[2000cs]

If you were to choose any car to take from one coast to the other, two week vacation trip but driving 8-12 hours a day many days, loaded with spouse, maybe doggie, suitcases and gear for whatever you like to do on vacation (hike, camp, fish, sightsee?) plus a cooler of snacks and drinks (because no place sells those outside of your home town), and all you had to pay for was gas and maintenance (and you have to pay for any physical damage or theft), what would you take?

Some history:

Had a BMW 740i late 1990s and loved it. One drive 22 hours only stopping for gas and take out food (driving to stay ahead of a blizzard), and arrived tired but not fatigued or sore.

Had a 2017 650i GC but it was unsuitable for cruising at appropriate speeds. Won’t buy another BMW with that engine/transmission combination.

Had a 997, it was very good for cruising, but I have a desire to try different cars so no repeats. M3 is a repeat (had a 2015), because of the 650iGC and how I exited that problem. This contributes to my “lack of love” for the M3.

Cars of interest:

Any Aston, but are they going to eat me alive in the wallet? Also no local factory service.

Old 6 series (1980s) but lack reliability, heated seats, cooled seats, etc. (I have a wife).

Old 8 series, same “issues” as old 6 series but there is that V12!

New 8 series, but concerned about whether my 650i issue was really resolved in the new drivetrain. Extensive test drive required. And probably not cheap to buy but fast depreciation expected.

Panamera because why not? But no local dealer service. Damn small towns.

I do care about cost of ownership and fuel, but I’m obviously eating a lot of sitting-in-the-garage depreciation on my M3. I’m not wanting a Prius! And range matters so pure electric is not for me yet.

AMG, like M, is a good choice. Not a fan of the Mercedes folks, been burned by two of their dealers, so would have to be pretty special to get over that hump.

Nothing too showy (Rolls, Bentley). Just comfortable, quiet, excellent road manners (power and handling), and reliable enough to confidently set out across the nation. New or recently used. If it was easy, I’d already know the answer!

I like the look of the 2+2s. I’d probably say no to a wagon or SUV, but most any car configuration is fine. Longer wheelbase cars are generally smoother cruisers. 4 doors are easier, even if it is just me or two of us (occasionally the dog, too), because one of us can’t travel light!

What say ye? Other options? I’m open to anything that is comfortable, has room to travel (there goes the R8), and looks good. Japanese, American, European, etc. Car will mostly sit on a tender, get used 4-6 times a year on long trips and rack up about 5,000 miles/year. I could rent, I suppose, too.

TIA

(Mods, nice work; thanks!)

[nicknaz]

In before all the posts extolling the virtues of the 911.

[Darth One]

If you are looking for something more comfortable with power, maybe look into an AMG or CTS-V?

[MicaCeli]

Thought about Lexus?

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by MicaCeli

Thought about Lexus?

Many times, and never pulled that trigger. When I’ve driven them (it has been a while), they seemed kind of dead or numb. So they don’t come right to mind, but may be worth another look. Thanks for the reminder.

Volvo also is interesting. My wife has a XC60 (2018) and loves it; I’m not thrilled by the wound-out 4-banger and worry about taking something like their big sedan over the Rockies with a full trunk. I’m a horsepower (and Torque!) guy, I guess.

[eonflux]

If you had a 997, a 991 would be a different experience, more GT.

An Audi RS4 could be a good option. Awesome engine, good manual, great suspension tuning, and AWD in case of inclement weather or unpaved roads.

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by eonflux

If you had a 997, a 991 would be a different experience, more GT.

An Audi RS4 could be a good option. Awesome engine, good manual, great suspension tuning, and AWD in case of inclement weather or unpaved roads.

I’m liking what I see so far of the new A7 and A8, assume the RS versions would be more better!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

If you were to choose any car to take from one coast to the other, two week vacation trip but driving 8-12 hours a day many days, loaded with spouse, maybe doggie, suitcases and gear for whatever you like to do on vacation (hike, camp, fish, sightsee?) plus a cooler of snacks and drinks (because no place sells those outside of your home town), and all you had to pay for was gas and maintenance (and you have to pay for any physical damage or theft), what would you take?

https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/p...sport-turismo/

Sure, it violates both your no-Panamera and no-wagon criteria, but I think you should reconsider. It is what I'd choose.

[Red Bread]

Yep, Pana Wagon or an E63S Touring.

[Never_Enough]

If you cared about COO, you would not be looking at BMW or Porsche

Also, try a different MB dealer. Only 2 is not representative of all.

[Alfisti]

To me absolutely has to be convertible for a trip like this.

Merc E-Class vert with all the trimmings?

[DieGrüneHölle]

S65 AMG Coupe

[Fender150]

im going to post something different here. I was never a truck guy, you mentioned gear and pets...etc
I took my GENII ford raptor on a 3K mile trip. Absolute beast, 530bhp, seats 5-6 people,
luggage space for days, tows over 8k lbs. Different choice, works for me

[nicknaz]

So I saw pics of a friend's sportsmobile 4x4 van and have decided THAT is the ultimate road trip /tow / support vehicle outside of a "diesel pusher" RV bus

[Darth One]

ok so now that OP added more detail to his post, i've got some other thoughts:

the whole gear+pets cross country requirement and the no SUV or wagon requirement make this a tough question unless by 'gear' you really only mean 'clothes' and your dog is small. or you're fine with a pickup truck or a van since they are technically not SUV or wagons...

if a pickup is ok, i love Raptor but you probably want one of those cushier Platinum models. if a van is an option, i would buy one of those awesome Mercedes Sprinter vans that have been converted into a rolling hotel room.

amongst the traditional sedan cars, i'd just get an S-class AMG and be done with it.

[kprocivic]

Macan gts.

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

To me absolutely has to be convertible for a trip like this.

Merc E-Class vert with all the trimmings?

Had a Z3 and found the convertible very enjoyable - for 15-30 minutes. Then too much sun so top up. Kind of ruins the convertible experience.

Really the Benz dealer here sucks, especially service dept. If I got another one, I’d be stuck with 100 miles to get it serviced. So I’d have to really love it - but then that opens the door for Jag, Alfa, Porsche, and so many others.

[Scout10]

if your talking "loaded" with stuff, cooler, camping, room to move around in.
On the road from tank full to tank full, hot seat driving etc.
Or are you speaking of a roomy road car, with a hint of hauling?

Done that a couple times, 3K and 5K trips. There will be disgust on this.
1. Honda Odessey Touring
2. Chrysler T&C Touring

I admit my X3 is a great road car for its size, but NO storage / hauling.

[dgoldenz]

Cayenne turbo

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by Scout10

if your talking "loaded" with stuff, cooler, camping, room to move around in.
On the road from tank full to tank full, hot seat driving etc.
Or are you speaking of a roomy road car, with a hint of hauling?

Done that a couple times, 3K and 5K trips. There will be disgust on this.
1. Honda Odessey Touring
2. Chrysler T&C Touring

I admit my X3 is a great road car for its size, but NO storage / hauling.

All I really intended by that was a couple of suitcases and maybe a bag of hiking boots, camera, bug spray and suntan lotion. Not full camping gear or summitting Mt Everest. Just more than an R8 could handle but not a van full.

I’m old. Kids are grown; done the van and suburban thing eons ago. Work car is a Durango R/T which is pretty good on a long drive, too. But I want more of a GT (classic meaning, Grand Tourer), which implies a car. In my head, a modern 850i or 928s. But I’m really interested in what you and others like/prefer. In that sense, this is more of a thought exercise.

[See5]

Used CTS-V3?

[jmg]

No wagon?! E63 AMG wagon would be my first choice, but if you must go without a wagon I'd say a Panamera Turbo.