5,500 mile roadtrip, would you do it?

[diddiyo]

hi,

i've had my speed3 for about two months or 1,600 miles now and love it. it's still bone-stock and i'm not really planning on doing anything to it.

a few days ago a friend of mine from overseas asked me if he could come visit me in september. we talked a little bit and came up with the idea to make an epic two week long road trip from central jersey to las vegas and back, with a few stops along the way to visit friends.

(wrc)

would you do it in your speed3? On one hand I'm thinking "woah that's a lot of miles..." but then again "wasn't this car made to be driven?"

what do you think?
(wiggle)

 

[Kain]

You mean in terms of reliability? Assuming for most of those miles you won't be in boost and that you'll take periodic breaks just like with any car, it should be up to the task. I've done a couple of 500-mile trips with stops every two hours and it took it like a champ.

 

[Sport6]

I would do it. Especially if you are stock. Just change the oil before and maybe on the way back (especially if driving a lot in the hot weather).

Get a clear bra.

Enjoy the car.




Edit: I mention being stock only because if you had to use your warranty during the trip.

 

[diddiyo]

You mean in terms of reliability?

kind of, yes. as you can see on the map we would be driving a couple hundred miles a day, make a stop at a friends place for the night and then continue the next day until we reach vegas.
the way back though would probably be more straight forward driving. but maybe we should split up the stops so that we also make a stop or two at a friends place on our way back.

Edit: I mention being stock only because if you had to use your warranty during the trip.

that's why I mentioned I was stock (thumb)

 

[MS3Zoom24]

my friend and i did a trip from los angeles to texas in the middle of july last year in his speed3 with only 800 miles on the odometer and it was had no problems

 

[BillTheCat]

I'd have no worries at all concerning taking my MS3 on a 5k mile road trip. Got 15.7k on the odometer right now. Reliable, comfortable. Just do the usual pre-trip maintenance- check tire pressure, eyeball the brakes, oil change, check & top off all fluids, make sure your AAA is paid up, and go!!!

 

[CWPspeed3]

I find the MS3 quite comfy for road trips, I've only done 5hr and 8hr's at a time but that was just fine. its a nice highway cruiser and you can get around 30mpg too. I say go for it.

 

[Akaveli]

I'll say go for it if you have the time and money to make a cross country road trip. The speed3 can easily handle the trip.

 

[Ebruess]

I've done a drive from Houston to Indianapolis many times and that's about 14-15 hours. I normally do it with no stops other than quick gas fillup (10 minutes). Never had an issue and in about two weeks going to do the trip again in the MS3

Only thing once was the AC unit froze up while driving it in August but I got a fix from Mazda on that. =)

 

[MSP2024]

im sure it will be fine just cool down the turbo before shutting it down thats all i can think of,come say whats up when you run through utah haha

 

[diddiyo]

I'll say go for it if you have the time and money to make a cross country road trip. The speed3 can easily handle the trip.

I haven't taken a single day of vacation yet this year (homework) and since we'd mostly be sleeping at friends places along the way and could split the cost of fuel, hotel in vegas etc between at least two people (depending if somebody else is gonna join us) it shouldn't be too expensive.

(headbang)

Maybe I'll buy some Basic RallyArmor mud flaps to protect the paint a bit.

 

[CWPspeed3]

My buddy just took delivery of his 2010 Mustang in Detroit MI and drove it to Naples FL the next day, he did a blue painters tape bra that held up pretty well, cost a lot less than the clear bra on my car. I have seen commercials on TV lately for a temporary clear bra that may be worth a shot.

 

[tiagotiago]

I've done about 2 400 mi long round trips with my stock MS3 (and my dad borrowed it and took a similar distance trip once too) and I really enjoyed both trips (and my dad too, actually he was kinda sad to have to return it to me ) Actually, I'll probably be making a slightly longer trip in it very soon. I can't wait.

The only advice I'd give you is that don't get too cocky with assuming your speed; the car will probably be going faster than you think it is

 

[MikeHTally]

Soon after I bought mine, we made a round trip to Baton Rouge ('bout 450 each way). No issues with the car, but I'd rather do that in my Ram or the 300. They both ride better. If I were younger, I would have no qualms about driving it cross-country.

Best part was to be running 80 or so in sixth, and just nudge it a little and **SNAP**! Ya got 100. Decent mileage -- 31 going over and 28 coming back.

 

[DeanSweet]

Personally, I'd rent a car from a major rental company. That way if it fails, they will put you in another car asap. Unlike Mazda.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

I say do it for sure! Just change the oil before and after... you should probably rotate the tires during the trip. Make sure you do all your pre-trip and during trip checks. Some company makes a spray on clear bra...

 

[GoFast]

ive done to 1 round trip from vegas to chicago and back. Then 1 trip from vegas to chicago in mine. Car was a great and not a problem with it.

 

[Super Unique]

The speed3 is an epic road trip vehicle. I have been from Orlando to Buffalo several times, I can make it there in 17 hours nonstop (well, stops for gas and restroom, then more coffee, then zoom zoom)

It literally flies up the mountain passes, gotta love it!

 

[HOBDisease]

Don't do it, just give me your car and I'll buy you guys roundtrip tickets...

 

[squidmotion]

mine loves the road... posting this from austin after a fun drive from sw houston this morning! if you don't mind the ride, or the rut darting on occasion, it is a great road car.


go for it...