Driving Across America. What is the coolest vehicle I can drive for $3000 or less?

Old subaru outback

Some kind of wagon, no doubt. The fuel economy difference between a 15--20mpg vehicle and a 30+mpg vehicle will be many hundreds of dollars to a grand. Wagons are also longer than compact SUVs, making for great sleeping quarters.

I really like the Volvo V70, 1999 or earlier. It's the same as the venerable 850, mechanically, which means it's very reliable and easy to work on. It's a great car for sleeping in, with tons of room. The Volvo box look may or may not float your boat. An 850 in great shape would also work well.

Subies are good too, although anything in your price range will be an older model with poor fuel economy. If you get a 2.5L, ask if the head gaskets have been done. Get a Legacy or Outback, the Impreza is too small.

A BMW 5-series or Audi 6-series wagon is another really nice choice. In your price range, you'll probably have to live with some poor cosmetics, and/or broken electronic do-dads. Both have reliable drivetrains in the models you would be looking at - get a manual if at all possible, though. Either of these is going to be as comfy as the Volvo, with more power and style.

You are much, much better off renting a new econo car for this trip.

What's your plan of action if the radiator breaks down in the middle of Utah? Or if your fuel pump goes in Montana? With a rental from a big name company, they will pay to fix and or have you a new car within a day.

Trek for $500

The classic pick for this would be an '84 Sheepdog. Failing that, you could try to find a used moped. The upside for the moped would be that you wouldn't even need to license it (though it isn't legal for the interstate -- too dangerous). It also would get great gas mileage! If you get tired of the being exposed to the elements, I bet you could trade the bike to some idiot for an old van.

In a pinch, a Zamboni might also suffice.

I've dreamed of doing it on a motorcycle.

Buy work van and pimp out the interior.

I agree. There are long, long stretches of highway where breaking down would be a real nightmare, and $3000 doesn't buy you a whole lot of reliability. Rental cars might not be that exciting, but at least they're reliable.

Sesamoiditis wrote:

I've dreamed of doing it on a motorcycle.

You can easily find videos of that on porn hub. If this is really such a dream of yours, borrow a friend's motorcycle and make it happen.

Buy a late model used car for (much) more than $3000. Travel in car. Sell car when you've finished traveling.

You'll be much happier and spend much less than the total for that $3000 car when you include repairs, tows, fluids.

Seriously. Rent a car.

Honda Ruckus like this guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm8t5WWYctI

100+ MPG

One of the great (true) legends at my small college is from 1999, when a group of senior friends pooled together a little under $4000 (okay, so out of your price range) to buy an old LA city bus with 500,000 miles on it to drive to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Pretty great story, they got pulled over right away by a cop who just told them they had a sweet ride and to have fun in New Orleans, etc. Anyway, of course the ancient thing let them down and they didn't end up making it; not sure how they ended up getting back. Anyway, the point is that renting a car is smart and reasonable, but if you get something crazy like this, your trip can be legendary, although also possibly a complete failure.

1980s BMW 3 series

1) $3000 won't cut it. By the end you'll have spent at least that much keeping it on the road.

2) If you must buy, go small and proven, or old and simple. Small and simple: Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic. Spend $100 getting the car checked out at an independent mechanic prior to buying. The mechanic will tell you whether it's roadworthy. Old and simple: no A/C, as few electronics as possible, something anyone, anywhere can work on, maybe even you. Big full size work van from the 80s, truck from the early 70s, something along these lines. It won't be much fun to drive, it'll drink gas like an alcoholic at an open bar, and you'll go a bit slower. But it'll be easier to keep on the road. For God's sake don't buy any RV you can afford.

3) You can stay nearly within your budget with a motorcycle, but you'll each want one. Upsides: the experience of riding is unmatched. Downsides: the chances of dying or getting catastrophically hurt are pretty good.

ive gone across in a van and a compact car. a car does the trick but minivans offer more comfort. last summer i drove across with a friend in a 1999 minivan. it was great because there was plenty of room for sleeping and for all the things you bring.

it'll be hard to get a reliable car for 3k, so the rental may be your best option. you don't want to break down in the middle of nowhere in south dakota.

have a good trip. driving cross country is a magnificent experience.

Prius.

1994 Jeep Cherokee

Subaru Legacy Outback or Volvo V70 wagon. Both should get 20-22mpg. The rear seat folds down. Old campers are a money pit... stay away from them... plus the gas mileage can be really bad: 8-12mpg.