Top Gear style road trip, August 7th-16th

[Decay107]

@thehapaone @Chen and I have discussed putting together a "Top Gear" style road trip this summer and it would be awesome to get a decent sized group. Basically, for those not familiar with the format, we set a budget (think cheap!) and each person is responsible for finding themselves a car they believe will make the trip. Bonus points for how interesting/brave/ill equipped each car is for the journey. The destination could be anywhere around 1000 miles from PDX to make it a bit of a challenge (I'm thinking Vegas). If there is some interest, we can define the rules destination and on route challenges here in the thread, but it should be a fun chance to flog an old beater for a week or so then resell for whatever you paid*

*assuming you finish with a working car

Some specifics, all still very flexible:


The Cars: Anything you can find in the price range, must have 2 or more seats

Cost Target: $600 cars, and we will list them for sale at $800 on Craigslist at the destination before setting out. This both allows the potential to turn a small profit, and prevents people from overspending.

Destination: Las Vegas

Challenges: Standard tests like fuel economy and reliability. I’d also like to time it so we can hit an autocross (and maybe a rallycross) along the way, plus anything else we can come up with.

Time Frame: Right now I’m looking at late July / early August, and it should be about 1 week total.

Prize: Currently undefined, perhaps the winner doesn't have to pay their share of the hotel costs at the destination. Let’s be realistic though, the real prize here is being able to look your peers in the eyes and say “ha ha, I’m better than you”

Schedule: Current plan is August 7th through the 16th
-You'll want to buy a car by early June to get the title all squared away.
-We can compete in the Chehalisfest rallycross on July 25th, perhaps also go camping while in the area. http://oregonrally.com/rallycross/
-Repair car over next 2 weeks
-Leave Friday August 7th heading south to Medford
-Compete in ACCO autocross on the 8th. http://www.where2race.com/events/vie...ge-autocross-6
-Then head to Vegas
-Return on the 16th

There seems to be a fair amount of interest, so I'm starting a list

Currently In:
@Decay107
@thehapaone
@Chen

Tentative
@BRZPDX (RS4PDX)
@DarrenDriven

Expressed interest
@Dvipercop (you did say "us" )
@RobertPaulson ?

A note on titles (Oregon): I checked over some of my more recent titles today and found that oregon no longer allows for multiple reassignments on one title. This means if you want things to go smoothly when you sell your best bet is to buy your car about 2 months in advance (so early June) and get a proper title in your name. You can always try to title jump, but I've had mixed luck with it in the past and you might end up unable to sell quickly at the end (plus it's illegal).

Or you could get lucky and find yourself with a 10 or so year old title...

[RobertPaulson]

this sounds like a fun trip, subscribed to follow it.

[Chen]

Let's get more interest!

[ipsum]

This sounds like a lot of fun. Made me look at local craigslist for cars under $500.

[FRS-cotty]

Originally Posted by ipsum

This sounds like a lot of fun. Made me look at local craigslist for cars under $500.

haha I did the same. Found a Datsun 210. Wish I could do this but I won't have time off from work to be able to.

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by ipsum

This sounds like a lot of fun. Made me look at local craigslist for cars under $500.

So that means your in right?

Originally Posted by FRS-cotty

haha I did the same. Found a Datsun 210. Wish I could do this but I won't have time off from work to be able to.

That 210 is a shell, it would take a brave and foolhardy soul to start out with a motor transplant. Then again, from the time I've spent perusing the extreme low end of the market, many of us will be fixing head gaskets or transmissions so it's not a huge leap to engine swap.

*edt: NVM it appears that one actually has an engine

[thehapaone]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4926152830.html

A little over the budget but a steal either way

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by thehapaone

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4926152830.html

A little over the budget but a steal either way

Yeah, but -4 points on the jalopmeter (raw score)

http://www.jalopmeter.com/

[Dvipercop]

With Jeremy Clarksons recent suspension from the BBC, perhaps he would be free to go with us? Haha

[thehapaone]

So jalopmeter factors into our score...I'll just have to win all the challenges

[ipsum]

Originally Posted by Decay107

So that means your in right?

Potentially, haha.
Already emailed a guy with a Volvo 240. 135 points on jalopmeter.
But that's a long shot.

Welp, now I'm also checking on this "carolla":
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4917626114.html

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by thehapaone

So jalopmeter factors into our score...I'll just have to win all the challenges

Unless you want me choosing a point value to represent the relative coolness of your car instead...

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by ipsum

Potentially, haha.
Already emailed a guy with a Volvo 240. 135 points on jalopmeter.
But that's a long shot.

Welp, now I'm also checking on this "carolla":
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4917626114.html

Whoa slow down! This is still many months away. Though, I'm also considering and old Swedish brick for this trip...

[BRZPDX]

This sounds fun. when someone retires, do we have a rescue van? I guess we can just leave the car on the street with a "free car" sign.