Road-trip out West with My OLD Accord - am I nutz??

[Roadrunner2010]

Hey guys,

So I'm on the brink of planning an Insane road-trip with my Accord and I seriously need your guys advise as to whether I should go through with it or if I should have my head checked. To begin, here are the details on the car:

1995 Honda Accord - Two Door LX 5 Speed Manual (no rust):

-Original Motor with 388,000KM, has been on Synthetic Motor Oil since 150,000KM & doesnt burn any oil, no leaks, still passed e-test easily.
-Original Transmission, still shifts good and still has a strong clutch
-3 year old Radiator in very good condition
-Broken A/C, or atleast needs a frion recharged hasn't worked for years
-Good balljoints, suspension is original and a bit soft no "weird noises" though.
-all new tires

*** Done a trip to Vancouver twice when it was 6 years old and then when it was 7... did amazing back then***

As you guys car imagine I've babied this car and I'll be selling it next year after the winter to buy a TSX. I don't care about the wear and tear, mileage etc at this point since it likely doesn't matter in terms of resale.

Now the fun part, The ROAD-TRIP:


Day 1 : Toronto ---> Windsor 364KM
Day 2 : Windsor --> Des Moines, Iowa 971KM
Day 3: Des Moines, Iowa --> Grand Junction Colorado 1464KM
Day 4: Grand Junction, Colorado --> Las Vegas, Nevada 824KM
Day 5-6: Stay In Vegas
Day 7: Las Vegas --> San Franciso 907KM
Day 8: Stay In San Franscisco
Day 9: Stay in San Franscisco
Day 10: San Francisco --> Seattle, Washinton 1300KM
Day 11-14: Stay in Seattle Washington
Day 15: Depart Seattle Washington --> Arrive In Billings Montana, GO visit Yellostone National Park 1316KM
Day 16: Depart Billings Montana --> Arrive at Grand Rapids Minnesoda 1252KM
Day 17: Depart Grand Rapids --> Arrive Toronto Ontario 1388
Day 18: CHILLLLLL
TOTAL MILEAGE 9786

Here's the link for the map" http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s ... 058594&z=4"


So do you think I'm crazy to attempt a roadtrip like this with an old ass accord? Do you guys know of people who have done a trip like this with their accords with a similar age?

Looking forward to your guys responses.

Cheers,

Pat

[001Stunna]

I'd say do it
You've had that car and you know if you've done maintenance on it or not...if you have then i'd say go ahead.
Beforehand though maybe go and get things checked out and tranny/oil/coolant changed

[6genlive]

i thought i was brave taking my 98 accord to MTL...hmm ur a tropper lol i dont think it it should matter, as long as all your fluids are topped off, frequently check your oil/coolant...make frequent stops, drive the speedlimit, dont weave in and outa traffic...do a quick check of your suspension/tires etc if u havent already done so...and go for it...only thing that would maybe kill me is that the A/c doesnt work...mite get kinda hot ....other than that

go for it, and have fun....

[Quanger]

I'd do it. Just bring a jug of oil with you.
How old is the alternator? If its over 4-5years old, I'd bring one just incase. Quite simple to change with minimal tools. Your car is a MT so I wouldnt worry about the starter since you can always push start it. Do check your tranny fluid, make sure theres an adequate amt and no leaks anywhere. Then change it with some good ol 10w40 and you're good to go.

Theres always a slight chance your batt would die but your car will still run if your alternator is functional.

[stanchua]

went to algonquin park with a 95 auto with 450k on original engine

[EXRCoupe]

You're nuts just doing the trip without working A/C.

But seriously, I would worry more about the suspension and electrical system more than the engine itself. Make sure you get all your fluids changed before you go and even during considering you're putting almost 10K on the trip.

[6genlive]

good point^^.....wow im just taking that in actually 10k is like a few months worth of driving...yea like EXRCoupe said...maybe a good idea to change ur oil during the trip as well

[SleepyG]

I've been driving all summer with no A/C

[R_R4]

Dooo it!

I just got back from New Brunswick and Quebec last week. I managed to put on 4K in 5 days.... so yeah! Go for it. The roads there are quite nice, and the backroads are sweet! Quite hilly too, and one really appreciates torque when passing up steep, and I mean steep hills. Good suspension test aswell. I appreciated the handling and power of the accord, especially if you've seen how they drive in Quebec on the freeways!

On a sidenote, I plan to upgrade in about 2-3 yrs to a tsx, too. It seems a lot of 5th gen owners are doing this, judging by hondasociety anyways.

Enjoy the trip! A/C is definitely an asset lol

[Veloce89]

Wow!..My Integra has just about 200,000kms on it and I question weather to take it to Pittsburgh and back which is like 4 hours away...:S..This would be crazy, but in all honesty, you know your car better than anyone else, and if you think it can do it, do it uppp!..Just prepare for a few things..prep her up before and take some oil with you and anything else you may need..it may overheat etc. This would be awesome, one last roadtrip before you get rid of her..

Good Luck, and if you do it, post pics!

[nowek]

Have travelled the routes you are thinking of. From Iowa to San Francisco, and back are the tricky segments as these are roads that stretch for miles on ends where a mechanical breakdown can be a nightmare. Also, travelling these roads without a working reliable AC can be tiring, especially the summer periods where temperatures in this region can be as high as 40 Celsius. Minimize your risk by ensuring your radiator is in good working condition (as overheat is very likely for old cars). Also, if you are running on original transmission and have not changed clutch since, well change before you drive. The road from Frisco to Washington are all uphill. New tires and alignement are also desirable because with road and tire temperatures expected to be high, an old tire is asking for trouble.

Ultimately, you will decide to go, or not. Identify clearly the risk(s) with your car (as you know your car best), and address them before the trip. Ensure you have a CAA membership for those cases where you need roadside assistance (or towing, just in case).

Should you decide to go, good luck and be sure to enjoy the road pleasures.

[adidascanada]

Ensure you have a CAA membership for those cases where you need roadside assistance (or towing, just in case).

Make sure you have CAA PLUS (200 km of towing for each hook)