kors-jan

My wife and I are planning a long road trip with our 8 sometime this summer. We will put on at least 3000 highway miles -- and a few around-town miles. Gas prices are going to be brutal. I get 24 mpg highway on my 8 (I keep detailed records). That's pretty good, but still will cost us about $500 at current prices.

This will be our first long road trip in the 8. Any suggestions? I've got my extra oil packed away already. Anything else you would recommend? Probably will buy a new set of tires before we leave town as my OEM Potenzas are showing a lot of wear (15,000 miles). I'll take my spray Zaino 6, too, to keep the sparkle and entice gawkers!

If enough people are interested, I could chronicle our drive, report on mileage, take a few pics along the way, etc. Ideas?

shaunv74

That sounds like a great idea! I would pack 1-2 quarts of oil, check all your fluids, maybe have your coolant flushed and your brake fluid changed. If you only have 15K miles on the car then the air filter and plugs should be fine. I would also get yourself a tire pressure gauge that measures in 0.5lb increments and keep track of your tire pressure each morning. It will help with the gas mileage, handling, and tire wear.

We'd love to see pics and hear the stories. Good luck and enjoy the drive!

Raptor2k

Sounds like you got it all figured out to me. Enjoy.

NoTears316

I had a 2000+ mile road trip about a month ago. With over 50k miles on her already, I replaced my belts and fluids first. Had no problems at all.

StewC625

Doritos. LOTS of Doritos. And beef jerky!

LOL

I love road trips - unfortunately, with 3 kids, we don't do big trips in our 8 - biggest one was a solo trip of 900 miles each way. Did in two days each way.

I washed my car at the end of every day - for both the gawk factor and also to keep the bugs from turning petrified on the finish. Mileage is well, the mileage, so not worth getting worked over.

As Jack Kerouac often said, the Journey is as important as the destination.

Make the most of it - going somewhere interesting? Are there awesome stops planned? Sports car roads?

Definitely chronicle the trip - take pix of your -8 in obvious locations to show us the progress.

Have fun - I'm jealous!

Raven0207

I do long trips in my 8 every couple of months down to FL and back and everywhere else I go. I work on the road 8 months out of the year and what you have already got and being told to pick up is the right stuff to get. Tires are the main thing with oil next. I would also pack some spare brake fluid and anti-freeze for your trip ( past experience ). My 8 is my baby and me and my fiancee take her everywhere we want to go and thats alot of places. I hope you have as much fun on your trip as I have had on my numerous trips in mine.

StewC625

FYI, the only things I took with me were 2 qts extra oil, a roll of shop rags, my washing supplies (I used the "you spray it" places to wash it, but then used my bug sponge, my tire cleaner and my wheel brush while there, plus my drying towel), an accurate tire gauge and the tire inflator from the flat kit. Plus, on trips with lots of stuff, I drop my spare tire down to the bottom of the trunk which opens up better space for packing the trunk.

New Yorker

Ok, I know this is gonna sound crazy, but… to deal with all those bugs that end up on the front of your car, I know some people, in the morning, smear Vaseline all over the front bumper. At the end of the day, they grab a small towel and simply… wipe it off… bugs (and Vaseline) gone!

mysql101

wouldn't that also cause dust and dirt to stick to the bumper?

and wouldn't rubbing it off with a towel press the particulate matter into the bumper causing a situation where you could be scratching up the paint?

New Yorker

As I understand it, the Vaseline wipes off real easily. You don't rub it off with any kind of pressure. Also bugs, dust and dirt would be sticking to the front of the Vaseline—away from the car. If you wipe it off properly, bugs, dust and dirt should never come in contact with the paint.

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

That sounds like an awesome idea, keep some break pads just in case you do some "sprinted" driving. lol, keep oil defiantly and $$ could help too...lol
Have a great trip man

kors-jan

I don't know about smearing vasoline all over the front of my 8. Hey, I just spent too many hours with the clay bar. I think there would be a lot of stuck on bugs, dirt, grime, etc. What a mess to wipe off each day!

Any more ideas? Can you add to the list?

1. Oil.
2. New tires with proper pressure (just bought high quality pressure gauge).
3. RainX Bug and Tar Protective Shield (see #26 post below)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Lot's of $$$.

delhi

Sounds like a fun adventure! Plan ahead, get some maps. Take pix and share the experience with us!

New Yorker

The Vaseline trick isn't some idea I just thought up—I know others who've done it and say it really works. The stuff wipes off VERY EASILY. Not a mess at all. Whatever.

CarAndDriver

Bridgestone Potenza RE050a Pole Positions or Kumho ECSTA SPTs.

Where are you going?

kors-jan

Ann Arbor, MI to Lincoln, NE to Fort Collins, CO on the trip out. Then to South Dakota and on to Duluth, MN. Finally across upper Michigan, over the Mackinaw Bridge, and home again to Saline, MI. MapQuest says 3005 miles highway for this trip. Plus the local driving when we are in Colorado for ten days. Upper Michigan will be beautiful and the driving great fun there. (Anyone want to come with us? Just pay $500 for gas and you can sit in the back seat!)

coll3735

Road trips on the island consist of us driving 30 miles the other way, it can get depressing; but take some pics and tell us of any problems incurred on the road. Have fun!

CarAndDriver

Look forward to the pics.

eviltwinkie

Doritos dont work...

Take "Flaming Hot Cheetos"...when sleepy...eat a handful...that should keep you awake...

Labop

What is your destination?

We drove from Pensacola, Fl to Seattle, WA. We took a break with family in Denver (otherwise Im' not sure we would have made it) and then headed up along Route 287 to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks.

We were with our 1 yr old and dog so the RX-8 wasn't practical. Instead we took my wife's Matrix. But there were MANY stretches of 287 and Route 90 that we both wished we had the 8!!!

One thing I'd do, get several hotel books ahead of time. I'd recommend Comfort Inn and company. One two cross country trips they had the best value, allowed our dog and gave us breakfast and internet. Holiday Inn was a bit expensive, and after the Comfort Inn, the good old Motel 6 felt a bit more run down than usual...

psychodad

Rainx makes some kind of bug spray that you spray on before the trip and hose off after. I have a can but have not tried it.

staticlag

the spare tire is the best thing you could possibly take.

When I went on my roadtrip I taped her all up. Then at the end of my trip I took off the tape, claybar'ed, drove around my city of destination. then taped her up for the trip home.



Ahh the price of no rock chips

puch96

Wow... that sounds like a good trip!...

by the way.. I live relatively close.... (Milan).....
I see that you are a new member... is that correct? Did you reacently get your 8?

Welcome to the club!
We might be doing some Rx8 runs around the area... try searching the MW area forum section for possible more info...
I've been trying to go to one as soon as I hear about them... it could be fun...

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

I just did 3200 miles in the last week. Loaded up and drove from Socal to Houston TX for the SCCA Natl tour, raced and drove home all in one week. Used $508 in gas and half a qt of oil. Zero problems.

If you need tires anyway think about the Kumho Ecsta SPT run flat. They have them in 245-40-18 which will fit the RX8, then you don't need the spare. This will be my next set of street tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....=Ecsta+SPT+XRP

kors-jan

Yup, am new to the club. Bought my 8 this past January 2007 -- so only had it for four months. I met PhreakdOut last Saturday at the A2 sports car meet and briefly talked with Sleddog_Racer when I pulled up alongside of him at the US23 Plymouth Rd Exit. Am eager to meet other RX8 owners to see their cars and learn as much as I can from them. I know there's a meet/drive to Hell, MI this Saturday, but can't attend. Hope to meet you sometime. Take Care, Kors-Jan