would your spider make it cross country with no problems?

**lgbalfa** · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 01:51 PM

i just read that article about a BMW M5 doing it in 5 days and was just thinking about how much fun it would be to make that drive in my spider.

not that i am even thinking about doing it, but do you think your spider can make it cross country without any problems in a week?

mjono53 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 02:28 PM

In it's current condition no, but it's in the shop . When it comes out, if the work is done right etc., yeah I'd do it. Let's face it regardless of make and model there is always a risk of breakdown. Especially on long arduous trips like that. Moutains driving for hours without a break etc. could cause you to break down !

slam105 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 03:57 PM

Yep. No worries.

Regards.

**Peter** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 04:22 PM

I would do it!

**papajam** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 04:51 PM

Well, with only 25k on the clock, I'd certainly think it would make it.

Did the same thing back in the mid 70s in a 69 GTV. Twice. Only problem was a broken right rear tail light lens (of course, the pickup truck I backed into didn't move in time

).

MarkZ · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 05:05 PM

Without a doubt. So would my '95 LS. I don't feel that way about my Milano, though. It has too many mysteries.

Mark

bigpapajoe · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 05:38 PM

oh without a doubt.

but I wouldnt want to see it on the odometer

**Dolce86** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 05:58 PM

I just turned 18k miles on the odometer. She's in good shape and ready to go.

**lgbalfa** · #9 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolce86

I just turned 18k miles on the odometer. She's in good shape and ready to go.

**lgbalfa** · #10 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjono53

In it's current condition no, but it's in the shop . When it comes out, if the work is done right etc., yeah I'd do it. Let's face it regardless of make and model there is always a risk of breakdown. Especially on long arduous trips like that. Moutains driving for hours without a break etc. could cause you to break down !

**bshorey** · #11 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgbalfa

i just read that article about a BMW M5 doing it in 5 days and was just thinking about how much fun it would be to make that drive in my spider.

not that i am even thinking about doing it, but do you think your spider can make it cross country without any problems in a week?

Bill · #12 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 09:14 PM

Been there, done that.
Will do it again...

**brownie93** · #13 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 09:19 PM

I think both of the Spiders would be fine driving cross country.

sennafan61 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 10:11 PM

Go for it! It will be a great adventure. Plus, with gas at $4/gal the Spider will be pretty economical to drive, especially on the interstates.

FYI, I bought my '87 Spider on ebay about 4 years ago from a guy in central Oregon. The cost of shipping the car to my home in Southern California was almost 1/3 of the purchase price, so I decided to drive it. The car was only about 50% restored and it had some major mechanical issues (clutch was almost gone, brake pads and rotors were shot, electricals were spotty, etc.), but the motor and gearbox were fairly strong and the seller assured me it could make the trip home. I packed a few tools into a suitcase, caught a flight to Oregon and prepared for the worst. The car was really a basket case, but the motor and tranny were good enough to make the 900 mile trip back home with no major issues. These cars are surprisingly durable. If the motor and gearbox are strong you should have no problem.

block · #15 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 10:33 PM

Did it. Waiting for the time to do it again. I purchased my Spider at the tail end of the summer from a gentleman in Sacramento. My wife and I flew out of Chicago to California, checked out the car, paid for it and spent a few days driving up and down the coast. This allowed us to go to the Monterey Historics and make sure the car felt ok for the trip. Also got to take in some surf and sand. The only trouble we had was getting the trunk closed. We packed pretty good for the trip:suitcase, duffel bag, tent, briefcase and tidbits. What I didn't count on was the PO giving me the extra crommadora he had and a car cover! Needless to say, we had it packed up pretty good. After tooling around the coast for a few days we headed back to Chicago. I think we did it in three days. No worries. Surprisingly, my wife says she was quite comfy the whole trip. Go figure.

Day one of Spider ownership....