Long distance break-in
 

So I finally found my BRZ but it's far away. Very far away. 1200 miles far away. (and it will still be cheaper than buying local!) Now, I've broken in cars before and best I can tell it's never really been a big deal, but I'm a little bit concerned with driving at interstate speeds for such a long period of time. Will it be sufficient to vary my speed by 5ish MPH and/or downshift every 15-30 minutes, or is it better to somewhat regularly bring the car up and down from speed? It may be a bit of a silly question, but I'd like to do everything I can to keep this car running as long as possible. :D

That's fine, just don't stick to one speed and/or one gear for such a long time. Just vary the speed, let the rpms drop down, then give it a little extra gas to have it accelerate back to a higher speed. Drop down a gear every so often, or don't be afraid to make pit stops too, if needed.

Are you really pressed for time on the return trip? Do you have to take the interstate? Ideally you would take secondary roads as you'd likely be going through towns and have more stops than on the interstate. When I was breaking in my Mini Cooper a few years back I was travelling from central Ohio to St Louis, and instead of taking I-70 all the way like I usually do, I took Route 40 instead. Took about an hour longer, but I drove through a lot of small towns and saw a lot of cool sights I wouldn't have if I had been on the freeway. If you are pressed for time, maybe try to alternate an hour on and an hour off (or however it works out) on the freeway as the route works out.

A couple members have posted pulling some long return road trips picking up their cars. I think it's an EXCELLENT idea. I wish I could do the same but I'm doing a trade as part of the purchase and driving out somewhere only to have them try to screw me on my trade because they think they've got me by the balls and leaving would not be desirable.

Plus owe two more payments on my existing vehicle and my elderly grandmother is the cosigner so she'd need to come with and THAT would not be enjoyable in the least.


I was going to suggest this too. Don't take the interstate OR plan a route that takes you on and off the freeways.

Sadly, I'm trying to work two 20 hour drives, a wedding, and a car purchase into 5 or 6 days so I'm kind of stuck with the interstates for the most part. I'll be making the trip over two days though, so there is a chance of taking some small detours, but I won't be touring the back roads of America on this trip. :(

Good to know that I just need to vary up the speed a little bit, I'll enjoy the trip a whole lot more if I'm not ducking off at exits every half hour, haha.

Bring your own GPS, as the stock nav might get you lost or delayed while searching for satellites! Also bring a small pillow for lumbar support!