Thoughts from the Curb: Specialty Road Trip Cars
Are you considering buying a car to drive across the country? Or perhaps pondering a really long road trip to visit some of the nation's many interesting places? You know, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Ann Arbor.
Well, a buddy and I are going someplace this weekend. We haven't really decided where yet, and we probably won't make it as far as Mount Rushmore (which I heard is being rechiseled to replace Teddy Roosevelt with Ronald Reagan), but hopefully we'll make it someplace good. But wherever we go, we'll need a great car. While many of the so-called great "road trip cars" are huge and designed for the wife, the kids, the dog, the Wii and the luggage, what about those of you who don't fit into the typical road trip model? What should you drive? Here are some choices for different sorts of road trips and what you should buy for them.
1) Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Remember that same friend from earlier? Well, he and I traversed the country twice in my old VW Jetta VR6, which proved to be a great two-person road trip car. Those weird commercials were playing at the time of two dudes in a Volkswagen driving around listening to that "Da da da" song, which made it even better. Any way, I say the TDI can be even better than that. Comfortable, torquey and more range than a Mongolian nomad's Bactrian camel. Perfect for going from sea to shining sea.
2) Aston Martin DBS: Even the sport suspension in this car delivers a comfortable ride and its cargo space is useable, making it one of the best super cars for a road trip. With the DBS I'd suggest driving the country in search of the great tunnels and covered bridges so you can fully appreciate the entire brass section that makes up this marvelous Aston's exhaust note. Plus, at $262,000, it's $1.5 million less than an Aston Martin One-77. That's called value.
3) GMC Envoy XUV: There's going to the Grand Canyon, then there's going into the Grand Canyon. For the former the Envoy will do the job, but to do the latter, you'll need some sort of beast of burden to carry all your supplies. That Bactrian camel would do the trick, but they're all the rage in Beverly Hills right now and prices have skyrocketed. No, get a pack mule, which when seated should fit in the awesome Envoy XUV transforming cargo area. Edmunds TMV says a 2004 XUV with decent miles goes for only $13,000. That's $1.687 million less than an Aston Martin One-77. Cha-ching!
4) Lincoln MK?: To properly go to Mount Rushmore, you should really drive a vehicle from the only brand to share a name with one of the presidents on Mount Rushmore. There is no Chevy Washington, Honda Jefferson or Koenigsegg Roosevelt. I hear there's a Ford Fillmore in the works, but Millard's not on a mountain. Actually, this is the only reason I can think of to buy a Lincoln rather than the equivalent Ford.
5) Ford F-450: Let's say you're a pleasure mariner. Wait, that can't be the right term. Whatever someone who owns a boat for fun is called. Anyway, let's say you like taking your giant power boat on vacation with you to great boating places like Miami, San Diego, Corpus Christi and Cleveland (Great Lakes, hello!?!). To tow that boat you and your buddy will need the baddest truck around: the mighty Ford F-450. Actually, you don't need 24,000 pounds of towing capacity to tow a speed boat, but as Mike Rowe would say, why not?
6) Mini Cooper S: OK, so the ride's not great, but let's say you wanted to visit this country's many great mountain towns. What better way for two people to do so than in a Mini? The handling is perfect for those winding roads. The turbocharged engine will be less susceptible to power losses at high altitude. The hatch provides enough room for your stuff. Plus, it gets 34 mpg on the highway!
7) Jeep Wrangler: Driving across the country is easy nowadays thanks to roads. But what if you try to do it 1780 style, following in the wagon ruts of Conestoga pioneers? You'll need something that can tackle literally any terrain. A Land Rover may sound more appealing, but who needs to break down 13 times and require a tag-along mechanic named Trevor? With the Jeep, you can remove the doors, the roof and even the windshield for a true pioneering feel. Not since the horse can you roam as free as in a Wrangler.
So those are just some thoughts. Let me know which one you'd buy.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
"Thoughts from the Curb" is my weekly editorial column that appears every Wednesday morning at 6 a.m. Eastern. It delves deeper into whatever automotive topic pops into my bizarre mind, but it doesn't necessarily reflect the opinions of Edmunds.com. Come to think of it, Ann Arbor sounds kinda nice.
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- James Riswick August 26, 2009, 3:00 AM
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I vote for the Madden Cruiser Sponsored By Outback Steahouse (TM). Saw it on Cribs or some such show. Very cool.
Jeeze, none of the above. A Wrangler, seriously? I like 'em and had one for a few years, but they are comfy for about 40 miles.
I've done a lot of road trips, but the granddaddy was a year off to celebrate the Millennium. Around 30,000 miles touring North America.
The rig for the two of us? - a minivan, naturally. Great cruising, ok on gas, easy to toss gear into without having to cram stuff into little niches and enough clearance to handle Forest Service roads (and the Trans-Labrador) with ease.
@ Steve
I think you missed the point of a car guy's roadtrip where getting there is half the fun. Not that I agree with the entire list, need to add my speed3. hatchback, turbo, 28mpg hwy
E63 AMG Wagon in silver with E350 badges and wheels. Also equipped with radar detector, jammer and police scanner. Plus a GPS programmed with tunnels and hiding places highlights.
As long as it has comfortable seating, I'm happy. One of the best vehicles I ever road tripped in was a Chevy Tahoe - great sight lines, little cars moved out of the way in a hurry, huge fuel tank capacity.
All throughout university I drove a VW Golf TDI, which also did quite nicely on the long, straight roads like the 401.
Maserati GT
aston martin !
Hey Falconx84, 5 hours a day for weeks on end in a Wrangler isn't my idea of fun. I love Miatas too, but I doubt that I could handle a long 10 hour day in one.
That said, I drove to Alaska from the Deep South in a VW Bug in '73 when the Alcan was almost all gravel. But I'm older now. Maybe I need to finally ditch the tent for B&B's and a LaCrosse. :-)
#2 please.