California, Nevada, Utah & Arizona

I guess the better question would be what about these two other options appeal to you? The intermediate car will be perfectly acceptable for 2 people and will be the best value.

A Mustang and a Jeep are about as far apart as you can get from each other for options, so what about them appeals to you? Do you just want something that looks cool, or is there a more practical reason for your desire.

I will say this, there is nothing wrong with either choice, but both of them will be more of a vanity choice than anything else. A convertible will give you the ability to drive with the top down, which is nice, but this will still be a base model, so while it may be a little more fun to drive, you aren't looking at a great sports car by any means.

A jeep is even more of a vanity choice, as the point of a jeep is typically its off road capabilities, but off road driving will be forbidden by the rental contract. I will also note that if this is a convertible jeep, you really will have very little space for luggage - and no real trunk in which to protect your items.

Yep, it's a personal choice but the Mazda 6 will get you everywhere you want to go and all round is the most practical of the three, although I understand the desire to have something a little different.

Note] In case you are coming directly to the "first unread post" [ie Michael's above] and not to the previous page, please note that you have been asked to keep all questions about this trip in one thread [see your older posts] on more than one occasion. Whatever the question regarding this trip, please keep it here so everyone can follow.

Luggage space in a convertible is almost nonexistent. You probably could not get a guarantee of a Mustang if you booked a convertible - you are just as likely to get a Chrysler Sebring. A Wrangler does not get very good gas mileage, and it rides quite rough. I think you would be best off sticking with your original plan or upgrading to a larger sedan.

Don't forget to purchase an "America the Beautiful" passport. It's $80 US and covers the entrance cost at National Park. Since the entrance fee is about $25 per park and you have listed maybe six national parks, the savings is considerable. I would also suggest you look at driving US and State highways. The Interstates are great for getting from here to there quickly but as scenic. Look at taking US Rt 89A across the north rim of the Grand Canyon from Kanab, UT to Lake Powell. The drive off the North Rim is outstanding and there are places where you'll be able to see more then 50 miles across Marble Canyon, Lee Ferry, and the Painted Desert. Take a break at trading post in Cameron, AZ, just south of the Colorado River bridge. Have you considered taking the trail from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon? It is rather fun and entertaining. And you really should do a little detour through Oak Canyon and the Sedona Red Rock area. You didn't mention the time of year but remember the area you plan on visiting is dry so drink alot of water. If you start to feel poorly or have any cramping, find shade and use wet clothes to help cool down. I'm old enough to remember when you never traveled in this area during the heat of the day (Mother would remind us, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun.") and I think it is still a good idea.

The only route that might be a challenge is get across the Sierra Mountains. I would suggest switching Sequoia and Yosemite parks and exit Yosemite at Tioga pass into Lee Vining, CA. Take a few and visit Mono Lake and than head south on US RT 395. Death Valley is best early morning, late afternoon, and under a full moon. Be sure to give your tires a check ever now and again (hot asphalt can be hard on rubber) but unless you are hauling something really heavy your automobile shouldn't give you a problem.

You have planned a great trip through some glorious country. Bring plenty of film or extra memory cards and enjoy,
Suzi

Hi,

Thanks for your input guys. I guess the idea is just to make the trip a bit more fun and have a more fun and cool car! Not bothered whether the car is a good 'sports car' or not, just something fun to drive, that looks cool and is comfy to sit in. Also, it seemed like a fun idea to do our road trip in an American car like a Mustang! Anyone driven a Mustang and can give any idea of comfort?

GLC - thanks for the note about the Wrangler riding rough, thats really useful and has defo put me off that one! I think we'll go with the Mustang, after all on the trip of a lifetime why not do it in a bit more style!

Campersuzid - thanks for the tips on roads to take, thats great. We plan on buying the America The Beautiful pass on arrival at our first park which is Yosemite, do you think that is ok or should we buy it online before we leave (8 wks time)?

Quote:

---

We plan on buying the America The Beautiful pass on arrival at our first park which is Yosemite, do you think that is ok or should we buy it online before we leave

---

Non US residents can not buy the pass on line but you can easily get it on arrival at Yosemite. If you go to Pier 39 in SF [recommended] the NPS has a small store up one of the stairways where you can also purchase it, and they have lots of interesting literature.

A Mustang convertible is not particularly comfortable, and luggage space is very limited. The base models that are rentals do not have a particularly sporty suspension and they will have a V-6 engine with an automatic gearbox. As I said, you probably cannot get a guarantee of a Mustang, when you get there to pick it up you may be given a Sebring instead. Gas mileage will probably average around 20 mpg, maybe a bit higher if you stay out of the cities.

You have a lot of sightseeing on this itinerary. I'll comment on a few of your stops.

Must see in SF: Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz, Golden Gate headlands, Muir Woods and Point Reyes. Of course, you must ride the cable cars and drive down Lombard Street and, two blocks south, Filbert Street. The former is the curviest and the latter is the steepest street in SF.

When you drive up from LV to Zion, There is a neat canyon you go through in the northwest corner of Arizona. Also, Zion has two distinct sections and many people never see the upper part call Kolob Canyon. I suggest that when you drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon, you go up I-15 to Kolob Canyon. Allow about two hours there. Then continue up I-15 to Cedar City, take route 14 to Cedar Breaks (similar to Bryce and worth the detour) and then continue on 14 over to route 89. Go north on 89 to route 12 through Red Canyon and into Bryce Canyon. It will add a few hours and miles, but it is magnificent scenery.

Hi Everyone,

So we leave in 2 weeks for our first USA road trip!

I was wondering what the best way to bring travel money is? We don't want to bring all cash as that is a lot of cash to potential loose/get stolen etc. If we bring travellers cheques will we have trouble paying for meals/gas/etc especially as we will mostly be in national parks and not cities? Does anyone have any inside info on this?

Also, any last minute advice on things to bring, places to go...

Many thanks.

I really wouldn't bother with ravellers cheques in this day and age. They really just have been passed up by technology at this point.

I'd stick with plastic. Using Credit and/or Debit cards. Mastercard/Visa are accepted pretty much everywhere these days, and you'll never be far from an ATM. Just check with your bank to see what sort of fees they charge (are they a percentage or a flat rate per transaction).