Hooniverse Asks: Which of your vehicles would you bring on vacation and where?

I’m in Costa Rica right now as I type this. If ever there was a place where my Montero would be right at home, it’s down here in Central America. They have all generations of the Mitsubishi SUV running around these roads. I’ve also spied a first-gen Trooper, lots of Nissan product, a few Jimnys, and the cleanest Lada Niva I’ve ever seen. I’d love for my Montero to have joined my family on this trip, but it’s a whole lot easier to fly here and not worry about something breaking on the journey through a handful of countries to get here.

But it did get me thinking about the other sorts of trips that you all might like to take with your own vehicles. With my Mercedes, for instance, I’d love to bring that thing back to its home base. The look of horror that folks would have when they see those federalized bumpers would be amazing. And the car would make for a cozy cruiser in the safer lanes of the autobahn. The straight-six mill isn’t up to the task of modern flyers whipping by so we’d be in cruise mode.

Here in Costa Rica, my Montero would be a champ. And it would likely have the least amount of extra lighting on the road. The current trend of light bars and round lights cluttering every bit of a vehicle’s exterior is in full swing down here. I saw a Toyota Corolla with two LED light bars. Every Nissan pickup has between three and six Hella-style lamps bolted on the nose. But when the sun goes down, they actually might get put to use here.

How about within your own stable? Which vehicle would you like to take on a vacation with you, and where would you go? Sound off below.

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31 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: Which of your vehicles would you bring on vacation and where?”

  1. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Our two cars, very rare in Norway, are already super popular in Central Asia, pretty much mirroring your Costa Rica experience.

    Usually, for speed and comfort, we take the Camry. It’s an outstanding motorway car, travels easily at 200-210 kph (as long as my wife is asleep and doesn’t scream at me) and it has a cavernous boot. The Honda with its “kitchen seats” and sporty suspension is not good for long distance trips, but I care less about hitting bumps or landmarks with it.

  2. Smaglik Avatar
    Smaglik

    All 3 of mine are roadworthy for any distance, so it depends on the amount of cargo. Lots of stuff, X3. Winter can be either X3 or M3, depending on the volume of snow expected. Other 3 seasons, M5 is preferable, but the parking and the neighborhood on the other end have to be amenable.

  3. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    Already planned – we’re taking the Rubicon out to visit my brother in Pueblo, CO later this summer. Going to be fun to actually use it’s off-road abilities and capabilities (which are far greater than the driver’s)

    1. danleym Avatar
      danleym

      My neck of the woods! Actually up in the mountains west of Colorado Springs. Not sure your off road experience, but look up Hackett Gulch and Metberry Gulch- two of my favorites, and relatively close to you (at least compared to some other Colorado Trails). Highway 50 from Pueblo to Salida is a must drive, but better on a bike. And Phantom Canyon Road is an awesome dirt road along an old railroad bed through a really pretty canyon, and off of Highway 50 just west of Pueblo.

      1. GTXcellent Avatar
        GTXcellent

        Hey, thanks for the tips. I’ve been asking my brother where we should go, but he only drives a Q50 and hasn’t been anywhere near gravel, let alone off-road so he hasn’t been much help.
        In our neck of the woods, we don’t have terrain. We have mud and we have snow, but there isn’t even a gentle slope anywhere close. So I’m about as green as can be and won’t be going anywhere too challenging.

        1. danleym Avatar
          danleym

          Well Phantom Canyon is very doable- you could take the Q50 and be fine. Might want to stay away from those other two trails though unless you have someone who can talk you through them a bit. A stock Rubicon would be fine on them, but not really beginners trails. Look up China Wall outside the town of Tarryall, though. A little further from Pueblo than the other two, but not that much. There’s rocks and obstacles, but very doable for a beginner. The couple tougher obstacles have bypasses, so you dont have to try them if you dont want to. All in all if you’re wanting to experience a little bit of rock crawling (without getting in over your head) while you’re out here it would be a good trail. Pretty country getting there, too.
          Also look up Bishop’s Castle. Weird but cool tourist attraction on the side of the road south of Pueblo, worth seeing on it’s own but the drive there is really nice.

  4. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    I would take the 89 Country Squire wagon on vacation.

    Destination: Wally World, of course.

    Does anyone have their schedule?

    https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cBYzOTwMFn4/hqdefault.jpg

      1. onrails Avatar
        onrails

        If you think you hate it now… wait until you drive it!

    1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

      Pretty sure they never close. Especially if you got a gun.

  5. Victor Avatar
    Victor

    Got my vacation and summer van years ago , has the 4.6 for decent mileage and the most comfortable seats ever . https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c49aecbcf22b47d0a9b2bfe78aba03bc4ba18add308c07d0b8c84cf18fcda257.jpg

  6. mdharrell Avatar

    This is the year the Volvo 66 GL will make it to the start of the Monterey Lemons Rally. I can feel it.

    https://live.staticflickr.com/8250/28983323856_2eb3c3c3de.jpg

    https://24hoursoflemons.com/lemons-rally/hell-on-wheels-monterey-2019/

  7. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Our two cars, very rare in Norway, are already super popular in Central Asia, pretty much mirroring your Costa Rica experience.

    Usually, for speed and comfort, we take the Camry. It’s an outstanding motorway car, travels easily at 200-210 kph (as long as my wife is asleep and doesn’t scream at me) and it has a cavernous boot. The Honda with its “kitchen seats” and sporty suspension is not good for long distance trips, but I care less about hitting bumps or landmarks with it.

  8. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Our two cars, very rare in Norway, are already super popular in Central Asia, pretty much mirroring your Costa Rica experience.

    Usually, for speed and comfort, we take the Camry. It’s an outstanding motorway car, travels easily at 200-210 kph (as long as my wife is asleep and doesn’t scream at me) and it has a cavernous boot. The Honda with its “kitchen seats” and sporty suspension is not good for long distance trips, but I care less about hitting bumps or landmarks with it.

  9. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

    My Can-Am Spyder RS-S, this route, ten weeks from last Saturday.

    https://smackdab281.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/smackdab-map.jpg

    1. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      You might have a bit of a detour in northern Nebraska to find a bridge that still crosses the Niobrara river…

      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

        Yep. We’re on it.

  10. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    My fleet is really only one car (a ’14 Mazda2), and I’ve already taken it on the vacation it’s probably best (least worst?) suited for. Shortly after buying it, we took a two week road trip through the Canadian Maritimes (about 5000km in total). The 110km/h speed limit is right about the point where it cruises comfortably without getting obnoxious, no one’s really in a hurry out there, and there’s plenty of fun twisty roads (the Cabot Trail is a fantastic drive).

  11. rovingardener Avatar
    rovingardener

    2017 Mazda6 Sport, auto. Because partner won’t drive stick.

    Doing this: Going from SLC to Detroit via I-70 and St. Louis. The first part will be scenic and going through a very high tunnel, and then as well, Louisville. Coming back via I-80. Should be a good relatively high speed-ish tour.

  12. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    I’d like to go out west and explore the national park/forest fire roads through the mountains. Many routes look quite manageable in a stock-ish 4WD truck, so long as you account for possible problems and don’t get yourself stranded without assistance.

  13. nanoop Avatar

    We have a van we all can sleep in, so that’s a natural for tours in Scandinavia – living the dream already!

    I’d love to tour through Europe with Mrs.Nanoop (sheet, Notre Dame is burning as we speak, so better be quick going through the bucket list) in the 944 when the little folks are old enough to stay elsewhere (and I get that broken bolt out so I can mount the clutch slave again).

    In both cases I’ll bring something like this:

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WSgt-X8oJs/T64Zo67zgQI/AAAAAAAAApI/0-oKFpAMYD8/s1600/4489.jpg

    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      No adult human belongs on a kick scooter. I don’t mean those electric ones, but man kick scooters are the most annoying things ever, especially if they’re on the road and you’re behind them on a bicycle. It’s the lack of constant speed.. “wheeee”… STOP…”wheeeee”… STOP…. “wheeeee” STOP

      Aaarrggh!!

      1. nanoop Avatar

        To save your nerves and to put me in a more positive light for you: These are classified as toys here, and hence forbidden on roads including bicycle lanes. They are handy on large camping sites, though.
        Also I am a commuting cyclist, and would probably hate to be behind one, too.

        1. crank_case Avatar
          crank_case

          Not sure of their actual status here, and even if there’s laws, it’s not like they’d be enforced (technically those electric scooters aren’t legal either), but Dublin, like any tech industry hub, is full of overgrown children / clueless hipsters

  14. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Five of us just did 3700 miles in our aging Grand Caravan, so I suppose that’s the answer.

  15. danleym Avatar
    danleym

    Currently on the way back from roadtripping the Jetta to Austin for the Handbuilt Show and Moto GP. Would rather have rode the Guzzi, but winter kept hanging on in Colorado.

  16. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    I’m not sure I’d bring any of my own vehicles on vacation, the Cappuccino is definitely not a tourer, the Mazda 2 is pedestrian enough that a hire car can give much the same experience, plus any decent driving holiday would probably be continental Europe and they drive on the opposite side to Ireland, so an extra layer of needless hassle. I do have a crazy notion to do this backward though.. buy a Polski Fiat 126 in its native Poland where they’re cheap and drive it back, Gold plated ADAC membership may be necessary though.

  17. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    Since we only have on car at the moment the Mazda CX-5 does all the family road trips. When the weather is nicer my BMW R100S is slated for an adventure.

  18. Tiberiuswise Avatar

    Last year the girlfriend and I drove down to North Carolina in my F-150. a tent, two bicycles, and my Wee-Strom in the back. Did some camping, hiking, and biking. Then I met up with a buddy and his Versys. A good time was had by all.

  19. Preludacris Avatar

    In my dream I’d be back in the driver seat of my old Prelude with its suspension dialed in just right, and the location would be Maui. The island is encircled with a road like no other I’ve seen. All of it is beautiful, most of it is smooth, and almost none of it is straight. In short, the most enjoyable road I’ve ever driven. If only it had not been in a rental Hyundai.

  20. salguod Avatar

    My E46 325Ci is a great road trip car. Aggressive enough for fun on the curvy roads but hours long comfortable.

    My new job requires driving to Killbuck OH a couple of days each week (through May anyway) and there are some great roads up that way. Today, instead of taking US 62 all the way, I took OH 16 to OH 60 instead. OH 60 is a great road. Very twisty and lightly traveled. The BMW was a joy here.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5eaec6f2e4dd2026525df8fd9432d9d6492ba3bd230dda23b29ae20ad5fc7e2f.jpg