So I'm picking up my new car in a couple of days and will drive it back to Chicago. I will try to drive it all the way back, but I'm not sure if that's going to be possible if I get too tired. I might stay in a hotel midway, but I'm nervous about leaving the car in a hotel parking lot in an area I'm not too familiar with. I am even thinking of sleeping in the car out of paranoia...... tips, suggestions?

 

bring along some blue painters tape and make yourself a makeshift bra since you will be doing alot of highway driving, it will help minimize any chances of nicks or rock chips while you are driving. as far as parking the car in the lit portion of the lot, and not having anything visibile for theft, you should be fine... don't stay at one of those dodgy places... go to a place like knights inn or something...

 

I would stay at a good hotel. Some place with a fair amount of activity. I always like Hampton Inns or Holiday Inns. That usually where I stay when I travel and never had a problem with my car.

And like KAM said, blue painter's tape will help minimize the rock damage.

Where are you picking the car up?

 

Actually, it's not the motel as much as the area. Try to find out if there's a "good part of town" where you think you'll stop and try to find a place there. Or one with a parking garage.

 

IMO, best place to steal a car. Unless they have a ton of security.

 

Picking the car up in Fairfax, Virginia in a couple of days....about 10-11 hours drive to Chicago.

 

Normally i just leave the car by the front door of the hotel. Someones always at the desk and its well lite.

Have fun man!!

 

I was thinking a parking garage would be the best bet, but at the same time...I know of two cars that were stolen from parking garages a few years ago.

 

Man up and drive it through!!

Just take plenty of rest stops and caffeine. You're afraid of staying awake during your inaugural drive in the NSX!? You crazy!

 

^ Normally i would agree but not sure how 10 hours in a NSX would feel.

 

I fell asleap on the wheel once. I would rather live then "man up."

 

what time of day are you picking up the car? If its in the morning I don't see how 10hrs of driving would be an issue. Ive done 11hrs to and from Maine with out an issue leaving in the morning.

If you must stay in a hotel like the other have said find a good hotel in a good town. If you are still worried about it don't stop, or trailer it

Good Luck and don't get a ticket

 

I'm hoping to leave around 3-4pm... the drive should be around 11 hours and 45 minutes. Driving non-stop probably will be too much.

 

See if another Azine Member will let you park the car in their drive way.

What will be your route back to Chicago?

Based on Mapquest, you are driving right past my place, but fairly early in your trip. I would gladly let you have my garage for the evening. Your mid point looks to be around Pittsburgh.

 

^ thanks man, I do appreciate it. But I think I want to drive a bit more west before I stop. I also am on the fence on this idea, but I feel bad because I don't want to inconvenience anyone. I think I will just take my chances and stay at a hotel with a garage. The car does have Lo-Jack.

 

Sounds like a great excuse for a little road trip. With a car such as an NSX, it should be very enjoyable.

I've purchased cars from remote destinations and always enjoyed the drive back home. Made the purchase of the car that much more pleasurable. Some have been quite collectable and drew plenty of attention, but I've never had a problem. I would definitely make sure the car is serviced and such things as the tires and fluids are all in order. Make sure the spare has air and the jack is in place. Do you have a road side assistance plan? if not, it may be worthwhile to pick one up before you pick up the car. As CS said, parking in front of the hotel generally isn't a problem if you inquire and explain the situation. I've done this a number of times and everyone was very accommodating. The worst I've had to do was move the car very early in the morning for the shuttle service. Small inconvenience.

Have a great drive.

Terry

 

If possible, take someone with you and have him/her drive a part of the time.

 

If you are leaving that late in the day-don't push it-it's just not worth it. Driving at night just plain stinks-and falling asleep at the wheel is nothing to laugh about (my father totaled a car that way-thank god he wasn't injured).

 

Could just drive 5 hours, take a nap at a rest stop, then drive another 5 hours.

 

+1 on taking someone with you to keep you company and share the drive but I am not sure if you'd let someone else drive your beloved NSX . Also as others suggested, just take a nap in the car every few hours or so before making it back to Chicago.

 

Ill drive it back for you.

 

10-11 hrs really isnt bad for a drive all at once. If your rested before the trip it will be easy. Take breaks when you feel fatigued and rest up. I do the non stop drive from WI to Ft. Meyers all the time. If your going to stay at hotels plan the trip out and find the hotel thats in a better area of where you would like to stay.

 

Take a detour and hit the tail of the dragon!!!!

 

you can go to VA, spend the night at a hotel there, pick up the NSX early in the morning and drive back before nighttime

 

oh and get one of these Spray on bras for the car
you just wash it off when your done

 

i do new york to chicago in one day. Start at 3 or 4 AM. much easier i think. 800 some miles.

 

Stay clear of the flooded states

 

I drove from Cali to WA when I got my tsx. I didn't wanted to nick or rock chip my brand new tsx, so I bought some blue painters tape. I taped up front bumper, hood (half-way), Mirrors, and fenders.

If you are planning on stopping somewhere then I really suggest that you stop around 8-9pm when the sun is still up. Find a decent hotel, spend a night there, and get up early in the moring and start driving again. You definitely don't want to drive late night because there is always chances of hitting a dear or other some sort of animals at late night.

Good luck,

I can't wait to see your nsx.

 

Great idea on the blue painter's tape. I wish someone had told me that when I went to pick up my car in NJ and drove it back down.

When I had calculated my trip, I thought I would be spending a night at a motel, too. But when I had gotten close to home, I just drove straight through after stopping to eat, fill up, use the bathroom, etc along the way. And that was a 14+ hours drive. You'll be surprised at how quickly you could get home driving at highway speeds especially in a car that makes you smile from ear to ear.

 

seriously, don't trip. You'll be find. As you know, i've done a LOT of off beat driving. I've parked 100K cars in some of the oddest hotels you'll ever find. You will be absolutely fine. If you are really paranoid, talk to the front desk, ask them where the safest spot to park is.


Seriously, if I were you, and I had just picked up my NSX, i'd be in ZERO hurry to get home. Take a few days to do it. Grab a map and find some cool roads to drive.

You won't get this opportunity often. Nothing would be more boring to me then picking up a new car and spending hours to get home on the freeway.


Find and empty road and enjoy. DO NOT RUSH THIS!


The next car I buy I'm picking up it up on the east coast or them midwest and going to take a few days driving it home.

 

Errm, park the car in the SELLER's driveway and stay at a hotel nearby then drive home the next day.

Car is safe and blah blah blah

 

Is there a set time you have to pick it up??

When I got my TSX I drove it all the way from Kansas City down to Houston. Left the dealership around 1:30 and got back about 12:45 in the morning. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it definitely helps when there is someone in the car you can talk with. If you get tired, don't be ashamed to pull over...I know I would rather spend a few bucks on a nights stay then have my brand new car in a heaping pile of metal just because I fell asleep thinking I would be able to make it.

Btw...I don't understand this painters tape thing yall speak of. Mind informing me?? lol

 

Dude, now that I know you are picking up the car in Fairfax, let me map out some roads for you! Take some time to do it dude, trust me.


Also, good luck finding a hotel with a garage.....I've literally stayed in 100+ hotels and maybe 5-10% have a garage, and 8% of those were $300+ a night places

 

...way to make me feel like a dick...

 

You can find them more in the large cities. I'm sure Pittsburgh will have a bunch. But it will cost a pretty penny, and I feel safer staying at a small place in a more rural area.

How about staying at a B&B? Most of them are really quiet, clean and safe. And will probably not cost that much.

 

I was going to suggest bringing a friend since he doesn't want to "man up"...

Taking a nap 1/2 way would work too... I've slept in rest areas for 1-3 hours before to "freshen up"...

I drove (solo) a 97 Bonneville with a uhaul trailer down to FL and did it in two 12 hour drives... 12 hours in a NSX has gotta be a hell of a lot more easier and definitely a lot mroe fun

 

I do 15 hours on my twice-yearly trip to CO, but I know not everyone is able to do that, and I get away with it because I start early AM (6 AM). Since you're planning to leave in the late afternoon, I do not advise that.

I would take RaviNJCLs' advice and stop at a Holiday Inn or other reputable chain hotel, parking near the entrance. I do this with my RL, remove all obviously visible theft magnet objects from the car, and I make sure I have a window suite. An alternate option is to park right next to or under the window of the room you're renting. That way, you can check on the car on a regular basis.

Lots of small towns outside of the Cleveland metro area here, along the Turnpike that are very safe to stop in without fear of being jacked.

 

Take someone with you , like a cousin or somebody. This will make the trip more enjoyable, and you guys can switch off at times.... My brother does this all the time, hes bought about 5 cars from all over the country and drove them back. The furthest one for him was Miami Florida.

 

12 hours is pretty easy, but if you dont feel comfortable, pick out a hotel halfway from hotels.com or something. As long as you park it under lights and dont leave anything it should be fine. I wouldnt mention anything to anyone because those hotel people are shady.

I adore trips by myself. Good music and a fun car is all you need. Just sucks being a woman sometimes because it can be dangerous to be out in the middle of nowhere by yourself...certainly hasnt stopped me though, I just tell everyone someone is coming with me.

 

synth. man up. ok don't hate me now. I have to drive from LA to Miami about 3 days with 8 hours of sleep