If you were to choose any car to take from one coast to the other, two week vacation trip but driving 8-12 hours a day many days, loaded with spouse, maybe doggie, suitcases and gear for whatever you like to do on vacation (hike, camp, fish, sightsee?) plus a cooler of snacks and drinks (because no place sells those outside of your home town), and all you had to pay for was gas and maintenance (and you have to pay for any physical damage or theft), what would you take?
Some history:
Had a BMW 740i late 1990s and loved it. One drive 22 hours only stopping for gas and take out food (driving to stay ahead of a blizzard), and arrived tired but not fatigued or sore.
Had a 2017 650i GC but it was unsuitable for cruising at appropriate speeds. Won’t buy another BMW with that engine/transmission combination.
Had a 997, it was very good for cruising, but I have a desire to try different cars so no repeats. M3 is a repeat (had a 2015), because of the 650iGC and how I exited that problem. This contributes to my “lack of love” for the M3.
Cars of interest:
Any Aston, but are they going to eat me alive in the wallet? Also no local factory service.
Old 6 series (1980s) but lack reliability, heated seats, cooled seats, etc. (I have a wife).
Old 8 series, same “issues” as old 6 series but there is that V12!
New 8 series, but concerned about whether my 650i issue was really resolved in the new drivetrain. Extensive test drive required. And probably not cheap to buy but fast depreciation expected.
Panamera because why not? But no local dealer service. Damn small towns.
I do care about cost of ownership and fuel, but I’m obviously eating a lot of sitting-in-the-garage depreciation on my M3. I’m not wanting a Prius! And range matters so pure electric is not for me yet.
AMG, like M, is a good choice. Not a fan of the Mercedes folks, been burned by two of their dealers, so would have to be pretty special to get over that hump.
Nothing too showy (Rolls, Bentley). Just comfortable, quiet, excellent road manners (power and handling), and reliable enough to confidently set out across the nation. New or recently used. If it was easy, I’d already know the answer!
I like the look of the 2+2s. I’d probably say no to a wagon or SUV, but most any car configuration is fine. Longer wheelbase cars are generally smoother cruisers. 4 doors are easier, even if it is just me or two of us (occasionally the dog, too), because one of us can’t travel light!
What say ye? Other options? I’m open to anything that is comfortable, has room to travel (there goes the R8), and looks good. Japanese, American, European, etc. Car will mostly sit on a tender, get used 4-6 times a year on long trips and rack up about 5,000 miles/year. I could rent, I suppose, too.
TIA
(Mods, nice work; thanks!)