Am I Crazy To Drive My New Convertible Mercedes To Alaska For Three Months This Summer? (rental car, rental)

[Alaskaorbroke]

Hello,

I'm wondering if I'm totally nuts considering driving a 2007 Mercedes SLK 280 to Alaska and back this summer. I would drive back to the United States in late September. My plan is to take the Marine Highway and make a few stops along the way and then spend some time driving around Alaska and spending a month or so in a few areas of interest. Then I would come back down on the highway through Canada instead of the Marine Highway in late summer. I wouldn't mind renting a car for a few days here and there if I am in an area that really requires something with higher ground clearance. Any thoughts or comments? I don't want to destroy this gorgeous car ... also, is this kind of a car something that is going to make people look at me a little funny or do damage to my car just for spite for driving something so ostentatious in Alaska.? Thank you for your comments.

[warptman]

I've seen all types of vehicles on the Alcan and around Alaska. People even have Porches and higher end cars. It'll be fine on the highway, just slow down a tad where you see rough road signs on the side of the highway.

[Grannysroost]

I hope you don't plan on driving the marine highway, as that could be really hard on that car...

[Alaskan Mutt]

Do remember to bring the top as it will rain

One thing to take into consideration are your tires. Based on what you are driving, I am guessing it has rather expensive high performance tires. If you need to replace one while out in the middle of nowhere you will learn what expensive really is.

[Metlakatla]

Some of the best roads to explore are gravel--and from what I understand the rental car companies don't want you to take their cars on them. I think your car would be fun to ride around in on the main highways but you'll be limited in where you can go; you won't want it all dinged up.

[Chilkoot]

While in Alaska, you might want to avoid telling people you're driving back to the United States in September.

[Jerseykat]

LOL Chilkoot didn't you know that Alaska isn't part of the United States.
Believe it falls under that other category....kinda like Guam.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

I hope you don't plan on driving the marine highway, as that could be really hard on that car...

Should be fine - It's a German car with plenty of U-Boat heritage!

Seriously though, many people have nice convertibles that they drive in the summer up here. Some even put them in storage in the winter and only bring them out for a few months in the summer. To me, that is even wierder than what you are planning.

Probably the main concern you'll find, as Met pointed out, is potential rock damage. It's not uncommon at all up here to replace a windshield every couple years or so. Just check with your insurance company. My deductible for a new windshield is $100. So at the end of your trip it costs you a few bucks for a new windshield. Big Deal!

[Alaskan Mutt]

Originally Posted by Jerseykat

LOL Chilkoot didn't you know that Alaska isn't part of the United States.
Believe it falls under that other category....kinda like Guam.

We have been saying Alaska is not part of the U.S. for years.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by Alaskaorbroke

Hello,

I'm wondering if I'm totally nuts considering driving a 2007 Mercedes SLK 280 to Alaska and back this summer.

Why, is there something wrong with it?

Chevy, Ford, Chrysler and even the Rice Rockets make it here with no problems, back and forth...

Am I missing something? Do you feel that a 2007 Mercedes SLK 280 is inferior to the other cars that have no problems?

The Al-Can is pretty much paved the entire way except for the areas under construction and you drive slower there to avoid rock chips... Unless of course you have a full sized pickup, then you can drive fast and fling rocks at all the other cars....

Give you fair warning though, sadly most of the Canadian Mechanics only speak French and can only work work on French cars... Since German Engineering invaded France some 60 years ago, they never got over it...

I don't want to destroy this gorgeous car ... also, is this kind of a car something that is going to make people look at me a little funny or do damage to my car just for spite for driving something so ostentatious in Alaska.?

Yep, everyone will look at you funny... That is a department inside the State of Alaska, division of Tourism, to make you feel uncomfortable so you won't want to move here for driving anything but a full sized pickup... I just hate the government...