I'm really about to drive 1200 miles for a shell...

Tried this as well but I'd still have to drive a few hours away for this, and 2 of the dealers didn't want to separate the shell

 

I drove 5 hours to pickup a 1gen Tacoma in "excellent condition" that looked like new in the pictures.

As soon as I saw it in person it became painfully obvious that someone repainted this entire truck probably in their driveway.

I took a piss in his front yard before leaving without the truck.

 

Well that was another reason I wanted to but, being married with a kid adventures take a toll.. lol

 

I do agree experiencing new areas is great, but it sounds like you wouldn't have time to check out much more than than the rest area shitter graffiti.

 

Yeah I'd have about 2 hours of free time including gas stops and installing the shell before about facing.

 

Don't knock it. Some of that shit is funny

 

I wasn't knocking it! I agree entirely!

 

I drove from Minneapolis, MN to Canton, OH to pick up a hard top for my wife's 01 Miata at 797mi one way.

Last fall my buddy and I drove from here to Pittsburgh PA to check out a 4th gen 4Runner, and walked away after the test drive.... then drove back, which was only 870mi one way.

All of this is a drop in the bucket compared to my June trip. Minneapolis to Prescot, AZ to pick up a new camping tent. 1,638mi and at just north of 24hr total drive time one way with a 2yo and 5mo in the cab with my wife.

I get the need for vehicle crack, but if you factor in basic hourly wage for your time that could be used in a better and safer way, plus fuel, your $600 savings is likely going to cost you. Not to mention the very real possibility of falling asleep at the wheel alone. Unless you are gnawing on the rip its can after chugging them nonstop, and stopping a couple times to shoot up a bit of meth... 36hrs is a VERY long drive. That's the sort of thing NTSB statistics are made of!

If I wasn't getting my new fancy tent in a few weeks, the softtopper would be on my short list. Some dust gets in the tail gate. But having lived in a desert for a little while, I leaned no matter how much you seal against it, it will always get in.

Buy a softopper and use the savings in fuel to buy some hardigg or pelican boxes.

 

Dude! Love that writing style. You should do a blog and host add space.

Great way to make the point, while keeping interest.

 

You could always see if another member in the area would be interested in meeting you halfway or delivering to you for some cash. Or you can jump on Uship. c o m and post it on there. You may catch someone dead heading or dropping something off in the area that will transport it for you at a decent price. I love trips like that myself. Get some good tunes going, put a big old dip in and pop open a Redbull. Game on.

 

I know the feels.

4 Hour each way.

Turn and burn.

Traffic both ways.

 

You went easy on him. I would have pissed all over the side of his house, his driveway, his porch and his mailbox

 

I'd bring your own set of mounting clamps to secure the cap.

 

Finding any matching paint cap for cheap is... lol I've been looking for a dcsb for a few months on CL now

 

Not sure I'd drive to pick that up unless I was absolutely sure the condition met my criteria. It would suck to go all that way only to find the person was faking the condition of the shell.

 

Zero chance I would drive 36 hours to save what equates to ~$12 an hour.

OP, do you make more then $12 an hour, if you do then do yourself a favor and pay up and have it delivered .

Guaranteed when you get there, the cap wont be as perfect as it seems.

 

Your title is wrong. You are going to drive 2400 miles total if it's taking 36 hours. If 1200 miles is all, you're only driving 33mph.

At the least I'd look for a forum member who is local tot he topper to pre check it out for you. To avoid disappointment and all that.

I've checked a few cars over the years for members on other forums before they came to purchase. Not that I would tell them to come and buy, (they are strangers, I didn't do a comprehensive inspection) but I could at least assure them that the vehicle was decent inside/out and seemed to drive well.

Point is those eyes could confirm, or deny, that this trip is worth while.

You are going to have at least $300 in gas, even if you take a cooler full of bologna sandwiches. Saving $600 for a net of $300, or less, of sheer exhaustion doesn't seem like a bright move on an unknown item.

I mean I can photo my Highlander to look good, and it has peeling clearcoat.

Good luck!

 

No fucking way I would do it. Period. Not worth it.

 

No way to far , if it looks like shit when you get there you're going to be infuriated . I drove from St. Louis to wamego Kansas which was about six hours each way I think ,and got a $1800 topper for $850 so it worked out for me but I wouldn't do anymore than that.

 

i drove that same distance to buy a hard top for a old beater CJ7. i was lucky the jeep made the trip.

me, i might still do it for the adventure..just gotta work out if the time/$ is worth it. if you need to sleep, you could convienently sleep under YOUR NEW TOPPER..right?