UK to NY: Renting a big car and driving to... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tbomachines · #16 03-08-2011, 11:57 PM

On the trip up to west point, take a ride up to the summit of Bear Mountain, off the Palisades parkway (Newburgh bridge, right on the map Fulcrum added above). Great place to stop for a little lunch picnic if that is your thing--might want to check that the park is open first though, the northeast has been hit by a ton of snow lately.

pentoman · #17 03-15-2011, 01:32 PM

Just posting to say thanks for the responses - I'll be having a read and checking the maps when I get a spare moment.

Russ

Skid Row Joe · #18 03-16-2011, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pentoman

Hi all,

Haven't posted here for ages, but still remember my time here posting daily back when I was in University. Always had a good feeling about the US as a result of how friendly you were.

Anyway... I'm planning my second trip to the US, we're going to Manhatten, NY for 5 nights. One of the days however I'd like to get out of Manhatten, rent an archetypal American car (the kind of thing you see in the movies) and go driving to see some sights. Not too far but enough to get a feel for non-Manhatten life.

So firstly what can I rent and where? I'm not too worried about model so long as it's big, American, with 6 or 8 cylinders and not too pricey. I saw a Lincoln Town Car available which seemed absolutey perfect though it was about $130 for a day which seemed a fair bit.

Secondly any suggestions where we can go? Must be within ~150 miles of Manhatten. I don't mind if its urban or scenic, but I would kinda like to see and partake of some 'real' North America. Whatever that is. Basically, stuff like in the movies if that helps which it probably doesn't. I wouldn't mind driving through somewhere with a lot of trees, a park/forest perhaps?? Finally it has to be girl-compatible - she isn't as interested in random urban stuff as I am.

Thanks all. In return I'm happy to discuss the UK if anyone's planning a trip. Always happy to hear about past trips here

.

IIWY, I'd rent a car for livery and a driver, so you could concentrate on sightseeing instead of the driving.

Jim B. · #19 03-16-2011, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andersbenz

Buick Lucerne or Mercury Grand Marquis

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One Suggestion is renting a Buick Lucerne or a Mercury Grand Marquis and drving up to West Point (US Military Academy).

You will follow the Hudson River to up state NY. Take a tour of the campus and the museum. Throw in lunch some where nice and have a great time.

I flew into Heathrow in 1999 and got bumped into a W210 E240. What a dream.

Really made a difference on the drive up and into the Lakes District.

Have a great trip!!

I have such a fondness so great for the rental Grand Marquis that I got one last year from a local rural Northern California dealer tha repurchased it from Ford Motor company at a dealer only auction they hold where they repurchase the best examples back from the rental companirs after 6-7 months of rental duties.

This is mine.

Mine was an ex Avis unit from the Los Angeles pool. It only had 13,150 miles on the clock.

Production ceased on January 4, 2011, when the vey last one rolled off the assembly line in Windsor Ontario Canada at the St thomas assembly plant.

It went straight to a rental fleet:

They are still in rental fleets, gbut this is the very last year they will be.

They are a simpler and less expensive version of the Lincoln Town Car and can be rented cheaper than a Town Car .

A typical old fashioned rear wheel drive body on frame big, luxurious roomy safe American car built to cruise the American open road.

^^^^ apologies to the Mini Cooper, ( I put this on my car) for which this sticker was actually made!

pentoman · #20 04-12-2011, 05:30 PM

So, thanks all.

When it came to it we still hadn't made much of a decision even on the morning we picked up the car (which took forever, I hate rental desks). West Point didn't appeal to my other half.
Therefore I paid for a navigation unit and hoped for the best. We'd seen Sleepy Hollow, by the Hudson River on the map so thought that would be good to go to (because they named a film after it). A mistake. There was nothing there.

So we went to Pleasantville up the road instead, because of the name (we are real suckers). It was better, it had a 7/11 and a Dunkin' Donuts. You'll probably think it's stupid but going to a 7/11 was a novelty. You guys have large crisp ('potato chip') packets. Dunkin' Donuts is a bit expensive though.

Then we managed to point up Bear State mountain (via a Bay with a nice view and a large car park) and I got to enjoy taking the Town Car up some windy mountain roads which I loved. At that point we crossed a bridge and headed back down the west side. The smaller roads got boring so I pointed to the interstate, I-95 I think. Oh and we got stung for $8 toll for the pleasure of about 1 mile on one of the interstates just North of the Bronx - what's all that about?

Did 150 miles in total - enough to see enough and experience the car but sorry if I didn't take in the best sights. I enjoyed it though!

I think that's all, I don't really have any interesting pictures for you. Loved the trip though.... really good.