Cincinnati to Phoenix, what would you drive?

bentley

 

'92 Merc

 

MD-80

How big is your "oh hell!" reserve fund? If it's fairly flush, drive the MG or the Fcar. If it's light, drive one of the Mercs

 

Airplane!

 

if you're sticking to the major interstates, I'd go with the bentley. It's also the least likely to get you back before september, which is a good thing considering the august humidity in cinti.

 

What a great dilemma. What sort of experience are you seeking? The MG would be kinda painful on freeways, but great on the back roads. Opposite might be true for the Merc and Bentley. If you have a breakdown, just make some small town your home for a couple of days, and enjoy. There was a thread not too long ago about someone's experiences in that situation.

Now that I have rambled, and thought about the round trip aspects, I would lean toward the Ferrari.

Good luck with the decision, have fun, and provide this forum with a journal!

 

If you're driving to Phoenix anytime soon, a/c is probably all that matters. I'd probably take the big Benz, knowing that parts are available across the country.

Not sure about Bentley reliability, and I think you're right that once the thing breaks you're in for a looooooong tow.

I had an MGB and trusted it up to walk-distance limits from my house.

 

500E.

Not sure how tall you are, but the thought of tackling 1800 miles in an MG sounds a lot like torture to me.

The Bentley would be tempting fate. I agree that finding a competent shop in the middle of nowhere would be a challenge.

Go for comfort, reliability, and speed. Sounds like the 500 covers all those bases...

Post picks of your epic adventure!!!!!!!!

 

92 500E Benz for a long trip like that you need comfort and a bit more power.
plus you won't feel as tierd since you are in a luxury suspension but thats just my opinion.

 

Take the one with the best air conditioner coupled with most reliable. As you know, the distances between cities in the west is enormous compared to Ohio/Indiana/Illinois/Michigan/Wisconsin, so reliability is an important issue out here. Current daytime temps are running 110-118 in Arizona-need I say more???

 

as daily drivers...I would say the MGB but as I see it is NOT a roadster ( woah..what were you guys thinking there) if it was a roadster I would say to hell with a/c drop the top...but still I'd take the MG and a bottle of asprin 4-xtra spark plugs, emery boards, xtra points and condenser, WD-40, a spare generator, jumper cables, some 14 gauge wire, fuses, patch cords with alligator clips, flashlight, multimeter, warm Guiness (for roadside repairs only) and have a (mis)adventure of a lifetime man and write a blog or a story for Classic Car Magazine -- break down in a '67 MGB everyone is your freind and you have a story to tell, break down in a Bentley and well....I can only imagine what they would mutter under their breath. Drive a 500E..'cmon...anyone can do that..this is a sports car forum for hopless, eccentric (and foolish) addicts who drive new and old and unreliable (and exciting) sports cars places and distances that dare the mechanics and please the parts countermen ... stare fate in the eye ..be bold...summon the pride of the British Empire and put on your leather helmet (ok it is a GT - forget the helmet) and leather driving gloves and bloody drive that MGB across the long ribbon of US asphalt and leave behind a trail of British Leyland parts for those who follow.

.........and when it dies at the end of your driveway, push it back and go get the Merc..any Merc will do just fine...

 

That's a long drive. I've tried it twice, completed it once, both about 28 years ago, back in college. I did a southwestern loop, camping in national parks, along the way. Did it in my 1975 Honda CVCC - no A/C, but it was the top-of-the-line Honda at the time. About a month later, a buddy wanted to do a Friday-to-Monday round trip Labor Day run to the Grand Canyon and back, in a Cadillac limosine, driving round the clock, with about an 8 hour break at the Canyon before heading home. Only problem was that the car broke down (brake failure) before we ever left town. Ever since, I've flown that route.

Go with the A/C comfort - 500E. Being a little newer than the diesel, it would also be easier to service, if need be.

 

92 MB 500E

 

Ferrari. Cause you would have more balls than 99.9% of the guys on this board.


Seriously. It is a well made 8 cylinder CAR. No different than a Toyota IMHO....

As long as it has been taken care of (most have) take the Ferrari. Maybe an oil change first and coolant. I would recommend a bottle of Water Wetter. The stuff seriously works. And you will need it in Phoenix.

Other than that don't drive too much at one speed for too long. Switch it up from 70 to 80 to 90 for different periods. Other than that, you should be good to go.....

 

I would also go for the 308. It can be a trip to remember that way. Or the Bentley. Preferably the 308.
BT

 

I'm with brother Bill. If the 308 is in good condition take it...pack up, hook up with some sections of "old route 66" and head west young man.

 

I might try the 308. But the A/C in the Benz or the Bentley would be nice.

Thinking of taking my 328 to the cabin in Blue Ridge later this year....I want to try out the "dragon".

 

Bentley.

 

I used to do the Dayton/Phoenix trip every six weeks for four years. In the summer, it is really hot an humid in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, etc. It can get really boring. You can run into sand storms, not ot mention the occasional daytime hooker.

I would drive the most comfortable, best A/C 'd, most reliable of the group.

The 92 MB sounds about right.

Check out Old Town in Albuquerque. Gallup is depressing. Not much in between Ohio and the Arizona border, though.

 

Let's say he should take the 308 (hey it is F-Chat)..what spare parts would we suggest he take on the journey....keep in mind there is limited room, some parts are Delco and readily available and repairable while others are critical and not gooing to be avail. on the trip...womdering what if any survival parts we do ( or should) carry around with us,, those that actually really drive the car far.

 

I would go with the 500E. That is a long and somewhat boring trip, and I like to drive but...., so you need comfort and good a/c. Regards, Vern

 

Take the 500E. Set the cruise control on 80 and rest so that you can party when you get to Phoenix. I've made lots of long drives from one coast to the other and back. It gets pretty boring, but if you're not confortable, then the trip is an endurance contest. Also it will turn you off to what ever car you're driving if it becomes an endurance contest. You've got some fun cars. You'll probably get tired of the constant exhaust note from the 308 and the MG. Actually, the MG is a little on the primitive side. I own one, so I know. Also, while one guy is driving, typically, the other guy is sleeping. There's no sleeping in a MG. Probably not in the 308 either. The Bently would be my second choice. The diesel would be OK too. Then the 308, with the MG being in the, "only if I have to," category.

A trip that long means that you're looking at 4 days in the car. Two there, and two back. I hope you guys are friends.

Actually, set your cruise for 5 over the speed limit. They'll look closely at you, but 5 over is not worth pulling you over, unless your're the only one on the road. I've found that cops like to hide in two places. In the median and on the on ramps. Also, they tend to stay close to the food dishes. Food dishes being places where there's places to eat. That would be small towns and big truck stop areas.

Good luck.

Bob Wassam

 

308 all the way....