Cross Country Canada in a '12 GT

4628 Views 63 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Elite_Deforce, Feb 15, 2013

Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · Nov 16, 2012

I'm planning on doing Vancouver to Montreal through Canada in April-ish so I can have my car in Montreal for the summer. We will be either 2-3 guys with moderate luggage (I'm guessing). Nothing that the trunk won't be able to handle.

Questions:

1) Has anyone ever done this in a 2011+ GT?? If so, how was your mileage, what advice could you provide regarding the car itself and things I should do/look out for (anything and everything welcomed no matter how small).

2) Recommended equipment? Other than what comes with the Brembo GT (which is basically the worthless tire inflation kit and a sunglasses holder), what should I be looking to bring other than an emergency kit and a cooler? (iPod and all that aside, of course)

3) I want to take the TC going and come back in August through the States. Any issues I should look out for in the States (stuff from state-state, border, etc. etc.)?

4) I don't think this is a huge issue or even likely, but are there any massive traffic rule differences between BC and Ontario? I'm planning on not getting a ticket, yeah.

5) Feel free to add anything else.

Cheers

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JAJ5Point0

· #2 · Nov 16, 2012

I've driven both ways on the TC and Eastbound on I-90/I-94. If I was going to do it again, I'd take the US route both ways. The US road is in dramatically better condition and it has much better facilities enroute.

Interesting stuff happens on a trip like that. When I went East on I90/I94 it was late August and I had to drive through a carpet of small green frogs at one point. There were so many bugs on the front of the car that every time we stopped more bugs came to scavenge from their dead relatives. It was epic.

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Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 16, 2012

JAJ5Point0 said:
I've driven both ways on the TC and Eastbound on I-90/I-94. If I was going to do it again, I'd take the US route both ways. The US road is in dramatically better condition and it has much better facilities enroute.

Interesting stuff happens on a trip like that. When I went East on I90/I94 it was late August and I had to drive through a carpet of small green frogs at one point. There were so many bugs on the front of the car that every time we stopped more bugs came to scavenge from their dead relatives. It was epic.

I want to go through Canada at least one way just to say I did. If not I would go through the States both ways.

How did you fair for rock chips? Did you wash at all during the trip?

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Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 16, 2012

So my buddy mentioned there might still be snow along the way through Canada through June. Can anyone confirm this?

In that case I'll go through the States and maybe come back through Canada.

OAC_Sparky

· #5 · Nov 16, 2012

Mileage: You can normally get 9-10L/100km driving normally (read: not passing everything in sight). Figure using a bit more if you're loaded down.

Travelling in the States: make sure you and your passengers have up to date passports, make sure nobody has one that will expire within a month of you crossing the border. Some border guards can be pricky if it looks like your passport may expire prior to you exiting the country. Also, grill your passengers as to any criminal history or previous border hassles/refusals they have. If they do, DON'T TAKE THEM. Nothing is worse than having your car rummaged through, you and your passengers interrogated, sent back and blacklisted at the border. If your buddy had got busted 10 years ago for something and it's still on record and he gets caught, when you are all sent back there will be a note against you in the computer. You are in a sense "guilty by association and expect more headaches when you cross the border in the future.

And, seriously, don't try to smuggle any Devil's Lettuce into the country. And don't let anyone even bring/smoke it in the car for a while before the trip. Often times they do spot checks with sniffer dogs walking up and down the lines at the crossing. It's not worth it. It may be decriminalized here but The US is still in the Dark Ages as far as that's concerned.

Travelling in the Mustang: Unless you've got kids, the backseat is cramped for most adults. You'll really need to evaluate how comfortable that 3rd guy will be in the back. It works for me because I'm not particularly tall so an adult can squeeze a little more legroom sitting behind me. But if you're all tall then the backseat passenger will not only be cramped, but people that can't move around a bit will tend to (a)whine and (b)have to pit stop more, cancelling out any positives the guy brought to the table.

And if you do bring the 3rd guy revise your payload to "minimal luggage". My son and I did the Carlisle Ford Nationals this past summer (15 hours round trip), and after packing "moderately" for 4 days, two folding lawn (bag) chairs and a small cooler for drinks on the way there wasn't much leftover space. Stopping at an outlet center made it impossible for us to keep it all in the trunk, which was inconvenient on the last day after you check out the last day having crap piled in the back seat while you were at the car show.

Traffic differences:
States: After planning your route, search online for known speed traps along your route. Better yet, join "Trapster" and download/install the "known enforcment points" into your GPS (if it's a portable), it'll warn you in advace of potential speed trap points.

Ontario/Quebec: If you're travelling the 401 through Windsor or Sarnia to get to the US beware of the Chatham stretch (London to Tilbury), it's the worst spot on the 401 for traps. The area surrounding Montreal is bad too. I had the Quebec provincials cut 3 people off to get me in a minivan; all the rest of the group we were in had Quebec plates, mine were Ontario. They love to pick on visitors.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

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Strange Mud

· #6 · Nov 16, 2012

Not knowing what you look like, when I was in my 30s long hair, beard I went into Canada for holiday. The border police pulled me and my Integra out of line and took off every interior panel. They didn't find anything and then said good day. They left it up to me to reassemble the interior of my car. just sayin...

Devil's Lettuce? So thats what you call it these days......:smoke:

and I thought I would never use the smoke smiley.

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slorydn1

· #7 · Nov 16, 2012

Strange Mud said:
Not knowing what you look like, when I was in my 30s long hair, beard I went into Canada for holiday. The border police pulled me and my Integra out of line and took off every interior panel. They didn't find anything and then said good day. They left it up to me to reassemble the interior of my car. just sayin...

Devil's Lettuce? So thats what you call it these days......:smoke:

and I thought I would never use the smoke smiley.

How about one of THESE::lit_up

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Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 16, 2012

OAC_Sparky said:
Mileage: You can normally get 9-10L/100km driving normally (read: not passing everything in sight). Figure using a bit more if you're loaded down.

Travelling in the States: make sure you and your passengers have up to date passports, make sure nobody has one that will expire within a month of you crossing the border. Some border guards can be pricky if it looks like your passport may expire prior to you exiting the country. Also, grill your passengers as to any criminal history or previous border hassles/refusals they have. If they do, DON'T TAKE THEM. Nothing is worse than having your car rummaged through, you and your passengers interrogated, sent back and blacklisted at the border. If your buddy had got busted 10 years ago for something and it's still on record and he gets caught, when you are all sent back there will be a note against you in the computer. You are in a sense "guilty by association and expect more headaches when you cross the border in the future.

And, seriously, don't try to smuggle any Devil's Lettuce into the country. And don't let anyone even bring/smoke it in the car for a while before the trip. Often times they do spot checks with sniffer dogs walking up and down the lines at the crossing. It's not worth it. It may be decriminalized here but The US is still in the Dark Ages as far as that's concerned.

Travelling in the Mustang: Unless you've got kids, the backseat is cramped for most adults. You'll really need to evaluate how comfortable that 3rd guy will be in the back. It works for me because I'm not particularly tall so an adult can squeeze a little more legroom sitting behind me. But if you're all tall then the backseat passenger will not only be cramped, but people that can't move around a bit will tend to (a)whine and (b)have to pit stop more, cancelling out any positives the guy brought to the table.

And if you do bring the 3rd guy revise your payload to "minimal luggage". My son and I did the Carlisle Ford Nationals this past summer (15 hours round trip), and after packing "moderately" for 4 days, two folding lawn (bag) chairs and a small cooler for drinks on the way there wasn't much leftover space. Stopping at an outlet center made it impossible for us to keep it all in the trunk, which was inconvenient on the last day after you check out the last day having crap piled in the back seat while you were at the car show.

Traffic differences:
States: After planning your route, search online for known speed traps along your route. Better yet, join "Trapster" and download/install the "known enforcment points" into your GPS (if it's a portable), it'll warn you in advace of potential speed trap points.

Ontario/Quebec: If you're travelling the 401 through Windsor or Sarnia to get to the US beware of the Chatham stretch (London to Tilbury), it's the worst spot on the 401 for traps. The area surrounding Montreal is bad too. I had the Quebec provincials cut 3 people off to get me in a minivan; all the rest of the group we were in had Quebec plates, mine were Ontario. They love to pick on visitors.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Mileage: Yeah I was thinking I would end up with around 9 with the way I drive. My goal is 8. :biggrin:

Travelling through the states: I have to admit this made me chuckle. My passenger will be my 54 yr old architect dad and our passports are all valid. I don't smoke or drink and wouldnt allow it in my car anyhow, but thanks for the heads up. I wouldn't dream of bringing someone with a record, or even befriending one for that matter.

Travelling with the Stang: Yeah since I'm only going to go through Canada on my return trip, I probably wont have a 3rd guy anyway. Besides no curtain airbags.

Traffic differences: Sounds like you need some help with your lead foot, I'm not planning on breaking any speed limits and I won't have cell coverage in the States anyway. I was thinking more along the lines of traffic laws, not where cops are, but thanks anyway.

Quebec: I got news for you, the SQ picks on everyone

.

Thanks for the response.

Strange Mud said:
Not k:Dnowing what you look like, when I was in my 30s long hair, beard I went into Canada for holiday. The border police pulled me and my Integra out of line and took off every interior panel. They didn't find anything and then said good day. They left it up to me to reassemble the interior of my car. just sayin...

Devil's Lettuce? So thats what you call it these days......:smoke:

and I thought I would never use the smoke smiley.

CSB, but I honestly don't think I'll have problems at the border. I don't know anyone who has and I've never had.

Also I would have filed a compliant. that's destruction of property almost.

Those of you more familiar with the cities in the US, any places I should avoid spending the night, other than Detroit of course?

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G

· #9 · Nov 16, 2012

Spare tire? Chains?

Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 16, 2012

J Orbit said:
Spare tire? Chains?

I'm not really willing to put down the cash to buy another wheel and tire (I have the Brembos). but my mind might change one day.

Chains?? Did you even read the thread?

Also, COST. anyone want to make some guesstamites?

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slorydn1

· #11 · Nov 16, 2012

About $300.00 (US) worth of gas, expect $60-120 per night on lodging, and what ever it costs you to eat (I usually go with $80 per day for food when its just my wife and I)...Assuming you plan on 3 travel days I'm gonna guestimate about $720 total.

WhiteBird00

· #12 · Nov 16, 2012

One traffic difference - Montreal is the sole remaining place in Canada where right turn on red is illegal. It used to be illegal in all of Quebec but they changed that a few years ago.

I would highly recommend crossing into the States on the return trip anywhere but the Windsor/Detroit crossing (especially the Ambassador Bridge). The neighborhoods you have to travel to get from the border to the Interstate are very bad (burned out and overrun by gangs) and it is not a safe place to be. Cross at the 1,000 Islands bridge or in southern Ontario (the Peace Bridge in Erie/Buffalo or the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge which usually has less traffic backups).

Although radar detectors are legal in almost all states and the western Provinces, they are illegal from Manitoba eastward.

I know you don't plan to speed but you might find some of the onerous laws in Ontario interesting. If you get caught going 50kph (30mph) over the limit, they can impound your car and suspend your license on the spot for seven days and leave you on the side of the road with a $2,000 - $10,000 ticket.

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Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 16, 2012

slorydn1 said:
About $300.00 (US) worth of gas, expect $60-120 per night on lodging, and what ever it costs you to eat (I usually go with $80 per day for food when its just my wife and I)...Assuming you plan on 3 travel days I'm gonna guestimate about $720 total.

300 for gas??? For 4600km? Did you forget I drive a Gt , not a Prius?

Also we will probably do the whole grocery store thing so maybe 40 bucks a day food.

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Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 16, 2012

WhiteBird00 said:
One traffic difference - Montreal is the sole remaining place in Canada where right turn on red is illegal. It used to be illegal in all of Quebec but they changed that a few years ago.

I would highly recommend crossing into the States on the return trip anywhere but the Windsor/Detroit crossing (especially the Ambassador Bridge). The neighborhoods you have to travel to get from the border to the Interstate are very bad (burned out and overrun by gangs) and it is not a safe place to be. Cross at the 1,000 Islands bridge or in southern Ontario (the Peace Bridge in Erie/Buffalo or the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge which usually has less traffic backups).

Although radar detectors are legal in almost all states and the western Provinces, they are illegal from Manitoba eastward.

I know you don't plan to speed but you might find some of the onerous laws in Ontario interesting. If you get caught going 50kph (30mph) over the limit, they can impound your car and suspend your license on the spot for seven days and leave you on the side of the road with a $2,000 - $10,000 ticket.

I'm from Montreal, but thanks for the heads anyway.

Good to know, thanks! However, I'm planning on doing the return through Canada because it will still be snowy on my way there through Canada. Any reason you suggest the states on return especially?

Yeah I know all this. The impounding thing is even worse in BC (40km vs. 50).

Also, border: do I tell them the truth of my trip and that's it or is this frowned upon?

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G

· #15 · Nov 16, 2012

Elite_Deforce said:
How did you fair for rock chips? Did you wash at all during the trip?

I'd invest in a clear bra, or partial clear bra. I have the front of my bumper and bottom of the hood covered in 3M film. You can barely tell it's there and it protects the car from road debris and makes cleaning bugs off easy. Well worth the $300 it cost me.

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Elite_Deforce

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 16, 2012

5POINTO said:
I'd invest in a clear bra, or partial clear bra. I have the front of my bumper and bottom of the hood covered in 3M film. You can barely tell it's there and it protects the car from road debris and makes cleaning bugs off easy. Well worth the $300 it cost me.

Not a fan of clear bra, besides I already have a few chips anyway. How did you wash?

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G

· #17 · Nov 16, 2012

Elite_Deforce said:
Not a fan of clear bra, besides I already have a few chips anyway. How did you wash?

Why are you not a fan? You can't see them and most owners of high end cars have them installed. IMO I would never buy another car and not get one installed. Rock chips and bug stains look like crap on a car. Even if you have a few, it's better to get it now so you don't get many more in the future.

Not sure what you mean by "How did you wash"? You wash and wax it like you would normally.

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WhiteBird00

· #18 · Nov 16, 2012

An alternative might be one of the regular bras for use just on the trip although I agree that a clear bra is a better long-term solution. A regular bra is less expensive and looks worse but it will protect your front end for the trip and you can just throw it away when you get back.

G

· #19 · Nov 16, 2012

WhiteBird00 said:
An alternative might be one of the regular bras for use just on the trip although I agree that a clear bra is a better long-term solution. A regular bra is less expensive and looks worse but it will protect your front end for the trip and you can just throw it away when you get back.

I'm thinking he might have thought I was talking about one of those types of "old school" bras. Clear bras are a great thing to have on a nice car.

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WhiteBird00

· #20 · Nov 16, 2012

5POINTO said:
I'm thinking he might have thought I was talking about one of those types of "old school" bras. Clear bras are a great thing to have on a nice car.

Agreed... it was one of the first things I put on my car.

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