Driving a $1000 car from San Francisco to Palatka, FL

Alright, it's looking like I'm going to be doing a fly and drive. It's an 1988 Accord LXi with a ton of rare parts. Engine has a knock, but I have a short block available on the left coast if I need it. New CV axles will be installed and the transmission repaired. It may need a new clutch. A new clutch comes with the car.

Would any of you like to hear the story of my adventure? Does video blogging (youtube/vimeo), web blogging with pictures, or perhaps seeing the story in a magazine sound like something everyone here would want to see?

I'd read it. Though, what's especially rare on an Accord?

The main parts that are rare is the DC Sports header and rear disc brake swap that comes with it. A lot of not so rare, but expensive, parts are also included. Tires are fairly new, wheels are Integra meshes. Being a Cali car, it has a rust free body, unlike my 1989 Accord that's lived in FL all of its life.

I'd read it

I'd read it too!

Derick Freese wrote: Alright, it's looking like I'm going to be doing a fly and drive. It's an 1988 Accord LXi with a ton of rare parts. Engine has a knock, but I have a short block available on the left coast if I need it. New CV axles will be installed and the transmission repaired. It may need a new clutch. A new clutch comes with the car. Would any of you like to hear the story of my adventure? Does video blogging (youtube/vimeo), web blogging with pictures, or perhaps seeing the story in a magazine sound like something everyone here would want to see?

You might want to carry a few basic tools with you.

In reply to 1988RedT2:

Yeah, plus a cell phone, CB/radio and food and water. Just pick the last place you'd like to break down, and bring the things you'd want to have with you if that were to happen. Good luck, and please do keep us posted.

I'll be carrying a set of tools that I pick up when I get there. Most of the issues will be fixed before I depart, but it's still a 25 year old car.

id read the story. you must be braver/younger than me....

Florida car that isn't rust free? Do you park it on the beach?

Derick Freese wrote: Alright, it's looking like I'm going to be doing a fly and drive. It's an 1988 Accord LXi with a ton of rare parts. Engine has a knock, but I have a short block available on the left coast if I need it. New CV axles will be installed and the transmission repaired. It may need a new clutch. A new clutch comes with the car. Would any of you like to hear the story of my adventure? Does video blogging (youtube/vimeo), web blogging with pictures, or perhaps seeing the story in a magazine sound like something everyone here would want to see?

Sounds like an adventure! I'll read or watch. When do you leave?

Did you say that the engine is knocking? Three thousand mile trip? Probably limited on time? Yep, I say go for it. sounds like something I would do.

Been watching Roadkill, this is especially relevant to my interests

I'm 50/50 on the bottom end. I have a short block available to me if needed.

Right now, this is in the planning stages, but it seems to be happening quickly. Who knew I'd be collecting 3rd generation Accords, save for maybe my wife.

In reply to DirtyBird222:

I have no clue, man. These cars tend to rust even if you keep them garaged. There's a design flaw that traps water in a corner in the trunk and it rusts out the rear quarter panels from the inside out. Repaints also tend to be done poorly, sealing off some of the undersized water gutters. That's the big issue with my car.

Might even post your route and schedule in case you need some grassroots support...or lunch!

Bruce

Of course we would like to read about it.

Why aren't you on the plane yet ?

Once I start planning my route, it will be posted. There's a high likelihood of needing to fix something, so having some friendly garages would be wonderful.

For now, the tentative plan is to go through CO, and stop by Flyin' Miata, then start making my way east. If you want to have a beer, or even better, offer up a place to sleep for the night, that would be really cool and would add to the adventure.

Got a home base garage in the Bay area, so I have a place to work on the car before the trip. Awesome.

If you're going via I-80, we might be able to offer crash space (but we're only 4h out of SF so that might not be useful). I also have a reasonable toolkit so you might be able to do some emergency repair up here if necessary...

When is this going down?

My current plan is flying out mid-August and driving back home over about a week.

I would definitely read this! I've always liked these cars. Is the LXi the hatch? Oh, and I'm also a little jealous...I've always wanted to do a fly-n-drive cross country trek. Keep us posted!

I had an 88 LXi coupe in college. Great car. I'm right off I-75 not far south of Macon GA. If you need a friendly port of call. We can probably throw out an air mattress for you to crash on too, depending on the date.