Question of the Day: When Was the Last Time You Enjoyed Driving?
Looking through today's headlines, and man is there a lot of doom and gloom. Gas up. Strike here. Jobs cut there. Mexican Fords even further over there. One comment in particular stuck in my mind. Talking about the Dacia Logan review Salokj said, "Renault has done a great job at marketing this car and even some car guys I know tell me 'What's the point of buying anything more, you can't go over 130km/h anymore.'" And 130km/h is bang on about 80 mph. Fast, but really more freeway cruising speed. Or if you live in Britain, the speed at which cops shoot. Anyhow, it all got me thinking — is driving fun anymore? Traffic, tickets, the price of gas, modern cars are too numb, too fat and much too safe. But still, and maybe I'm just wired different, but despite everything I just listed, every time I climb behind a wheel I simply love it. Doesn't matter the car, doesn't matter the location nor the weather. Strap me in and I love it — on some level at least. Even last night, stuck in traffic with a heavy clutch, was completely enjoyable. To me. What about you?
Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.
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I just like to drive, always have. I doesn't really matter what I'm driving either, I get enjoyment from the act of driving. I don't get to spend as much time behind the wheel now, but I always try to find some way to have fun.
Yesterday, on the way back from the store when the local station played "Sweet Child 'O Mine" by Guns and Roses...
Last weekend. Went from middle TN to Chattanooga to drop off the kids, and then to Knoxville for a wedding. Reverse route the next day. Long side trip to leave the kids with my parents. Anyhow 10PM Saturday night, rolling down I-75 at 65 mph in our 160K mile 9 yr old CR-V and it was driving bliss. Hardly any trucks. What few there were we passed (slower than 65 mph). Passed several vehicles (~60 mph)and got passed by several vehicles (~70 mph). The fast cars were only going about 70 mph. Roads were nearly empty. There is a benefit to living in a small TN town - lack of crowding. The downside is that a dozen states cross TN to go anywhere so the interstates are often crowded with commercial and private traffic alike rushing along trying to get to their destination. With high fuel prices we generally stay close to home. When we have gotten out driving seems a little less rushed.
Forgot to mention that despite having the a/c on, running at 75 mph from Chattanooga to Knoxville, 65 mph despite the speed limit from mid-TN to Chattanooga - the old CR-V still got a solid 26-27 mpg! Not amazing for other cars but the old window sticker said to expect 25 mpg tops. We consistently see 26 under most conditions and have seen 29 once or twice. Te trip up was to the tunes of John Mayer and the Dixie Chicks, and the trip back from K-town to 'nooga was with the stereo off at 10PM+. Just enjoying the sounds of the vehicle, road, wind and the conversation with my 11 yr bride. Conversation not interrupted by those short people that follow us around and always appear at dinner time... VBG!