Honeymoon Road Trip in a Convertable!

[jenheinsohn]

Hi, My name is Jen and I'm a brit, who will be marrying a US citizen in November. We're currently in Dallas, and have talked it through and decided that we want to do a road trip to Vegas and beyond for our honeymoon / wedding.

The idea is to get a rental convertable, as I've always dreamed of doing things 'thelma and louise' style. It works for my bf too because he's a bit of a bike fanatic, and its more open etc etc etc.

The thing is, rentals are expensive. We're getting quoted from $600 a week to rent a convertable. I was wondering if anyone had any better sites we could try - He's over 25 so there really isn't anything that should be chalking up the price as high as it is!

The other thing I heard about is a company which enables you to drive someone else car to the otherside of the country - eg, someone who's moved house etc and needs their car transported up. I can't remember the address, so if anyone knows what I'm talking about, that would be great too!

The actual road trip idea is to start from Dallas, go up to Vegas and then down to a beach somewhere where we can spend a week or so in a really posh hotel. Probably California, but we're still looking into that. If we get a one way rental we can fly back.

Basically, we're trying to cut costs where we can, but without cutting the idea down.

Any help would be very much appreciated!!

Jen x

[Mark Sedenquist]

The other thing I heard about is a company which enables you to drive someone else car to the otherside of the country - eg, someone who's moved house etc and needs their car transported up. I can't remember the address, so if anyone knows what I'm talking about, that would be great too!

Congratulations on the pending marriage and wedding. The type of business you are referring to is a "drive-away" company. For more on this type of opportunity, click here.

Mark

[dodge76]

i'm getting married in august, and planning a road trip too. in a convertable. ive booked it through the holiday company so cant really advise.. my question is that is the convertable the best way to travel ?

ps congrats on your up coming wedding

[RoadTrippers A & R]

Congrats.
I suggest if nothing else works contact Budget Rent-a-car for a weekly or monthly rate on a Mustang Convertable.
They have a $20 U.S. off rate going right now.

They get teriffic fuel economy, real peppy and fun to drive, and the newer Mustangs are roomier than in the past and have powerfull air conditioning for the days you may want to have the top up.

Warm Nitetime cruises with the top down are a fun way to experience any city, especially Las Vegas.

[W. Larrison]

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials, dodge76

Whether or not a convertible is the best car or not for you, is dependent upon personal taste and how you're going to road trip. With just the two of you, there ought to be enough room for all your stuff, although convertibles are known for little trunk volume. But there's nothing like having the option of putting the top down and cruising on a nice day...

If you were a hard core off-the beaten-path camper, then you might want to consider something more utilitarian. But this is your honeymoon, and you do want something memorable -- and a road trip in a convertible across the southwest ought to fill that bill. Do you know the make of the convertible you're getting?

In August you have to worry a bit more about the heat, but every car I've seen has air conditioning, and in a convertible with the top up, it ought to work pretty well. Security of your goods is a bit less if you're keeping stuff under the soft top of the convertible, but then you ought to have a trunk which you can lock your valuables in. You might want to pick up an inexpensive small to medium sized ice chest to keep in the back seat with snacks and water bottles in. Helps with the longer drives, keeps you hydrated, and being able to picnic along the way is a lot of fun. Just about every hotel has an ice machine, and they won't object if you take a bag of ice after an overnight stay (they will object I'm sure if you're trying to take 30 lbs of ice out of the machine....) or you can pick up ice in about every grocery store.

[dodge76]

hey, thanks for the advice Larrison,

the convertable is a chrysler seabring.. ive been on the web site and seen that it is a good car. excellent advice about the heat etc, i will make sure I get an Ice Box.. I've also been told to look out for big bugs falling from the tree's.. i think its just family members jealous rather than genuine warnings of my up coming road trip. The more i read up on west usa the more I get excited. thanks again. Dodge76.

[PNW Judy]

In August you have to worry a bit more about the heat, but every car I've seen has air conditioning, and in a convertible with the top up, it ought to work pretty well.

I have friends with convertibles that hate having the top up anymore than is necessary. So, if it's a bit chilly, they'll drive with the top down and the heat on. And, if it's hot, they'll drive with the top down and the A/C going full blast (with a wide-brimmed hat on to keep the sun off their face and neck).

Extremes of hot and cold and rain does get them to put the top up but it comes down again as soon as they think they can get away with it.

Yeah, that's gonna make your gas mileage decrease a bit. But, heck, this is a honeymoon, right? Not the time to be counting pennies, imho.

Anyway, just a thought.