Originally posted (without my snarky italicized comments) at Jalopnik.
10. Mazda MX-5 Retractable Hardtop
Starts off well. If you pack very light.
9. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Oh, this’ll be just great on the highway. I thought they said weekend trip, not off-roading camping expedition.
8. Maserati Gran Turismo S
Might as well add a Bentley while we’re at it.
7. Volkswagen Tiguan
Nope.
6. MINI Cooper Clubman
Do you have so much stuff it won’t fit in a Cooper with the rear seats folded?
5. Ford Ranger FX4
This is a joke, right?
4. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
I’m sure my girlfriend would love a 5 hour drive with me keeping one of these on a rolling boil.
3. BMW X6
I’d rather not send the villagers running.
2. Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 XT
Makes the most sense out of any car on the list.
1. Porsche 911 Targa 4
Sure, and do me a favor, fill the trunk with diamonds.
The Berkowitz list (and they’re all under $50k): Subaru Outback 2.5 XT, Dodge Challenger SRT8, BMW 335i, Ford Explorer, Ford Flex, Mazda MX-5, Volkswagen Jetta TDI or 2.0T, Saab 9-3 Convertible, MINI Cooper S, and Suzuki SX4.
I don’t know what the base is, but I don’t think it is possible to get a Boxster off the lot for under 50k.
Only thing missing from either list: a convertible with more than notional trunk room. As such, may I nominate, err, ah, uh, the Camry Solara?
Umm…
Ok, how about a trailer for the Miata?
The idea of taking an Evo out for a nice leisurely jaunt through the countryside with the family (as opposed to attacking some twisty roads solo) is hilarious to me for some reason. I know they’ve made the latest gen more civilized, but come on
And I would rather not even think about the type of person that would find a Ford Ranger the ideal car for a weekend trip
The Maserati comment is hilarious too
@Detroit-Iron:
Now that I think about it, you’re right. Let’s stick to real world prices. Post edited to remove my hypocrisy.
The fall is when I like to take my Jeep out to Moab for the weekend. It’s much cooler than in the summertime.
I like Jalopnik, but when they come up with this as why they like the Clubman, I cringe at the lack of thought going into the writing:
“Best Fall Feature: The rear doors are hinged, allowing for easy loading of large objects and luggage”
All rear doors are hinged. All doors are hinged. That’s what makes it a door, right?
And then there’s the editing…
“Best Fun Feature: Heavy duty schocks”
BMW X6
Has anyone actually seen one of these without demo plates? Here in ‘Car-as-a-fashion-statement’ west Houston I’ve seen not a single one.
And I would rather not even think about the type of person that would find a Ford Ranger the ideal car for a weekend trip
My father. Well, given the choice, probably he’d take an F-150, but he owns a Ranger and loves it.
We should call this the Berkolist.
Hmmm… Lexapro or hypermiling?
Keep Farago away from government… he’s after our precious bodily fluids!
We must not allow a Fender Vent gap!!
Convertible: The MX-5 is obvious, for more people I would suggest the Mustang convertible. Boxster S / Corvette convertible / 335i convertible if the budget allows.
Gas Mileage: The Prius then the Civic sedan; if the “new” restriction is taken off the table then Honda Insight by a mile.
Grand Touring: 335i, G37.
Space: Diesel Dodge Mercedes Benz Sprinter passenger van or RV conversion.
Not a bad list; works for many people, types of trips, and weather.
How much do you pack on a weekend trip? The MX5 and Mini would be perfect for 2 people.
The Ranger might be ideal for those that do a little antique shopping, camping, fishing, etc…like many do in the Rockies around fall-time. Same with the Wrangler (and a small open trailer if you’re buying stuff).
My 3 wagon is an ideal little car for a weekend trip at any time of the year. Pleasant ride and great handling, sunroof, plenty of power for most circumstances, and room for whatever you might bring…I’ve curled up in it when snow hit my campsite! Actually the Outback (or an XC70) might be my preferred vehicle now.
My ideal weekend car would be an old air-cooled Porsche 911/912. Images of leaves fluttering behind it, on a curvy mountain road makes my day much better now.
psarhjinian :
There’s a difference between owning a Ranger (I’m sure a small truck is a very useful thing for a number of people) and choosing it as the ideal car for a weekend getaway, assuming a nearly limitless budget (at least this list seems to have a very high price ceiling given the presence of the 911 and Maserati)
There’s a difference between owning a Ranger (I’m sure a small truck is a very useful thing for a number of people) and choosing it as the ideal car for a weekend getaway, assuming a nearly limitless budget
I know. And that’s what makes it perverse. I can easily imagine my father doing precisely that.
Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax and Lance slide in camper.
A compact pickup or SUV (3500lb tow capacity) and a fold up trailer would work well for warmer times or climates.
mini, or a bmw m coupe.
i just spent a week on maui with a rental mustang convertible. thumbs up to having a convertible, thumbs down to the mustang (with the v6 anyway). i wanted a mini convertible for the week but it was just too expensive.
BMW Z4
with a trunk capable of holding 9 cubic inches, its larger than some sedans.
My wife and I enjoyed our Z4 on many a couples getaway before we had a child and had to get a 4 door sedan (WEAK!).
oh look – an add for a Boxster lease @ 560/month for 36 months at the bottom of the page . . . . I leased my Z4 for $340/month, and it eats a base Boxster alive (though, ok, I’ll admit, it doesn’t deliver a similar driving experience).
Any convertible is fine if the point is cruising more than caning the shit out of it. Even a Sebring. As for the trunk space – tell the girl all she needs to pack is lingerie for the b&b inn.
Sprinter RV? Three words – Becker Jet Van.
A VW Westfalia/Weekender/Camper. Small enough to drive like a normal vehicle, large enough to have some space for the kids to spread out inside, and good for camping in the Fall. Plenty of power to haul bikes and camping gear and the dog.
Not likely to be traveling far from home without the kids.
Mini Clubman? BMW X6???? WTF? What is happening at Jalopnik? How could they recommend the BMW X6 for anything, ever? I missed this article when it came out. Having read it, I am disappointed and terrified.
I doubt TTAC would like the Outback; although it has nicer interior, it leans more in turns, rides harsher, uses more fuel, clunks driveline and is slower than the ’09 Forester XT. It does have more turbo rush and the fiddly SI drive, though. :-)
I used to have a ranger, well a Mazda B-3000. My then girlfriend and I used to take it on weekend trips all the time. All the luggage suffed in the back of the cab with her dog sitting on top of it (jack russel) and 2 bikes in the bed.
it was an awsome weekend vehicle
Originally posted (without my snarky italicized comments) by Berkowitz:
Subaru Outback 2.5 XT
Sure, functional I guess.
Dodge Challenger SRT8
Sure, and do me a favor, fill the trunk with diamonds to pawn for gas
BMW 335i
Yes, sedan of course
Ford Explorer
This is a joke, right?
Ford Flex
If I had to.
Mazda MX-5
Yes, good excuse to pack light.
Volkswagen Jetta TDI or 2.0T
Sure, functional and efficient.
Saab 9-3 Convertible
Why a Saab?
MINI Cooper S
Yes.
Suzuki SX4.
I’m not sure?
I remember taking trips in dad’s ’04 9-3 Aero 2.0T 6-speed convertible. That car was perfect for road trips. Drop top, heated seats, great air-con, it turned like 2100rpm at 80mph in sixth, got 30mpg+ on a steady cruise, and man the torque is fun. Too bad that car was broken all the time. Now he’s gotten himself a boring Japanese car.
I dont get the diamond joke. please explain.
Also I’d like an Integra Type R for such a trip.
An E34 525i is also nice. Manual also.
The Wrangler Unlimited is actually the perfect fall long-haul vehicle. Loads of space, decent stock stereo, quiet engine on the highway (if you can stand a little wind noise) and fair on gas if you feather the pedal. If it gets hot, remove the roof panels.
Plus, when you get bored of the asphalt, detour through the fireroads and enjoy the foliage.
Subaru Outback 2.5 XT
Meh
Dodge Challenger SRT8
Yes, but will it still be great for trip 2,3,x?
BMW 335i
Sure, wagon/coupe/convertible/sedan…all are fine.
Ford Explorer
This is a joke, right?
Ford Flex
Meh.
Mazda MX-5
Not a big fan.
Volkswagen Jetta TDI or 2.0T
Audi A3/Golf GTI?
Saab 9-3 Convertible
Eventhough the soft-top rules, I’d still rather have a 3-series convertible or even the ageing A4 convertible.
MINI Cooper S
If it’s a Cooper S Works.
Suzuki SX4.
Nah-ah.
I take the minivan. Yes I have kids, but even if I didn’t I would still take the minivan instead of my Boxster. It’s quiet and comfortable. You can take everything you need with you. It’s big inside.
My wife has a nice Lex RX330 but the minivan is just more comfortable on longer trips so we usually take it instead.
My last weekend trip, I took a gsx-r 600, wore 20 pounds of gear, put on a backpack full of clothes, and cargo-netted a bag to the passenger seat :) This was into VERY heavy rain in WI to see ama superbike at elkhart lake.
Yeah, my wife does think I’m a loon sometimes.
BMW X6
Has anyone actually seen one of these without demo plates? Here in ‘Car-as-a-fashion-statement’ west Houston I’ve seen not a single one.
I’ve seen the back of ONE in Northern NJ, while I expected it to be everywhere…..and I narrowingly avoided puking in my car.
As for week-end cars, my wfie, brother and I went for a week-long camping trip in Quebec and Maine in our 2002 VW Golf. And guess what? Not only did it swallow everything we put in the trunk, with one seat down, but it remained pretty comfy, and cruising at 80mph was a breeze….
since the outback is the best choice and the evo is still too raw (according to most on here), why not the 2009 sti? it soft enough to no longer be much of an sti, offers wagon utility and should still (hopefully) be more of a hoot to drive the the 2.5L turbo outback.
(if it’s not then it’s time for subaru to kill the sti model stateside)
Audi S4. It’s an Evo for grown ups. Fun, comfortable, and no wings to attract attention from the cops. Second choice: BMW 540i Sport.