Hey I'm thinking of going on a trip and driving the S2000 down to Florida from Wisconsin. Has anyone taken any long trips? Have any advice? Is the car comfortable enough for such a long trip??

 

Just follow the link in my signature to learn more about my two-week trip in my S2000. I stayed off of the freeways for all but a few hundred miles of the 5700+ miles I drove. You probably should have a good radar detector depending on the route you take. This time of year you probably don't need to worry about sunscreen. I would suggest driving with the top down as much as possible.

The only real annoyance I had on my trip was the lack of lower back support in the seat. I ended up rolling up a towel to wedge between my back and the seat. Otherwise I was completely comfortable driving all day long, every day.

 

We've driven our S2000 back and forth to Vegas (about a 5-hour drive) and concluded that it is no problem to make a long trip in the car. It's especially fun passing people!

A couple of months back, there was a "featured member story" on the home page here about a guy who drove all over the Western US for like 2 weeks straight and had no problems other than having to pack lighter than you would in a car with more space.

Hope that helps - can't contribute much to the route between WI and FL.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by scottrnelson
[B]Just follow the link in my signature to learn more about my two-week trip in my S2000.

 

I've driven nonstop cross-country (San Diego->South Carolina, ~2300 miles in 32 hours), then back again a few days later. I found the car was perfectly comfortable. I'm 5'7 150 and for my shape the lower back support is fine.

I was by myself but with a passenger interior space would be tight. I had drinks, CDs, beef jerky, and stuff on the passenger seat that there wouldn't have been room for otherwise.

I definitely recommend a radar detector. Also earplugs or Visine if you plan to do much time with the top down. I did the last 3 or 4 hundred miles top down each way, and your eyes tend to get dried out with 5+ hours of top down time. My right ear got a little annoyed with the wind too. A good hat helps.

And it goes without saying that you'll want to have your camera handy. Have fun!

 

I've been on several long trips (7++hours). One thing I did for a little more space is take the cover off the stored spare tire in the trunk. With the cover off, you can throw junk inside the tire. I found out that it is a great place to store a couple of towels, Zaino Car Wash and Z-7 spray and Plexus. Believe me, on a long trip you will need to use all of these.
Oh, don't forget that extra quart of oil. It fits perfictly in the jack storage space in the bottom of the trunck.
I too found that having the wife along, you loose space in the cabin to throw your junk. Also, the passenger side is not as comfortable as the driver's side.
Have a safe trip!

 

Wisconsin S2K - I've done that trip about 10 times (Appleton/West Palm), tho not in the s2k 'cause I didn't own it yet.

You basically have two choices for the route, South thru Indiana or thru Illinois. Then from Nashville you can go I65 or I24/I75. I always go thru Chattanooga and Atlanta. The drive thru chattanooga is very nice, much better than Alabama, IMO. Atlanta isn't bad if you avoid rush hour.

I'd love to do it in the S2000, now the wife on the other hand...

BTW, Appleton to West Palm was about 1500 miles. Took about 22 hours (we drove straight thru). Average speed (as computed by the BMW computer) was 78.5, but we stopped a lot for food/bathroom/gas. No radar detector, just drove about the same as everyone else and lots of cruise control.

 

WisconsinS2K,

The S is great for a long road trip as long as you pack like you're riding a cycle.
Last summer my wife and I took two trips and had a blast. One 2500 mile and another 5200 mile and our 40 something bottoms were no worse for the wear. One day we covered 1100 miles thanks to a radar detector and Wyoming,Montana and S. Dakota wide open highways. If I would have done that in my Accord I wouldn't of walked upright for days.
We only had the top up at night and for 3 hours one rainy afternoon in S. Dakota.
One piece of advise, SUNSCREEN.

 

I'm not sure how far Florida to Wisconsin is but here is my advice
make sure you have drinks and munchies in the car
good music in the CD stacker
hat on the head
sunglasses on
top down

We drive between Melbourne & Adelaide quite often (nearly 800 KM's) without a problem. Pack light and don't have too many things in the passenger seat (if there are two of you). We swap drivers every 3 to 4 hours so have time for a bit of a strech at this time. Everytime we get petrol we also get fresh drinks.

Have a great time

CD

 

Keep going until you hit Key West...driving the Keys in a convertible is great fun.

The longest run I have done is 800 miles. I didn't have any problems other than fatigue (we did about 2000 miles in 3 days). Think about putting up the top for several hours at a time -- it will reduce fatigue and allow you to relax a bit more. I would also suggest a good radar detector so that you can keep your average speed high.

Have a good time,
Tanq