Road trip, And no...not gonna do it... Options

[emerygt350]

Well, I took the 914 to Erie PA and back in a terrible rain storm last night, uggh. The driving rain, fog, and window defogging were terrible. Thank God for my sliding rear window glass. Eventually had to turn the heat on and the front fresh air all the way up. 'Baby's breath' my arse. Maybe a baby from the seventh level of hell.

464 miles on the odometer, 15.5 gallons. I am surprised by that since the hills are pretty long and high (1200 feet up and down). 70 mph on the way there in beautiful weather, 60 mph on the way home in probably my worst night drive in decades.

Checked the oil this morning, right on the top notch where I started. At 70 the head temps climbing the mountains (long, long climbs) would get up to 390-400, cruise at 370 and below. Drop down in to the low 300s rapidly on the descents. When I got home last night the engine was happy as could be, even though I was ready to collapse. Cruise afrs were all within safe ranges, plugs looked good in Erie.

I am seriously considering driving it out to Minnesota through Chicago in two weeks. I need to drop my son off in Chicago and figured I would just keep going to visit the family in Minnesota.

The road noise was a little loud, and my butt hurt after a while, but it gets better mileage than the Mini, far better mileage than the Mustang. The Mustang is like driving a sofa and has AC so I am seriously considering it as well. Looking for a butt and lower back cushion that breathes. Anybody run across a good one that can be got at the chain stores?

[emerygt350]

My son has some reservations about it. One being you can't really hear the book on tape unless you blast the radio. I bought the 700 dollar mini for him and he would much prefer we took that. It has airbags and skinny tires and most importantly, I am going to have to park it on the streets of Chicago for a couple days.

I just have so much fun with the 914 I would just kick myself if I broke it to drive across Indiana and make my son miserable. I can teach him all about his own car. He will be getting his permit next year.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did buy the butt pillow. Probably use that in the mini too!

[Superhawk996]

My son has some reservations about it. One being you can't really hear the book on tape unless you blast the radio. I bought the 700 dollar mini for him and he would much prefer we took that. It has airbags and skinny tires and most importantly, I am going to have to park it on the streets of Chicago for a couple days.

I just have so much fun with the 914 I would just kick myself if I broke it to drive across Indiana and make my son miserable. I can teach him all about his own car. He will be getting his permit next year.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did buy the butt pillow. Probably use that in the mini too!

Totally understand.

In my case I just took the 98’ Camry instead of the X5. Multiple reasons but biggest being if the Camry breaks down in North Dakota - any mechanic can work on it. The X5 would be a PITA. Rear tire is 315/35/R20 and takes week to 10 days to get under the best of circumstances.

Used to drive my 914 from MI to FL on spring break (1100 miles) and wasn’t a big deal. Never had a problem.

Do what’s right for you and the son. But remember Mini is basically a BMW - the 914 might just prove to be the more reliable vehicle (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[emerygt350]

My son has some reservations about it. One being you can't really hear the book on tape unless you blast the radio. I bought the 700 dollar mini for him and he would much prefer we took that. It has airbags and skinny tires and most importantly, I am going to have to park it on the streets of Chicago for a couple days.

I just have so much fun with the 914 I would just kick myself if I broke it to drive across Indiana and make my son miserable. I can teach him all about his own car. He will be getting his permit next year.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did buy the butt pillow. Probably use that in the mini too!

Totally understand.

In my case I just took the 98’ Camry instead of the X5. Multiple reasons but biggest being if the Camry breaks down in North Dakota - any mechanic can work on it. The X5 would be a PITA. Rear tire is 315/35/R20 and takes week to 10 days to get under the best of circumstances.

Used to drive my 914 from MI to FL on spring break (1100 miles) and wasn’t a big deal. Never had a problem.

Do what’s right for you and the son. But remember Mini is basically a BMW - the 914 might just prove to be the more reliable vehicle (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Except the engine is a Renault or something like that! If I have to leave the mini there won't be a lot of tears... From me at least.

[Superhawk996]

Except the engine is a Renault or something like that! If I have to leave the mini there won't be a lot of tears... From me at least.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[wonkipop]

Except the engine is a Renault or something like that! If I have to leave the mini there won't be a lot of tears... From me at least.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

i believe its a joint BMW-PSA (peugeot/citroen) engine and i hear its not so great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

not a renault engine in the mini.
i can tell you one thing renault can do is build good engines.
the rest of the car fallls apart around the engine.


i qualify that by saying ------until recently.
all engines for the last 15 years or so by just about all auto makers are garbage.
direct injection - suspect rings - etc and so forth. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

i was looking at a recent alfa yesterday that was in here getting its cam belt done.
horrifying. one thing alfas used to have were magnificent looking engines.
not anymore. plastic plastic and plastic and a tangle of ugly looms.


have fun in the 914 emery. should be a great drive. 914s were originally designed to be top of the pile long distance high speed cruisers. sit on 80 all day long if you wanted them to. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)