MM Road trip preparation??

[Taemian]

Hi folks,
I'm heading down to Oregon in a few weeks, and my trip will be about 2200 miles roundtrip. Just looking for any "trip tips" for the MM's body and paint. The car only has 9500 miles on it, and the oil gets changed when I get back. I'm mainly wondering about protecting the front end against paint chips/ sandblasting damage. I've heard there are clear plastic disposable films for headlights....anybody seen these? I've just waxed the car with Meguiars, but would an extra coat (or two?) on the front end be helpful?

The car is still mint, and I'm only really worried about the mountain passes where I'll see snow and the dreaded cinders.

Any and all advice is welcomed!:)

[SID210SA]

Rent a Crownvic Sport!!! I am a firm beliver in not garaging it and making it a dailey driver but that mint and that few miles on her...I would not drive her in the snow and on the salt roads...no way no how...luckily we dont get that kind of weather down here so we dont have to worry about snow and salt otherwise I wouldn't drive mine either but she has 60K on her. I wouldn't worry too much about the headlights....I dont have any marks on mine and she is a dailey driver and lots of road trips....I average about 20K a year on My Marauder.

[fastblackmerc]

I've had the Xpel clear bra on my MM front end and headlights since I brought it home from the dealership. Good stuff!

[Marylandrauder]

;)We have two low milage Black 04's and one was from Long Island, New York.The latter car was near the salt air and driven in some weather there-a world of difference in 10,000 miles on it compared to the same milage on the other car which came from Ohio and had not seen weather.
You can expect to see the effects of salt on the color of your engine finish and on your calipers-also any areas under the car even if you power wash the car after you arrive!!
I drove through PA back in the day (60's) when they used salt/cinders and I can tell you my white full race Bonneville had contact with the road treatment down the sides as well as the front!
If you love the car and love the way it looks now, I would think after 2,000 or more of the driving you describe, you will be sorry you did not take another vehicle.

[Richy04]

Firstly, low mileage Marauders are very unreliable.. Come here and I will give you my newly broken in Marauder with 48k on it. Since its already been used, its AOK for long trips and is much more reliable than yours. Plus that new car smell makes everyone sick. I will PM you my number for the exchange.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

For me?
Step 1, start car
Step 2, drive away on road trip.

If you are that concerned about chips, drive the wife/brother/other family member who will loan you a car, 's car. Wax will make the bugs/tar easier to clean off the paint. As far as stone chips, etc... life is full of uncertainties. No matter how careful you are, you never know what is going to be driving in front of you! Especially big trucks, which scare me. If you drive a car enough it's going to get chipped here and there

[Taemian]

Firstly, low mileage Marauders are very unreliable.. Come here and I will give you my newly broken in Marauder with 48k on it. Since its already been used, its AOK for long trips and is much more reliable than yours. Plus that new car smell makes everyone sick. I will PM you my number for the exchange.

Cheeky monkey!!!

[Taemian]

For me?
Step 1, start car
Step 2, drive away on road trip.

If you are that concerned about chips, drive the wife/brother/other family member who will loan you a car, 's car. Wax will make the bugs/tar easier to clean off the paint. As far as stone chips, etc... life is full of uncertainties. No matter how careful you are, you never know what is going to be driving in front of you! Especially big trucks, which scare me. If you drive a car enough it's going to get chipped here and there

I think I may just end up putting my '01 CVPI back on the road for this trip, maybe even for the winter. We have very mild conditions here (Vancouver) and it may snow only once or twice per season. This whole Oregon trip will be 2000+ miles, but the only snow we see should be in the mtn passes in Oregon. I'm taking the trip again in April/May, so I'll take the MM then. Now to wipe the cobwebs off the CVPI and get it up to snuff!:eek:

[airborne_mp84]

theres really no way to avoid chips but to stay away from dump trucks and dont follow to close to vehicles ...other than that there unavoidable

[freakstatus]

Ian....take the Marauder...that thing was meant for that drive! I did it in my old Explorer and can just imagine what it would be like in the MM. The only thing is it may be hard staying at 45 mph along some of those stretches where Washington meets Oregon....I got a ticket. If your worried about chips, grab a gallon of Vaseline and coat your whole car with it by hand...haha. Use up the stuff under your bed first though...lol

[Taemian]

Ian....take the Marauder...that thing was meant for that drive! I did it in my old Explorer and can just imagine what it would be like in the MM. The only thing is it may be hard staying at 45 mph along some of those stretches where Washington meets Oregon....I got a ticket. If your worried about chips, grab a gallon of Vaseline and coat your whole car with it by hand...haha. Use up the stuff under your bed first though...lol

You just want a partner in crime, Derek, you winter-driving MM owner! :shake:
BTW, I just came across an extra set of 16" CVPI steelies (with caps)with the standard police tires on them (all-season Firestones). Are you looking to shelve the stock MM rims/tires for the season? Your car would look like Justin's then.

Yeah, the drive is beautiful....I'm going to check the snow reports....still deciding...

[CRUZTAKER]

Oregun in the winter. :lol:

Drive a rental and take additional coverages.

If the lack of road prep doesn't kill you, the average moron driver will. :shake:

[ckadiddle]

My brother will happily trade you his 1997 crown vic that already has damage to it for the durationyour trip. He really likes Marauders Just keep an eye on the bungie cord that holds the tailpipe in place.