 4 cyl would work great. even the V6 w/300 hp will do fine. Try to get the 9 speed trans, those CVT's from Japan are bad news. Even the Mercedes 7 speed is OK, but the 9 speed is amazing. Oh, and highway MPG with that combo is about 35, and 36 around town with a light foot!
Who knows, you may even find an AMG at a good price, that would be really sweet!

 

[SeaJay]

Used Avalon, will suit you well for spending that much time behind the wheel.

 

[Ws6]

There is no automotive question that a Panther platform car is NOT the answer to lol

I kindof thought of a Mercury Marauder as a beater, but they are so bloody slow. Seems odd because when I was a kid they were considered kinda quick. Times change.

 

[Ws6]

“Reasonably inexpensive” can vary greatly. What’s the actual budget?

I’d consider a Toyota Avalon Hybrid or Accord Hybrid.

If you want some fun, get a Kia Stinger.

Get the V6 TT stinger. The base engine is slow. At least, about as slow as a CX5, maybe a hair slower

 

[madeej11]

Dunno, maybe a Mustang ragtop with a 2.7 Ecoboost?

 

[RooflessVW]

Look at a new or one to two year old Passat. I have a 2019 with the 4 cylinder Budacj engine and get 42+ on trips. It is a VERY comfortable car for highway travel. I am 6 foot and weigh 200 pounds and I feel just great sitting in it.

Another vote for the Passat. Large, comfortable, efficient, attractive, and they wake right up with a tune.

 

[skyactiv]

Doesn't the MPG go down on long interstate travels say 300 miles vs short interstate jots say 75 miles with a hybrid?

 

[Cujet]

I foot the bill for everything. Gas, tolls, car, MX, etc.

Budget is for a new car, under $30K.

Not sure how long this will continue. But at least another year and a half. At that point, I will have racked up a lot of miles!

 

[Davejam]

Doesn't the MPG go down on long interstate travels say 300 miles vs short interstate jots say 75 miles with a hybrid?

Hmm, good question, the claim for instance on Honda Accord hybrid is 48city/47highway.
I've not owned one or really followed this topic, so not sure if long highway drives would impact this too negatively.
Still seems like you can count on 40+MPG easy.

And its under $30k.

 

[Skippy722]

My v6 Chrysler 300 was an excellent highway cruiser, got very good fuel economy as well, mid to high 20’s, if I slowed down a little it would do 30mpg.

 

[Dave Hess]

Mazda6 with 2.5L turbo engine.

Excellent highway cruiser for those long drives.