From this list, which would you choose to rent for a week-long road trip along the Californian coastline?


--Think long stretches of road, sunny skies, a great view of the ocean, some twisties, and gas at $3.50 a gallon... :D


Please discuss.

Thanks! :thumbup:

From what rental company? How much?

I guess your hinting at a convertible so look into Hertz GT-H Mustang vert (if its available yet) or maybe even a Sebring vert with a four banger. I dont know Phil but its hard to find anything shabby for the twist and turns. Let us know what you go with.

Why rent? your bike!! fits your expectation. ;)

Or you can rent a Lotus. I know that would be fun to drive up the CA coastline and the Elise has a removable top.

From what rental company? How much?
I have an account with certain coverage, so these cars will be available for me for free...

Why rent? your bike!! fits your expectation. ;)
I won't be comfortable with the ride.

I also don't want to risk rainy days... ;)

Or you can rent a Lotus. I know that would be fun to drive up the CA coastline and the Elise has a removable top.
Unfortunately, it's not available for me.

I can rent an Aston Martin DB9 at $9k a week, but I don't think I'm gonna... :D

though personally i'd look for a tt-convertable

lol... I'm thinking the same thing except that I'll be on a budget so I'm stuck with Cobalts and Focuses (I'm leaning towards the Focus). Unless, I can rent a Miata :P

From your list, either the Solara Convertible (for touring) esp. since it won't be around for much longer and it takes regular fuel or splurge on the 350Z if you wanna carve up the PCH on premium.

Stick with toyota.....

For a week-long trip up and down the Pacific coast highway (I'd do it soon, because soon the rainy season will be setting in there), a convertible is a must. But unfortunately, neither the Solara or Mustang convertible is really the best one out there. The Solara has a lot of body flex...you may not like the steering response....and the Mustang, despite its dynamite looks, has so-so overall build quality.

But, I guess for just a few days...who cares?

lol... I'm thinking the same thing except that I'll be on a budget so I'm stuck with Cobalts and Focuses (I'm leaning towards the Focus). Unless, I can rent a Miata :P

I also can get a Miata for the same price as the above listed cars, but it's a little too small for my taste for a road trip (I carry a lot of luggage usually).

And for anyone else who may ask, all of the above vehicles can be rented for about $400-500 a week with unlimited miles...

Well if you can sacrifice some luggage, I guarantee you'll truly enjoy the miata.

I voted for the 350

i voted for 350z ASSUMING its a convt. :D

i voted for 350z ASSUMING its a convt. :D
The convertible is extra, and will surpass the price quotes of the above mentioned vehicles... :sad:

Both the 350Z and the Solara would be good choices, but I'd personally stick with the Solara since it's a convertible and if it's the 4-cylinder, good on gas.

Both the 350Z and the Solara would be good choices, but I'd personally stick with the Solara since it's a convertible and if it's the 4-cylinder, good on gas.
Nah. The Solara convert only gets the V6...

Nah. The Solara convert only gets the V6...
but it runs on regular and the 3MZ isn't that bad on fuel I think.

but it runs on regular and the 3MZ isn't that bad on fuel I think.
Not bad, but not great either.

Get the Prius. Enjoy the coastline. And be good to the environment.

From the choices above, I'd take the 350Z BY FAR. You should also consider the Miata if you want to hit the corners, if luggage space is more important, get the Caddy, it's a nice car

how much stuff are you gonna carry? if not much than 350z or even a s2k will be good, why not sc430?

I voted for the Audi. I think it's a good combo of room, power and handling. Not sure on the gas since they come in V6 and I4 Turbo variants?

how much stuff are you gonna carry? if not much than 350z or even a s2k will be good, why not sc430?
My best friend and I pack generously, so we do need the luggage room.

We are also going to wine country, so we may be picking up a couple cases of wine.

That's why the Miata or Z4 were not options...

Be careful, once you go vert, it's hard to go back to hardtop. And I can't wait to see that happen to you ;) Just speaking from my own experience, this is my 2nd top-down now. :D

Be careful, once you go vert, it's hard to go back to hardtop. And I can't wait to see that happen to you ;) Just speaking from my own experience, this is my 2nd top-down now. :D
I know.

I'm patiently and eagerly awaiting the IS convertible. :D

I keep bugging my dealer. I can order the IS-F by Dec 16th, but no word yet on the IS convertible.

My best friend and I pack generously, so we do need the luggage room.

We are also going to wine country, so we may be picking up a couple cases of wine.

That's why the Miata or Z4 were not options...


Have you thought about renting something like Tahoe or Suburban? It is rommy and you can carry lots of stuff.. I rented a 08 Tahoe little less than a month ago and make several road trips put about 5000 miles on it.. I got average 400-420 miles a tank city/hwy mix which is not bad and it is very comfortable for long trip.. I rented a DTS before I get just about the same gas millage on hwy as the Tahoe..

Have you thought about renting something like Tahoe or Suburban?

I can, but those are too big. The Edge is big enough if I want/need it...

I'd say go for the A4 or the 350z. The z would go very well with the PCH but it has little cargo room and has a harsh ride. So, I figure the A4 is the best balance of all your needs.

My vote goes for the Audi A4.... not a bad looking car, room for your luggage, drives pretty good, and not too bad on gas.

then you should go for a 350z since u are only taking 1 friend, and pack little. Besides the trunk of the z is pretty generous for wine and stuff, and its a hatchback too :D. Why not get your friend to chip in a little to get the Z roadster?

How far north are you planning?

Though not on your list...I'd take the LS. It's suited for what you'll be doing and it offers the familiarity and comfort. Your trunk is larger than ours and we manage to stuff in 3-4 cases even with the luggage and my camera gear.

If you haven't tried Summerland just south of Santa Barbara, I recco a taste. http://www.summerlandwine.com/index1.html

What wineries are on the list? :)

How far north are you planning?

What wineries are on the list? :)

My best friend just called this morning. She wants to go all the way up to San Fran now, so our road trip along the coast is now a 1000+ mile roundtrip excursion, without side trips! So, we start at Malibu, drive up to San Fran for a couple of days, then cruise down the coast to Hearst Castle, then back to L.A.

Wineries? Justin Vineyards is definately a must. I have old friends at Wild Horse Winery. And whatever is between, we'll most likely just stop and go...

I know.

I'm patiently and eagerly awaiting the IS convertible. :D

I keep bugging my dealer. I can order the IS-F by Dec 16th, but no word yet on the IS convertible.

Looked into the hardtop bimmer yet? Mi amante's friend got one of those. And now she's stuck with a $1000/mo payment. :D

When asked why so much, she told me, "coz the dealership only gets 2 of these a month." :rolleyes: JIPPED!

She wants to go all the way up to San Fran now, so our road trip along the coast is now a 1000+ mile roundtrip excursion, without side trips! So, we start at Malibu, drive up to San Fran for a couple of days, then cruise down the coast to Hearst Castle, then back to L.A.



http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/SandcastleInn-PismoBeach.jpg

I think she'll want this. For the magnificent view and location.

And you'll want it, for the "resting function" it offers. ;-)

Sandcastle Inn of SLO.

Im sorry i dont know how the road it, but if it is stretches of land more miles, u should def go for a nice roadster to rip up the roads. By a4 i hope u mean a4 convert? cause that would be a good choice too ;D

Im sorry i dont know how the road it, but if it is stretches of land more miles, u should def go for a nice roadster to rip up the roads. By a4 i hope u mean a4 convert? cause that would be a good choice too ;D
Nah. A4 cabrio and Z350 convert is about $120 more than those mentioned above. I don't mind spending the extra $$, but I'm trying to budget the trip a little...

yea, the cabrio is a convertible? I think the trip would be so much better if u could cruise in a convert.

I realize it is a lot of miles...I think the LS is purrfect.

Even if you buy a stray bottle here there, unless you plan on shipping them back the smaller cars will hinder the buying sprees. I have a feeling you'll find plenty of wines and other goodies. ;):D

Ah...while in the San Simeon area...the elephant seals about 8 miles north will be a worthwhile look. Most the local shops in Cambria and San Simeon will have info about them.

Thinking of beach accommodations, we've been staying on Moonstone Beach at Pelican Cove Inn. They have a full breakfast, tea/wine & cheese hour and dessert (cheesecake, baked goodies) in the evenings. :thumbup: They also have package deals so you can get a dinner at Cambira Pines Lodge with a stay. Now that it is off-season, they have great rates. :) http://www.pelicansuites.com/

My best friend and I pack generously, so we do need the luggage room.

We are also going to wine country, so we may be picking up a couple cases of wine.



Key word is GENEROUSLY:p

A4 seems perfect, more room in the back seat and trunk space for extra cargo.

How can some of those be any considerations???:eek2:

the mustang

I think the trip would be so much better if u could cruise in a convert.

Me too.

So far, the Solara convertible is the better choice of the two convertibles.

I can get the A4 cabrio or the Z350 convert, it's just more $$.

If I want to save money, the rental facility also has the convertible versions of the Sebring or PT Cruiser... :rolleyes:

if u had to get a solara id opt for the mustang instead, handling is pretty low but it makes up for it in speed. Idk about law enforcement activity down there

Long trip to save gas $ then Prius. BUT if you're planning to swing by Willow on the way, then 350 or DTS (any rear wheel drive) do some drifting practice !!

try the caddy, if ur just looking to cruise along, i cant think of a better car, and having a v8 would be nice to, plus its something different. u just want to relax during ur road trip, so i pick the caddy

DTS (any rear wheel drive) do some drifting practice

DTS is front wheels drive.. I did a few fwd burn out in one:)

Doing a trip up the CA coast, I would probably go with one of the convertibles. The 350Z would probably be fun, but after a few hours in that car, I could see things getting uncomfortable quick. A friend of mine has a G35 coupe and it's ride, altough sporty is pretty harsh. He is even thinking about trading it in because of it. My vote went to the Solara for comfort, convertible, reliability and fuel efficiency.

Thanks for everyone's input.

I just picked up the car this morning.

After much contemplation, we decided it was best to have a convertible for our trip up the coast.

Therefore, we got the Toyota Solara Convertible. '07, SE, Black on black. Weather will be perfect for the next few days, so we're good!

Thanks for everyone opinions and comments. :bigthumbu

Enjoy the trip and post pics of the scenery on the way up and down......the coast of course. :D

DTS is front wheels drive.. I did a few fwd burn out in one:)

Nice.


I said Prius because gas prices are ungodly in CA. But if youre looking for fun go with the Solara convertible, though if youre doing mostly highway driving then there is little point to that.