Chances of making a round trip from WA to CA?

[BartusCompater]

So I've had this crazy idea for a while now. In one week I'd like to try and take my Spider all the way from Edmonds, WA to Santa Barbara, California and back. I want to know how crazy of an idea this is.

So to lay down some specifics:

This is a 1,129 mile drive. Round trip will be a total of 2,258 miles. I would be making the trip almost entirely on I-5

My Spider has 125,000 miles on it
It has a new clutch
the tranny whines a bit in 2nd and 3rd
It leaks a little oil out of the valve covers and maybe some other spots, but not profusely
It consistently starts and runs strong
Sometimes after really long drives (taking it over the pass from Seattle to Wenatchee) the car refuses to start unless I let it sit for about 15-20 minutes or until I rev up the engine as I'm starting it to get it going.

Is this an absolutely crazy idea that would result in me having to sell my car off the side of the road and hitchhike back, or will the highway driving be easy enough that risks will be negligible?

Lastly, if you were to make a trip of this caliber (or if you have already), what would you do to prepare? What would you make sure you had in the trunk before you left?

[So Cal Mark]

I'd take that trip. Make sure you address as many oil leaks as possible and any coolant leaks. Inspect ALL hoses; coolant and fuel. Take an extra alternator belt, a fairly complete tool kit. Bring a roll of safety tape; that's the silcone tape that can repair almost anything. If your car is conventional ignition bring a set of points and condensor. Bring a cell phone and your AAA card. Don't really hammer the car, cruise at a decent speed. Make sure your spare tire holds air and isn't so old that it will fail at hwy speeds. If you have a battery jumper box, bring it too

[BartusCompater]

Just what I was hoping to hear. I might stop in to say hi and purchase some of those fancy badges you make over there.

[ventura ace]

If you would like to go 35 miles further than Santa Barbara, you're welcome to stay here (Ventura), and we'll check over your car before you head back home.

When are you planning to make the trip?

Alvon

[BartusCompater]

Alvon, that's incredibly nice of you. I've actually got lodging covered for the trip. It would be super cool if you could look the car over before I left back home though. Also, I'm 99% percent sure that I have yet to return an oil pump gasket to you! I still remember how you sent it to me along with those beautiful postcards. If anything, there's a chance I'll drop by just to return that gasket to you as I promised I would around a year ago.

As far as when I'm making the trip, I have to be at the Santa Barbara Bowl for a concert at 5:30 PM. As far as the specifics of when I'm leaving, I'm not quite sure! This whole thing is very spontaneous.

[htchevyii]

It would be cool to start some sort of emergency contact list with locations and phone numbers of various members willing to help out a Fiater in need, since we're not all lucky enough to be near Alvon.

[SLOSpider]

Sending you a PM with my info here in San Luis Obispo area. Your Spider would be fine but I wouldnt make the trip unless I drove all the way down hwy 1 ! I did this in 2008 with a friend of mine on our motorcycles all the way up to Seattle, The Dalles and back down Hwy 1 the full trip, that was a blast!

As stated some tools with the basic sockets and wrenches 8,10,13,17,19 , screw driver, Phillips, Vise grips, quart of oil, some water would be nice, but the AA card or alike can be a life saver. Make sure your tires including your SPARE is aired up and all tread is good.

If you have time stop by I will check things out for you as well if you dont make it to Ventura or we will have some lunch to set you off. Brian

[narfire]

It would be cool to start some sort of emergency contact list with locations and phone numbers of various members willing to help out a Fiater in need, since we're not all lucky enough to be near Alvon.It would be cool to start some sort of emergency contact list with locations and phone numbers of various members willing to help out a Fiater in need, since we're not all lucky enough to be near Alvon.

Perhaps we could take Alvon with us.. A slightly modified trailer Like Ron L's and good to go eh

Good idea about about a help list.

Perhaps if one is going to take a trip post the general details and ones on the route could chime in via PM. Not that I would want any misfortune but it would be great to meet one another and offer a helping hand.

[BartusCompater]

Okay, it's going to add quite a bit of time to the already excruciatingly long drive, but I've decided that Hwy 1 is going to be worth it to break the monotony of I-5.

I've mapped the route I have in mind on Google Maps, and you guys can see it here:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&m ... 629594c3e0

I'm wondering if you Californians can provide me with any suggestions about how I might modify this route up a little. Are there any passes or tough graded areas that I'm gonna want to be cautious about and/or avoid? Any shortcuts that I might want to take? Areas where I'm going to want to stay inland in case anything goes wrong mechanically?

Any advice is much appreciated.

[So Cal Mark]

hwy 1 south of SF is a beautiful drive, but very slow. Especially if you get stuck behind an suv, motorhome or trailer. Make sure you hit that stretch in daylight, or avoid it.

[BartusCompater]

When you say very slow, do you mean 40 mph very slow, or 20 mph very slow?

[SLOSpider]

When you say very slow, do you mean 40 mph very slow, or 20 mph very slow?

Its not too bad and there are pull outs that most people take if they are going too slow. I usually ride the motorcycle through there so we clock along about 70 ... Its 55 mph so be careful as there are Police that run radar all up and down the coast and like to hide over hills and around corners.


Youll love the drive if you havent been that way before. If you are rushed getting down then take the 5 and then take your time driving back up the route you listed. You will find alot of neat places to stop and check out from lighthouses to historic covered bridges not to mention the Giant Redwoods, Mir woods, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, just to name a few. Further down you have San Simeon where you can stop and see the Sea Lions and then San Luis Obispo to go through bubble gum alley, Stop in Pismo and have some Clamn Chowder with SLOSPIDER, all the must to do things.

[RoadRacer]

I am planning on taking my 82 spider to FL from NH and back in about a month or so.... I have never had any serious problems with my car. I figured a double overhead cam, electronic ignition and four wheel disc brakes makes this a pretty reliable car.
I get very little smoke sometimes when it is really hot outside, I think it is coming somewhere from before the distributor area. I changed the distributor seals and that does not leak anymore. I have been told it might be coming from the exhaust manifold somewhere but I can't seem to pinpoint it. Again, it is not that big of a leak, maybe a drop once in a while.
I have my AAA card and tools just in case.....

[courtenay]

If you're a wine drinker, a side trip to Sonoma/Napa should be on the list. If you're a golfer - pay to take the 17 mile drive in Monterey - see Pebble Beach, Spyglass, Poppy etc. I couldn't afford to play any of these, but I did get my picture taken at the entrances!

[dzyfngrs]

Dustin,

Log your adventure with pictures and post them. We'd love to see your trip down and back up the Pacific coast.