When it comes to fuel-efficiency, diesels have it made. Why wouldn't you choose a diesel to haul you and your buddies cross-country? Your trips to gas stations would be limited and you could spend your cash on better things like road-side attractions and french fry stands.
But which one?
Unfortunately, our choice of diesels in Canada are pretty limited. Either you're looking at a pickup or a VW. Sure there are a few BMWs and Mercedes available with the “d” badge, but they're a bit too mundane for the epic road trip you're inevitably going to have.
I say it's high time we forgot about the price of gas. Ideally, you'll be travelling with 2-3 buddies and all pitching in for gas (I should hope), so that'll lighten the load. So, let's get back to the original question: What's my favourite road-trip car?
This is going to sound a bit cliche for anyone who knows me, but hear me out. The most fun I've ever had road-tripping in a car has been in a MINI. From camping to cottage trips, highway shots to city exploring and navigating, MINI has always been the winner.
Camping in a convertible Cooper S JCW edition was possibly the best outdoor experience I've had in a while (where the car was the same size as our tent and saved us tons of open space on our rented lot and made for a fantastically entertaining dirt road adventure to the site), and winding through narrow, old-city streets in Quebec City in a MINI Countryman was a blast and proved the larger MINI's nimble ways.
Now, I know I said room and comfort were important, which is why I'd suggest the brand new MINI Countryman S. You get the spunk and power of the 1.6-litre turbo and the room of 4 full seats and a trunk that's actually useable.
The MINI offers that go-kart feel (truly it does), no matter where you are and I guarantee you'll have a blast with your road-trip buddies on your epic journey to enlightenment – or the next town over, whichever comes first.
But which one?
Unfortunately, our choice of diesels in Canada are pretty limited. Either you're looking at a pickup or a VW. Sure there are a few BMWs and Mercedes available with the “d” badge, but they're a bit too mundane for the epic road trip you're inevitably going to have.
I say it's high time we forgot about the price of gas. Ideally, you'll be travelling with 2-3 buddies and all pitching in for gas (I should hope), so that'll lighten the load. So, let's get back to the original question: What's my favourite road-trip car?
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| 2009 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
This is going to sound a bit cliche for anyone who knows me, but hear me out. The most fun I've ever had road-tripping in a car has been in a MINI. From camping to cottage trips, highway shots to city exploring and navigating, MINI has always been the winner.
Camping in a convertible Cooper S JCW edition was possibly the best outdoor experience I've had in a while (where the car was the same size as our tent and saved us tons of open space on our rented lot and made for a fantastically entertaining dirt road adventure to the site), and winding through narrow, old-city streets in Quebec City in a MINI Countryman was a blast and proved the larger MINI's nimble ways.
Now, I know I said room and comfort were important, which is why I'd suggest the brand new MINI Countryman S. You get the spunk and power of the 1.6-litre turbo and the room of 4 full seats and a trunk that's actually useable.
The MINI offers that go-kart feel (truly it does), no matter where you are and I guarantee you'll have a blast with your road-trip buddies on your epic journey to enlightenment – or the next town over, whichever comes first.