suthernbelle19 Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Hey everyone. I've had my Reatta for about a year now, and I'm completely in love with it. Sadly though, I'm moving from North Carolina to British Columbia, Canada, which is about a 3000 mile trip. I am curious as to whether anyone has made such an excursion with their Reatta...and if so what are your recommendations prior to bringing the baby all that way? Thank!~Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88blue90black Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 If you know your car and are not aware of any problems it should be able to handle it. When I bought my Reatta 1 month ago I drove it about 15 miles, decided I liked it and away I went, Ft. Lauderdale to Green Bay Wi. 1500 miles, no problems. 30 hours, including sleeping in the car. Only got out to stretch my legs and buy gas. Very comfortable ride. Love that 16 way seat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Reatta1 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 I have an 88 and have taken several long distance trips with it. All of them well over 3000 miles. The car ran perfectly and got great gas mileage too. Anywhere from 27 to 31 mpg depending on terrain and speed driven. This car had 62k on it when I got it 7 years ago and now has 96k. Most of those miles were put on it with trips. If your car is running good and you keep it serviced regularly you will have no trouble taking it on a 3000 mile jaunt. It is also the most comfortable road trip car I've ever driven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Cal Dewhirst lives on Victoria Island BC. He has won the longest distance award at least 4 times driving his Reatta to the BCA national meets. He has driven the car to Batavia NY, Plano TX, Flint MI and Rochester MN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwmajk Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Reatta is a great car but 15+years anything can go wrong,shipping the car could really be the cheapest way to go.twenty-five years ago I went on a cross country trip from Boston,MA.had dealer change belts and hoses on a audi-fox.Belt broke that opperated fuel pump,waited 3 hours before we saw a cop,couldn't leave car full of suit cases for our six week trip. service truck cut a/c belt to put on new belt for pump.couln't get new a/c belt until Dallas, drove threw the south in july with no a/c.hope you see the wisdom.great car for day trip,not for a young lady with no safety net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MauiWowee Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Reatta is a great car but 15+years anything can go wrong,shipping the car could really be the cheapest way to go.great car for day trip,not for a young lady with no safety net. </div></div>Au Contraire!!The Reatta is a great road car. It is smooth, comfortable, and fairly economic. After doing reasonable PM, the only other precaution I would suggest is a AAA card.A road trip can easily be high adventure, especially in such a cool ride. Have fun and enjoy yourself Kim. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reatta45 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 I just returned from a Christmas 4759 mile trip? I was originally planning to take my Reatta, ended up with an extra, 3rd passenger? So we took my minivan? I had no problem considering the Reatta for that trip. It is a fabulous road car, and you can really appreciate all the ?plus? features on a long trip? Take a cell phone and use that car for what it was intended. You can have problems with a new car, don?t delay doing what you want, waiting till everything is guaranteed perfect. If not this trip, what are you going to do, wait till the next??? Drive it and you will enjoy it. KennyV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikesleeping Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 I wonder if there are any import consideration? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kitskaboodle Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Have your mechanic look it over before taking the trip. As mentioned a cell phone and credit/atm card is a must.Let your family know when you leave and when you plan to arrive at your destination. Drive only during daylight hours and stay on the main roads.Kit / 90 Reatta Coupe / 86 Fiero GT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwmajk Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MauiWowee Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwmajk Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Lets see 3,000. mile trip-student/teacher-chicken-little,just like the beer ad BRILLIANT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MauiWowee Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> purchased last one last may in New York rode the train down from Boston,paid the owner cash on 8th ave </div></div>BrilliantLets let the young lady enjoy her trip and her car. I'll bet she has more sense than you are giving her credit for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reatta45 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 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="" />?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wally888 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">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. </div></div> 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Reatta1 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">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="" />?? </div></div>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!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suthernbelle19 Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest F14CRAZY Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 We have a 1989 Riviera with nearly 300K on it.When we drive from Philadelphia area to West Palm Beach Florida area we take the Riviera and leave the 2001 Cadillac DTS home in the garage.Honestly never thought twice about the reliability of the Riviera. Fortunately never had a problem. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manikmekanik Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 REATTA + ROAD TRIP = FANTASTIC IDEA!!!!I put hundreds or thousands of miles on each Reatta I buy, on the day of purchase, to get it home to Cheezeland!The '90 drop-top I bought in Dallas hit the road with only a new set of tires for a nearly 2000-mile trip/mini-vacation, with NO problems. I drove "Black Beauty", my '91 ragtop further in the first day than the previous owner did in 3 years! We've also taken it to shows in Milwaukee(2), Chicago(2), Lansing, MI and Rochester, Mn for the nationals, with NO problems, except that nasty seat-belt tan line!The Reatta line is among the most reliable cars of it's age for a long road trip. Like any car with 15+ years under it's belt, it'll need some tlc before hitting the road, for a worry-free drive, just like any other older car, no matter the miles on the ODO. Rubber parts do not age well, even without driving high miles, so replace the belt before you go, or keep one in the trunk, with a long 1/2" drive ratchet, to replace it roadside, in a snap-it's simple. Of course, get an oil change, check all fluids, and consider getting brake fluid flushed as well. Make sure you have good boots, (tires), maybe even rotating the rears forward before the trip.And get an iPod RF transmitter for the trip, there's few radio stations in remote areas, and your iPod will come in handy on those long, lonely hyways.If you can come thru Chicago/Milwaukee area, we could get your car "freshened-up" halfway thru your Journey, following the Wheel in the Sky! And you could pick-up the center cap 'yer missin'!!Milwaukee IS the home of BEER !!!!Happy trails! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TommyH Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 i found this was much higher qualtity than the fm modulator, but it only works on 88-89. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MauiWowee Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">NO problems, except that nasty seat-belt tan line!</div></div>Randy, that's only a problem when driving nude! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_walt in ciniti Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Buy washer fluid in a northern state, southern states fluid freezes in cold temps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richard D Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 On my first Reatta I went from Miami throught out Canada and back, about 6,000 miles in 70 days. The biggest problem was finding a coin car wash every night to wash off the dead bugs on the front. Had the oil changed in Winnipeg Canada and kept windsheild cleaner in the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 why are you answering a two yo post?lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest barra Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I was going to take my 104,000 mile 1988 reatta 1200 miles from Michigan to Colorado Springs for the National Buick Convention. My mechanic said it would make the trip. I did the math and found that it was cheaper to fly ( $430 vs $530 ). Have you considered having the car shipped to where you're going? I sent my son his car when he was stationed at Spokane,WA for about $1000. Even today's "new" cars can break too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tomt Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 If you've never done it, I'd install a new brake accumulator and associated master brake, fuel pump etc relays on the firwall. All this is on the cheap side, and unavailable enroute.Tell me if you don't agree, but $180.00 for accumulator and $25.00 per relay for 3 would be about right, with installation being under 1 hour for all at a dealer. Better if you can do it yourself.Tom T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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