Drive M3 or fly to Florida for Christmas vacation

[Oldie1]

Fly. You will avoid crappy weather, road craters and speed traps as others have mentioned.

Rent a big/fast car in FL. I drove a Toyota RAV4… You will not be happy.
I drove my truck to FL last year. Much better. FL highways are fast and full of trucks. But watch out for the slow moving left lane bandits!

[BeEmVe]

I'd pick another warmer destination :-).

[thebmw]

We had the same dilemma a few years back. Flights were about $3400 for 4 people. Car rental was about $1000. So $4500 or so all in for transportation. I told my wife that I could literally buy a car for a week and sell it and still come out ahead...or lease a car for almost a year and roughly break even.

I still flew because taking 2 extra days off of work is more costly than the flight/rental cost.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by BeEmVe

I'd pick another warmer destination :-).

Agree. You can go almost anywhere for $1300/person flight. Florida is really overrated. Go somewhere where with history, culture, sophistication, etc. Drivers in FL suck as well (some too fast, others too slow, all at the same time).

Since this is a BMW forum, go to Munich. I did a European Delivery during Christmas. Munich during Xmas is really great with the Munich Christmas Market at Marienplatz (Christkindlmarkt). See Welt. Go on the Autobahn in the winter. I bet you will spent the same or less and have a FAR BETTER experience with way better memories. If you do take my advice, make sure you post pics here and send a shout out to me!

[04detroitls]

As a FL resident, fly and rent, dont let these shit drivers damage your m3 lol

[Mavus]

fly 100%

if for some reason you decide to drive bring a spare wheel and tools

[Efthreeoh]

Fly.

[David70]

Again, have you looked at Buffalo to Orlando?

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by Mavus

fly 100%

if for some reason you decide to drive bring a spare wheel and tools

I always bring a jack, spare and a few tools on road trips when in cars that don’t have them, like my former E90 M3 and current F90 M5. I have summer and winter wheels so I just bring one from the set I am not using at the time. Finding a correct size and spec tire during the trip would likely result in a delay and/or premium pricing. Have not needed to use it yet. Takes up some trunk space and that can be inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Agree. You can go almost anywhere for $1300/person flight. Florida is really overrated. Go somewhere where with history, culture, sophistication, etc. Drivers in FL suck as well (some too fast, others too slow, all at the same time).

Since this is a BMW forum, go to Munich. I did a European Delivery during Christmas. Munich during Xmas is really great with the Munich Christmas Market at Marienplatz (Christkindlmarkt). See Welt. Go on the Autobahn in the winter. I bet you will spent the same or less and have a FAR BETTER experience with way better memories. If you do take my advice, make sure you post pics here and send a shout out to me!

As a Floridian, I agree, go somewhere else, we already have enough tourists driving slow on our roads. Go to Germany and enjoy their winter weather and beaches, lol.



Gotta love all the states that are so incredibly jealous of Florida. We can't help it your states suck

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Just thought I'd collect some perspectives on this topic. I'm going down to south Florida from Toronto, Canada for two weeks over Christmas (could stretch it to 15-16 days if needed). Debating on flying or driving. Historically I have flown and rented cool cars from Sixt or for a few days on Turo, on an errand trip Hertz or whatever is cheapest.

First time over the holiday season and the price to rent a car vs gasoline of driving my '08 E90 M3 with newer winter tires (Michelin X-Ice Snow non-performance winters) is just over double to fly to the tune of $1,300 USD even with hotel stops. Obviously 2 days of the trip will now be used to go down, 2 days to come back up although since I would fly Sat-Sat I could drive Sat-Sun front to back and only lose 3 days or so.

Hate to put miles on the M3 but thinking it might be nice to have it down there, even on sloshy winter tires (which I haven't been to keen on in the past). Winter weather could be unpredictable too making drive longer or more dangerous. Wifey and I would go but only 1 of us can drive (guess who). Would Turo an M4 convertible or something while down there for extra fun.

What would you Bimmerposters do in my place?

For years I drove one of my cars places instead of flying. I only flew when business required it and in my work that was not often.

So I lean towards driving rather than flying.

But in your case I would advise you to *not* drive.

My most immediate concern is driving that far and into that much warmer weather with snow tires on the car.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I always bring a jack, spare and a few tools on road trips when in cars that don’t have them, like my former E90 M3 and current F90 M5. I have summer and winter wheels so I just bring one from the set I am not using at the time. Finding a correct size and spec tire during the trip would likely result in a delay and/or premium pricing. Have not needed to use it yet. Takes up some trunk space and that can be inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage.

OK good

Also definitely consider flying out of Buffalo. Super easy and cheaper parking. Also smaller airport so easy in n out. I’ve done it last Apr going to Dominican with Jet Blue. Also Fl is not that great at that time. Feb-Apr much better. I go to Sarasota every other year and it can be chilly and windy at that time.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

As a Floridian, I agree, go somewhere else, we already have enough tourists driving slow on our roads. Go to Germany and enjoy their winter weather and beaches, lol.

Gotta love all the states that are so incredibly jealous of Florida. We can't help it your states suck

Sure the weather is warm during Xmas, which is why all the EVERYONE goes down there. Many of these people think that they are well traveled because they went to Epcot! Many of the tourists down there are annoying and the locals think the world revolves around them. I'm not remotely jealous of Florida, the rednecks, the leather-skined self absorbed people, the drivers, the mosquitos, the HURRICANES, humidity, etc. I'd much rather be in Munich over Xmas than Florida.

[VicWip]

Yeah, most of Florida is a shthole now! Out here we call it poor man's cali... I grew up down there and we all spoke English and acted like decent human beings. Lol! Go down to Miami now and try asking for directions.. NOBODY speaks or is willing to speak English. ANYWHERE! Venture up to Ft.Lauderdale or Boca and you'll wish they DIDN'T! (Rude, pushy a-holes EVERYWHERE!!)! Its called Boca Rudeton these days! They build extra horns in the cars for the guys down there.. try that sht out here and you'll get shot.
Florida is a third retirement community, a third vacation land and ALL third world country! The last time I was there a landscapper took exception to an elderly bicyclist's middle finger and really got the better of the guy. He pulled him off his bike and got his shirt pulled over his arms and head and just went to town with the haymakers. Yet the old timer's bicycle helmet kept him from being ko'd. So he just kept absorbing all these blows as he couldn't move or get away. But it was my fellow mans reaction that was quintessentially Florida! I had to watch the "fight" through a forest of arms holding cell phones. People were laughing and hollering and there were kids EVERYWHERE as it was by the beach. So it just went on and on... Yeah, theres too many rats in the cage down there! Keep it!

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Sure the weather is warm during Xmas, which is why all the EVERYONE goes down there. Many of these people think that they are well traveled because they went to Epcot! Many of the tourists down there are annoying and the locals think the world revolves around them. I'm not remotely jealous of Florida, the rednecks, the leather-skined self absorbed people, the drivers, the mosquitos, the HURRICANES, humidity, etc. I'd much rather be in Munich over Xmas than Florida.

You can tell yourself what your want, but we all can tell you just wish you lived here.

Your girl dump you to go be with a dude in Florida or something?

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

You can tell yourself what your want, but we all can tell you just wish you lived here.

Your girl dump you to go be with a dude in Florida or something?

Typical Floridian. You think the world worships you. Most of America thinks that the people in Florida are pretty trashy. We use you for your weather and get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. So keep your trailer parks and retirement communities that have the highest rates of STDs in the entire country. Keep your drug cartels and rude to people. Keep your hurricanes.

By the way, it's because of entitled florida brats that all of our home insurances have doubled in the last 5 years. We would love it if you separated out into your own country so we won't have to pay for you all.

[Westside Guy]

Can we please keep this civil and discuss the OP’s issues?

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Typical Floridian. You think the world worships you. Most of America thinks that the people in Florida are pretty trashy. We use you for your weather and get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. So keep your trailer parks and retirement communities that have the highest rates of STDs in the entire country. Keep your drug cartels and rude to people. Keep your hurricanes.

By the way, it's because of entitled florida brats that all of our home insurances have doubled in the last 5 years. We would love it if you separated out into your own country so we won't have to pay for you all.

Man, you live in weird, sad little world.

Florida isn't perfect, but having traveled through the entire country, I can say there's not many places that are better overall. And those places all have their own drawbacks, and they're all around the smokey mountains.

There's also a lot more to Florida that Miami/Fort Lauderdale. I grew up in West Palm and wouldn't ever consider moving there again. There's a few places here that are still great, and no I'm not going to tell you where because then everyone from everywhere else will want to retire to there.

Anyways, OP should fly. Who wants to spend 4+ days driving, ruin their winter tires in the process, and risk mechanical breakdown in a car of dubious reliability?

[CTSean]

In case you needed another opinion - just fly. I don't see a point in all the wasted time, money and mechanical wear on the car. Plus you're gonna be stuck on snow tires the whole drive?

Also, I don't know if you mentioned where in FL you're going, but at least the places I've been to, I never thought to myself "Gee I wish I had a sports car to take advantage of all these straight flat roads."

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by CTSean

In case you needed another opinion - just fly. I don't see a point in all the wasted time, money and mechanical wear on the car. Plus you're gonna be stuck on snow tires the whole drive?

Also, I don't know if you mentioned where in FL you're going, but at least the places I've been to, I never thought to myself "Gee I wish I had a sports car to take advantage of all these straight flat roads."

Can confirm, all roads here are straight and flat. Turns are legally required to be 90 degrees only, lol.

[Rodan]

You could take an Auto Train from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL - saves you about 900 miles each way. A bit longer and some additional cost, but if you are dead set on driving this could be the way to do it.

https://www.amtrakvacations.com/trip...ing/auto-train

[David70]

I grew up in FL and have family there, only reason I ever want to go back is for a short vacation, in very specific spots, in very specific times of year. Otherwise I really dislike it.

Now that I live far enough that I will only fly, no great reason to not pick the Caribbean over it. Headed to Cayman Islands soon (hurricane dependent). Can't see a lot of places in FL that would have been a better option.