Long Trip Worries
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
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Long Trip Worries
I have a 2003 coupe with 29,000 miles on the odometer. I am seriously considering a 2000 mile road trip this spring in order to attend a high school reunion. I am rather fanatical about oil changes and normal preventive maintenance. I replaced both engine belts last year, but all hoses are original (they look fine). I am looking toward my trip with real trepidation and am really wondering if I should take this kind of a trip with a ten year old car. Would it be a good idea to replace all hoses just to ease my mind? Shocks are also original and I'm thinking about a new set of Bilsteins. Any other suggestions for an alarmist who worries about and babies his 'Vette a bit too much? Am I silly to worry about something breaking?
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Always in my lane.
I have a 2003 coupe with 29,000 miles on the odometer. I am seriously considering a 2000 mile road trip this spring in order to attend a high school reunion. I am rather fanatical about oil changes and normal preventive maintenance. I replaced both engine belts last year, but all hoses are original (they look fine). I am looking toward my trip with real trepidation and am really wondering if I should take this kind of a trip with a ten year old car. Would it be a good idea to replace all hoses just to ease my mind? Shocks are also original and I'm thinking about a new set of Bilsteins. Any other suggestions for an alarmist who worries about and babies his 'Vette a bit too much? Am I silly to worry about something breaking?
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Last edited by DARRYLZO6; Mar 12, 2013 at 12:52 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,857
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From: Sloatsburg NY
Oldtimer
The original hoses on my '03 were fine the last time I checked and I have almost the same mileage. I have no interest in changing them now, I'll be watching to see what others have to say. Have the magnetic selective ride shocks and don't want to think about changing them ($$$$$$$).
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 627
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From: North Carolina
At 29,000 miles, it's practically a new car, and 2000 miles isn't really a major undertaking. I would agree with a previous poster about checking the age of the tires, if they are originals, they should be replaced. Drive it, enjoy it, and look good pulling up to your high school reunion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Orlando FL
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Appleton WI
Make sure your tires are up-to-date, change fluids if necessary, and make sure major systems are working properly. (AC / Heat, power steering, etc.)
Your car will likely appreciate you running it. Running at operating temperature for extended periods is good for your car. Keep an eye on the oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, and tire pressure periodically to ease your mind.
My car has 191k miles and I'm thinking about trips to Colorado and Florida. (both trips approximately 3k miles round trip)
Your car will likely appreciate you running it. Running at operating temperature for extended periods is good for your car. Keep an eye on the oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, and tire pressure periodically to ease your mind.
My car has 191k miles and I'm thinking about trips to Colorado and Florida. (both trips approximately 3k miles round trip)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
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I wouldnt be so paranoid. If Corvettes, whether 29k or 129k, cant make a 2000 mile trip, then they must be junk.
Hell, if the car ran flawlessly then I'd take it on a 2000 mile trip even if it had 200k miles.
Hell, if the car ran flawlessly then I'd take it on a 2000 mile trip even if it had 200k miles.
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I think you will be just fine as long as you make sure all normal maintenance items are taken care of. As for the hoses, if they look good, I wouldn't go to the expense of changing them just for the trip. My '03 has 17K miles on it, still the original hoses and belts, and I wouldn't hesitate to go on a cross country trip in it. I do agree about making sure the tires and brakes are OK.
Take the car, have fun, and enjoy your HS reunion.
Take the car, have fun, and enjoy your HS reunion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
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From: Appleton WI
Thinking some more about your question... make sure YOU are ready for the trip as well. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, eat when necessary, stop to stretch, and by all means stop when you get tired. The car will likely be able to outlast you in all of these area.
It is not impossible to drive 1,000 miles in one day. I usually plan to drive longer the first day and take it a little easier the second day. Anticipation and excitement get you through the first day but the "grind" will hit on day two. If you can keep the second day to 5 -6 hours you're golden. I use the same philosophy when taking a motorcycle trip.
It is not impossible to drive 1,000 miles in one day. I usually plan to drive longer the first day and take it a little easier the second day. Anticipation and excitement get you through the first day but the "grind" will hit on day two. If you can keep the second day to 5 -6 hours you're golden. I use the same philosophy when taking a motorcycle trip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
If you kept up with the routine maintenance of the tires, fluids, etc - go. As already said, your car would appreciate it. Vehicles really don't appreciate sitting idle for long periods.
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Not bad for a then 13 year-old car.
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I too think you're over-analyzing this. Change the hoses if you must, but at 29,000 miles there is really no need. Also no need to change shocks, under normal driving conditions these shocks are designed to last 100,000 miles.
However........ if you are still driving on the original 10 year old tires, now you have something to worry about. Tire life is 5 years +/-. If your tires are this old, please feel free to buy new ones.
However........ if you are still driving on the original 10 year old tires, now you have something to worry about. Tire life is 5 years +/-. If your tires are this old, please feel free to buy new ones.
Last edited by duckvett; Mar 12, 2013 at 06:56 PM. Reason: spelling
Race Director
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Oldtimer
Trip in doubt ?
I change the Dex-Cool every five years and have everything that needs changing as it comes due by the owners manual. You'll be fine. I need to change the Dex-Cool this year, but if I needed to, I'd back out my 2003 1SC 50th. Coupe tonight and point it toward California and head out without a moment of doubt. Neglect kills anything. Standing still or at 65MPH. It's all about minding the maintenance of a vehicle. I've seen cars that hadn't had a oil change in 15 years, push-rods looked like sharpened pencils. The whole valve valley was a shiny coated brown gloss. Needless I told the lady she had to have her Toyota looked at by a Toyota dealership. better let them give her the bad news. They built it and she bought it from them, so . . . ?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Calgary, Alberta
Make sure your tires are up-to-date, change fluids if necessary, and make sure major systems are working properly. (AC / Heat, power steering, etc.)
Your car will likely appreciate you running it. Running at operating temperature for extended periods is good for your car. Keep an eye on the oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, and tire pressure periodically to ease your mind.
Your car will likely appreciate you running it. Running at operating temperature for extended periods is good for your car. Keep an eye on the oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, and tire pressure periodically to ease your mind.
Had 70,000kms on my 2002 and did a 5,000 miles road trip, not 1 problem.