Merits of Different Vehicles for 45-Day Road Trip

[Midwest Michael]

Is there a reason you'd prefer a minivan over, say, a stationwagon or SUV?

A used minivan will often be cheaper, and you'll get more for your money, especially as 4 wheel drive often inflates the prices of used vehicles. A minivan actually also has more practical space for your situation, especially if you can remove one or both rows of rear seats. While you might not be able to fully stand, there would still be quite a bit more room to move than a SUV or wagon.

2. If I was renting a car, and it was the sort of car I really liked, it seems to me that I might as well just buy it and use it as my car in the future. I don't know exactly how the economics works out, but it isn't obvious to me that renting is more economical if I'm actually going to keep the road trip car as my permanent vehicle.

If you're thinking of keeping the car long term, that would easily be the most economical option. Cars are not disposable items, and there are always costs every time you buy/sell one. Of course, that's also a reason why buying a car just for a roadtrip usually is not the best idea. You can make pretty much any vehicle work for a roadtrip, but if you're going that route, you need to think just as much about what you need in a car for the next couple of years, not just the couple of months you'll be on the road.

[glc]

What is your current vehicle, and how many miles does it have on it? Your most economical choice may very well be to get it fixed up and take it.

FYI, I believe Lifey is averaging somewhere around 15 mpg on her Ford conversion van, and it has the big 5.4 V8.

[Lifemagician]

1. I looked at renting a truck camper, and it was prohibitively expensive unless I specifically set out to ONLY live in the camper. For one person, especially, it seemed excessive (for a family, it could make sense). I never saw conversion vans for rent anywhere, but if they exist, let me know!

Check out Adventures on Wheels.

Lifey

[saburai]

"you need to think just as much about what you need in a car for the next couple of years, not just the couple of months you'll be on the road."

Yes, that's it exactly. I think I'd be able to make excellent use of a stationwagon/crossover or SUV for the next 3 years. I am not sure I'd have any use for a minivan over that period. However, I could also just "suffer" through taking the road trip in a sedan, if it was a very nice one, and then I'd have a car similar to my current one, which I know works out. With the money I'd save by lumping the road trip and new car purchase together, extra hotel rooms might still be a profit.

This is admittedly a separate set of factors from the ones I listed in my original post, but the option is on my mind.

[saburai]

My current vehicle is a 1996 Honda Accord EX with 207,000 miles on it. I bought it 10 years ago with 100,000 miles on it from a single elderly owner, and generally I drive like a old person myself. As a result, it still runs smoothly and well. But I have two concerns: 1. This week the radiator exploded. I was just idling at the time; the mechanics have no idea why this happened. I guess it was just the radiator's "time". I replaced it, but I'm concerned there could be some underlying cause, in which case it could happen again. 2. The AC is dead, as of about two months ago. It's the heat exchanger under the dash; a repair would be very involved. Owning this car in a New Orleans spring is NOT an option, and it would be hellish on a spring/summer road trip. So I really do have to upgrade, sadly (I really like this car!).

[glc]

Oh well, it was a thought. If you like Hondas, look for a CR-V.