SubaruKid37

3 hours north is not a problem, if it was 3 days then that would be something a bit different!! where is that exactly? Google maps is fast becoming my best friend while planning this trip (can put it in a PM or something if you dont want it on this thread)

and sure I am not totally decided on the car, but believe it or not this is not a trip where I am looking a car I want to do this in, otherwise it would be a mustang or some american sporty type car, or bring my Puma out, but I just need soemthing with a bit of BASIC offroad capabilities that can also eat miles of tarmac, and be easy to deal with if things do go wrong. My next trek once i've done this first one, then i can decide on a more fun car maybe!

So saying I do actually like the Volvo, but... I just never imagined becoming a Volvo owner this young in my life really I'm a step away from owning my own Elise (well not now, I will be broke when I return from the US I think), a Vovlo isnt the second choice car really! at least I can have some fun with a slightly offroadable car when the area permits Not to say saloons are not fun off road, but I think you get what I mean!

If you managed to follow all that I typed you are doing better than I am

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-Tom

sabaka_g

I was too lazy to read all the written thing but i know that i would really like to go on such journey. I like to travel

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98 Toyota Corolla 1.3

SubaruKid37

so do I, in case that wasn't obvious by now!

You may like to know I have also considered using a Subaru Outback as a car for the journey, probably the 2.5 XT or whatever the turbo version is in the US, of the 2006 style shape.
But, I would have to find a manual one and they are probably rare to see in America I think...

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-Tom

Ferrari308

I'm 3-4 hours north of NYC in a magical world called Rhode Island...if you're serious about it, PM Me....
Hey....You own a FORD, so why would it be so hard to start driving a Volvo???

As for Volvos being semi "off-road" cars, they can be used for auto-cross type events, although I wouldn't entirely recommend them...They are pretty easy to work on, and parts can be very cheap.

*NOTE*
If you search www.cars.com, and look for a Volvo within 20 miles of zipcode "90210" (Beverly Hills, CA) with max price set at 12,000USD, the first hit is an '03 S60 with a 5-speed manual and 38.5K mileage...that sounds pretty good to me...

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In short, you are all morons. - Rav
RIP Randy

hyphon12

^^^ Ignore him

I'd get the Grand Cherokee if I was you, not the V8 but the 4.0L Inline 6, we currently have one in for a major re-hauling of the engine because of dodgy electrics (not putting you off I hope ) , so far finishing it we've had it out on the road and it goes quite nicely and the engine does give a nice meaty note. Every other one we have had ran well and if they get as well serviced as they do where I work they'll last forever and from what I've heard is that the Inline 6 engines they use are bullet proof.

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2005 SEAT Leon Cupra R - 221bhp & 206lb/ft

GT3

If you're that close to the Tail of the Dragon, you may as well pass through Tennessee....

This link mostly has roads through CA.

http://lateralg.com/

VR6 Man

Yes, good call on that one. You should really try to hit the Tail of the Dragon (its a crazy road in case you were wondering). It might not be as much fun in the Cherokee as in something like an Elise that you want someday but it'd be sweet to check that out. Google it.

Hit up Pittsburgh, have a Primanti's sandwich, and then you'll probably want to leave. Kidding. Pittsburgh isnt that exciting. Not enough to alter course anyways. Unless you love Andy Warhol or the Steelers.

In all seriousness though, try and check out the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee (even though you'll probably see the Rocky Mountains in Colorado). Or just something inland of the East Coast. Like VTEC said, I-95 is a good highway to cruise down, as it gives some good views even though its a highway.

If your into history like me, you could always check out places like Philadelphia or Gettysburg (both in Eastern Pennsylvania). And Washington D.C would be a good place to check out for sure. You can see all our monuments and maybe learn a little bit more about the US and our history. Kind of like how we come check out things like Big Ben and Stonehenge, you could see Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Wall and the Whitehouse etc. (Maybe that was a bad comparison, but you get the idea.)

I've been just about everywhere on the East Coast for various vacations throughout my life and I'm drawing a total blank about all the cool spots to check out. I'll have to get back to you on some more.

Keep us updated. Sounds like a lot of fun. I'd like to take a trip like that, and I live here!

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~a VW forum~

reedcanova

^^^
That is a good site. I have driven ortega hwy and I drive live oak canyon road atleast once a week. Live oak is real fun at night.

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OC LIFE!!

slezak12

Ah! So that is why you had asked me those questions!

Haha, whoever on the first page mentioned Chicago hit everything on the head...When you are there make sure you visit "Luxury Motors / Bentley Dealership" in the city...they are pretty big assholes there but if you dress nicely you might be able to get inside...even if you don't you can see a whole bunch of cars from the window (veyrons, lamborghinis, ferraris etc) PLUS they usually have 10 or 15 cars lined up on the street that are always nice to look at. Its located at 834 North Rush Street if you are interested.

Also in the western suburbs there is a nice small town by the name of Clarendon Hills that you might wanna visit!

Also, if your in need of a place to stay we always have our guest room...

EDIT: The Cherokee is a great car for the trip, we used to have one and it was by far the best SUV we ever owned.

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"If a CL65 isn't a muscle car, than what is it..." - teXas ; rofl

Attaus

That sounds like an awesome trip. I won't be like everyone else and tell you what you're missing elsewhere, lol, I'm sure you're aware. I mean, you are missing the greatest state. haha


Anyway, I HIGHLY suggest that you shop losangeles.craigslist.org in January or February 09. There are so many cars you can buy for $10,000-$12,000 that I wouldn't limit myself to just a Jeep Cherokee. I saw an '06 Scion tC with 24k miles in perfect condition for $10,200. That would easily make the trip, and should you need service, it's a Toyota. Just an example.

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"Political discussion are like Nyquil." - Rav

sabaka_g

Thats a good choice! Personally i would chose between outback and legacy universal (caravan or... i dont know how to call it ). Outback probably would be a better choice for some unplanned turns from the main road

There are comparisons between Volvo and Subaru in the net. Volvo always looses it and beside that Volvos are pricier to buy (new ones).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfqw9Fktp-U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyLgYskj-oc

On a offroad test new outback won against audi Q8, nissan navaro and bunch of others.

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98 Toyota Corolla 1.3

breakFan

Sounds like great fun man. Plus I think America is really the place to do this sort of stuff, so yeh, go for it! If I were you though, I'd do it in pure American style: convertible Mustang.

-

I also have a road-trip "planned" someday when I finish school with my best girlfriend (I dunno if it's actually a great idea to bring a girl along...). She wants to go to Australia, but I want to take our Alfa Spider to the US and maybe go the South route, West to East!


Anyways, let us know how the planning goes!

SubaruKid37

I might be serious about it, its somewhere else new I havent been...!
And my Ford is built by Tickford, it is more Aston Martin and Group B Rally car technology then just a Ford But as you say, when it comes down to it, it still wears a Ford badge...

I'll be checking all the used car sites listed in this post a little closer to the time - no point in buying now! Volvo was on my list of possible choices after having driven an S60 here a little while ago, although it was an auto and lacked much character...

awesome link, thanks

I get to play with Elise's all day at work, I also haev the ability to make cars ,well all but the MOST dull of cars interesting!

Any help is always welcome And I do hope it will be fun, that is the main reason behind it!

Yes!

I have one advantage with exotic / luxury dealerships, once they realise their snobbery and un-interested behaviour does not impress me, and that the chances are I have driven what they are selling, they usually turn out to be quite nice people

So far Chicago has the biggest list of things to see and do! pretty good since I always wanted to go there and sounds like there will be quite a bit for me to see!
- oh and don't be too hasty to offer me guest rooms - i'm likely to take up any offers of rooms I'll be looking into places to stay shortly

Glad to hear that about the Jeep, most people say nice things about them, which I think is a good thing

Thanks for the help & info so far, there is so much for me to take in and consider!

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-Tom

AWDfreak

Aww, that's unfortunate... Well, the next time you come back, you should try it!!! It's breathtaking, and the road is totally fun. Nonstop twisty action! Just use an AWD vehicle, because I do believe some portions of CA-HWY 1 are actually gravel due to erosion.....

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LSixer

Just caught this. You WILL stop in Chicago and meet up with the SCF contingent. As this gets closer, we can revive this thread or start a new one which ever is more appropriate.

It sounds like you are coming in the winter, in order to arrive in orlando in Feb 2009. Thus, many of the nice outdoor Chicago attractions will be closed, or too cold to enjoy. No matter, we also know where the other action is.

Can we get our local Chicagoans to put this date range in their calendar please? I can coordinate a nice meet-n-greet at a local restaurant and we will get some pics to post up on the board here. Your dinner will be on me of course, I do NOT take no for an answer.

Im Looking forward to your travel updates...