Next Friday morning we leave for Myrtle Beach and fortunately I have a very understanding wife. In our driveway we have a very reliable Hyundai Elantra that gets awsome mileage, is very reliable and has road side assistance. We have a Chrylser minivan that we have brought home great deals from the USA on bathroom vanitys, shower doors and barbecues. And then we have in the garage the XK8 kinda tight, my wife gets one soft bag for 10 days clothes and what I call her accessories bag. I get one bag for clothes and my computer and cameras. Choice the Jag. A few hours of running through the Smokey Mountains and it will all be worth it. I am 65 years old, have driven through there in a motorhome, on my Goldwing Motorcycle and now the trifecta, a Jag convertible. Has to be a bucket list thing. The downside I see is that my wife likes to shop on holidays and there is not much room to bring things home. Small things tend to be pricey so we will see how this works out.

 

Sounds like a good time, If you are looking for a nice overnight stop I highly recommend this place. Use to live about 40 miles from there and this was our romantic weekend get away place. Proposed to my wife there!

Home - Sugar Tree Inn

 

<p>sounds like a great drive - safe travels</p>

 

There's always the option of taking separate cars.

Enjoy the trip.

Graham

 

Plenty of room. You have the trunk and the otherwise useless rear seat. Beside it holds more than the GW😳

 

You have a built-in excuse to tell her "Sorry dear, but no shopping on this trip...."

 

Best argument against shopping is that it cost us Canadians 30 cents for evey US dollar, but even with that your gas is still a bargain.

 

Enjoy your trip! Do not forget to report back once you have a chance to do the " Tail of The Dragon" We plan to visit Townsend the first week-end in October for our annual British V8 gathering. All makes of modified Brit cars and great time had by all. The "Tail of the Dragon" is awesome road, but it more heavily patrolled than in years past.

 

Jon, you are obviously not married to a Canadian girl.
US shopping = happiness = staying married and keeping your stuff

Daro,
your story sounds very familiar to me, If Elantra = Civic and Mini Van = CRV
and Myrle Beach = Fort Lauderdale

We drive into the States about once a month during the summer and always take the XK8 here are a few things I have learned.

Many US retailers will ship within the Continental US for free or low cost. If you find something that won't fit into the Jag have it shipped to Buffalo or where is close to you and pick it up after you return. I use "Kinek" (google it) for a US address. They charge $5 a package to receive it.

Here's one from the Goddess of shopping, (my wife)
If you are traveling for 10 days, take 5 outfits you don't care for. After all you are riding in a Jag it doesn't matter if you are wearing the pants you painted the garage in. Then as you purchase a new outfit. throw away one.

Next, you can fit an unlimited number of watches, rings, or bracelets in the glove box if you take them out of boxes. Taking the Jag saves nothing. But it's a blast to drive. "Doesn't this bracelet go nicely with the Jaguar?" (why did i buy a Sapphire Blue Jag?)

Have fun and good luck.

 

My wife has already let me know that she is packing light for the trip down, as the outlet mall is 3 blocks away and she will need more stowage space on the way home. I will try to not say that bracelet is the same Pacific Blue as the car. Thanks for the heads up.
I also dabble in photography and am looking forward to taking some cool photos featuring the car. Just finished a fine polishing so it should look nice at night down on the Grand Strand.