West coast to east coast in October

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Mar 2, 2012 | 05:58 AM

Helmar

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West coast to east coast in October

I'm planning on selling my 2008 Lexus LS600hL and purchasing an A6 (or, possibly, A7) in October.

I live in Maine, and will be purchasing it from a dealer in Southern California (still looking for one).

Then, I'll be driving the car back home, taking about 2-3 weeks and enjoying the sights and scenery of the USA.

While traveling, I plan on photographing the google maps satellite display of where I am every hundred miles or so, and then producing a time-lapse video of the hundreds of images produced.

A few questions:

1. How long is the complimentary google maps service for?
2. Does the display screen photograph well?
3. I plan on setting up a small tripod in the rear seat and zooming in on the display, keeping the camera stationary and covered with a cloth in between shots. Is there anything that will block the view of the display from the rear seat?
4. Any "Must see" or "Don't bother" stops recommended?

Thanks for any advice or comments.

HBH

Mar 2, 2012 | 06:23 AM

manishaudi

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Joined: Aug 2011

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From: California, US

1) 6 Months, so you've got some time
2) Yes. The one between the Tach & Speedometer has a glossy cover but wtill shoots well. The main MMI screen has a matte finish, and also shoots well
3) No.
4) I'll have to do some research on this.

Let me say that I am envious of what you are going to do. I have always wanted to do a cross country drive. Good Luck with it.

Mar 2, 2012 | 10:30 AM

palermo22

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From: California Central Coast

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmar

I'm planning on selling my 2008 Lexus LS600hL and purchasing an A6 (or, possibly, A7) in October.

4. Any "Must see" or "Don't bother" stops recommended?

Thanks for any advice or comments.

HBH

I think that depends on which route you take back - and that might all depend on where you buy your car. If you wind up in the LA area then I would think you would take the southern route back - starting out on I-10. If you wind up in SF or Northern California then you'll probably take the northern route back (however, depending on how late in October or if October becomes November then the weather on the northern route might be nasty (especially through Colorado or if you stop at Mount Rusnmore in SD). By the way, I did this myself about 35 years ago when I took a sabatical from work and drove round trip from Baltimore to San Francisco - down to LA and then back to Baltimore.

Mar 2, 2012 | 05:25 PM

BugeyeRX

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I drove my own car on a semi-country trip once and will never do it again. First it got hailed on in Nebraska, then I went through a swam of bugs in Arizona. When we stopped at the truck shop to get the 1/2" thick layer of bug guts off the paint the bird swooped in and started to eat the dead bugs off the car. There beaks were like a 100 little jack hammers. Finally, on the way home in Virgina, a big truck floated over to the shoulder of the road and threw up a huge cloud of sand and debri which in turn cracked the windshield. The car was a mess when we got home. Dents in the hood/trunk, paint and clear coat was stained from the bug guts, scratches in the paint from the bird feet and beaks, and a cracked windshield that was never the same once they changed it. I suggest you get a car locally and rent a car for your X-country trip. Either way good luck.

Mar 2, 2012 | 06:55 PM

Austin A6 3.2

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From: Austin, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmar

Not sure if you are aware, but you can also order a car in the US and pick it up in Germany and drive around Europe, Audi will then ship the car to your closest dealership.

Factory tour and a European vacation ...

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/e...container=page

I am pretty sure I will do that, you get up to 5% off on your car as as well.

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/e...ivery/faq.html

Might be an option if you are not dead set on picking up a car in Cali ... Just be aware that gas in Europe is expensive (they laugh at the thought of $4/gallon gas) ...

Mar 2, 2012 | 07:44 PM

tenspeed

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Joined: Dec 2011

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From: Honeoye New York USA

Sounds like an adventure. Damn the bugs and sand - full speed ahead.

Places to see would be Las Vagas, Hoover Dam, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, New Orleans, Daytona, tail of the dragon (Tn), Rock & Rool Hall of Fame (Cleveland), Niagara Falls, Toronto and I would visit a bunch of NASCAR tracks but that's me.

Pick up Guy Fieri's books and hit some good diners along the way.

Mar 3, 2012 | 04:32 AM

Helmar

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin A6 3.2

...can also order a car in the US and pick it up in Germany ...

Thanks, we strongly considered a European Delivery, but have chosen to travel the US instead. Lots to see here, and we'd rather spend our money in America (of course, I'm completely ignoring the fact that I'm spending money on a German car rather than an American car...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin A6 3.2

BugeyeRX...I drove my own car on a semi-country trip once and will never do it again.

I've also done a cross-country trip before, in my Lexus, and had a completely different experience. I rinsed the bugs off of the nose every time I stopped for gas, and washed the car at a touchless car wash ever day or so.

Thanks for the advise. Must be luck of the draw.....

HBH