Epilogue: Lessons Learned from a Cross-Country Road Trip
01-05-2014, 05:21 PM
#1
Epilogue: Lessons Learned from a Cross-Country Road Trip
I thought I'd post a few thoughts about things that went well and things that went wrong on the Seattle to Columbia road trip my wife and I took in our Targa. My guess is that many of you can add to this list, and that it may duplicate some advice previously posted. For the latter, I apologize.
1. Don't start your road trip with a car purchase unless you have a back-up plan, particularly if you have never seen the car. Fortunately I liked the car, but what if I had decided not to buy it? Would I have made an impulsive decision to buy another one on the dealer's lot?
1. Don't start your road trip with a car purchase unless you have a back-up plan, particularly if you have never seen the car. Fortunately I liked the car, but what if I had decided not to buy it? Would I have made an impulsive decision to buy another one on the dealer's lot?
01-05-2014, 05:22 PM
#2
2. Make sure the car has a FULL frontal clear shield! I thought it did have based on phone conversations, but it only had the usual front 1/3 covered, and the front bumper cross-members were not covered. When I got to Columbia I found at least 20 rock chips in the top part of the hood and on the bumper. The worst was a 1/4 inch diameter chip on the right bumper cross-member. Ouch. The bumper can be touched up, but how do I deal with the small hood chips? It made me sick to see the damage the car took. 
Last edited by Volnomad; 01-05-2014 at 05:23 PM. Reason: typo
01-05-2014, 06:05 PM
#5
TargaC4S, I agree. We were mostly lucky, particularly considering how bad the weather was. Here's another one:
3. Take a tire repair kit, as suggested many times on this forum. The real reason to take one though is to ensure that you won't need it!
3. Take a tire repair kit, as suggested many times on this forum. The real reason to take one though is to ensure that you won't need it!
01-05-2014, 06:58 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
could not agree more, 1/2 my hood doesn't have 3m and considering how low our cars are the entire front end should be protected....
re the tire fix kit dont forget that the car does indeed come with the kit as well as the tire pressure pump (not sure if if the pump is any good so i always use my own trusty one). they are both hidden in the frunk.
re the tire fix kit dont forget that the car does indeed come with the kit as well as the tire pressure pump (not sure if if the pump is any good so i always use my own trusty one). they are both hidden in the frunk.
2. Make sure the car has a FULL frontal clear shield! I thought it did have based on phone conversations, but it only had the usual front 1/3 covered, and the front bumper cross-members were not covered. When I got to Columbia I found at least 20 rock chips in the top part of the hood and on the bumper. The worst was a 1/4 inch diameter chip on the right bumper cross-member. Ouch. The bumper can be touched up, but how do I deal with the small hood chips? It made me sick to see the damage the car took.
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01-05-2014, 08:24 PM
#8
Race Director
Start the trip with a car that is in good shape, kept that way because that is the nature of the owner, not because of some last minute servicing/band-aids.
Tell yourself it is only a car and if it breaks down you will either fix it, sell it or scrap it and and move on.
Watch other drivers.
Watch the road. Road debris is a real hazard. Stay back from other vehicles. Following too close can have something the other car can clear come upon you in your lane in your car's path in one big hurry. Also, following too close can have the leading vehicle's tires throw stuff at your car.
In bad weather or poor visibility conditions slow down. Or get off the road early and book a hotel room. There is always tomorrow.
Don't drive too long and tire yourself out. Take a break. If you get sleepy stop and get a room for the night. The goal is not to drive 'til you drop.
Resist the urge to test the car's V-max capabilities. Even though the road ahead looks deserted you will be surprised at what can lurk ahead. I can't tell you how many times I have come upon bear traps out in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes the V1 gives me a warning. Sometimes the CB radio gives me a warning. But sometimes there is no warning but because I'm going the limit nothing bad happens.
As soon as you get where you are going start planning your next trip.
Oh, every once in a while during the trip it is ok to put your hands on the car as kind of a physical expression of affection. And always when walking away take a second look back at the car.
Tell yourself it is only a car and if it breaks down you will either fix it, sell it or scrap it and and move on.
Watch other drivers.
Watch the road. Road debris is a real hazard. Stay back from other vehicles. Following too close can have something the other car can clear come upon you in your lane in your car's path in one big hurry. Also, following too close can have the leading vehicle's tires throw stuff at your car.
In bad weather or poor visibility conditions slow down. Or get off the road early and book a hotel room. There is always tomorrow.
Don't drive too long and tire yourself out. Take a break. If you get sleepy stop and get a room for the night. The goal is not to drive 'til you drop.
Resist the urge to test the car's V-max capabilities. Even though the road ahead looks deserted you will be surprised at what can lurk ahead. I can't tell you how many times I have come upon bear traps out in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes the V1 gives me a warning. Sometimes the CB radio gives me a warning. But sometimes there is no warning but because I'm going the limit nothing bad happens.
As soon as you get where you are going start planning your next trip.
Oh, every once in a while during the trip it is ok to put your hands on the car as kind of a physical expression of affection. And always when walking away take a second look back at the car.
01-05-2014, 09:40 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
01-05-2014, 10:25 PM
#12
I
1. Don't start your road trip with a car purchase unless you have a back-up plan, particularly if you have never seen the car. Fortunately I liked the car, but what if I had decided not to buy it? Would I have made an impulsive decision to buy another one on the dealer's lot?
1. Don't start your road trip with a car purchase unless you have a back-up plan, particularly if you have never seen the car. Fortunately I liked the car, but what if I had decided not to buy it? Would I have made an impulsive decision to buy another one on the dealer's lot?
01-06-2014, 11:17 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
Good stuff! I was too much of a pu$$y to drive mine home from TX to KC (actually that and I wanted the car sooner than I could fly and drive) In the end, I'm glad I did, at least with this being my first P car dream purchase. As pristine as the car was when it arrived I would have been bummed to dick it up before it made it's grand entrance into the garage. :-) The NEXT P car dream purchase I will certainly fly and drive if at all possible.
Last edited by wheeler; 01-06-2014 at 11:18 AM. Reason: I misspelled "pussy".
01-06-2014, 11:50 AM
#15
Rennlist Member
Good advise. My must haves:
Clear bra on the vehicle
Valentine one
Take a tire repair kit. They take up no space at all
AAA card
Phone charger
Camera
Have a Positive attitude and go out and have fun, meet new people!
Post a story and pics on this forum
Clear bra on the vehicle
Valentine one
Take a tire repair kit. They take up no space at all
AAA card
Phone charger
Camera
Have a Positive attitude and go out and have fun, meet new people!
Post a story and pics on this forum