Should I drive?

[TechBoyJK]

I'm going on a 4 day vacation with a bunch of friends to Gatlinburg, Tennesse. We are driving from St. Louis, and it's supposed to be an 8+ hour drive.

I have a 2004 Z4 and I kinda want to drive it down there but part of me says its not a good idea. My options are to drive it and have someone come with me to save on gas costs, or just ride with someone else.

Tires and brakes were recently changed.

Here is what I'm thinking

Pro's
-Control of the radio
-Drive at my own pace
-Will have freedom to go drive around while down there
-Car is convertible, supposed to be gorgeous weather
-Ratio of women vs men going on trip is like 3 to 1. Bound to have girls wanting to go on rides around town.
-Met a cute girl last Friday (well had met her previously, but never talked to her), talked to her for a few hours that night, went on date the next day (Saturday + movies) and she is probably going on the vacation. We get along and I said "hey, if we can sit next to each other in the movies for a few hours, I think we could handle the drive down there", she agreed, but hasn't confirmed yet.



Con's
-Have to actually drive and pay attention vs just lay back and sleep on way down
-not much trunk space
-tires aren't run flats, no normal spare
-will have to put full size 18" wheel/tire + jack in trunk as spare
-most luggage will have to be put in someone else's car
-If I do get a flat, I would have to drive 600 miles or more with 3 19" wheels and 1 18" wheel. (or have it towed).
-If I get two flats, will definately have to have it towed since nobody carries the 19" tires I have and would have to order them. (insurace+bmw roadside assistance = flatbed + rental)
-will put 1200 miles on my car
-not the most comfortable for long trips (8 hours)
-vulnerable to speeding tickets

 

[TallBill]

Nobody cares, you are a toolbox.

 

[ViviTheMage]

we are taking an 01 impala to cali and back..4k miles roundtrip.

I think you are over thinking it.

 

[ShockwaveVT]

You really didn't need to make such a long brag thread about your BMW Z4 with 19" rims and how it gets the babes.

oh, and fix-a-flat ftw

 

[Chryso]

Stop being a wuss. Take a flat fixing kit along with you.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Nobody cares, you are a toolbox.

jerkface

 

[xSauronx]

odds of you getting one flat, nevermind two is pretty slim and unless you put lots of miles on your car anyway, 1200 isnt that big of a deal.

id be more concerned with the comfort of driving the car for that long, and it would suck doing it alone. i hate, *hate* being bored in the car, and ive driven half way across the country before.

also...christ how much luggage do you need for 4 days? i can pack all i need for that in a carry-on size bag and maybe a small bag for toiletries.

 

[LS21]

drive u weenie

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: TallBill
Nobody cares, you are a toolbox.

jerkface

Whatever brah, I don't depend on a car to spend time with women. I do just fine in my '01 Crown Vic with 3 hubcaps and no radio.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
odds of you getting one flat, nevermind two is pretty slim and unless you put lots of miles on your car anyway, 1200 isnt that big of a deal.

id be more concerned with the comfort of driving the car for that long, and it would suck doing it alone. i hate, *hate* being bored in the car, and ive driven half way across the country before.

also...christ how much luggage do you need for 4 days? i can pack all i need for that in a carry-on size bag and maybe a small bag for toiletries.

Yea, I've driven from St. Louis to Key West which was 25 hours. Did it in a 13 hours + 12 hour trip. I highly doubt I'd get a flat. It would be mostly straight highway driving so unless I'm oblivious and hit someting, I probably wont get a flat or anything. Just thinking worst case scenario.

I'm taking a guitar, amp, and just enough clothes for the weekend. I definately can't fit the guitar or amp in the car. The spare and jack has to actually go in the trunk and takes up most of the trunk space. (i'd be hard pressed to fit a backback in the trunk with the spare).

I wouldn't drive alone. If that was the only option, I would ride with someone else. If I do take someone, we both can't fit our stuff in the trunk by anymeans.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: TallBill
Nobody cares, you are a toolbox.

jerkface

Whatever brah, I don't depend on a car to spend time with women. I do just fine in my '01 Crown Vic with 3 hubcaps and no radio.

Well there's something to be said for giant back seats.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: TallBill
Nobody cares, you are a toolbox.

jerkface

Whatever brah, I don't depend on a car to spend time with women. I do just fine in my '01 Crown Vic with 3 hubcaps and no radio.

I wasn't saying I depend on the car. The girl I was with this weekend didn't even know what kind of car I drove until she saw me with it last night. And she's the kind of girl that doesnt care what I drive.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I think you're a little too paranoid about getting a flat tire. Drive your own car, get chicks.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
I think you're a little too paranoid about getting a flat tire. Drive your own car, get chicks.

I'm just thinking worst case scenario. I've driven cross country before, and I never worried. Had a spare, etc.

But with this car, the tires aren't normally stocked anywhere, so I would be in a greater bind if I did get a flat or two.

 

[K1052]

Unless the tires are in terrible shape or you blow out a sidewall pretty much anything you do to them should be easily reparable by any tire shop.

Grab your nuts out of the jar under the sink you're keeping them in and go on the trip.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: K1052
Unless the tires are in terrible shape or you blow out a sidewall pretty much anything you do to them should be easily reparable by any tire shop.

Grab your nuts out of the jar under the sink you're keeping them in and go on the trip.

:laugh: That was harsh!

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
I think you're a little too paranoid about getting a flat tire. Drive your own car, get chicks.

I'm just thinking worst case scenario. I've driven cross country before, and I never worried. Had a spare, etc.

But with this car, the tires aren't normally stocked anywhere, so I would be in a greater bind if I did get a flat or two.

They aren't? I don't see why not.

My 19in pirelli's on my M3 were replaced within a hour at a local shop in Mass. when I had a flat going back to NY, so not sure why your tires would be so hard to find.

 

[Arkaign]

This is why God invented rental cars. He did, and it was good. This is also why God invented SUVs, which suck, unless you need one. In this case, I recommend renting a nice SUV, get the insurance, and you won't be risking your BMW to Tennessee roads, drivers, and assorted bumpkin hooligans.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Nobody cares, you are a techboy toolbox.

 

[oddyager]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
I'm going on a 4 day vacation with a bunch of friends to Gatlinburg, Tennesse. We are driving from St. Louis, and it's supposed to be an 8+ hour drive.

I have a 2004 Z4 and I kinda want to drive it down there but part of me says its not a good idea. My options are to drive it and have someone come with me to save on gas costs, or just ride with someone else.

You have other people coming with you besides the girl? Where are you going to jam them?

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: SilentZero

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
I think you're a little too paranoid about getting a flat tire. Drive your own car, get chicks.

I'm just thinking worst case scenario. I've driven cross country before, and I never worried. Had a spare, etc.

But with this car, the tires aren't normally stocked anywhere, so I would be in a greater bind if I did get a flat or two.

They aren't? I don't see why not.

My 19in pirelli's on my M3 were replaced within a hour at a local shop in Mass. when I had a flat going back to NY, so not sure why your tires would be so hard to find.

hmmmm.. maybe it was because I had to buy four that made it so that I had to wait a week to get them..

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: oddyager

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
I'm going on a 4 day vacation with a bunch of friends to Gatlinburg, Tennesse. We are driving from St. Louis, and it's supposed to be an 8+ hour drive.

I have a 2004 Z4 and I kinda want to drive it down there but part of me says its not a good idea. My options are to drive it and have someone come with me to save on gas costs, or just ride with someone else.

You have other people coming with you besides the girl? Where are you going to jam them?

There's about 55 people going and about 20 cars.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: ShockwaveVT
You really didn't need to make such a long brag thread about your BMW Z4 with 19" rims and how it gets the babes.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: ShockwaveVT
You really didn't need to make such a long brag thread about your BMW Z4 with 19" rims and how it gets the babes.

I'm not bragging. Just stating the facts about the car I'm not sure I want to drive 8 hours. I was stating that because it's not the most comfortable car for long trips, and the tires are harder to come by than normal.

 

[SilentZero]

I agree with the rental car reply...get a SUV, load it up with woman and luggage.