Top ten road trip cars

Hey I defend US made cars when people bash them unfairly but the Sebring? It is just a terrible car. It pretty much is the poster child for people that say US cars are terrible. In this case they are correct. It stinks.

I was glad to see that you included several convertibles on your 10 best list, because it reminded me of great road trips that my wife and I had in our Mustang GT convertibles. (We have had three of these, but not all at the same time!)

A great road trip has lots of ingredients, including a car you like to drive, chamber-of-commerce weather, beautiful scenery, near-empty roads and pleasant, likeable people to travel with. It’s not often that all these things come together, so when they do, enjoy. These are some of life’s good times.

I have to agree with lwatcdr on the Sebring… that car is reserved for traveling businessman who hate themselves.

I see you left my choice off the list… Bugatti Veyron.

I 1000% agree on the S8 though, LOVE that car – so comfortable yet plenty of fun behind the wheel. You can find early 2000’s low-mileage models for low money right now too (compared to their original MSRP)

I don’t understand your pick of the Sebring. Makes no sense when there are plenty of cars out there you could have replaced it with. If it is such a “miserable car to drive” than why would anyone want to take one on a road trip? It’s all driving!
I suspect that, after seeing this site over the past year or so and seeing this car brought up by you on occasion, that you have a special place in your heart for this junkmobile. That’s okay though. I’m sure that there were at least 2 people who thought their Yugo was fantastic also.

Using my premise of two adults with 2 suitcases and one overnite bag, a small fun car and 30+mpg leaves very few contenders, which is why I bought a Mini Cooper that has seen more of the Southwestern US in a year(21k miles) than most. It is the perfect cruising/touring car that is still a riot to drive!!!

Jeff: Miserable as it is, I can’t think of another convertible that offers a back seat that two adults would actually want to sit in, especially at that price point. The Solara used to, but it’s no longer in production. Am I wrong? Is there a car I’m missing? If so, please tell me! — Aaron

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Aaron, the convertible with backseat room that would be MUCH better than the Seabring is the Saab 93 Convertible. And it gets great gas mileage too!

Cars that fit 4 people, are convertibles and get good mileage that are better than a Sebring…

How about the Volkswagen EOS?

And speaking of VW…what about the Jetta TDi Wagon as a truly great road trip car? Carries plenty of stuff, gets PHENOMINAL mileage and drives like a proper car? I’d rather have than than a Honda Hybrid.

The Miata is a kick, but hardly a GT convertible. The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet on the other hand…you’ve driven it haven’t you?

If money truly is no object, as much as the Audi is great…how about a Maybach? You can take your Chauffeur so he can drive when you get tired (heck the back seats fold into a reclining position so you and the S.O. can get some sleep while the hired help motors on).

There is also the new Porsche Panamera…
Uh….DROOL!

Why not the all-wheel drive Ford Taurus over the Lincoln? You get a huge amount of interior space, vault-like quiet and the option of all-wheel drive, all for around $25K. Unbeatable as a road trip vehicle, IMHO.

MY definition of a road car is one that I can drive 400 or so miles and get out of refreshed and ready to jump back into…

The best one I ever owned was an Audi…

BUT I do not believe any convertibles belong in any discussion of a road car…top down just does not cut it in the noon day sun blasting down the highway at 80 mph…

As for your inclusion of the Corvette…well I have 5 of the things in my garage and only the C5 is even close to being a road car last trip I made in it I cost me a fortune to have UPS ship back all the “stuff” my wife purchased plus she never let me put the top down even when cruising around town in the evening ..(can’t mess up the ladies hair)

BTW… I had my mid life crisis years ago but was cured by a Porsche… LOL

Bob G.

I can’t stand smoking but what bothers me even more is people smoking in a great car. Saw 2 idiots puffing away in a beautiful S8 yesterday. Breaks my heart.

I like my 06 Crown Vic as a road car just fine. I recently drove 650 miles/11hrs one way in it and felt just fine after the trip. Road and handled great. The car even got 24mpg with a V8, with a cruising range of 425 miles on a tank. Only had to stop for gas once.

@Eric, A crown Vic would definitely be a good cruiser, especially the P71 so that everyone would get out of your way. Personally, I would have to pick a 1963 427 powered Ford Galaxie convertible with a tall enough rear gear to cruise comfortably all day. That would be so very nice to drive up the coast…