Preparation for long trips

[TomoHawk]

I took a road trip it took me neary 26 hours to drive to LA from Tucson. I kept stopping and checking out stops on the way and enjoying myself.

Did you run into Chevy chase on the way?

[TomoHawk]

I don't understand people these days, what ever happened to slowing down and smelling the flowers. Everyone is always in such a hurry, like their house is on fire.

You can thank iPads, smart phones, cell phones and "social networking" for that. People just want to get that one last SMS or email message done, and forget that they gotta be at work, or pick up the kids, or whatever. So they just put the hammer down, thinking that driving fast will get them there on time. the other half is the need for more HPs, turbos, and sporty anything, which just plain gets people used to going faster. Have you noticed the number of bikes on the streets or the bike trails lately? They're all home watching dead people, zombies, vamps, or the other stuff I mentioned.

Even the Z convention is suffering. In 2008, we were planning on 500+ cars, and only got half or so.

Edited December 3, 2012 by TomoHawk

[Pomorza]

You can thank iPads, smart phones, cell phones and "social networking" for that. People just want to get that one last SMS or email message done, and forget that they gotta be at work, or pick up the kids, or whatever. So they just put the hammer down, thinking that driving fast will get them there on time. the other half is the need for more HPs, turbos, and sporty anything, which just plain gets people used to going faster. Have you noticed the number of bikes on the streets or the bike trails lately? They're all home watching dead people, zombies, vamps, or the other stuff I mentioned.

Even the Z convention is suffering. In 2008, we were planning on 500+ cars, and only got half or so.

I'm going to go a step further and blame it on pure laziness.

[Wade Nelson]

This thread is rapidly approaching that Zen-like realization that the trip itself is as, if not MORE important than actually arriving at the destination.

Stopping and smelling the flowers. Taking photographs. Reading historical markers. Doing the cheesy things like stopping at Meteor Crater. Stopping and helping the guy with the flat tire. Talking to the developmentally disabled kid at the Mini-Mart who really, REALLY loves your Z-car.

Seriously! If you've got the time, why NOT make the trip just as fun as what you intend to do at your destination.

And lastly, consider this. What if you were to die in a fiery crash 10 miles from your destination. Would you be wishing THEN that you'd enjoyed the ride a little bit more?

If you haven't read it yet, start with "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." The road trip isn't about how many miles you can accumulate each day. It's about how many memories you can create.

The Z-car owner who gets to the destination last...WINS!

[Wade Nelson]

What would everyone think about turning this thread into a FORUM entitled something like "The Road Trip?"

[TomoHawk]

Good point, Pomorza.

How 'bout we share some memories about roadtrips? Has anyone run into any celebrities, other than in Hollywood? I once stopped in Gainesville, FL on the way to Spring Bake, and saw Don Garlits.

Edited December 4, 2012 by TomoHawk

[TomoHawk]

What would everyone think about turning this thread into a FORUM entitled something like "The Road Trip?"

That sounds like a good idea. :bulb:

[Pomorza]

Update, sort of

I took the Z out for a nice long drive today - about an hour - to get the tune (I have tuneable injection) nice and see how she performs. I noticed a really interesting thing. For the first 15 to 20 minutes or so the Z just doesn't really sound all that great. The idle is bit boucny (jumps about 80-100 rpms up). There's no hesitaion or anything the idle is just a bit off for a bit. But after a few nice long pulls up to 5k and nice cruising it all evened out. The idle sounds amazing and sits around 1000 (I like it there, it makes it sound glorious). Anyone else experience this or is my Z just tempermental? I know I have a rather annoying exhaut leak (which only seems to be there when the car is cold) but could that really lead to the idle being so meh?

On an unrelated note, everyone I know is telling me to rent a car; parents, friends, people I talk to. I know she's an old car but why do people think she's going to die halfway down the road?

Thanks all

Jan

[Carl Beck]

Good point, Pomorza.

How 'bout we share some memories about roadtrips? Has anyone run into any celebrities, other than in Hollywood? I once stopped in Gainesville, FL on the way to Spring Bake, and saw Don Garlits.

Really !! What was Don doing in Gainesville - he lives in Ocala, has a museum there as well.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Carl Beck]

I know she's an old car but why do people think she's going to die halfway down the road?

Because they are people that have never owned a DATSUN.

Carl B.

[TomoHawk]

To many people these days (the kind that can't live without their smart phones, iPads and social networking,) old car = JUNK, and NEW car = quality, safety, and convenience (or laziness?) Even the auto salesmen are pushing the SUVs lately (I was looking at a Fiesta,) telling me that the small cars are UNSAFE. I'd like to see an SUV run an autocross course faster than my Cub Cadet! :laugh:

So thanks to those like us, that keep the spirit of real driving alive!

I'd like to see a huge caravan of S30s arriving together at the next ZCON... That ought to be a real sight to behold.

Edited December 5, 2012 by TomoHawk

[FastWoman]

The idle sounds amazing and sits around 1000 (I like it there, it makes it sound glorious). Anyone else experience this or is my Z just tempermental?

Mine too. It will idle just fine at the spec 800, but it drives so much nicer with the idle at 1000.

On an unrelated note, everyone I know is telling me to rent a car; parents, friends, people I talk to. I know she's an old car but why do people think she's going to die halfway down the road?

Arrrrgh! Now don't you listen to them! There is no finer road car, IMO, than a 280Z. In my household, the little Miata is for short drives on the parkway with the top down. The Z is for longer drives whenever we hop the freeway to go see relatives in the next city. The marathon drives are admittedly with the truck, often with something in tow.