Gotta feed the family and want to make it home. Some days I will take my Escort GT...but when it is snowing out, I plan to take the GVR4 with snow tires.

My commute will be back country roads that are 125 miles in each direction.

Any thoughts on what I might want to do to try to keep it reliable? This commute just isn't right, but I am certainly getting paid well to do it.

Thanks

Go through your owners manual and see what is says to replace at the certain mileage points on your vehicle. If all the general maintenance is done, I'd say your car is reliable.

damn, thats a tank of gas each day, you must be making BANK to do this. but yea make sure you check oil and all other fluids to make sure your good to go, tune up and all that.

Where are you going? NC,Wva or up here to MD?

Buy an early 90's Legacy.

That's ridiculous. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hsugh.gif

Wow, that's a very long commute. Thought mine was bad. 70 mile roundtrip 1hr 30 min each way sitting in Cali traffic /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Keep tabs on your oil changes.

Headed up to Martinsburg.

Quoting Hondasi88:
Where are you going? NC,Wva or up here to MD?

looool! I get reimbursed for mileage as well....You are right! I just don't want to get up there in miles and snap that timing belt! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Quoting brunoboy:
damn, thats a tank of gas each day, you must be making BANK to do this. but yea make sure you check oil and all other fluids to make sure your good to go, tune up and all that.

Geno is drunk posting.

1) Do all your factory specified maintenance.
2) acquire a tow company / service membership with long range.
3) Be obsessive with you vehicle, got a oil leak? plan to investigate ASAP. Same goes for odd sounds and other irritating things the old girl may develop that you may ignore because you have bigger and more important things to deal with.
4) fluids, check them weekly!

Some other things to look over...
VC boots, leaks of any kind, brake pads, bushings, tire pressure, tire wear.


Pay attention, Stay awake and make that bank sir.

Carry:
cam angle sensor
alternator
coil
ignitor
MPI relay
small assortment of automotive grade wire.
electrical tape
test light, multimeter
length of that small ID hose that connects the turbo to coolant, and clamps.
two vice grips to block off heater hoses if they break, or spare hose for that too.
set of belts
spare ECU
trolly jack, you'll need it to change the alternator, and it will come in handy in the cold doing anything outside.



go to the junkyard, pull out all the damn fuses and relays you can find from a galant or talon.
assortment of butt-connectors, spade connectors, ect... crimp tool
8,10,12,14,17,19 ratchet wrenches, 1/2" sockets, and 1/4" sockets. Ratchets, assortment of extensions.
small hammer, prybar, combination screwdriver, needlenose pliers, razor blade
full size spare
head mount flashlight

This is what I carry with me, I haven't been towed in like 7 or 8 years, put 100k miles on it since then (278k on it now)
I should open up my toolbag that's in my trunk and spread it out so you can see what I carry.

Whenever I work on my car at home I ONLY use the tools from my toolbag, to make sure I have everything I need to work on the car.

+1 to the list of things. Also, maybe a bottle of bars leak or alumiseal, a gallon of water, quart of oil, flashlight with spare batteries. Don't forget that radar detector!

If you are getting paid well, buy a beater subaru and put the galant on collectors car insurance. Probably save on insurance, gas and peace of mind.

Quote:
Headed up to Martinsburg.



Damn,who in the hell around here is paying enough to make that commute worth it? I want in on that,screw my 50min commute! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rofl.gif

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I have 3 other cars already. I used to make good money and the commute was closer...unfortunately I lost that job nearly a year ago. This is a contract and I don't know how long it will last so I will keep on it. I would go the Subaru beater route, but each of the other car serves it's own purpose (you know how it is lol). I get reimbursed for travel expenses as well so I should be ok on the gas.

I'll shoot you a PM as to who I'll be working for Ian.

Thanks for all of your ideas so far.

Well I would check to see that oil changes and regular maintenance (ie. timing belts) are part of your reimbursement.

regular maintenance +1

I've driven my car 160ish miles (St.Paul, MN to Duluth, MN) once. Non-stop and actually got pretty good mpgs. I love my leather seats! I would take the drive nice and easy. Cruise control is so much WIN. Went around 60-62 mph the whole way there. No CELs or awkward engine noises. This car is the most reliable car I have ever driven for real. Before I went, I checked the oil, coolant, tire pressure and tires. It was a fun ride the whole way there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Quoting brandonechols:
Buy an early 90's Legacy.


What he said.

Thanks all! Hopefully I can work from home before too long...or at least get a 4 day work week...or some good weather so that I can take the Escort GT the majority of the time!

Quoting alansupra94:
If you are getting paid well, buy a beater subaru and put the galant on collectors car insurance. Probably save on insurance, gas and peace of mind.



I'd just pick up a Metro XFi in decent shape if i had to make a commute like that for very long.