The Long Good Bye

legion · 10-02-2008, 07:31 AM

Well, I got back from delivering my car to the new owner in Austin, TX last night. I'm sore (no cruise control and 17½ hours of driving). I'm tired.

Some thoughts:

1) Yes, you can make it from Bloomington, IL to Austin, TX in one day.
2) Cruise Control is a must for drives over 1 hour.
3) Gas prices on Tuesday (87 Octane):
Bloomington, IL: $3.57.
Lincoln, IL, $3.42.
St. Louis, MO: $3.42.
Joplin, MO: $3.25.
Tulsa, OK: $2.92.
McAlester, OK: $3.22.
Dallas, TX: $3.70
Waco, TX: $3.57.
4) OK is not okay. There is something wrong with that place. The roads are really empty.
5) Driving the speed limit will prevent tickets, and piss off the locals.
6) Mountain Dew and Ayn Rand can keep me attentive and awake for a 17½ drive.
7) Seeing the sun rise in Illinois and set in Texas is kind of cool.
8) Having a state trooper tail you for 70 miles REALLY slows down your pace.
9) There is no civilization between Waco and Austin.
10) Floor-hinged gas pedals suck, especially when you have no cruise-control.
11) Just because you get on the earlier flight from Austin to Chicago does not mean there is an earlier flight from Chicago to Bloomington.
12) O'Hare is freakin' huge.
13) Don't mess with Texas.
14) Don't irritate Oklahoma.
15) Don't inconvenience Missoura.
16) Buying toiletries that are in less than 3 ounce bottles and can all fit in a one quart plastic baggy: about $10.
Forgetting your backpack with said toiletries, spare clothes, and the title to the car you are selling: priceless.

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

Sounds like you turned a mundane trip into an adventure! Glad everything turned out OK oops I mean okay

scottmandue · 10-02-2008, 07:43 AM

Gee... I guess I can't complain about my up coming vacation and the grueling 250 mile scenic drive through central California.

Are you going to replace the 944 with something else?

Jim Richards · 10-02-2008, 07:47 AM

Yeah, Chris. Time to get a real Porsche.

legion · 10-02-2008, 07:50 AM

Replace the 944?

Not right now. Maybe in a few years. Many things need to take place before I consider another sports car.

I am going to buy myself something from the sale proceeds. Most of the rest of the money is spoken for. (Paying off debt.)

I have elminated a significant expense, and I plan on saving for a new roof for my house...

onewhippedpuppy · 10-02-2008, 07:53 AM

No cruise = no fun on a long trip. Can you feel your ankle yet?

legion · 10-02-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

No cruise = no fun on a long trip. Can you feel your ankle yet?

Blister on the back of my right heel.

Ankle isn't too bad.

Calf is worse.

Quadricep is really painful.

Tishabet · 10-02-2008, 07:58 AM

86 944s don't have cruise? My 89 does... I once drove it from Boston to Hilton Head in one day. Can't imagine making the same drive without cruise! You're officially part of the "iron foot" club now.

Jim Richards · 10-02-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

Blister on the back of my right heel.

Ankle isn't too bad.

Calf is worse.

Quadricep is really painful.

Last year, the wife and I took the 73E for a 2 1/2 week long road trip. No cruise control. Longest single stretch: Albuquerque, NM to Ft. Smith, AK. ~725 miles, ~10 hours. No issues. Wailing MFI, loud pipes, hot outside, no A/C, windows open. I guess the younger generation is just soft.

legion · 10-02-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Last year, the wife and I took the 73E for a 2 1/2 week long road trip. No cruise control. Longest single stretch: Albuquerque, NM to Ft. Smith, AK. ~725 miles, ~10 hours. No issues. I guess the younger generation is just soft.

You sit more upright and higher-up in the 911.

In the 951 the top of the seat is only 4 inches off the floor. My legs are stretched out in front of me. Also, with the floor-hinged gas pedal, my foot has to hit the pedal at the top as I don't have enough leverage at the bottom off the pedal to keep it pressed. It's a great driving position for fast driving but tiring for long distances.

FastDave · 10-02-2008, 08:35 AM

Legion, I laughed at your last line in first entry and I needed that. Thanks

Jim Richards · 10-02-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

You sit more upright and higher-up in the 911.

In the 951 the top of the seat is only 4 inches off the floor. My legs are stretched out in front of me. Also, with the floor-hinged gas pedal, my foot has to hit the pedal at the top as I don't have enough leverage at the bottom off the pedal to keep it pressed. It's a great driving position for fast driving but tiring for long distances.

Nope. I have track seats and lower mounting brackets. Since it's a sunroof coupe, the extra headroom keeps the brain bucket from rubbing the headliner. The 73E has a floor hinged gas pedal. You kids are too soft.

Tim Hancock · 10-02-2008, 09:15 AM

hmmm, I enjoy long drives in my 951, but it does have cruise.

rammstein · 10-02-2008, 09:28 AM

At one time in history, his car had cruise control. It just never worked.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Bittersweet. I'm sure the new owner will be happy with the car. Now go buy a 911 and some new guns!

scottmandue · 10-02-2008, 10:06 AM

My 84 944 N/A has cruise... cept it turns itself off when you hit a bump.

and the waterpump leaks

onewhippedpuppy · 10-02-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Nope. I have track seats and lower mounting brackets. Since it's a sunroof coupe, the extra headroom keeps the brain bucket from rubbing the headliner. The 73E has a floor hinged gas pedal. You kids are too soft.

I hated driving my cruise-less 911 for more than 30 minutes at a time on the highway. Yeah, I'm a big spoiled sissy.

Jim Richards · 10:12 AM

LOL! I actually enjoyed the road trip a lot. Even with the stiff suspension setup that I have for the track, it was fine. Well, except for driving in/around Chicago.

I can see myself making another long road trip in the 911 one of these days.

notfarnow · 10-02-2008, 10:22 AM

Lightweights! I drove across Canada in a LeCar, and slept in it.

That was 14 years ago though, I doubt I could do it now. I like others here, get cranky after 30 minutes on the highway without cruise.

Long roadtrips are a great time for reflection though. I'd love to do another solo 3-4 day drive sometime soon.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Last year, the wife and I took the 73E for a 2 1/2 week long road trip. No cruise control. Longest single stretch: Albuquerque, NM to Ft. Smith, AK. ~725 miles, ~10 hours. No issues. Wailing MFI, loud pipes, hot outside, no A/C, windows open. I guess the younger generation is just soft.

Not quite that long, but I did a round trip to Kingston Ontario, about 700km round trip in 2 days last summer in the 911. No air, 30+C (not sure in F - damn hot) and humid as hell, shirt off, windows wide open, 120-140 km/h the whole way. Loved it! Oh yeah, and I'm part of the "younger generation".