Drive M3 or fly to Florida for Christmas vacation

[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?

[ppointer]

considering there are non-stops from YYT to both FLL and MIA, I would be flying. And I love driving, but a four hour non-stop flight versus two days on the road? Considering all of the roads down here are straight and the local drivers are insane, I am fine with a somewhat boring car from Hertz.

[pbonsalb]

Try it this year and then decide whether you want to drive 1500 miles each way next time as part of a 2 week vacation. I am about 1500 miles away from southern FL as well and almost always fly. Then I rent a car and wish I had my own car instead.

Had an 08 E90 M3 6 speed for 10 years. Great car. Did some 1000 mile trips in it but never a 3000 mile trip.

Putting the miles on the car would not bother me. I buy cars to drive. The weather would not bother me, either. Worst case is probably that you would have to leave a day late or a day early to avoid bad weather. Planes can be delayed as well.

[VicWip]

FLY!!! I-95 through Georgia is like driving across moon craters... You'll leave pieces of your ride all over the state! Of course, south florida during the season presents its own issues. But you'll be fine with the mounted machine gun package! 👍

[David70]

Losing 3-4 days of vacation and instead sitting on the interstate for these days makes flying the only choice I would consider.

14 days of vacation vs. 10, Toronto to Miami is roughly 22 hours each way, 4 long days of driving, no thanks.

For the flight, I would look at airports all over Central/South FL. A couple of hour drive to save a lot of money might make it worth it. Surprised best you can find is $1300 for round trip. What about Buffalo to Orlando on Southwest, can't imagine this is $1300.

[BlkGS]

Other factors, I don't think having a car like that on winter tires in 70-80 degree temperatures is going to be very much fun for you.

I95 through SC is rough road and bad traffic. I95 through GA is a giant speed trap. The rest of your drive is hit or miss in terms of weather.

I'd just fly. And I hate flying.

[Murf the Surf]

We drive but we go down for minimum 6 weeks and usually 12. I've driven to Florida for a 2 week holiday, I was young and shared the driving but now I'd rather chew tinfoil. I like the drive when we're staying for longer but if i was in your position I'd fly.

[Westside Guy]

For that short a visit you will be wasting 4 days of your valuable vacation time (14-16 days) on the road (unless you are a Cannonball driver ) plus you need to factor in 2 nights paying for a hotel and the wear and tear from driving your M3 approximately 1400 miles each way.

You didn't say what part of Florida you are heading towards but if it is in the Miami - Ft. Lauderdale area you should be able to find plenty of nonstop flights from YYZ - FLL/ MIA in the $400-$600 range. Usually there are more N/S flights and better deals going to FLL.

If you want to drive a BMW while in Florida, SIXT rents them at both airports and many models are priced under $100 a day. If money is an issue, you will find plenty of less expensive rental options for other car brands and rental companies if you do your research.

To me, maximizing my vacation time is a quality of life issue and I would never consider driving based on such a short trip.

[DocL]

When I was younger, in my teens and twenties, I used to drive to Florida from Boston for college/dental school vacations. I did a drive from FL to Maryland about five years ago with my wife and kids and I'll never do it again. I can't do 12hr-15hr days of driving anymore. I used to only stop for gas, junk food, and a piss. Now even driving 200mi to Orland I have to stop twice just to stretch and take a 15 min break.

That being said, I'd rather fly and rent a convertible if I were to come down to Florida.

[Murf the Surf]

Get a flight from Buffalo, you'll likely save a fair bit of cash and it's only a 2 hour drive from Toronto.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Murf the Surf

Get a flight from Buffalo, you'll likely save a fair bit of cash and it's only a 2 hour drive from Toronto.

Even after paying to park my car?

[David70]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Even after paying to park my car?

At some point you will probably need to look into the costs yourself.

My guess is offsite parking is about $14 a day. Say $250 total, then if you get a $600 flight you still save a lot of money. How are you planning on getting to and from the Toronto airport, this needs to be calculated as part of the overall cost.

$1300 for a flight from Toronto to FL? How is this a good deal?

Getting some ideas for making it cheaper makes sense but then you need to look into the details yourself.

[ShocknAwe]

Fly.

Why lose days of vacation time. Then again I look at my time as ££ so it's perspective.

[pbonsalb]

Maybe the $1300 is for 2 people?

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Maybe the $1300 is for 2 people?

Nope. Thats what it costs to fly for 1 person and split a rental car in half. Double that for full cost as a couple. Checked from Buffalo; same price.

[Arthurrs]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Even after paying to park my car?

If you stay at a hotel across or down the street from BUF airport the night before you fly out, some hotels offer a room rate package deal available that lets you park your car in their lot during your vacation, for a bit more than the price of the room overnight. I did that one year when we enjoyed a week in Hawaii. Yes, you'll likely need to have a shovel/brush to clean the car when you get back. The joys of winter travel....

[pbonsalb]

Try driving this year. It’s a long drive. I did it once, but almost always fly and it’s 1500 miles each way for me as well from NH. It would be a lot better if your wife would drive some to give you a break. E9x M3 is a little high revving and buzzy at high speed — I tend to speed and running at 90 was about 4000 rpm as I recall. MPG is not great; I do better in my F90 M5. But if saving $1500 or whatever the savings are is worth 4 days, do it. It’s not worth 4 days to me, but I do prefer my own car to a rental.

[UtahBimmerBoy]

Tickets for $1300? Guessing that’s for the entire family?

I fly out east for Christmas, never have I spent more than $500, I only fly Delta.

Toronto to Fort Lauderdale around christmas time I found multiple round trip non-stop flights for around $600.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Nope. Thats what it costs to fly for 1 person and split a rental car in half. Double that for full cost as a couple. Checked from Buffalo; same price.

Out of curiosity, what are your travel dates, and what is your destination in Florida?

Also what type of car are you looking at and from which rental company?

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Out of curiosity, what are your travel dates, and what is your destination in Florida?

Also what type of car are you looking at and from which rental company?

Dec 21st - Jan 4th. MCO or FLL as my destination is inbetween. Just whatever Expedia offers; was a Toyota Corolla or similar.

[cmyx6go]

I’ve driven to So FL from NY/NJ many times during the Christmas holiday, but that was with 2 drivers and a trip of about 1100-1200 miles. We’d leave in the wee hours, drive as far as Georgia, stop for the night and finish the trip the next day. We had time though. The drive is not fun, especially during the holidays. All the “weekend warriors” that don’t know how to drive are on the road. Picture I-95 when it’s only two lanes and you have two assholes doing the speed limit right next to each other holding up traffic forever! Stab me !

Fly. Rent a car. Enjoy the extra days in the bikini state. The price of airfare is a small amount to pay.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Dec 21st - Jan 4th. MCO or FLL as my destination is inbetween. Just whatever Expedia offers; was a Toyota Corolla or similar.

You will most likely find better airfares flying from YYZ - MCO.

Have you looked at airlines like Flair and Porter?