Road Trip + Reatta...bad idea? - Page 2

dwmajk · January 21st, 2007

I think the Reatta is a great car,I have three, purchased last one last may in New York rode the train down from Boston,paid the owner cash on 8th ave drove car home with just a cell phone.It's a Buick. But we had a young lady broke down a Cape Cod bridge in the summer thousands of cars use these bridges every day guy stops lets her use his cell phone to call her mother that she would be delayed, found her body 3 days later,sure he is in prison so what,last year they found a young womans car in N.H. still haven't found her, lets not forget Michael Jordans dad took a nap in the wrong place.the subject was road trip..bad idea? If you are young and trusting you bet it is. sorry for rant but I try to keep my mistakes small and fixable.

MauiWowee · January 21st, 2007

Yes, the subject is "Road trip, bad idea?" It is about the ability of a Reatta to make the trip, which it is absolutely qualified to do. Any of us, at any time, anywhere are subject to having something bad happen. That does not mean that the most prudent thing to do is to be paranoid about such a trip. It must be miserable to have a "Chicken Little" outlook on life.

dwmajk · January 21st, 2007

Lets see 3,000. mile trip-student/teacher-chicken-little,just like the beer ad BRILLIANT.

MauiWowee · January 21st, 2007

Quote:

purchased last one last may in New York rode the train down from Boston,paid the owner cash on 8th ave

Brilliant

Lets let the young lady enjoy her trip and her car. I'll bet she has more sense than you are giving her credit for.

Reatta45 · January 21st, 2007

Most fun exciting things are done when you are young, when you are older, you either can?t or won?t be doing a LOT of the things you can do NOW?
use reasonable care, and follow your instinct. But take the time to live while you travel through this life? in your Buick. KennyV.
When will you be 19 and on the road again <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />??

wally888 · January 21st, 2007

Quote:

I would change all the fluids to give me a peace of mind, but not really needed. I would just keep an eye on the fluids. Bring with you a quart of oil, antifreeze (coolant), washer fluid, jumper cables, and make sure that you have a spare, lugnut wrench, and a jack. lol. I have been there once before.
Good luck with your trip.

Good list!
You didn't mention year or miles on the car?
Might add a belt to the list if it has not been replaced. I replaced but keep old one in the trunk for emergencies.
Most of us take good care of our Reattas=oil/filter/check proper level of brake fluid, flush the brake system, have used tests at site below for brake tests (note proper way to fill reservoir, many overfill!)
I have driven my 91 34,000 miles (now 103,000) and replaced only the A/C compressor, starter, battery, plugs and wires.
Most electrical shops will check electrics, starter, alternator and battery for free).
Become familar w/ Diagnostics in case check engine soon light comes on (write down codes for a few causes like cam sensor, etc.
If you break down, have laptop, can always send info here to keep from getting ripped off.
I would not hesitate to start on a 10,000 mile trip with either my 90 or 91!

Reatta1 · January 21st, 2007

Quote:

When will you be 19 and on the road again <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />??

Shucks, when I was 19, I didn't even have a car. I wore my sailor uniform, stuck out my thumb and traveled coast to coast. Had a great, and interesting, time!! Hop in that Reatta, take your cell phone, road service club card and go for it!!

suthernbelle19 · January 21st, 2007

Thanks for the posts everyone! I plan on taking a lot of your advice. I'm happy to hear that many of you support the trip. I'm in it for the adventure, the random scenery along the way...and of course: good beer and great laughs.

~K

F14CRAZY · January 21st, 2007

I'd say it's a good idea. A few things you want to check, but if you get into it too much you're going to have to replace everything on the car <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

-Fluids (coolant, power steering, transmission, engine). May want to change the oil before you go so you won't go much over 3k miles, though a bit over won't hurt things.

-Serpentine belt. Lots of cracks in it mean that it's probably on its way out

-Tires. Good condition, up to pressure

-Audio system <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. I can't stand driving without some tunes, a functioning head unit, and some good speakers.

Other than that, yeah, as mentioned before, you can't think about what's going to fail too much, or you'll end up replacing everything or yeah, just buying a new car.

Howard · January 22nd, 2007

One more item I would have a look/see. Check the condition of the harmonic balancer. As these cars get older, the HB do tend to start cracking. Should they fail all together, you would be stuck on the side of the road. Other than what others have mentioned, all I can say, is have at it. Good luck.