Comments on: Daily Podcast: Jalopnik’s 10 Best Fall Weekend Trip Cars. Or Not.

By: Davekaybsc

Davekaybsc — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:45:01 +0000

Audi S4. It’s an Evo for grown ups. Fun, comfortable, and no wings to attract attention from the cops. Second choice: BMW 540i Sport.

By: captdownshift

captdownshift — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:46:15 +0000

since the outback is the best choice and the evo is still too raw (according to most on here), why not the 2009 sti? it soft enough to no longer be much of an sti, offers wagon utility and should still (hopefully) be more of a hoot to drive the the 2.5L turbo outback.

(if it’s not then it’s time for subaru to kill the sti model stateside)

By: AKM

AKM — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:31:58 +0000

BMW X6

Has anyone actually seen one of these without demo plates? Here in ‘Car-as-a-fashion-statement’ west Houston I’ve seen not a single one.

I’ve seen the back of ONE in Northern NJ, while I expected it to be everywhere…..and I narrowingly avoided puking in my car.

As for week-end cars, my wfie, brother and I went for a week-long camping trip in Quebec and Maine in our 2002 VW Golf. And guess what? Not only did it swallow everything we put in the trunk, with one seat down, but it remained pretty comfy, and cruising at 80mph was a breeze….

By: Robstar

Robstar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:59:20 +0000

My last weekend trip, I took a gsx-r 600, wore 20 pounds of gear, put on a backpack full of clothes, and cargo-netted a bag to the passenger seat :) This was into VERY heavy rain in WI to see ama superbike at elkhart lake.

Yeah, my wife does think I’m a loon sometimes.

By: highrpm

highrpm — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:33:36 +0000

I take the minivan. Yes I have kids, but even if I didn’t I would still take the minivan instead of my Boxster. It’s quiet and comfortable. You can take everything you need with you. It’s big inside.

My wife has a nice Lex RX330 but the minivan is just more comfortable on longer trips so we usually take it instead.

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:48:30 +0000

Subaru Outback 2.5 XT
Meh

Dodge Challenger SRT8
Yes, but will it still be great for trip 2,3,x?

BMW 335i
Sure, wagon/coupe/convertible/sedan…all are fine.

Ford Explorer
This is a joke, right?

Ford Flex
Meh.

Mazda MX-5
Not a big fan.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI or 2.0T
Audi A3/Golf GTI?

Saab 9-3 Convertible
Eventhough the soft-top rules, I’d still rather have a 3-series convertible or even the ageing A4 convertible.

MINI Cooper S
If it’s a Cooper S Works.

Suzuki SX4.
Nah-ah.

By: DeanMTL

DeanMTL — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:38:55 +0000

The Wrangler Unlimited is actually the perfect fall long-haul vehicle. Loads of space, decent stock stereo, quiet engine on the highway (if you can stand a little wind noise) and fair on gas if you feather the pedal. If it gets hot, remove the roof panels.

Plus, when you get bored of the asphalt, detour through the fireroads and enjoy the foliage.

By: DearS

DearS — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:45:56 +0000

I dont get the diamond joke. please explain.

Also I’d like an Integra Type R for such a trip.

An E34 525i is also nice. Manual also.

By: Mrb00st

Mrb00st — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:30:38 +0000

I remember taking trips in dad’s ‘04 9-3 Aero 2.0T 6-speed convertible. That car was perfect for road trips. Drop top, heated seats, great air-con, it turned like 2100rpm at 80mph in sixth, got 30mpg+ on a steady cruise, and man the torque is fun. Too bad that car was broken all the time. Now he’s gotten himself a boring Japanese car.

By: Cyril Sneer

Cyril Sneer — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:22:13 +0000

Originally posted (without my snarky italicized comments) by Berkowitz:

Subaru Outback 2.5 XT
Sure, functional I guess.

Dodge Challenger SRT8
Sure, and do me a favor, fill the trunk with diamonds to pawn for gas

BMW 335i
Yes, sedan of course

Ford Explorer
This is a joke, right?

Ford Flex
If I had to.

Mazda MX-5
Yes, good excuse to pack light.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI or 2.0T
Sure, functional and efficient.

Saab 9-3 Convertible
Why a Saab?

MINI Cooper S
Yes.

Suzuki SX4.
I’m not sure?

By: jaydez

jaydez — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:55:10 +0000

I used to have a ranger, well a Mazda B-3000. My then girlfriend and I used to take it on weekend trips all the time. All the luggage suffed in the back of the cab with her dog sitting on top of it (jack russel) and 2 bikes in the bed.

it was an awsome weekend vehicle

By: kurtamaxxguy

kurtamaxxguy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:26:45 +0000

I doubt TTAC would like the Outback; although it has nicer interior, it leans more in turns, rides harsher, uses more fuel, clunks driveline and is slower than the ‘09 Forester XT. It does have more turbo rush and the fiddly SI drive, though. :-)

By: guyincognito

guyincognito — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:13:09 +0000

Mini Clubman? BMW X6???? WTF? What is happening at Jalopnik? How could they recommend the BMW X6 for anything, ever? I missed this article when it came out. Having read it, I am disappointed and terrified.

By: joeaverage

joeaverage — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:21:27 +0000

A VW Westfalia/Weekender/Camper. Small enough to drive like a normal vehicle, large enough to have some space for the kids to spread out inside, and good for camping in the Fall. Plenty of power to haul bikes and camping gear and the dog.

Not likely to be traveling far from home without the kids.

By: JEC

JEC — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:01:43 +0000

Sprinter RV? Three words – Becker Jet Van.

By: Samir

Samir — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:47:39 +0000

Any convertible is fine if the point is cruising more than caning the shit out of it. Even a Sebring. As for the trunk space – tell the girl all she needs to pack is lingerie for the b&b inn.

By: cretinx

cretinx — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:42:13 +0000

BMW Z4

with a trunk capable of holding 9 cubic inches, its larger than some sedans.

My wife and I enjoyed our Z4 on many a couples getaway before we had a child and had to get a 4 door sedan (WEAK!).

oh look – an add for a Boxster lease @ 560/month for 36 months at the bottom of the page . . . . I leased my Z4 for $340/month, and it eats a base Boxster alive (though, ok, I’ll admit, it doesn’t deliver a similar driving experience).

By: optic

optic — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:40:33 +0000

mini, or a bmw m coupe.

i just spent a week on maui with a rental mustang convertible. thumbs up to having a convertible, thumbs down to the mustang (with the v6 anyway). i wanted a mini convertible for the week but it was just too expensive.

By: davey49

davey49 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:36:18 +0000

Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax and Lance slide in camper.
A compact pickup or SUV (3500lb tow capacity) and a fold up trailer would work well for warmer times or climates.

By: psarhjinian

psarhjinian — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:34:13 +0000

I know. And that’s what makes it perverse. I can easily imagine my father doing precisely that.

By: thetopdog

thetopdog — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:30:50 +0000

psarhjinian :

There’s a difference between owning a Ranger (I’m sure a small truck is a very useful thing for a number of people) and choosing it as the ideal car for a weekend getaway, assuming a nearly limitless budget (at least this list seems to have a very high price ceiling given the presence of the 911 and Maserati)

By: TEXN3

TEXN3 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:27:08 +0000

Not a bad list; works for many people, types of trips, and weather.

How much do you pack on a weekend trip? The MX5 and Mini would be perfect for 2 people.

The Ranger might be ideal for those that do a little antique shopping, camping, fishing, etc…like many do in the Rockies around fall-time. Same with the Wrangler (and a small open trailer if you’re buying stuff).

My 3 wagon is an ideal little car for a weekend trip at any time of the year. Pleasant ride and great handling, sunroof, plenty of power for most circumstances, and room for whatever you might bring…I’ve curled up in it when snow hit my campsite! Actually the Outback (or an XC70) might be my preferred vehicle now.

My ideal weekend car would be an old air-cooled Porsche 911/912. Images of leaves fluttering behind it, on a curvy mountain road makes my day much better now.

By: no_slushbox

no_slushbox — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:09:03 +0000

Convertible: The MX-5 is obvious, for more people I would suggest the Mustang convertible. Boxster S / Corvette convertible / 335i convertible if the budget allows.

Gas Mileage: The Prius then the Civic sedan; if the “new” restriction is taken off the table then Honda Insight by a mile.

Grand Touring: 335i, G37.

Space: Diesel ~~Dodge~~ Mercedes Benz Sprinter passenger van or RV conversion.

By: NetGenHoon

NetGenHoon — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:04:51 +0000

We must not allow a Fender Vent gap!!

By: Edward Niedermeyer

Edward Niedermeyer — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:03:02 +0000

Hmmm… Lexapro or hypermiling?

Keep Farago away from government… he’s after our precious bodily fluids!