Ultimate Road Trip Vehicle?

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

cp3

Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Messages
2,645
Location
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
What is the ultimate road trip vehicle for the real world? This is just for fun, having just returned from a 4000km trip in the G6 I was wondering what this would be.

By road trip I mean long distance straight through drive, ours was about 1850km/17-18 hours each way, four people and their associated gear for a week. I say real world because I'm not talking motor homes or buses, something you could still drive everyday. I guess I would factor in comfort, luggage room, fuel economy (trip & everyday use) as the most important.

Waddaya think....
 
A minivan.
The combination of space, decent ride and handling as well as decent fuel economy is hard to beat for traveling with more than two people, especially if everyone has plenty of gear to bring along.
If any rough or bad weather conditons were anticipated, a Subaru Forester is spacious for four and their gear, although not nearly as spacious as a minivan.
I would think that a G6 would be cramped for four plus gear.
 
An early 70's Imperial (you didn't say gas mileage was a factor...) ;-)

In today's world, I'd have to say the LX cars (Charger, 300) are right up there with the Imperials of old for comfort and miles ahead in handling/roadworthiness. Cad CTS also. Too bad Ford's got zilch in that category right now, but its the truth. They desperately need a replacement for the Panther. All that said, a Benz S-class or 7-series BMW would probably win overall. I would rather just give you my bank account and house than actually own either one of those, but for the few total months of ownership when they are actually 100% working... well dang. They're unreal.
 
That was my first thought too. My only vans were Astros, don't really fit the good handling and decent fuel economy part...lol, nothing like the current offerings though. Our friends do the trip in their Windstar but almost doubled our gas bill.

The G6 was ok for me, no extras piled in the drivers seat. Yes it was cramped, stuff in the back seat and on the floor in the front. Would be much better for 3.
 
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
An early 70's Imperial (you didn't say gas mileage was a factor...) ;-)

crazy2.gif


lol...oh yes I did!

Originally Posted By: cp3
I guess I would factor in comfort, luggage room, fuel economy (trip & everyday use) as the most important.


Besides, after recently driving a '76 Lincoln Continental, I'm not sure that Imperial would meet my idea of driving comfort! Not a big fan of the aircraft carrier driving dynamics....lol.
The LX might be interesting, still haven't driven one of those...
 
Last edited:
When we were kids and young teenagers my dad was a die hard mopar guy. 1962 chryslers 66 fury, 73 new yorker, 75 imperial, the imperial was the ultimate highway cruiser. When i first stared driving we took a trip to visit some relatives and my dad let me drive the first 300 miles the drivers seat in the imperial was like sitting in a lazy boy. And that car cruised at 80 effortlessly. now for myself we just returned from a 1600k trip in our chrysler 300, 9 hours in this car is a breeze. total mpg for the trip was 32 mpg. And yes the new yorker and imperial were like piloting the queen mary.
 
Last edited:
We did a number of longish trips in our old Aerostar, including one to South Florida almost as long as your's.
While the Aerostar was not a ride or handling champ, it was fine on the typical interstate and fuel economy averaged around 23 mpg.
Not great, but not too bad.
The best features were the space, the really decent front seat comfort, the great HVAC (great heat and AC throughout the big box interior) as well as the outstanding reliability.
Reliability is a factor to consider when you take a vehicle way out of its local zone.
Nobody wants to be stuck by the side of the road, however nice the seats might be in a seven series or an S class.
 
Yes, Aerostar and Astro were pretty awesome in their day. Best vehicle for camping, take the back seat out still room for our family of four and all our gear and bikes in the back!

hemitom, that's very decent. I got 29 (haven't filled up since I've got back) with a best of 31/32 across Quebec.
 
'96-'99 Suburban or Tahoe/Yukon four door. I just like these more than the later models. It seems smaller than newer models, but has plenty of room. Seats in an LS or LT model are really comfortable, they are reliable, and you can get parts anywhere.
 
Volvo wagon a V70R.

Making a road trip right now.

Los Angeles to Napa, Napa to Bend, Bend to Seattle, Seattle to Newport, Newport to Los Angeles
 
My father use to drive a sales route (80k/yr) back in the 70's & 80's and was a firm believer in long wheelbase, soft springs, stiff shocks, and a heavy RWD sedan format. He did not want to feel the road - just get to his next appointment without breaking his body. I still think this is the combination for effortless and comfortable interstate travel, but not easily found in today's overly stiff and low profile editions.

A Ford Flex is about as close to the ride qualities I think is needed for comfortable highway travel as you can find today.
 
Conversion van.. most have outrageous miles from what I've seen. Put a divider and porti-potty in the back, cruise control and another driver never have to stop except for gas.
 
Any Volvo made before 2008. And preferably even before the P2 era.

Best seats in the business, bar none.

That one thing makes all the difference on a cross-country trip.

We still take our elderly 855 on long trips (and leave much newer cars, including a diesel, at home) just because of those incredible seats. And it still pulls almost 30 mpg if driven smartly.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Elkins45
Best road trip vehicle?
7 8 9
Replies
166
Views
10K
D1dad
Ausfahrt
VW T-Roc rental review
Replies
3
Views
2K
Delta1
pezzy84
Rental car review - 2025 VW Jetta 1.5T.
Replies
14
Views
1K
gregk24
Bailes1992
2025 Vauxhall Mokka E Ultimate
Replies
3
Views
620
loneryder
K
2025 Honda N-Box Custom Turbo Review by an American (Japanese DM kei-car)
2
Replies
24
Views
7K
K.Aoi
Back
Top Bottom