7,000 miles in a month(should I?)
#1
7,000 miles in a month(should I?)
Well We just purchased a 2002 XJ8 Sport with 84,000 miles and are planning on driving back east and down to the gulf and over to Texas and back to Oregon, all in about a months time. I had the car checked over very well by a local jag mech. The only issues were some interior things and the bushings on the front sway bar. If You think I'm nuts or can think of any good tips that would make our trip safe and fun, I don't offend easily. In advance thank you all.
#2
Bring along an ipad or laptop, so that members can help out with any issues on the road. You're not nuts, I'd like to do that trip myself. I'd bring a multimeter, jumper cables and some basic handtools including metric wrenches and sockets.
Check the spare tire and jack, bring an extra set of keys, and have fun! Take lots of pictures for the forum.
Check the spare tire and jack, bring an extra set of keys, and have fun! Take lots of pictures for the forum.
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fishoman (08-21-2014)
#3
#5
Well We just purchased a 2002 XJ8 Sport with 84,000 miles and are planning on driving back east and down to the gulf and over to Texas and back to Oregon, all in about a months time. I had the car checked over very well by a local jag mech. The only issues were some interior things and the bushings on the front sway bar. If You think I'm nuts or can think of any good tips that would make our trip safe and fun, I don't offend easily. In advance thank you all.
The vehicle is twelve years old with light use at 84K miles. As it has already been checked out, the main concern I'd have would be for rubber components (tyres, cooling hoses and drive belts) which deteriorate over time as well as mileage. You could go thousands of miles in short journeys and have no trouble but high daily mileages at high average speed adds additional stresses which will find any weaknesses.
Some preventative maintenance in the way of critical inspection and parts renewal before going or just live with the risk of a delay whilst parts are sourced if you do have a breakdown on the journey. Either way, enjoy yourselves and have a great time.
Graham
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fishoman (08-21-2014)
#6
Graham, your mention of daily use versus a long trip reminded me of something.
I used to ride motorcycles extensively. Daily use was fine but when we made our annual holiday trips with hours of riding each day, we found that it was necessary to check the water level in our batteries.
The batteries never used water normally, only on long trips. This was seen on different makes and models and is a good example of what you're saying.
I used to ride motorcycles extensively. Daily use was fine but when we made our annual holiday trips with hours of riding each day, we found that it was necessary to check the water level in our batteries.
The batteries never used water normally, only on long trips. This was seen on different makes and models and is a good example of what you're saying.
#7
I like a good road vacation -- but what you are doing is driving ... a lot.
If I am going someplace for a long weekend and it requires a lot of long highway miles .... I go to Enterprise and rent a car. I'm not putting 800 miles on my Porsche to drive out to Pittsburg on the PA turnpike for the weekend ... not even a fun drive.
One issue and you have paid for the rental.
We had to go to Hartford last weekend and did a run to RI to check on something - had a great Volvo ..... cost me a bit over $100.00 for a long weekend. Never a worry .... the highways suck this year after last winter.
We rent them all the time .... Some insurance companies will only cover you for 15 days -- so you split the contract.
If I am going someplace for a long weekend and it requires a lot of long highway miles .... I go to Enterprise and rent a car. I'm not putting 800 miles on my Porsche to drive out to Pittsburg on the PA turnpike for the weekend ... not even a fun drive.
One issue and you have paid for the rental.
We had to go to Hartford last weekend and did a run to RI to check on something - had a great Volvo ..... cost me a bit over $100.00 for a long weekend. Never a worry .... the highways suck this year after last winter.
We rent them all the time .... Some insurance companies will only cover you for 15 days -- so you split the contract.
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fishoman (08-21-2014)
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#9
Excellent idea! I have a couple of those cheap wireless OBD dongles, and I keep one in the Jag at all times.
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fishoman (08-23-2014)
#10
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Its an adventure, pure n simple, one I'd love to do too.
Your car sounds in good condition and you sound like a man with a plan. Take all the good advice and be as prepared as you can be, the rest is in the lap of the gods.
What will be, will be.
Go for it and have the time of your life, hopefully with no car trouble.
Looking forward to the pics
Your car sounds in good condition and you sound like a man with a plan. Take all the good advice and be as prepared as you can be, the rest is in the lap of the gods.
What will be, will be.
Go for it and have the time of your life, hopefully with no car trouble.
Looking forward to the pics
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fishoman (08-23-2014)
#11
I don't know if you are nuts or not but sounds like fun to me. Usually when we take a trip we try to stay on US rtes. most of the time so we can enjoy the sights especially the smaller towns or cities. We stop at a number of shops and other interesting spots we think will be interesting. Antique shops for her and classic cars and historical sites for me. Anyway have a great time and enjoy the ride.
Dave
Dave
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fishoman (08-23-2014)
#12
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fishoman (08-23-2014)
#14
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fishoman (08-23-2014)
#17
The question is not ... should he go or not. He is going ... the question becomes:
At what cost?
Earlier in the summer I took a 3 week trip through upper new england and then into canada -- we took our better SUV for both fun in the twists and the ability to get to the out of the way fishing spots.... I needed that car.
On a long highway trip -- you need reliability and good AC. New sedans are big with 7 speed transmissions .. and get 30+ mpg on regular fuel.
Mine gets maybe 18mpg (xjr) if I baby it. Lets be generous with our numbers 7000 miles at 20mpg is 350 gallons of fuel .... at $3.50 for premium ... thats $1250.00 for gas. Plus, at 7K you have bought an oil change and 1/4 of you back tire tread on the Jaguar ... and your car is now at 91k.
The rental car at 30mpg on the highway using regular gas ... is $400 in savings ... using very unlikely numbers for the Jaguar. It is going to be more.
And if anything happens to the rental -- oh well .. get another.
And with kids ... this changes the picture even more.
At what cost?
Earlier in the summer I took a 3 week trip through upper new england and then into canada -- we took our better SUV for both fun in the twists and the ability to get to the out of the way fishing spots.... I needed that car.
On a long highway trip -- you need reliability and good AC. New sedans are big with 7 speed transmissions .. and get 30+ mpg on regular fuel.
Mine gets maybe 18mpg (xjr) if I baby it. Lets be generous with our numbers 7000 miles at 20mpg is 350 gallons of fuel .... at $3.50 for premium ... thats $1250.00 for gas. Plus, at 7K you have bought an oil change and 1/4 of you back tire tread on the Jaguar ... and your car is now at 91k.
The rental car at 30mpg on the highway using regular gas ... is $400 in savings ... using very unlikely numbers for the Jaguar. It is going to be more.
And if anything happens to the rental -- oh well .. get another.
And with kids ... this changes the picture even more.
Last edited by yeldogt; 08-23-2014 at 04:03 AM.
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fishoman (08-23-2014)
#19
The question is not ... should he go or not. He is going ... the question becomes:
At what cost?
Earlier in the summer I took a 3 week trip through upper new england and then into canada -- we took our better SUV for both fun in the twists and the ability to get to the out of the way fishing spots.... I needed that car.
On a long highway trip -- you need reliability and good AC. New sedans are big with 7 speed transmissions .. and get 30+ mpg on regular fuel.
Mine gets maybe 18mpg (xjr) if I baby it. Lets be generous with our numbers 7000 miles at 20mpg is 350 gallons of fuel .... at $3.50 for premium ... thats $1250.00 for gas. Plus, at 7K you have bought an oil change and 1/4 of you back tire tread on the Jaguar ... and your car is now at 91k.
The rental car at 30mpg on the highway using regular gas ... is $400 in savings ... using very unlikely numbers for the Jaguar. It is going to be more.
And if anything happens to the rental -- oh well .. get another.
And with kids ... this changes the picture even more.
At what cost?
Earlier in the summer I took a 3 week trip through upper new england and then into canada -- we took our better SUV for both fun in the twists and the ability to get to the out of the way fishing spots.... I needed that car.
On a long highway trip -- you need reliability and good AC. New sedans are big with 7 speed transmissions .. and get 30+ mpg on regular fuel.
Mine gets maybe 18mpg (xjr) if I baby it. Lets be generous with our numbers 7000 miles at 20mpg is 350 gallons of fuel .... at $3.50 for premium ... thats $1250.00 for gas. Plus, at 7K you have bought an oil change and 1/4 of you back tire tread on the Jaguar ... and your car is now at 91k.
The rental car at 30mpg on the highway using regular gas ... is $400 in savings ... using very unlikely numbers for the Jaguar. It is going to be more.
And if anything happens to the rental -- oh well .. get another.
And with kids ... this changes the picture even more.
The following users liked this post:
fishoman (08-23-2014)
#20
The question is not ... should he go or not. He is going ... the question becomes:
At what cost?
Earlier in the summer I took a 3 week trip through upper new england and then into canada -- we took our better SUV for both fun in the twists and the ability to get to the out of the way fishing spots.... I needed that car.
On a long highway trip -- you need reliability and good AC. New sedans are big with 7 speed transmissions .. and get 30+ mpg on regular fuel.
Mine gets maybe 18mpg (xjr) if I baby it. Lets be generous with our numbers 7000 miles at 20mpg is 350 gallons of fuel .... at $3.50 for premium ... thats $1250.00 for gas. Plus, at 7K you have bought an oil change and 1/4 of you back tire tread on the Jaguar ... and your car is now at 91k.
The rental car at 30mpg on the highway using regular gas ... is $400 in savings ... using very unlikely numbers for the Jaguar. It is going to be more.
And if anything happens to the rental -- oh well .. get another.
And with kids ... this changes the picture even more.
At what cost?
Earlier in the summer I took a 3 week trip through upper new england and then into canada -- we took our better SUV for both fun in the twists and the ability to get to the out of the way fishing spots.... I needed that car.
On a long highway trip -- you need reliability and good AC. New sedans are big with 7 speed transmissions .. and get 30+ mpg on regular fuel.
Mine gets maybe 18mpg (xjr) if I baby it. Lets be generous with our numbers 7000 miles at 20mpg is 350 gallons of fuel .... at $3.50 for premium ... thats $1250.00 for gas. Plus, at 7K you have bought an oil change and 1/4 of you back tire tread on the Jaguar ... and your car is now at 91k.
The rental car at 30mpg on the highway using regular gas ... is $400 in savings ... using very unlikely numbers for the Jaguar. It is going to be more.
And if anything happens to the rental -- oh well .. get another.
And with kids ... this changes the picture even more.
What's the point in driving if you can't drive the car you love to drive?
Dave