Summers in Boston are precious.
The winters can be long and tough. Spring lasts about 45 minutes. And fall is barely 100 days away.
So New Englanders know when summer finally gets here, it's time to own it. We work hard, we play hard. And it all begins in earnest on Memorial Day weekend.
Almost 90 percent of travelers this holiday weekend will go by car, and the 36.1 million Americans hitting the road for trips of more than 50 miles will be the highest in 10 years, according to AAA.
"It's an economic indicator," said Mary Maguire, director of public and government affairs for AAA Southern New England. "The great majority of people travel by car, especially if you have a large family. These numbers are very encouraging. We all endured 'Snowmaggedon' and now we're ready for summer."
New England's top summer travel destination is the beach. Cape Cod has more than 550 miles of shoreline, and the Cape Cod National Seashore alone draws more than 4.5 million people each year.
Ready to go? On the recommendations of Mark Takahashi, the automotive editor of Edmunds.com, here are three vehicles perfect for a Cape escape:
Audi A5 convertible
Admit it: Nothing's better than a convertible when you're thinking sea and sand. And if you're going al fresco, go in style — ditch the Geo Metro and get the luxury A5 droptop. The folding soft top doesn't impact trunk space, so you've got room for your beach chairs. Headroom is a little lacking in the rear seats, but with the top down, it won't matter. And really, the top should be down. (Starting MSRP: $44,500)
Mazda CX-5
If your beach trip skews more toward family fun than romantic getaway, this stylish choice has more room for passengers and stuff — as well as attractive fuel economy, averaging more than 30 mpg on the highway. "As one of our favorite compact crossover SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 delivers all the space and utility you'd expect, but also brings a more engaging driving experience," Takahashi said. "It also looks pretty sharp for an SUV. With available all-wheel drive, you can also venture out onto the sand." (MSRP: $22,945)
Jaguar F-Type
Probably more suitable to the one-percenters who summer on the Vineyard or Nantucket, the Jaguar F-Type is the pick if you can't make it to the Hamptons. A V8-powered roadster ($92,000) might be a waste, because there's no place to open it up on Route 6. But you can still be the first one to the yacht club. (MSRP: $69,000)
Some people prefer a different approach to summer. Rather than sun, sand and salt water, many Hub escapees head for the hills — to the Berkshires, the Adirondacks or the peaceful Green Mountains of Vermont. For those folks, a luxury sedan doesn't make sense, but these rides do:
Toyota Highlander
Takahashi's top recommendation for a mountain excursion combines roominess and affordability. "It's one of our highest-rated SUVs for good reason," he said. With a thoughtful, refined interior and strong V6 power, the Highlander is right at home for camp or cabin. Best of all: seating for eight, although the rear-most seats should be reserved for children. (MSRP: $29,215)
BMW X5
What's better for a westward march than a well-crafted, powerful, stylish SUV? As it's a BMW, expect and receive luxury and superior construction. "This one should make a long road trip seem shorter," said Takahashi, who recommends the diesel-powered xDrive35d for its authoritative acceleration and frugal fuel consumption. (MSRP: $52,800)
Range Rover Sport
There aren't a lot of vehicles that have the wide range of capabilities of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. "The V8-powered version defies logic, and probably physics, with its sports car-like performance, yet it also can handle off-road terrain like a pickup," noted Takahashi. "It makes a strong statement." (MSRP: $62,600)
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