Will my car make it across the country! (fuel, trucks, discount)

[Journey2LS]

I have a ten year old Mitsubishi than has about 96k miles on it. I have never had a single problem with it, I have only had routine repairs done to it like getting new brakes, batteries, etc. I will be getting new tires before my move and I will have my car checked out by a mechanic I trust. My drive will be approximately 3500 miles and I am not worried about it, but my parents seem overly concerned that my car will not make it. Have any of you driven an older car across the country and did you have any problems along the way?

[senalj]

I drove my 2000 Honda CR-V from Portland, OR to Durham, NC in July 2008 and had no problems. My car was in good shape, had low miles and I got it checked out before I left (shipped it from Anchorage, AK to Seattle, WA). When I got here the only thing I had to do was get the oil changed and my car was fine. You shouldn't have any problems if you haven't had any in the past, but getting it checked out is a good idea.

[M3 Mitch]

Your parents are probably operating on obsolete information from the 1950's. Cars do not magically self-destruct at 100K miles. Totally depends on how it was operated and how it was maintained.

If you have a good, trusted mechanic you might want to have him check it over, maybe do a tuneup or at least have fresh sparkplugs and fuel filter installed - if the car uses any oil, get even a case of oil at a discount store and put it somewhere you can get to it during the drive, keep in mind if you have been using the car for short trips it may use more oil on the freeway.

AAA is worth having particularly when making a move like this. The maps they can provide are worth the price of admission.

Check brakes when you get the new tires, etc. and if you have a good shop that you like where you are take advantage of this one last time. Make sure you have air in your spare and make sure they don't over-tighten the lug nuts/bolts so you will have some chance of getting them loose if you have a flat. For that matter get a couple of "spray can" tire sealer/fillers. Keep in mind that they will at least temporarily fix a flat but they generally don't bring the pressure up fully. You might get one of those mini-compressors that plug into your cig. lighter if you are a bit handy. Get yourself a real tire gauge and learn how to use it.

If your coolant is old and needs changing, I'd do that too, at least replacing the upper radiator hose.

If the car is in decent shape and you catch up on all your maintenance you should not have any problems.

It would be a good idea not to make a habit out of running 80 or more with A/C full on up hills, the car isn't new, you shouldn't do this with a new car anyway.

[averagejoe76]

I wouldnt worry too much,as Mitch said AAA would be a good idea.
A c/c or Emergency fund wouldnt be a bad idea IF something did happen.

[Journey2LS]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I have been saving up money for emergency repairs and will have about $1000 extra when I am on the road in case anything goes wrong. I also just purchased a AAA membership a few days ago. I feel like I am being very cautious and responsible about this trip but of course parents will always worry. Thanks for the idea of the "spray can" tire sealer, I forgot about that. I plan on taking my time and not driving more than 500 miles a day and just enjoying the trip.

[kiwilover70]

I drove from Sacramento CA to Middletown New York last fall. My car is a 2005 and not that many miles on it but I still wanted my mechanic to look at it.He is a great guy who runs an honest shop.It was running fine,I do regular oil changes but I was taking my best friend and my kids with me so I just wanted a once over. Thank Goodness I did because the water pump had a leak in it .I had noticed a slight something under the car but I thought it was from having the AC on. He always takes digital photos of what he does and it was looking pretty gnarly from the inside. I was soooo happy that I did not end up breaking down in the middle of Nebraska. Needless to say I would recommend a once over so You know what might be the odds of a succesfull trip.

[sunsprit]

I have no problem driving any of my fleet of cars and trucks ... all with over 200,000 miles on them, one with a lot more than that ... cross country and in adverse weather circumstances, too. They are all a lot older than you car.

I see no reason why your car shouldn't be capable of such a trip, especially if it's been looked after until now and has a pre-trip inspection. Quality cars like yours are typically capable of delivering 100,000's of thousands of miles for many years.

[Journey2LS]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

I have no problem driving any of my fleet of cars and trucks ... all with over 200,000 miles on them, one with a lot more than that ... cross country and in adverse weather circumstances, too. They are all a lot older than you car.

I see no reason why your car shouldn't be capable of such a trip, especially if it's been looked after until now and has a pre-trip inspection. Quality cars like yours are typically capable of delivering 100,000's of thousands of miles for many years.

Thanks that's good to hear. My car has been very good to me and I have not had a single problem with it besides the rear window not working and stuck in the up position. I was not really worried about my car until talking to my parents and they made me feel as if my car was destined to be broken down on the side of a desolate road and it's stupid to drive across the country... but my parents are also very pessimistic people.

[Jillaceae]

It sounds like you are very well prepared! Good luck on your move. Last summer I moved from Portland, OR to Burlington, VT in my 2006 Nissan 200SX, similar millage to yours, and had no problems. I had my mechanic check it out before I left, like most people have suggested. It was a fun trip!

[mcorrales]

Two years ago drove my 1998 Toyota Corolla across country (from OC to PA) with 132,000 miles on it with two kids, two yorkies, etc. My son drove his 1981 Camaro with his wife and the doped up cat, made it 2800 miles with only one slight problem with the Camaro's wipers. Hell of a trip though (I was 58 and I had kids and dogs LOL).