Drew,
If you want ALL those attributes, you're basically looking for a Miata
or a MR2 Spyder. Early Miatas can easily be had for well $5k, Early examples
of MR2 Spyder can be found around there, but most are from a bit more to about
twice that price. Both are nimble, fun, have cruise and a/c and minimal but
adequate storage if you travel light and alone. An accessory to explore would
be a small motorcycle trailer to pull behind. There are even little
tent-campers in the 2.5' x 2.5' (my approximation) footprint-sized class.
I've been thinking about a similar road trip for a while now. Particularly the
Al-Can highway up to Alaska. Not yet quite to the point where I can do it, but
maybe in a couple of years. Super 7 with tiny trailer has always been
prominent in my plans, but MR2/Miata would be infinitely more practical and
comfortable. (bones creaking more in recent years that when the plan was first
formed)
- David Booker
Long Island
From: Andrew Payne
<andrewpayne@intrex.net>
To: Spridgets <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent:
Thursday, September 15, 2011 8:02 AM
Subject: [Spridgets] Thinking about
buying another car
I've spent the past few days thinking hard on a cross
country trip that I've wanted to take for years. Next year I may be able to do
the trip. The basic idea is to be on the road for about 80 days and spend a
day or two in each of the 49 states. (Hawaii until you build a bridge, you're
dead to me! ;) I will camp most nights, stay with friends some, and a few
nights in hotels. I will likely do it in several regional trips so that I can
keep my business afloat.
As a car guy, the question of what car to take has
always been important. I had thought an Elise until yesterday when I came to
terms with the prohibitive cost. I can do the trip, I could buy the car, maybe
both. I can't afford to take that car on this trip. Tires, depreciation,
maintenance, parts... So back to planning.
Years ago I thought a BGT was the
perfect car. Fosters goodwill, fun, plus it would plan my trip: I drive till I
breakdown, and I explore the town until parts arrive. I still think it would
be a good choice. A Miata might be perfect.
So the open question is what car
do I start looking for? Below is my criteria.
*My budget will be a max of
$5000. This is for road ready condition.
*Manual transmissions only!
*The car
must be fun to drive.
*The car must be reliable.
*Parts should be readily
available, and affordable. This includes tires.
*I need a securely lockable
trunk at least as big as a Miata's.
*I need to be able to reasonably expect
30,000 miles of mostly trouble free driving.
*A/C and cruise control would be
ideal.
*25+ MPG
Drew
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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