On one of my long road trips (MA to FL) I found that

I'm heading out from Seattle to Ottawa (Canada) in a week or so in my '01 Boxster S (54K miles on her). Roughly 2,500 miles by the time it's all said and done. I've done long day trips before (Seattle to Salt Lake City) but never a trip like this. Any advice on things I should do or take "just in case"? So far...

- changed the oil & replaced the front brake pads (other maintenace all up to date and tires all in good shape)
- made sure my AAA membership was up-to-date
- got the fancy gel seat for the driver
- extra quart of oil in the frunk
- hidden key
- I just ordered one of those cup pilot cup holders. I can't stand trying to shift with a hot coffee in one hand.
- usual other stuff: iPhone, iPad, Verizon Mi-Fi (I'll be a traveling Wi-Fi "hot spot")

I'm looking for any suggestions on car stuff I should be thinking about or creature comforts. I typically drive ~850 miles a day.

FYI, in case you're interested, my route is I-90E to I-94E, cut over to Duluth, cross Michigan's upper peninsula, cross into Canada at Sault Ste-Marie and then Hwy-17 the rest of the way.

Any advice appreciated! I've taken our Pontiac Vibe the last two summers. Can't stand leaving the Boxster at home this summer!

Advice: Be prepared for a loooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnng case of Permagrin. Any road trip in a Boxster is a treat to be enjoyed. We did 7,000 mile road trip to California and back here to Kitchener (about 250 miles from Ottawa) 3 years ago and enjoyed every second of the trip.

I always carry a cooler with some drinks and snacks for some of those long wide open stretches (there are lots of those in Montana and South Dakota with longer distances between fuel and food).

Sounds like you've got everything pretty much covered.

Have a great trip.

Quote
Dunkirk
I'm heading out from Seattle to Ottawa (Canada) in a week or so in my '01 Boxster S (54K miles on her). Roughly 2,500 miles by the time it's all said and done. I've done long day trips before (Seattle to Salt Lake City) but never a trip like this. Any advice on things I should do or take "just in case"? So far...

- changed the oil & replaced the front brake pads (other maintenace all up to date and tires all in good shape)
- made sure my AAA membership was up-to-date
- got the fancy gel seat for the driver
- extra quart of oil in the frunk
- hidden key
- I just ordered one of those cup pilot cup holders. I can't stand trying to shift with a hot coffee in one hand.
- usual other stuff: iPhone, iPad, Verizon Mi-Fi (I'll be a traveling Wi-Fi "hot spot")

I'm looking for any suggestions on car stuff I should be thinking about or creature comforts. I typically drive ~850 miles a day.

FYI, in case you're interested, my route is I-90E to I-94E, cut over to Duluth, cross Michigan's upper peninsula, cross into Canada at Sault Ste-Marie and then Hwy-17 the rest of the way.

Any advice appreciated! I've taken our Pontiac Vibe the last two summers. Can't stand leaving the Boxster at home this summer!

Guenter
2014 Boxster S
GT Silver, 6 Speed Manual, Bi-Xenons, Sports Suspension (lowers car 20mm), Porsche Sports Exhaust, Porsche Torque Vectoring, Auto Climate control, heated and vented seats, 20" Carrera S Wheels, Pedro's TechNoWind, Sport Design steering wheel, Roll bars in GT Silver
[www.cyberdesignconcepts.com]

Not that the sweet sound of our engines and the open air is bad, but what about updating your music collection? I'm preparing for BRBS and grabbed a few new CDs and downloaded some MP3s. I like to mix it up... some classical and jazz to keep calm and listen to while in stop and go traffic, some fast driving mixes for the open road, and some entertaining stand up comedy for long stretches. I also like listening to podcasts a lot on longer trips. Since my iPod + FM transmitter connection has been acting a bit wonky, I just tested actually burning the podcast playlists to an actual CD from iTunes and it worked great. It's a bit of a waste in that I will probably only listen to the CDs once, but at least they are cheap, and maybe I can hand them off to some other travelers. Have a great trip.

Lots of sunscreen so you can cruise with the top down!

Quote
Dunkirk
I'm heading out from Seattle to Ottawa (Canada) in a week or so in my '01 Boxster S (54K miles on her). Roughly 2,500 miles by the time it's all said and done. I've done long day trips before (Seattle to Salt Lake City) but never a trip like this. Any advice on things I should do or take "just in case"? So far...

- changed the oil & replaced the front brake pads (other maintenace all up to date and tires all in good shape)
- made sure my AAA membership was up-to-date
- got the fancy gel seat for the driver
- extra quart of oil in the frunk
- hidden key
- I just ordered one of those cup pilot cup holders. I can't stand trying to shift with a hot coffee in one hand.
- usual other stuff: iPhone, iPad, Verizon Mi-Fi (I'll be a traveling Wi-Fi "hot spot")

I'm looking for any suggestions on car stuff I should be thinking about or creature comforts. I typically drive ~850 miles a day.

FYI, in case you're interested, my route is I-90E to I-94E, cut over to Duluth, cross Michigan's upper peninsula, cross into Canada at Sault Ste-Marie and then Hwy-17 the rest of the way.

Any advice appreciated! I've taken our Pontiac Vibe the last two summers. Can't stand leaving the Boxster at home this summer!

throw pillows in case I get so sleepy out where there's no place to stop for the night. With the pillows and the blanket I can get comfortable enough for a nap which can be a life saver. Even if you do not stop the pillows can come in handy to use as adjustable soft arm rests to take the strain off of hanging on the wheel for 10 or more hours.

I also carry a good digital camera, hand held CB radio. Extra batteries. (I buy the 20 pack at Walmart.)

A roll of paper towels to wipe the windows and side mirrors. (Wet a towel with some bottled water.) Handiwipes to use on the hands after touching the gas nozzle handle.

I like a NAV unit too. Even if the route is straightforward, I like the data it provides: Direction of travel; elevation; distance traveled; speed. And if you need a gas station, or motel, or drug store, etc. you can call up any of these where you are, where you are going. Makes for a less stressful trip.

Several hats. I never drive with the top down but sometimes the sun is low and a hat with a brim or bill helps cut down on the sun in the eyes. I use a baseball like cap and an akubra (australian felt hat a co-worker picked up for when he was in Australia on business.)

V1 radar detector.

Sincerely,

MarcW.

Marc,

I have heard the v1 is the radar detector to have. where do you have your mounted if i may ask? and are you happy with it? Thx for any response.

Both are very sensitive - you can read the various tests to determine which is best in that regard. I also like the direction arrows on the V-1. However, I prefer the 9500ix because of its GPS capability; you can download current data of speed traps, red light cameras and speed cameras. They have a new optional add on gadget which will provide even more current real-time data to the unit (I haven't acquired this - waiting until they have direct-wired version of the unit). My 9500ix has paid for itself many times over.

Lawdevil
2013 Boxster S - Agate Grey,
2016 Macan Turbo - jet black
Cashiers, NC & Atlanta

great feedback on capabilities. I will certainly ck them both out.

They are both good - but one other feature of the Escort I forgot to mention which may be important - particularly if you live in an urban area. The Escort model with its GPS technology locks out false warnings after you pass the same location three times (e.g., a grocery store with automatic doors).

Lawdevil
2013 Boxster S - Agate Grey,
2016 Macan Turbo - jet black
Cashiers, NC & Atlanta

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/2012 11:17AM by Laz. (view changes)

I understand that the "lockout" function does not prevent the detector warning if the radar frequency is different. For example, if the false warning comes from a grocery store's automatic doors, and a cop decides to set up a trap there, the Escort will realize this is something new and alert the driver. The odds of the police radar and the supermarket having the same frequency are pretty remote I understand.

Lawdevil
2013 Boxster S - Agate Grey,
2016 Macan Turbo - jet black
Cashiers, NC & Atlanta

... because there's nothing else out there with the sensitivity and the directional warning.
Regarding the lack of GPS, I run an Ap called Waze on my iPhone that shws real-time speed traps, accidents, etc., when I'm on the Interstate.
My original Valentine 1 detector was purchased during my first w departmenteek of Boxster ownership, in February, 1998.
I also use the provided window mount, just under the rearview mirror. I had also ordered the hard-wire kit which is run under the visor trim all the way down to the fuse box.
In 14+ years of use I have NEVER been ticketed in my car (my wife's car is another story).
I also sent it in for testing about 5 years ago. I though that I had received a couple of false LASER warnings.
Valentine 1 returned the unit within two days and although they updated some hardware and software they did not charge me a single penny.
There was even one time when i called their Tech department and spoke directly with Mike Valentine who gave me some great tips and advice on how to get even better detector efficiency.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Pedro Bonilla
1998 Boxster 986 - 311,000+ miles: [www.PedrosGarage.com]
PCA National Club Racing Scrutineer - PCA National HPDE Instructor - PCA Technical Committee (Boxster/Cayman)

---

Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar

"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting" ... Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in "LeMans"

"If you wait, all that happens is that you get older"... Mario Andretti

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose" ... Ayrton Senna

very very pleased with its performance. It has paid for itself many times over, and not just in avoiding tickets, but by using it to become more aware and thus become a better/safer driver.

I mount it using windshield suction cups holder to left of the steering wheel up high just below the tinted section of the windshield. Between it and the inside rear view mirror is my Garmin NAV unit. I loop the power cords of both devices a couple of times around the rear view mirror bracket so if one unit comes free (the cups can give way though this happens maybe once or twice a year) this keeps the unit from hitting the floor.

I'm really happy with the V1 and had I to replace it would not hesitate to buy another one. Just one time it acted up and I arranged to send it back for repairs. I had to include a check for $45. The unit came back repaired and the check in with it, uncashed. I called about the check, thinking maybe a mistake was made but I was told no mistake: the repair was done for no charge. Quality product. Quality performance. Quality service.

Oh, be aware some areas of the country, some states anyhow, have strict laws regarding the use of a radar detector. These are just a very few in number. Also, some states have strict laws on what can be placed on the windshield and where: For instance at the extreme lower left hand or right hand corner of the windshield.

Where I have the V1 and NAV unit mounted is up higher and out of my line of sight and safe or I would move them. As a way of comparison, when I drive with the sun visor down -- and I can drive hundreds of miles per day with this down if I'm heading in the right (or wrong) direction at the right (or wrong) time -- and the sun visor blocks way more view than both the V1 and NAV unit combined.

Once when I was pulled over to be given a warning for not signaling properly (Hey! CA drivers never signal.) the AZ state trooper told me to remove/relocate the units, or else. I compiled. I started carrying a sun visor clip/mount for the V1 in the car's glove box to use when in AZ. I use this on the passengers side sun visor.

Sincerely,

MarcW.

Awesome review MarcW. You should consider submitting it as an article. The feedback I have recieved here is dead on target. Thanks.

If you don't have a bra or stone guard for the bumper and mirrors, you might consider one. Check the whole cooling system on the car. Our 01 base has needed a number of the cooling system components gone through(ie cooling tank, w-pump, rollers, etc) around that mileage. We found a V1, CB, garmin, and liquids(water, oil, small p/s fluid, etc.) quite valuable. It's nice to have the top down, but we really liked the hardtop on the trip(drives across the states). Hwy 90 is a decent road, much better then 80. You might also check any of the ranges your going over for snow issues(depending on when your going), if your running summer tires. We found the 986 was a great car on long drives, the standard seats are quite comfortable. The mpg on the hwy was about 32/33. Have a happy and safe trip.
regards

As for the bra, my son and his buddies cover their cars front ends with 3M blue painter tape to keep the bugs and rocks at bay. The tape peels right off with no residue.

dghii
2000 Boxster S 6speed 112k miles

after the first day my normally comfortable driver seat was causing discomfort to the area between my front and rear pants pockets, just where the side seat bolster is. A quick experiment with a towel placed on the flat bottom of the seat raised me up just enough (1/3 to 1/2 inch) clear the bolster and I drove thousands of miles in comfort.
So, bring along something that can lift you up a bit, and if this symptom appears, use it to hopefully solve the problem.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2012 08:59AM by tom coughlin. (view changes)

Ed from Long Island (Tampa)
05S Cobalt/Blue/Blue