Driving across country in the Z or just ship it?

fonzo179 · 05-09-2013, 10:11 AM

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) - Z not a family car.
I would recommend you trailer your Z, out of consideration for the dogs, baby stuff, elbow room and protecting your car.

Being single with no kids and no pets, I had the pleaseure of driving my Z cross country with total freedom. I drove my Z from Fort Lewis WA, to Barstow CA, through Dallas TX to Richmond VA to see my family. Then drove to Pittsburg PA before coming over here to North Dakota. Cramped as Hell, but a trip I would definately take again (racing BMW's, cruising the Oregon mountain passes, gently rolling Virginia hills...amazing!)

If you absolutely must take the Z on the road, obviously wear and tear is inevidible, but mine survived the 7 day trip rather well. Just take it easy when you get to NM/AZ. Upgrade the cooling system if you can...otherwise the desert heat will keep you at 230-245* even on cruise control.

m4a1mustang · 05-09-2013, 10:13 AM

The Z makes an awesome GT car. I love long trips in it. I just wouldn't want to have my dogs cooped up in it for a long haul.

Unless we're talking little chihuahuas that fit in baskets.

Fountainhead · 05-09-2013, 11:56 AM

I always choose flight over driving, especially in your situation, relocating/moving, that's stressful enough and adding days of driving isn't going to help. Put your health first, dogs second. I've flown our cats and dogs several times and somehow they survived!
I've ALSO driven from MS to NY with dogs panting and stinking, cats meowling, all the animals are miserable, finding hotels that are pet friendly, keeping the cats and dogs in the room (pet friendly means that the hotel charges you a LOT for ANYTHING attributable to animal damage), can't eat except in parking lot because animals are with you, so that was stressful too. Last move (NY to FL) I drove the Honda down, flew back up and shipped our other car in the moving van, and flew the animals down to FL. That wasn't easy but it was WAY easier than our previous drive up to NY from MS.

Tazicon · 05-09-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ-of-E

Driven from CA to Arizona and back, I thought it was the most uncomfortable 5 hours in my life. The last 2 hours made me want to be cramp in a plane instead. Fact that my stuff block the rear view just made the whole experiencr clostrophobic.

Really? My wife and I have made several 10+ hour trips from Vegas to Denver (and Albuquerque as well) in ours and love it. I guess after traveling in Jeeps the Z seems amazing! We do it in the Cayman as well. I guess different strokes for different folks. I let some of my other more "comfortable" vehicles go as I like driving the smaller cars.

All that being said I wouldn't do it with dogs............................

FYI I can fly most places I go for work but prefer to drive. Flying is a pain and you can't see the country side and you can't just stop at places just because along the way.

XTZZZZ · 05-09-2013, 12:44 PM

I did Midwest to Florida a few times alone 9to14hours
I was fine even with 4 titanium vertebrae.. Now the wife hated
It and says she won't do it again.. Witch is just fine with me! I like the car
Better then her anyway so I win! I have done the cross country
Not going to lie. It blows.. Bad.. If you drive her invest in
Bra. 3m clear or or old school. Do it. You will need a repaint on the facia
If you don't.. Good luck!

TreeSemdyZee · 05-09-2013, 01:33 PM

I drive 1500 round-trip to the beach every summer and I love it. If you've got 8 days to do it, you could have a pretty sweet road trip.

Bking · 05-09-2013, 02:44 PM

I say fly the dogs. It's just a few hours of flight. If you're driving then it's gonna be many more hours of them being cramped in a car anyway, and you gotta let the dogs out every now and then. Not time-efficient nor cost-effective imo.

cossie1600 · 05-09-2013, 03:19 PM

My dog is 17lbs, she is going to have a tough time getting under the seat for five hours. Plus some of the baby items will be very difficult to get onto the airplane or sit in storage while we are at the apartment suite. That's the reason why I want to drive across country, so I can take as much as I can. The plan was to use a van as I don't want to drive a Uhaul truck. I do have a full week to drive, so I will limit myself to driving 8-10 hours only. Of course I have to speak with the specialist to see what they will pay for, I am trying to do this without spending a penny. If they want to pay for a Uhaul with me trailering the car, I could do it too. I prefer not to since towing is a big mess

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-09-2013, 03:40 PM

Then if taking stuff with you is a priority? Why would you take your Z? Common sense would tell you the Z doesn't have enough room for all that.
Why not just put that stuff in the lex and let the lex shippers transport it for you?

MZ370Z · 05-09-2013, 04:53 PM

I drove my 350Z from Napa CA to Marlton NJ, 2400 miles in 24 hours

and i only drove 8 hours a day and NO Tickets... It was a fun trip but NE smells like Cow poo, the whole frickin state... lol ...

cossie1600 · 05-09-2013, 08:22 PM

I just spoke to the relocation specialist. It's not normal to request a rental one way, but she will look into it as I explain to her I can get a rental for <$500. By saving the pet travel and one one way ticket, I actually won't spend too much more. In total, I might spend $500 more. I prefer to not tow as i suck at driving smoothly.

I like my dogs too much to let them fly under the plane or jammed under the seat.

I plan to pick up the rental on Friday, leave on Saturday and get to Californee way by Friday.

olddudesrule · 05-09-2013, 08:58 PM

Drive it! Done the xcountry drive a dozen time, and it's worth it for the adventure and scenery (sometime) alone!

DEpointfive0 · 05-11-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The Z makes an awesome GT car. I love long trips in it. I just wouldn't want to have my dogs cooped up in it for a long haul.

Unless we're talking little chihuahuas that fit in baskets.

ONLY if you have the touring package.
That lumbar support makes ALLLLLLL the difference in the world when you're in a car for more than 24 hours.

OP, if you want, I love dogs, I'll drive your dogs and Z over if you want

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-11-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

ONLY if you have the touring package.
That lumbar support makes ALLLLLLL the difference in the world when you're in a car for more than 24 hours.

OP, if you want, I love dogs, I'll drive your dogs and Z over if you want

I drive a base. I fit like a glove in my car without the lumbar. I guess due to me not being overweight or too slim, my seats work fine for me in long trips. But i guess touring would help for those that may not find the Base seats as form fitting..

m4a1mustang · 05-11-2013, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

ONLY if you have the touring package.
That lumbar support makes ALLLLLLL the difference in the world when you're in a car for more than 24 hours.

OP, if you want, I love dogs, I'll drive your dogs and Z over if you want

I've done the same 1,000 mile trip in both Touring & Base package cars. *I* find them to be the same as far as comfort goes. I guess if you really needed lumbar support on a long trip with the base package you could just buy one of those lumbar inserts.

05-09-2013, 10:13 AM	#17 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	The Z makes an awesome GT car. I love long trips in it. I just wouldn't want to have my dogs cooped up in it for a long haul. Unless we're talking little chihuahuas that fit in baskets. UNKNOWN_370 and Footloose301 like this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-09-2013, 03:40 PM	#24 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	Then if taking stuff with you is a priority? Why would you take your Z? Common sense would tell you the Z doesn't have enough room for all that. Why not just put that stuff in the lex and let the lex shippers transport it for you? __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

05-09-2013, 08:22 PM	#26 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I just spoke to the relocation specialist. It's not normal to request a rental one way, but she will look into it as I explain to her I can get a rental for <$500. By saving the pet travel and one one way ticket, I actually won't spend too much more. In total, I might spend $500 more. I prefer to not tow as i suck at driving smoothly. I like my dogs too much to let them fly under the plane or jammed under the seat. I plan to pick up the rental on Friday, leave on Saturday and get to Californee way by Friday. UNKNOWN_370 likes this.

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05-09-2013, 10:11 AM	#16 (permalink)
fonzo179 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: A Fantasy World Posts: 1,707 Drives: 2014 Audi Q5 3.0T Rep Power: 20	BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) - Z not a family car. I would recommend you trailer your Z, out of consideration for the dogs, baby stuff, elbow room and protecting your car. Being single with no kids and no pets, I had the pleaseure of driving my Z cross country with total freedom. I drove my Z from Fort Lewis WA, to Barstow CA, through Dallas TX to Richmond VA to see my family. Then drove to Pittsburg PA before coming over here to North Dakota. Cramped as Hell, but a trip I would definately take again (racing BMW's, cruising the Oregon mountain passes, gently rolling Virginia hills...amazing!) If you absolutely must take the Z on the road, obviously wear and tear is inevidible, but mine survived the 7 day trip rather well. Just take it easy when you get to NM/AZ. Upgrade the cooling system if you can...otherwise the desert heat will keep you at 230-245* even on cruise control.

05-09-2013, 11:56 AM	#18 (permalink)
Fountainhead Track Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: FL Posts: 834 Drives: 2019 Civic Type R Rep Power: 14	I always choose flight over driving, especially in your situation, relocating/moving, that's stressful enough and adding days of driving isn't going to help. Put your health first, dogs second. I've flown our cats and dogs several times and somehow they survived! I've ALSO driven from MS to NY with dogs panting and stinking, cats meowling, all the animals are miserable, finding hotels that are pet friendly, keeping the cats and dogs in the room (pet friendly means that the hotel charges you a LOT for ANYTHING attributable to animal damage), can't eat except in parking lot because animals are with you, so that was stressful too. Last move (NY to FL) I drove the Honda down, flew back up and shipped our other car in the moving van, and flew the animals down to FL. That wasn't easy but it was WAY easier than our previous drive up to NY from MS.

05-09-2013, 12:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
XTZZZZ Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Midwest for now Posts: 79 Drives: My wife Crazy Rep Power: 13	I did Midwest to Florida a few times alone 9to14hours I was fine even with 4 titanium vertebrae.. Now the wife hated It and says she won't do it again.. Witch is just fine with me! I like the car Better then her anyway so I win! I have done the cross country Not going to lie. It blows.. Bad.. If you drive her invest in Bra. 3m clear or or old school. Do it. You will need a repaint on the facia If you don't.. Good luck!

05-09-2013, 01:33 PM	#21 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27409	I drive 1500 round-trip to the beach every summer and I love it. If you've got 8 days to do it, you could have a pretty sweet road trip.

05-09-2013, 02:44 PM	#22 (permalink)
Bking Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 298 Drives: 40th Z Rep Power: 14	I say fly the dogs. It's just a few hours of flight. If you're driving then it's gonna be many more hours of them being cramped in a car anyway, and you gotta let the dogs out every now and then. Not time-efficient nor cost-effective imo.

05-09-2013, 03:19 PM	#23 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	My dog is 17lbs, she is going to have a tough time getting under the seat for five hours. Plus some of the baby items will be very difficult to get onto the airplane or sit in storage while we are at the apartment suite. That's the reason why I want to drive across country, so I can take as much as I can. The plan was to use a van as I don't want to drive a Uhaul truck. I do have a full week to drive, so I will limit myself to driving 8-10 hours only. Of course I have to speak with the specialist to see what they will pay for, I am trying to do this without spending a penny. If they want to pay for a Uhaul with me trailering the car, I could do it too. I prefer not to since towing is a big mess

05-09-2013, 04:53 PM	#25 (permalink)
MZ370Z Base Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 36 Drives: Likea Bat outta Hell Rep Power: 12	I drove my 350Z from Napa CA to Marlton NJ, 2400 miles in 24 hours and i only drove 8 hours a day and NO Tickets... It was a fun trip but NE smells like Cow poo, the whole frickin state... lol ...

05-09-2013, 08:58 PM	#27 (permalink)
olddudesrule Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 252 Drives: 2012 Nismo Rep Power: 12	Drive it! Done the xcountry drive a dozen time, and it's worth it for the adventure and scenery (sometime) alone!