Ask the Car People.SM


Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

21746 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 7:38 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Safety

Messages Page 1980 of 2176

#19784 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [fintail] by steve_ HOST

Sep 13, 2012 (8:55 am)

Replying to: fintail (Sep 13, 2012 8:04 am)
You're back to assuming that your idea of fun driving is the same as mine.

#19785 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [steve_] by fintail

Sep 13, 2012 (8:57 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 13, 2012 8:55 am)
So, no specifics?
 
Or maybe you're assuming your idea of fun driving is actually driving at all

#19786 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [fintail] by steve_ HOST

Sep 13, 2012 (9:15 am)

Replying to: fintail (Sep 13, 2012 8:57 am)
Let me know when you find a place you can legally drive a supercar on a public road without violating the speed limit. And get out of second gear, lol. Can barely wind out to 3rd in a Vette without getting Smokey's attention.
 
My idea of a twisty fun drive is the Dempster Highway or the Cassiar or the Trans-Labrador or the Alcan or Idaho's Highway 12 or the Magruder Corridor or a dozen others.
 
Just try going "fast" on Highway One, especially around Big Sur. Too many rubberneckers and too good of scenery to try to bomb down it anyway.
 
And don't forget the Old Priest Grade near Yosemite. That's a cult classic.

#19787 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [steve_] by bobw3

Sep 13, 2012 (9:41 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 13, 2012 9:15 am)
"Just try going "fast" on Highway One, especially around Big Sur. Too many rubberneckers and too good of scenery to try to bomb down it anyway. "
 
Just go early in the morning and it's pretty clear of traffic.

#19788 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [bobw3] by steve_ HOST

Sep 13, 2012 (10:02 am)

Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 13, 2012 9:41 am)
Still want to lollygag and enjoy the views. This is my idea of a fun road and a Prius would be perfect since gas stations aren't abundant.
 
Today's inconsiderate driving example. Apparently got clipped by someone speeding behind her. (mirror.co.uk)

#19789 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [steve_] by fintail

Sep 13, 2012 (10:32 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 13, 2012 9:15 am)
Speed limits on wide open roads are only so relevant. Most affluent snarky old greybeards who buy new Vettes never get them past third anyway
 
I guess I differentiate between a fun trip and a fun drive. For those you mention, the fun is the scenery or destination, which are not really related to the drive. You'd have the same fun or more on a nice big-windowed tour bus, or as a passenger in a car. Driving isn't needed.

#19790 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [fintail] by steve_ HOST

Sep 13, 2012 (10:57 am)

Replying to: fintail (Sep 13, 2012 10:32 am)
I like to control when and where I stop. Best having no schedule when you can swing it. But yeah, busing around Mexico is fun.

#19791 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [backy] by andres3

Sep 13, 2012 (11:35 am)

Replying to: backy (Sep 12, 2012 7:25 pm)
I prefer Fintails' words, calm, or lack of panic. Relaxed does imply inattentive, and that is no good, at any speed, whether it be 55 or 100.
 
I'm not in a state of panic if I'm driving for 100 miles straight on I5 in CA and happen to look down and see the speedo hit 100 (it's called speed desensitivity) when you go in a straight flat line for miles and miles and miles.
 
The only thing that would cause me panic if I was doing 100 MPH is if I saw a CHP car on the side of the road as I passed Now that would induce panic immediately.
 
You need to spend a track weekend or 2 at the track with a decently competently handling car. Most modern vehicles could handle a safe single emergency lane change manuever at 100 MPH without requirement of an expert driver. It's not suicidal. You are driving too much American iron or big heavy trucks!
 
Sure, it would take more skill and precision to be safe with my '03 Accord Coupe on skinny 205/65 R16 all-season rubber, whereas in my '06 A3 on fat/wide sticky summer 235/40 R18's even a beginner with one weekend's track training should be able to handle it easily and without breaking a sweat.
 
Frankly, with ESP, even someone with 2 minutes training on what to do for an emergency lane change should be able to handle it in a good handling vehicle.
 
What is good about the track and HPDE is it lets people safely discover the limits of traction and maneuverability, and it is usually far higher than they expect. When a driver knows the capabilities of their vehicle, it makes them a better driver since they can execute avoidance manuevers (and not resort to stopping as the only solution to an emergency situation) using the full capabilities of their vehicle.

#19792 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [steve_] by andres3

Sep 13, 2012 (11:53 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 13, 2012 10:57 am)
Your idea of fun sounds like you'll be the Google Driver's first customer. That way you can enjoy the scenery even better, since you won't have to "enjoy" the drive at all.
 
I still enjoy the scenery along Highway 1 going fast, I just have to process the scenery much quicker

#19793 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [bobw3] by andres3

Sep 13, 2012 (11:55 am)

Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 13, 2012 6:16 am)
A real driver knows that it's the driver and the road, not the car, that makes a driving experience really exciting.
 
I always felt that people that said that kinda thing were always driving underpowered cars.

Messages Page 1980 of 2176

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement