An unusual roadtrip question.
#1
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An unusual roadtrip question.
Hello Everyone,
My wife and I are planning our 10 year anniversary and we like roadtrips. My work has forced us to move all over the country - and made me miss too many birthdays and anniversaries. So we decided what better 10 year anniversary idea than a month long roadtrip, connecting the dots of favorite places past, and running the odometer up.....about 10,000 miles. Yes, there are supposed to be four zeroes there.
The rough route will see us hit all four corner of the continental US with a bunch of meandering in the middle. We did a 5,000 mile trip in 2019 but that was in my '16 Challenger. The wife really loves her '93 C4 and the idea of taking it and stopping by the corvette museum on the way home sounds appealing.
I guess my question is whether anyone on here has done a trip even half this large in their C4?
My wife and I are planning our 10 year anniversary and we like roadtrips. My work has forced us to move all over the country - and made me miss too many birthdays and anniversaries. So we decided what better 10 year anniversary idea than a month long roadtrip, connecting the dots of favorite places past, and running the odometer up.....about 10,000 miles. Yes, there are supposed to be four zeroes there.
The rough route will see us hit all four corner of the continental US with a bunch of meandering in the middle. We did a 5,000 mile trip in 2019 but that was in my '16 Challenger. The wife really loves her '93 C4 and the idea of taking it and stopping by the corvette museum on the way home sounds appealing.
I guess my question is whether anyone on here has done a trip even half this large in their C4?
#2
Drifting
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Not yet.
Think the ride in your '93 matters a lot in relation to roads. Bit bumpy roads are annoying in my '87, She has a bit stiff suspension. Hours of time would be pretty tiresome.
One item, you'd be due for an oil change somewhere in there.
Think the ride in your '93 matters a lot in relation to roads. Bit bumpy roads are annoying in my '87, She has a bit stiff suspension. Hours of time would be pretty tiresome.
One item, you'd be due for an oil change somewhere in there.
#3
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#4
Melting Slicks
Later C4s make great road cars. Her 93 will be just fine. I've taken my 1991 ZR-1 down to the museum a couple of times, and it just eats up the interstate miles. Take the Vette, they are great cruisers. And how many Challengers are you going to see on the road compared to a C4
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JT1911 (08-22-2022)
#5
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I took my C4 on journey for 2 1/2 weeks, and clothes for that trip couldn't carry it all, I made Motel reservations I sent care packages of fresh clothes, and enclosed everything to ship dirty clothes and items we bought back home.
I did that with two Motels and things worked out great , always had fresh cloths for the trip.
I can tell you, like some else mentioned expect a ruff ride, so take breaks often.
Have fun!
I did that with two Motels and things worked out great , always had fresh cloths for the trip.
I can tell you, like some else mentioned expect a ruff ride, so take breaks often.
Have fun!
#6
Le Mans Master
I've taken many long road trips in my C4s -- 1994 ragtop, and 1996 coupe. Probably about half of those were around 2,500 miles round-trip. I no longer own the '96, but would not hesitate to take another long trip in either of those cars if I still had the '96. The late C4 is a superb road car if it's in top mechanical condition and the seats aren't shot. Plan to do laundry every week or so, pack light (very light if touring in a ragtop C4), and enjoy the ride.
Live well,
SJW
Live well,
SJW
#7
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I've taken many long road trips in my C4s -- 1994 ragtop, and 1996 coupe. Probably about half of those were around 2,500 miles round-trip. I no longer own the '96, but would not hesitate to take another long trip in either of those cars if I still had the '96. The late C4 is a superb road car if it's in top mechanical condition and the seats aren't shot. Plan to do laundry every week or so, pack light (very light if touring in a ragtop C4), and enjoy the ride. Live well, SJW
Later C4s make great road cars. Her 93 will be just fine. I've taken my 1991 ZR-1 down to the museum a couple of times, and it just eats up the interstate miles. Take the Vette, they are great cruisers. And how many Challengers are you going to see on the road compared to a C4
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I have taken a 1,500 mile/week long trip in our 89 convertible with my wife, I can agree with everything said above. You will have a trip that you both will remember for the rest of your lives.
#10
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One thing to check is the date codes on the tires, old tires = no fun on long trips.
#11
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Began in SoCal, North to Montana, East to Mackinaw Bridge, South to Mobile Al, West back to SoCal. 6,075 miles, 19 States, 9 days driving, was gone for 15 days, completed on July 30 this year in my 1990 ZR-1. Nothing stopped working, nothing began leaking, no drama whatsoever. Wonderful road car. Last Summer was 5,108 Miles in 8 days, then a quickie 3,500 round trip to Dallas and back in October. Same car. I've changed the oil, checked the tire pressure and washed it a bunch of times, but that's all.
In 2016 I drove my owned since new 85 4+3 over 5,500 miles in 9 days. Same result. Nothing stopped working, nothing began leaking.
Both of my C4s are fairly original and unmolested. Both have their original brake pads, cooling hoses, their born-with water pumps, suspension, shocks, etc. The 85 still has R-12 refrigerant. I'm very familiar with my cars, and could fix anything that goes wrong with them, but haven't had to. I'm comfortable driving long distances in remote sections because I know the cars. Not everyone should embark on mega-mile road trips in 30+ year old specialty cars. But if you know what you're doing and are well prepared, you'll have a blast.
In 2016 I drove my owned since new 85 4+3 over 5,500 miles in 9 days. Same result. Nothing stopped working, nothing began leaking.
Both of my C4s are fairly original and unmolested. Both have their original brake pads, cooling hoses, their born-with water pumps, suspension, shocks, etc. The 85 still has R-12 refrigerant. I'm very familiar with my cars, and could fix anything that goes wrong with them, but haven't had to. I'm comfortable driving long distances in remote sections because I know the cars. Not everyone should embark on mega-mile road trips in 30+ year old specialty cars. But if you know what you're doing and are well prepared, you'll have a blast.
Last edited by JT1911; 08-23-2022 at 09:02 AM. Reason: I can't type.
#12
Melting Slicks
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This has me thinking.....maybe members here can offer a safe -space (hate that term but it applies here) where a fellow enthusiast can stop by and rest up a bit. Meet face to face. And help with the car if needed....hell, can turn it into a poker run to have fun with it as well lol
#13
Racer
Took my 93 40th anniversary coupe from Tn to Santa Monica, CA on a Route 66 road trip pre-covid, picking up Rt 66 in Springfield Mo., (13 days & appx 4500 mi). Earlier this year finished the Chicago, IL to Springfield, Mo leg (4 days & appx 1500 mi). On day 1 of first trip had a brake light issue due to a corroded connector. That was the only problem encountered on either trip. My car had about 49000mi when I started, so about where yours is. I would check the "wearables" like belts, tires, pulleys and fluids, etc and put a spare key in a hidden magnetic box under the car for emergency backup in case of key loss. I also used a steering wheel locking bar, "the club" as a theft deterrent due to all the hotel lot parking. Next, just relax, let the trip unfold and enjoy every mile of it!!
On a side note, many hotels have washers and dryers so no need to over pack, just wash your clothes every few days.
I probably should have mentioned that I spent 2-3 months prior to the trip gutting the inside and installing 3 layers of sound deadening. I also removed the rear fender well liners and put sound deadening material on top of them. This made a big difference in road noise and A/C performance.
On a side note, many hotels have washers and dryers so no need to over pack, just wash your clothes every few days.
I probably should have mentioned that I spent 2-3 months prior to the trip gutting the inside and installing 3 layers of sound deadening. I also removed the rear fender well liners and put sound deadening material on top of them. This made a big difference in road noise and A/C performance.
Last edited by jrobin1; 08-23-2022 at 10:54 AM.