Found a used 1969 Ford Country Squire for sale.
I thought it would make an epic road trip vehicle.
Add a teardrop trailer, a cargo box on the top loaded with all the best stuff, then…
**Go on an EPIC ROAD TRIP across North America!**
**What vehicle would you recommend?**
I would consider buying a vehicle for this specific “epic trip.” Then reselling after the trip.
Would be willing to fix an old/used vehicle up.Not willing to fix the engine or transmission, drivetrain, though.
**Activities**:- Camping- Visit national parks- Drive all over North America- See monuments and a few cities
Background: I previously had a few epic road trips in my 2006 Mercury Monterrey (V6).
It was good times.
21 comments
Whatever you get, make sure its reliable. Nothing ruins a road trip faster then the car breaking down.
Harley Roadking.
My one and only possible favorite was an old 1967 Malibu that I had nicknamed “Testicles”. Pronounced like “Hercules” but with a very pun-intended sense of juvenile irony.
That dumb tank carried me to both oceans and back, and even got some thumbs-up from a few lovely ladies whose thumbs-up weren’t attached to their hands.
That’s all a young man on a road trip can hope for, so I have zero complaints.
Every road trip needs a wood panel station wagon
Lexus RX 350, any year.
Jeep Cherokee
1971 International Harvester Scout II. So iconic. And the different models to choose from can change up the vibe so easily. Family road trip? The Traveler. Surfer trip? The Rallye is for you.
We loaded a 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible with camping equipment in the trunk and hotel stuff(suitcases, popcorn machine, coffee pot)in the back seat. Camped in national parks and hotels for bed and breakfast. It was a 6000 mile/5 week adventure. Nothing like the top down cruising in the Grand Canyon or among the big Sequoias in California
I think it’s perfect. Just get it checked out by a good mechanic.
Those things are certainly cool, but unless I knew the car well I’d be afraid of getting 1000 miles from home and something breaking. And that thing is going to suck down gas. My practical mind is always saying keep it simple. I guess if you’re young and have the money go for it.
VW Bus
The wagon queen family trickster. And make sure you make a stop at Wally World.
I wonder how many are too young to get the reference.
My most epic trips were in VW vans. No need to tow anything or put stuff on top of the car. Plus, you can do repairs yourself with a couple of wire coat hangers and some rubber bands (only half joking; I did do some repairs with coat hangers).
Something reliable that can be fixed with a 10mm socket and a hammer. Personally, I’d go with an older Toyota 4Runner since they’ll outlast the sun as long as they aren’t from the rust belt. There will be enough room to carry whatever, you can sleep in it with the seats folded down, and the rear window rolls down which gives optimal airflow.
For straight up comfort, a Volvo XC90 would be ideal since it’s big-ish, heavy enough to soak up the miles, and Volvos have some of the best seats ever fitted to any vehicle.
For the cool factor, an old Jeep Wagoneer.
The Wagon Queen Family Truckster. If you think you hate it now, wait till you drive it!
> I would consider buying a vehicle for this specific “epic trip.” Then reselling after the trip.
> I previously had a few epic road trips in my 2006 Mercury Monterrey (V6).
Are you a foreign citizen or an American? If you’re foreign, buying and registering and insuring a car as a tourist is next to impossible. Most states require a permanent address to register a vehicle, insurance companies also require a residence. There are some loopholes, but they’re not easy or fun. South Dakota has simple registration requirements, but how are you getting this unregistered and uninsured 1969 Country Squire to South Dakota?
Buying and reselling a vehicle as a foreign citizen is a *terrible* idea. We’re not Vietnam where you can just buy a motorcycle for a few weeks.
To answer the question though, any large SUV or truck with quad cab and a cap would cover getting into any of the far out places and be comfy for a long trip. Gimme a new F150.
Honestly you’re probably going to be happiest with a boring, reliable car. Something like a Rav4 or a CRV. They’ll do the thing reliably and comfortably. Zero cool factor, nothing over the top, but they’ll eat up the miles without much complaint. That frees you up to actually enjoy the trip
Toyota Tacoma long bed, with a cap on it.
The Honda Element also seems popular, though a lot of used ones have kinda high mileage on them, and if you’re in a city be aware that after the Prius they are the most popular targets for catalytic converter theft.
It depends what you want do you want a car that’s made for speed or cruising?
I have done several trips in my mustang and I consider that an amazing road trip car but others probably wouldn’t.
I did it in a 1996 GMC sierra. If you don’t care about gas Mileage you can’t beat the room of a full size truck with worn out suspension (soft good for road trip terrible for off road/ hauling)
Whatever is cool close, and cheap. Reliable too if you are a coward.