The American dream - Ultimate road tripping cars for the USA

[speedy88]

I want to live the 20th century road tripping experience. I want to feel nostalgia for a time and a continent I didn't grow up in. I want to feel pride driving the most regular of survivors through the home of Snow Mexicans and The Land of Freedom. Luckily for me, this is looking quite likely late next year when I move out there for work.

But I don't want it to break the bank on the fuel bill, I want it to be easy to work on and have decent parts availability, and I want it to be a decent roadtripping car. And I want it to be something you'd have seen in the background of a 90s Cop film.

I'm new to this market, so bear with me here. I'm aiming for something under $5k and probably from the 80s/90s. (70s stuff seems to be getting spicy).

Let's start with bad examples. A Geo Metro convertible would be hilarious, amazing on fuel but the novelty would wear off pretty fast. A Toyota Camry would be the most reliable thing on earth but quite probably dull enough to end my life in a motel in Oregon. A Cadillac would be relatively cheap to buy, extremely comfortable but christ, take a look at that fuel bill.

So I've managed to pull together the following shortlist:

90s Chevy Caprice - 18 MPG (UK)


90s/00s Ford Panther body - 22 MPG (UK)


90s Buick Roadmaster - 20 MPG (UK)


All of these will deliver a great tradeoff between excellent reliability, comfort, smoothness and reasonable fuel economy (for North America anyway). But most importantly, they're interesting cars to own and drive (or so I've read). Yes, they are interesting cars. Look - they can do skids.

So I'm opening up the floor to comments. Just keep it in the spirit of RR.

[metalshapes]

I think I'd go for a retired ex cop car.
Should be cheap and mechanically cared for.
( apparently a CROWN Vic can be had for about $600 and up, with the not as ratty ones going for about $2500 to $3000)

Or ( if you don't plan on keeping it and/or using it for parts ), a rented RV.
So you don't have to worry about selling it to get some money back...

[tonycocacola]

I was going to say a CROWN Vic, but Mr Shapes beat me to it.

[grizz]

Last month in St Louis, two owner car.

Sold for $500.00

Adams discarded Ford CROWN Victoria, perfect donor and road trip car.



V8




Low miles too.



And started after two years parked up in a field..

[juggernaut]

Petrol is a lot cheaper in the US remember, its currently about $0.85 cents a litre in New York so about £3.15 a UK gallon.

Compare that with around the £5.60 mark a gallon in the UK.

The drive from NY to LA is around 3000 miles so @ 20mpg that will be 150 gallons @ £3.15 a gallon which is £472 and in the UK the same 3000 miles would be £840.

Maybe you can afford a bit of a luxury chariot after all.

[speedy88]

Oct 9, 2019 22:43:38 GMT juggernaut said:

Petrol is a lot cheaper in the US remember, its currently about $0.85 cents a litre in New York so about £3.15 a UK gallon.

Compare that with around the £5.60 mark a gallon in the UK.

The drive from NY to LA is around 3000 miles so @ 20mpg that will be 150 gallons @ £3.15 a gallon which is £472 and in the UK the same 3000 miles would be £840.

Maybe you can afford a bit of a luxury chariot after all.

Ah but if you take into account the 4000 mile west coast trip I want to do, the difference between a CROWN Vic and De Ville will be more than £400 (estimated, could be more). That's £400 I can spend on motels, burgers and rear tyres. Not to mention the big barges like old Cadillacs do tend to be more unreliable and demand higher repair costs.

[grizz]

Oct 9, 2019 23:12:11 GMT speedy88 said:

Oct 9, 2019 22:43:38 GMT juggernaut said:

Petrol is a lot cheaper in the US remember, its currently about $0.85 cents a litre in New York so about £3.15 a UK gallon.

Compare that with around the £5.60 mark a gallon in the UK.

The drive from NY to LA is around 3000 miles so @ 20mpg that will be 150 gallons @ £3.15 a gallon which is £472 and in the UK the same 3000 miles would be £840.

Maybe you can afford a bit of a luxury chariot after all.

Ah but if you take into account the 4000 mile west coast trip I want to do, the difference between a CROWN Vic and De Ville will be more than £400 (estimated, could be more). That's £400 I can spend on motels, burgers and rear tyres. Not to mention the big barges like old Cadillacs do tend to be more unreliable and demand higher repair costs.

No idea what you are earning, what you will be earning and how good you are at saving, or finding savings around you. Or how you will be employed.

Ultimately it’s going to be your trip, your way.

So all we are possibly doing is maximising your return on investment here, with loads of info, guidance, stories of past fails and wins, and that’s a great thing to do.

I am certain you would prefer to sleep in someone’s home, garage, couch, driveway, to spending circa $80.00 per night.

This year, craigrk went on the road trip with me again, and though we could both afford to stay in a $110.00 per night Holiday Inn, we also both get a buzz from seeing money roll over into the next days budget,

2019 ROAD TRIP: forum.retro-rides.org/thread/210620/deja-grizz-craig-dennis-kelly

But trust me, a $60.00 per night motel feels like a $60.00 motel.

Sometimes you need to be sensible too.....

Biting the bullet for a slightly better car, or even truck, if you don’t intend sleeping in it, could deliver long term.

Also, getting to know people along your route, who may be a bit like you, and want to share culture, knowledge and friendship (Americans are friendly, and certainly in my experience open hearted) and see the real America, there is a lot to be said for reaching out, you still pay your own way all the way, but it is better.

So you may spend the motels $60.00 on taking your hosts to dinner at a nice Mexican/Chinese/Chicken/Whatever cheap option type place but you get a clean bed, real humans,meet awesome people, learn all about the local culture, history, and like you would, if they visited you here and you took them to Dover Castle, Stone Henge Greyhound Races, London, or whatever their interest is, you will be rewarded with a massively expanded itinerary

I have been invited to Gas Monkey Garage (spent 3 hours with Aaron, met a load of the guys) spent a few hours with Sue, got to Fired Up Garage, seen George Poteets place twice, met Elvis’s Harley mechanic, American Pickers (sucked) spent a night at Sprint Car Races, dives some of the most awesome cars, eaten food, done stuff I never planned to do, just because random people wanted to share a small part of their world with me. None of this was planned or part of the usual tourist itinerary, Route 66 ?? Of course, but run parallel to it, stop at breakers yards, small cafes and speak to strangers..... your mind will be blown.

But you need to plan now....

Save £1.00 per day into your Road trip upgrade car, and really leave it alone in the bank or bottle on the mantelpiece suddenly, you have $600 extra to play with, equalling a room upgrade, car upgrade or whatever.

Not sure if any of this is of value.

You are going to have an awesome trip.

[dodgerover]

Probably not an issue as you will be working there but I believe some States are difficult to get insurance in to drive a vehicle that you own if you aren't resident

[Paul Y]

I would be inclined to either go for something LS powered or something big and floaty from the late 60'S early 70's.

Why?

Everyman and his nan can fix an LS - parts are plentiful, they are pretty bullet proof and get good fuel economy. Think early 2000 Camaro etc or 1500 pickup etc.

Late 60's Early 70's because no computer. Can fix them with a stick. Everyman and his nan knows about them. If you are going to do the American Road trip do it in a proper American Road trip car. Think the Grizwolds and you are in the right ball park

Ok So pictures didn't load but use your GoogleFoo and you will be good.

P.

[sciclone]

I think the Buick roadmaster or similar would be my type of thing. I don't like the shape/styling, but a big wagon is great for road trips. Sleep in the back on a comfy mattress and save sleeping in dirty motels. Can get a shower in big truck stops and put the money towards fuel and fun.

Also allows you to stuff it full of parts etc if you decide to ship it back to the UK.

[brc76]

It's not the insurance that is the problem here, it's the registration. Each state is different, but most need you to be resident in that state with a driver's license in that state. Then there is the matter of a title. Effectively a sheet of paper that says you are the owner, but no title means problems. Each state is different again. My Mercedes came from a "no-title" state. A state next door to my own. Not unusual, one would assume. That turned into months of hassle to get plates. Not trying to put you off, but check what is needed for your state.

D

[grenade]

Most places in the states issue a "Temp Tag" or "in transit" plate made of paper and insurance can literally be done online or over the phone with a VIN number from the car. Don't let those fears put you off, there's always a way for that. Usually money is the answer and you're good.

Road trip on a budget? I admire your sense of adventure! Do it! Set a budget of course but have a backup plan because almost nothing made in America from 84-98 ish is any good. Sorry American car lovers but these things are junk, never mind the fuel costs.

CROWN Vics? Go above 1995 and you're probably ok, the 4.6L engine is a slug but I've seen them with 300K on em.

I'm suggesting steer clear of anything made by GM 84-05. You WILL be working on it and at the most inconvenient time, count on that. I've been driving and buying/selling cars since the 80's and there are some cars you just do not buy.

A Ford Escort wagon from the 90's, super good on fuel but about as boring as that Camry you mentioned. Anything Toyota or Honda- Simply Add gas and let it run because those are bulletproof. It's almost comical how much you can ignore a Toyota 4cylinder and it just never lets you down.

As with anything- IF you find the RIGHT vehicle with a stack of receipts and meticulous maintenance, you're probably ok with any brand but low miles on an old car- that's not a good thing. High miles and a ton of receipts for completed work- a Much Better deal because someone was working on it and keeping it up to snuff. Rubber seals deteriorate and moisture collects in electronics and never buy a car parked on the dirt or grass. Crawl around it and see the condition of it, especially from the east coast or a snow state. Brake lines and fuel lines are paper thin after 2 years in the grass in the eastern & northern states. If you're in TX or CA you're probably ok but watch out for bugs under there that can kill you lol.

A Honda CRV will be cheap fuel and you could sleep in it. If you want an American experience in an American car- The Chevy Astro Van or the S-10 Blazer. While these will likely break down on you and make you very upset at some point, the MPG isn't terrible by our standards. I know I said steer clear of these things but like the CROWN Vic- I've seen the Astro Vans with 250k on them. Just get one somebody cared for.

This is a Great thread and Grizz is right- He knows America pretty well and his trips are epic. Keep us posted on whichever thing you end up in and be sure to take lots of pics!

[brc76]

I totally forgot about temp and transit tags

Massachusetts doesn't do them. Weirdo state I live in

[speedy88]

If it throws some kind of curveball in the mix, its likely that I will be starting from, settling in and buying a car from around Vancouver, BC. I have extended family that can help me register a car so that part of it at least will be fine.

Sage advice in this thread, thanks!

[sciclone]

Another thing you could check is autotempest. They've advertised/sponsored a few shows on YouTube I watch, but if there's a particular make/model or budget you are after, it could find it on craigslist or elsewhere. But if you don't have anything particularly in mind, then it I doubt it's going to be helpful.

I just know that when I was coming over to the UK, having someone on the ground to search/deal before I got there was ace, as I didn't have to buy something sight unseen.

[brc76]

Oh, Canada! Who knows what goes on up there.....

[ratchart]

On reading this the idea of a Lexus LS400 popped into my head. I've no personal experience of these but it would seem to tick most of your boxes, with the exception of not being American. It's a big comfy luxury 90s barge, designed for America. No idea what they're worth in the US but there are plenty of UK ones that come well within your budget so I'd imagine the situation is similar over there. 

(At this point someone will presumably pop up and tell me they're a rotten old money pit that should be avoided like the plague!)

[speedy88]

You know what, I already had an LS400 in the back of my mind. It's probably the only car I would break that rule for being that this might be my only chance to own one before they become mega mega bucks.

[sciclone]

Id second that a LS400 is a great option. I roadtripped with a couple of mates in mine, and got nearly 950km to a tank on the highway. (Roughly 8.4l/100km or 28mpg)

super comfy seats, 10 CDs and air suspension. The only thing you could want more is the ability to lay the seats down and sleep in it, but a metal partition between the cabin and boot means it's not possible.

[grenade]

Nope! These are cheap and run FOREVER! Put a Ford or Chevy badge on it and hammer down. Good idea! Also, a cheap flame paint job.