"Mike, is this the model model that you now own? Is the salesman right-on or was he over the top with some the techno wizardry he mentioned."
As a postscript, I just read an article here on Edmunds that Mercedes Benz is putting their new "9-speed" automatic transmission (with paddle-shifters of course) in the 2015 CLS 550 and will expand it to the E and S Class and eventually the whole line over the next 2 years. They say it is the first 9-speed available in the U.S. from Mercedes.
Should be interesting for improved fuel economy.
"STUTTGART, Germany — The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will be the first U.S. model to get the new nine-speed automatic transmission, a company insider told Edmunds on Wednesday.
The 2015 CLS-Class will go on sale here next fall.
The company insider, who did not want to be identified, said the redesigned CLS-Class will have the nine-speed "in at least one engine combination," followed "by a slow rollout across the line."
Daimler introduced the new transmission on Wednesday in Europe in the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec diesel sedan. The company said the new transmission is suitable for rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid drive systems and "will be used in almost all model series and engines in the coming years."
The transmission is expected to provide improved fuel economy, although no estimates were provided for the CLS-Class in the U.S."
@graphicguy said:
Way off topic....as some of you kind of speculated, I am indeed engaged. Been a long, long time since I've had someone who I was willing to "put myself out there" for. But, that's a testament to how great my new fiance is.
GG, congratulations. I sincerely hope you have found the right girl. Having a loving wife by your side will make your life 10 times more enjoyable. All the best.
GG, From Lexington Kentucky......60% of the way home....very best wishes. Glad you found someone to share your life with.
Left Tampa at 5:30 a.m., got to Lexington KY at 9 p.m., it's been a long day. I read through all the posts.....that is becoming a full time job. Thanks for the weather warnings.....it rained off and on and last 3 hours there was lots of rain, but we got to our target.
"Left Tampa at 5:30 a.m., got to Lexington KY at 9 p.m., it's been a long day. I read through all the posts.....that is becoming a full time job. Thanks for the weather warnings.....it rained off and on and last 3 hours there was lots of rain, but we got to our target."
Good to hear you are both OK. That's quite a bit of driving in one day. I saw the weather radar this morning in north central Florida and it sure looked ominous. We had severe thunderstorms here tonight - the worst is over now.
Have a safe trip back to Toronto and let us know when you get home.
5:30 - 9:00 is a long haul. especially if you do all the driving!
I will be doing a long trip the end of April (philly to SC). About 620 miles, and will be going straight through (well, a couple of gas and who knows how many bathroom breaks! Getting old sucks...).
this will actually be my longest driving trip as an adult (doing the driving) now that I think about it. May regret it about halfway down. Not because I can't drive it, but hearing my teenager complain about how long it takes! Though since we are going to look at a college for her, best that she knows what it is like for when she has to do it.
Going back will be in stages. 3 hours to NC the next day, then 7 hours back from there a couple of days later.
"5:30 - 9:00 is a long haul. especially if you do all the driving!"
Last year I drove from Ft. Lauderdale to just south of Jacksonville (about 300 miles) with my Dad to see my brother. I was exhausted and ached all over from the trip. Talk about getting old!
Back in 1999, I drove from far north Los Angeles to eastern Pennsylvania in 3 days when I took a new position there. My first stop was 90 miles west of Denver. My second stop was Joliet, Illinois. I then drove straight through to the Poconos arriving there at 12:00 noon.
Most of my driving was done from 10;00 PM - 1:00 PM. or about 15 hours a day with brief stops for gas and a hamburger. I was 54 years old then.
Now, if I drive more than 2 hours, I am finished for the day. Last July when I drove my grandson to Orlando in 3 hours, I was exhausted.
I'm good for 4-5 hours or 300 miles without being bothered. That is my usual trips though (visiting family). Last fall I did drive 440 miles (7+ hours?) to visit in NC, so what the heck, by then whats another 3 hours?
Looks like I will be taking the RDX, so at least it is comfortable and quick. Plus, I will get plenty of opportunities to stretch having to make extra gas stops thanks to the undersized gas tank!
@stickguy said:
I'm good for 4-5 hours or 300 miles without being bothered. That is my usual trips though (visiting family). Last fall I did drive 440 miles (7+ hours?) to visit in NC, so what the heck, by then whats another 3 hours?
When I had the Alpina B7 I drove from Fort Worth to Louisville in one day- and could have driven farther- it was a wonderful interstate cruiser.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
"When I had the Alpina B7 I drove from Fort Worth to Louisville in one day- and could have driven farther- it was a wonderful interstate cruiser."
In 1988, I drove from Chicago straight through to North Miami Beach in my '88 Lincoln Town Car. Lousy handling around corners and in turns (cushy suspension), but on an interstate highway, it was like riding on a cloud. No feel of the road of course, but for a flying carpet, it was great!
The trunk was huge and deep, and the back seat was like a limo.
But after driving German sport sedans since 2005 (BMW and Mercedes), I don't think I could tolerate that Lincoln Town Car around town or on the highway.
Things have sure changed in the last 25 years - domestic and imported cars handle well, have great fuel economy in comparison and are so much safer to drive.
@driver100 said: Left Tampa at 5:30 a.m., got to Lexington KY at 9 p.m., it's been a long day. I read through all the posts.....that is becoming a full time job. Thanks for the weather warnings.....it rained off and on and last 3 hours there was lots of rain, but we got to our target.
I ordered clear skies and sun for your Sunday drive through Ohio. Since it's 9:40 EDT I suspect you have already passed our fair area at the intersection of I70 and I75, Crossroads of America, near Dayton. Hope your trip is uneventful. I have noticed more Canadian and Michigan license plates through this last week as some "snow birds" return along with heavier traffic due to spring break travel, and that often brings more accidents in this region. But I hope there are none of those for you.
The other nasty experience I had was driving I75 in Dayton when it was 2 lanes on our way to a great Mexican restaurant. I was following a hog truck in a drizzling rain. The mist brought the mist that the rain made as it rinsed the excrement off the multiple layers of the hog truck into the air intake of our '89 Buick. I could NOT get that smell out of the air intake metal. I rinsed with a garden hose and the air blower on high. I sprayed Lysol into the intake.
Yeah....a bit quick, but as farmer states, "when you know, you know"....expecially given I was un-married for such a long time, and had a long term live in that I never could see getting married to.
In 1988, I drove from Chicago straight through to North Miami Beach in my '88 Lincoln Town Car. Lousy handling around corners and in turns (cushy suspension), but on an interstate highway, it was like riding on a cloud. No feel of the road of course, but for a flying carpet, it was great!
The trunk was huge and deep, and the back seat was like a limo.
But after driving German sport sedans since 2005 (BMW and Mercedes), I don't think I could tolerate that Lincoln Town Car around town or on the highway.
My single-day distance driving record happened in 1992 in my '90 Golf GTI. I drove from Hartford, CT to Halifax, NS in one day. That was all Interstates in the US until Bangor, Maine, at which point it became 2-lane through the rest of Maine and much of New Brunswick and then back to expressway in Nova Scotia. I didn't leave Hartford all that early and hadn't intended to drive all the way home that day but when I got into NB I figured I might as well just keep going. IIRC I got home around 11PM. Great seats in the GTI helped.
I'm different on long trips. That one did recently did wonders for clearing cobwebs out of my head. I avoid every Interstate I can.
Hey, I lost a bet with my older daughters which resulted in the pierced ear but I like that. I certainly look different but I like it and my wife likes it so who else matters?
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
"Hey, I lost a bet with my older daughters which resulted in the pierced ear but I like that. I certainly look different but I like it and my wife likes it so who else matters?"
NO ONE! Just pulling your leg, fezo. After what you've been through, you can join a nudist colony and I'd defend your right to disrobe.
You can become "Hannibal Lechter" and eat the faces off your neighbors and I'd defend your right to eat when you are hungry.
You can run for President of the US and invade Mexico and I'd defend your right to luxuriate in Acapulco for vacations.
@stickguy said:I will be doing a long trip the end of April (philly to SC). About 620 miles,
>
I do all the driving...my wife is a good driver, but I would rather drive, and she would prefer not to. I find the first 2 or 3 hours each day are the worst, but after that, you just become one with the car...you seem to be part of it.
Take a break every 2 or 3 hours, even if it is for a seniors coffee at McDonalds....50 cents in some states, and walk around a bit. Also a hot fudge sunday or a diet Coke all help to break it up and give you something to look forward to. I also took some cheese sandwiches, saves stopping for a large lunch.....we just get a restroom break, coffee, fill up with gas, take Gigi (dog) for a short walk, get in the car and go. Helps to get gas when you take a break too, saves making an extra stop for gas each time.
Good luck and let us know how you do.
One more thing, yesterday, we covered 850 miles, today 650. Best to do a little more the 1st day so 2nd day isn't as stressful. If you can try to be on the road at 5 or 6 a.m. Roads are fairly clear and hopefully you are pretty alert...can do a lot at that time.
Near Dayton I saw a car on the left shoulder.....there were 3 lanes on I-75.. I could see his brake lights flash, then he came onto the highway , drove in the left lane but had his brake lights on every once in awhile. I was going to go around him, but, then he cut across 3 lanes right in front of me...then he headed straight perpendicular toward the concrete barrier, then he started to head back the wrong way on I-75. I called 911 and they said they had a few calls about it. Wierd!!
OK, driver - give us a sign - are you home? How was the second leg of the trip home? I'm sure you are exhausted, but just give us a sign that you are alive and well!
Imid, I think it was around that time when we passed through Dayton. Lots of construction, that road should be pretty good when it is all complete.
I just wrote this for stick...before I even read your post:
Near Dayton I saw a car on the left shoulder.....there were 3 lanes on I-75.. I could see his brake lights flash, then he came onto the highway , drove in the left lane but had his brake lights on every once in awhile. I was going to go around him, but, then he cut across 3 lanes right in front of me...then he headed straight perpendicular toward the concrete barrier, then he started to head back the wrong way on I-75. I called 911 and they said they had a few calls about it. Wierd!!
When I called 911 I said it was just South of exit 171....so I must have gone right by your house. Let me know if you here anything more about that car. We have had a few tragic accidents here and in the Tampa area...people going the wrong way on highways.
And, it was a beautiful day for driving, temperature was over 50 and sunny all day. They even got a bit of a hurricane around Orlando so better we left on Saturday, instead of Sunday.
I hope to avoid any multiple day trips. especially if the 2nd day is going to be short. At that point, I would rather just keep going!
I think the long leg to Columbia SC is about 620 miles. Hopefully no big traffic issues. I will likely leave about 8:00. My problem with that trip is I have to go through the mess known as DC (malfunction junction!) and if I leave real early, I hit that at the heart of rush hour. So if I leave home at 8, I will pass through DC and Richmond late morning/early afternoon.
not that I have done it, but I assume one I get south of Richmond on I95, there is not much to run into! Probably just Fayetteville, and with any luck, that will be in the 3:30 range so not too bad.
@abacomike said:OK, driver - give us a sign - are you home? How was the second leg of the trip home?
Thanks Mike. I am home and really tired. It is hard doing 1500 miles in 2 days, but, it is so nice to be in a motel room for only one night...that is the incentive to keep going.
I really feel like a robot after the first 2 or 3 hours. I had lots of good music, and I try not to look at the clock too often....the time goes faster than you would think.
One pet peeve. I used to drive in the left lane only when passing, then I would move to the right, and I would get blocked by a truck, everyone behind me is now past me or blocking me from going back into the left lane. So, if there are slower cars in the right, I just stay in the left lane and keep up with the traffic in front. It is far less stressful than moving in and out all the time, and losing your place. However, often some smart [non-permissible content removed], usually the car behind me, zigs to the right...speeds past, and then cuts in, a few cars ahead of me or in front of me. I just let them, I give them space...it doesn't really slow me down, and it is so relaxing just letting them do their stupid silly jockeying for position. The funny thing is, at some point these guys end up maybe one car ahead of me after 20 miles of weaving in and out.
If you make it easy on yourself and just go with the flow it is really less stressful.
@stickguy said:I hope to avoid any multiple day trips.
I agree, it is kind of a waste to do 600 miles in 2 days. Seems like you would get there at around 9 or 10 PM if you leave at 8 a.m. If you don't mind getting in late then it is best to avoid the rush hour. That was one reason we left on a Saturday....2 days of travel with no rush hour traffic.
If you are staying in a motel preplan and take the numbers with you so you can call in advance while you are on the road. Some of those motels get filled up at certain times.
Glad you're home safe. The driver you saw was between Tipp City and Troy. That's a good strip of highway. Must have been intoxicated or mentally incapacitated in some way. My biggest fear is meeting a wrong way driver coming at me in the left lane--or a car crossing over from the other side of the freeway.
The Dayton traffic construction mess is because of the 5th time they've rebuilt the downtown strip since it originally went in. They finally did away with the 90 degree turn at the north end of downtown. This problematic layout has been all the result of politicians determining where the highway should go through the city--mostly black and white politicians who had bought up land on the west side of the river from poorer folks and wanted to profit from having I75 crisscross the river using the land the politicians had bought up west of downtown.
@tyguy said:Glad you're home safe, Driver, and I hope everything is well with the Canada place.
Thanks ty and yes, it was nice to come home and everything seeems to be ok except for one thing. My wife flew home for a week in February and I think she messed up the remote control that works the TV in the bedroom. I can change the stations using the remote for the cable box. But the LG TV remote won't do anything...won't turn it on/off, change channels, put on timer. Probably have to look for a teenager who can figure it out.
@imidazol97 said:the politicians had bought up west of downtown
This happens everywhere. I came back to more political scandals back home...and of course there is Toronto's crack mayor still making news. Then, in Tampa area there were even better scandals going on. A new police chief taking time off work to meet his married girlfriend who was a teacher and she was taking time off work to meet the chief. The teachers husband put a GPS on her car and followed her to the secret rendezvous. She spilled the beans on the chief who was meeting her while he was on company time...she failed to realize she was using sick days to meet the chief too. I think they will both lose their jobs....and that kind of ended the romance.
We have a great system of government....but, is it ever flawed. (since they are both on the government payroll and we pay their salaries, I'll count them as working for the government)
In the past several years, there is one smart (maybe just lucky) decision the US government made regarding the auto industry - they sold all their GM stock before GM recalled 2+ million cars and trucks and SUV's, with probably millions more yet to be recalled.
The value of GM stock is doomed to big drops due to this ignition problem. It cost Toyota 1.2 billion dollars for not owning up to their problems. What are the chances they will penalize GM a few hundred million or more for keeping the ignition problem "hush-hush" for years?
Is it possible the US government received insider information which allowed them to sell their remaining GM stock prior to these recalls? If they did, no one will ever know!
Driver, glad you are home safe. By the way, much do you pay in tolls.
On an other topic, did anyone see Elon Musk on 60 Minutes last night? He said he was engaged two weeks after meeting his current wife. Now, that's a man who knows what he wants.
@bwia said:
On an other topic, did anyone see Elon Musk on 60 Minutes last night? He said he was
engaged two weeks after meeting his current wife. Now, that's a man who knows what he
wants.
That's a man with a great team of attorneys that drafted one heck of a pre-nup in case said May to September romance goes awry!!
@bwia said:e. By the way, much do you pay in tolls
There are no tolls along I-75. It is a magnificent system...that is one thing government is good at, making a decent highway system. I-75 goes from Saulte St Marie Michigan, on the Canadian border all the way South to Miami, crossing through 6 states. It is almost 1800 miles long with nice rest stops along the way. There are also lots of restaurants and motels all along the way. And, the best part, there isn't one toll. The only real toll was $5 to cross the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit into Windsor Canada.
I was thinking how nice it is the government makes these nice roads so we can go on vacations. Then I realized we need a great road system to deliver goods and to make the economy run. Oh well, but, it is a tremendous project that keeps the economy humming, and carries people and goods across the country.
I did see the 60 minutes interview with Musk and he is a fascinating person. That 2 week thing shocked me too, he's faster than our own GG, but what Rob said was true to...I didn't think of that but there is probably a nice pre-nup in there. She said she liked looking after the 5 kids - which weren't hers, but.............
@driver100 said:
here are no tolls along I-75. It is a magnificent system...that is one thing government is good at, making a decent highway system. I-75 goes from Saulte St Marie Michigan, on the Canadian border all the way South to Miami, crossing through 6 states
Tolls are a big argument in KY and Cincinnati right now. The big government decided there's not enough money to rebuild the out-dated Brent Spence Bridge over the river. The area, which did not support the current big government leader, will have to come up with lots of money. Others don't like the idea of tolls for the bridge over the Ohio River. KY just passed a law against tolls on bridges.
From the big government, The claim is that the gasoline tax needs to be raised because there's not enough money in the highway funds to put in bridges and other pork for the favored folk. In reality, the gasoline tax money is being spent on walkways, bike paths, trolley cars, reclaiming bogs, railroads, etc., and other kinds of things that aren't in the original list of roads and bridges for cars and trucks.
@imidazol97 said:In reality, the gasoline tax money is being spent on walkways, bike paths, trolley cars, reclaiming bogs
That's another problem too. In our town they put in a bike lane on one medium useage street. My guess, is that during good weather, May to Oct, the maximum bike riders on that street may be as much as 10. Meanwhile there is no longer parking on most of the streets. Businesses, who actually paid taxes, are closing because customers can't park on the street. My doctors office is on that street, and now several people who can hardly walk have to park a long ways away because of the bike lanes.
I talked to the "green" councilor about it and he thinks he is making the city a better place to live.
@graphicguy said:
Way off topic....as some of you kind of speculated, I am indeed engaged. Been a long, long time since I've had someone who I was willing to "put myself out there" for. But, that's a testament to how great my new fiance is.
I'm really happy for you. The two most important questions are (1) When is the big day? (2) What does she drive? Best wishes to a most deserving guy!
"Boy, you guys are tough to keep up with. Doing my second second birthday party today (actual transplant was two years ago yesterday)."
Gosh, must have missed your post, fezo. Was just rereading some posts and saw yours.
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
As for your emerald earrings, I'll pretend I didn't read that so I can maintain my purist thoughts regarding your dressing habits - lol!
If you could see his picture on his musical CD, you would immediately understand why those earrings are totally for him. I don't mean that he isn't macho; they would just suit him so well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FEZO!
"5:30 - 9:00 is a long haul. especially if you do all the driving!"
Last year I drove from Ft. Lauderdale to just south of Jacksonville (about 300 miles) with my Dad to see my brother. I was exhausted and ached all over from the trip. Talk about getting old!
Back in 1999, I drove from far north Los Angeles to eastern Pennsylvania in 3 days when I took a new position there. My first stop was 90 miles west of Denver. My second stop was Joliet, Illinois. I then drove straight through to the Poconos arriving there at 12:00 noon.
Most of my driving was done from 10;00 PM - 1:00 PM. or about 15 hours a day with brief stops for gas and a hamburger. I was 54 years old then.
Now, if I drive more than 2 hours, I am finished for the day. Last July when I drove my grandson to Orlando in 3 hours, I was exhausted.
The first of this month, we drove my BIL to his vacation home in Florida for the last time. I did all of the driving. We left at 10 AM and arrived there at 9 PM. Those eleven hours wiped me out. A week later, we repeated the same trip coming home. I'm getting too old for that kind of driving.
"When I had the Alpina B7 I drove from Fort Worth to Louisville in one day- and could have driven farther- it was a wonderful interstate cruiser."
In 1988, I drove from Chicago straight through to North Miami Beach in my '88 Lincoln Town Car. Lousy handling around corners and in turns (cushy suspension), but on an interstate highway, it was like riding on a cloud. No feel of the road of course, but for a flying carpet, it was great!
The trunk was huge and deep, and the back seat was like a limo.
But after driving German sport sedans since 2005 (BMW and Mercedes), I don't think I could tolerate that Lincoln Town Car around town or on the highway.
Things have sure changed in the last 25 years - domestic and imported cars handle well, have great fuel economy in comparison and are so much safer to drive.
I had the '89 Town Car----my very favorite of all time. Yes, it did float like a cloud. I'm still in to the soft ride. The bigger the barge, the better I like it. The SRX is close to that, but I'll admit that it does handle much better than the older ambulances.
OMG! I just realized where you are from. I've been all over the world and across the U.S. several times. Please allow me to say that your home is our favorite spot on the planet. It is without a doubt the most beautiful scenery and the cleanest land mass on the face of the earth. We've been twice and absolutely love Nova Scotia. In addition to that, the people are so hospitable and helpful.
@stickguy said:
I hope to avoid any multiple day trips. especially if the 2nd day is going to be short. At that point, I would rather just keep going!
I think the long leg to Columbia SC is about 620 miles. Hopefully no big traffic issues. I will likely leave about 8:00. My problem with that trip is I have to go through the mess known as DC (malfunction junction!) and if I leave real early, I hit that at the heart of rush hour. So if I leave home at 8, I will pass through DC and Richmond late morning/early afternoon.
not that I have done it, but I assume one I get south of Richmond on I95, there is not much to run into! Probably just Fayetteville, and with any luck, that will be in the 3:30 range so not too bad.
Your travel times are well planned. Get through Richmond and you're home free. Try to reach Fayetteville before 5:30 PM. The Fort Bragg civilians get off about that time of day. It's not too bad, just easier if you get the drop on them.
Need an opinion about a TV set. There are a few things that don't work as they should....after a long trip. This one is the 50 inch LG TV in the bedroom. It was bought on March 3 in 2009, so it is 5 years old. It wasn't expensive, just $800 at the time, when most TVs were at least $1500. All that stopped working is the remote....that is the LG remote and the auxiliary universal remote, so I would say it is a fault with the TV.
I called LG and they will send a guy out on Wed to look at it. Service call is $90. Maybe he can fix the remote...more likely needs a new part for the TV to accept the remote signal. Estimated cost by the customer service rep....when asked $300.
I am thinking I am best to cut my losses. Had 5 years use out of the TV, using the Driver Method of cost per use...it works out to $160 a year for decent entertainment value and putting us to sleep. I can get a newer much better 46 or 50 inch Samsung...don't even need Smart for the bedroom for $700 or $800. Or fix the old one for $300, any opinions?
Comments
congrats GG. you should buy her a car for an engagement present!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Watch it, pretty soon he'll be telling us about his minivan shopping.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
"Mike, is this the model model that you now own? Is the salesman right-on or was he over the top with some the techno wizardry he mentioned."
As a postscript, I just read an article here on Edmunds that Mercedes Benz is putting their new "9-speed" automatic transmission (with paddle-shifters of course) in the 2015 CLS 550 and will expand it to the E and S Class and eventually the whole line over the next 2 years. They say it is the first 9-speed available in the U.S. from Mercedes.
Should be interesting for improved fuel economy.
"STUTTGART, Germany — The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will be the first U.S. model to get the new nine-speed automatic transmission, a company insider told Edmunds on Wednesday.
The 2015 CLS-Class will go on sale here next fall.
The company insider, who did not want to be identified, said the redesigned CLS-Class will have the nine-speed "in at least one engine combination," followed "by a slow rollout across the line."
Daimler introduced the new transmission on Wednesday in Europe in the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec diesel sedan. The company said the new transmission is suitable for rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid drive systems and "will be used in almost all model series and engines in the coming years."
The transmission is expected to provide improved fuel economy, although no estimates were provided for the CLS-Class in the U.S."
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
@graphicguy
Congratulations. Best wishes.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
GG, congratulations. I sincerely hope you have found the right girl. Having a loving wife by your side will make your life 10 times more enjoyable. All the best.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Me too, Graphicguy Congratulations. From flowers to a ring in 60-90 days.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
@graphicguy - congrats as well! All the best!
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
GG, From Lexington Kentucky......60% of the way home....very best wishes. Glad you found someone to share your life with.
Left Tampa at 5:30 a.m., got to Lexington KY at 9 p.m., it's been a long day. I read through all the posts.....that is becoming a full time job. Thanks for the weather warnings.....it rained off and on and last 3 hours there was lots of rain, but we got to our target.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"Left Tampa at 5:30 a.m., got to Lexington KY at 9 p.m., it's been a long day. I read through all the posts.....that is becoming a full time job. Thanks for the weather warnings.....it rained off and on and last 3 hours there was lots of rain, but we got to our target."
Good to hear you are both OK. That's quite a bit of driving in one day. I saw the weather radar this morning in north central Florida and it sure looked ominous. We had severe thunderstorms here tonight - the worst is over now.
Have a safe trip back to Toronto and let us know when you get home.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Sapphire. My "twins" birthstone.
"Sapphire. My "twins" birthstone."
Sapphires, emeralds - 6 of one or a half dozen of the other - same difference - earrings!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
5:30 - 9:00 is a long haul. especially if you do all the driving!
I will be doing a long trip the end of April (philly to SC). About 620 miles, and will be going straight through (well, a couple of gas and who knows how many bathroom breaks! Getting old sucks...).
this will actually be my longest driving trip as an adult (doing the driving) now that I think about it. May regret it about halfway down. Not because I can't drive it, but hearing my teenager complain about how long it takes! Though since we are going to look at a college for her, best that she knows what it is like for when she has to do it.
Going back will be in stages. 3 hours to NC the next day, then 7 hours back from there a couple of days later.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"5:30 - 9:00 is a long haul. especially if you do all the driving!"
Last year I drove from Ft. Lauderdale to just south of Jacksonville (about 300 miles) with my Dad to see my brother. I was exhausted and ached all over from the trip. Talk about getting old!
Back in 1999, I drove from far north Los Angeles to eastern Pennsylvania in 3 days when I took a new position there. My first stop was 90 miles west of Denver. My second stop was Joliet, Illinois. I then drove straight through to the Poconos arriving there at 12:00 noon.
Most of my driving was done from 10;00 PM - 1:00 PM. or about 15 hours a day with brief stops for gas and a hamburger. I was 54 years old then.
Now, if I drive more than 2 hours, I am finished for the day. Last July when I drove my grandson to Orlando in 3 hours, I was exhausted.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I'm good for 4-5 hours or 300 miles without being bothered. That is my usual trips though (visiting family). Last fall I did drive 440 miles (7+ hours?) to visit in NC, so what the heck, by then whats another 3 hours?
Looks like I will be taking the RDX, so at least it is comfortable and quick. Plus, I will get plenty of opportunities to stretch having to make extra gas stops thanks to the undersized gas tank!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Congrats GG!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
When I had the Alpina B7 I drove from Fort Worth to Louisville in one day- and could have driven farther- it was a wonderful interstate cruiser.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
"When I had the Alpina B7 I drove from Fort Worth to Louisville in one day- and could have driven farther- it was a wonderful interstate cruiser."
In 1988, I drove from Chicago straight through to North Miami Beach in my '88 Lincoln Town Car. Lousy handling around corners and in turns (cushy suspension), but on an interstate highway, it was like riding on a cloud. No feel of the road of course, but for a flying carpet, it was great!
The trunk was huge and deep, and the back seat was like a limo.
But after driving German sport sedans since 2005 (BMW and Mercedes), I don't think I could tolerate that Lincoln Town Car around town or on the highway.
Things have sure changed in the last 25 years - domestic and imported cars handle well, have great fuel economy in comparison and are so much safer to drive.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I ordered clear skies and sun for your Sunday drive through Ohio. Since it's 9:40 EDT I suspect you have already passed our fair area at the intersection of I70 and I75, Crossroads of America, near Dayton. Hope your trip is uneventful. I have noticed more Canadian and Michigan license plates through this last week as some "snow birds" return along with heavier traffic due to spring break travel, and that often brings more accidents in this region. But I hope there are none of those for you.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
but that means 15 SPF sunscreen and a hat. Ive always done the hat.
Wide hat, earring? I think I've seen you around.
http://mooselicker.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/hipster.jpg
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
--to be continued.
The other nasty experience I had was driving I75 in Dayton when it was 2 lanes on our way to a great Mexican restaurant. I was following a hog truck in a drizzling rain. The mist brought the mist that the rain made as it rinsed the excrement off the multiple layers of the hog truck into the air intake of our '89 Buick. I could NOT get that smell out of the air intake metal. I rinsed with a garden hose and the air blower on high. I sprayed Lysol into the intake.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
CONGRATS!
That was kind of quick but I guess when the right one comes along...you know.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Y'all are nice. Thanks.
Yeah....a bit quick, but as farmer states, "when you know, you know"....expecially given I was un-married for such a long time, and had a long term live in that I never could see getting married to.
Again, thanks!
My single-day distance driving record happened in 1992 in my '90 Golf GTI. I drove from Hartford, CT to Halifax, NS in one day. That was all Interstates in the US until Bangor, Maine, at which point it became 2-lane through the rest of Maine and much of New Brunswick and then back to expressway in Nova Scotia. I didn't leave Hartford all that early and hadn't intended to drive all the way home that day but when I got into NB I figured I might as well just keep going. IIRC I got home around 11PM. Great seats in the GTI helped.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I'm different on long trips. That one did recently did wonders for clearing cobwebs out of my head. I avoid every Interstate I can.
Hey, I lost a bet with my older daughters which resulted in the pierced ear but I like that. I certainly look different but I like it and my wife likes it so who else matters?
"Hey, I lost a bet with my older daughters which resulted in the pierced ear but I like that. I certainly look different but I like it and my wife likes it so who else matters?"
NO ONE! Just pulling your leg, fezo. After what you've been through, you can join a nudist colony and I'd defend your right to disrobe.
You can become "Hannibal Lechter" and eat the faces off your neighbors and I'd defend your right to eat when you are hungry.
You can run for President of the US and invade Mexico and I'd defend your right to luxuriate in Acapulco for vacations.
See, fezo, I'm easy!!!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
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I do all the driving...my wife is a good driver, but I would rather drive, and she would prefer not to. I find the first 2 or 3 hours each day are the worst, but after that, you just become one with the car...you seem to be part of it.
Take a break every 2 or 3 hours, even if it is for a seniors coffee at McDonalds....50 cents in some states, and walk around a bit. Also a hot fudge sunday or a diet Coke all help to break it up and give you something to look forward to. I also took some cheese sandwiches, saves stopping for a large lunch.....we just get a restroom break, coffee, fill up with gas, take Gigi (dog) for a short walk, get in the car and go. Helps to get gas when you take a break too, saves making an extra stop for gas each time.
Good luck and let us know how you do.
One more thing, yesterday, we covered 850 miles, today 650. Best to do a little more the 1st day so 2nd day isn't as stressful. If you can try to be on the road at 5 or 6 a.m. Roads are fairly clear and hopefully you are pretty alert...can do a lot at that time.
Near Dayton I saw a car on the left shoulder.....there were 3 lanes on I-75.. I could see his brake lights flash, then he came onto the highway , drove in the left lane but had his brake lights on every once in awhile. I was going to go around him, but, then he cut across 3 lanes right in front of me...then he headed straight perpendicular toward the concrete barrier, then he started to head back the wrong way on I-75. I called 911 and they said they had a few calls about it. Wierd!!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
OK, driver - give us a sign - are you home? How was the second leg of the trip home? I'm sure you are exhausted, but just give us a sign that you are alive and well!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Rest up - we want to hear all the details.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Imid, I think it was around that time when we passed through Dayton. Lots of construction, that road should be pretty good when it is all complete.
I just wrote this for stick...before I even read your post:
Near Dayton I saw a car on the left shoulder.....there were 3 lanes on I-75.. I could see his brake lights flash, then he came onto the highway , drove in the left lane but had his brake lights on every once in awhile. I was going to go around him, but, then he cut across 3 lanes right in front of me...then he headed straight perpendicular toward the concrete barrier, then he started to head back the wrong way on I-75. I called 911 and they said they had a few calls about it. Wierd!!
When I called 911 I said it was just South of exit 171....so I must have gone right by your house. Let me know if you here anything more about that car. We have had a few tragic accidents here and in the Tampa area...people going the wrong way on highways.
And, it was a beautiful day for driving, temperature was over 50 and sunny all day. They even got a bit of a hurricane around Orlando so better we left on Saturday, instead of Sunday.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I hope to avoid any multiple day trips. especially if the 2nd day is going to be short. At that point, I would rather just keep going!
I think the long leg to Columbia SC is about 620 miles. Hopefully no big traffic issues. I will likely leave about 8:00. My problem with that trip is I have to go through the mess known as DC (malfunction junction!) and if I leave real early, I hit that at the heart of rush hour. So if I leave home at 8, I will pass through DC and Richmond late morning/early afternoon.
not that I have done it, but I assume one I get south of Richmond on I95, there is not much to run into! Probably just Fayetteville, and with any luck, that will be in the 3:30 range so not too bad.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Thanks Mike. I am home and really tired. It is hard doing 1500 miles in 2 days, but, it is so nice to be in a motel room for only one night...that is the incentive to keep going.
I really feel like a robot after the first 2 or 3 hours. I had lots of good music, and I try not to look at the clock too often....the time goes faster than you would think.
One pet peeve. I used to drive in the left lane only when passing, then I would move to the right, and I would get blocked by a truck, everyone behind me is now past me or blocking me from going back into the left lane. So, if there are slower cars in the right, I just stay in the left lane and keep up with the traffic in front. It is far less stressful than moving in and out all the time, and losing your place. However, often some smart [non-permissible content removed], usually the car behind me, zigs to the right...speeds past, and then cuts in, a few cars ahead of me or in front of me. I just let them, I give them space...it doesn't really slow me down, and it is so relaxing just letting them do their stupid silly jockeying for position. The funny thing is, at some point these guys end up maybe one car ahead of me after 20 miles of weaving in and out.
If you make it easy on yourself and just go with the flow it is really less stressful.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree, it is kind of a waste to do 600 miles in 2 days. Seems like you would get there at around 9 or 10 PM if you leave at 8 a.m. If you don't mind getting in late then it is best to avoid the rush hour. That was one reason we left on a Saturday....2 days of travel with no rush hour traffic.
If you are staying in a motel preplan and take the numbers with you so you can call in advance while you are on the road. Some of those motels get filled up at certain times.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Glad you're home safe, Driver, and I hope everything is well with the Canada place.
@driver100
Glad you're home safe. The driver you saw was between Tipp City and Troy. That's a good strip of highway. Must have been intoxicated or mentally incapacitated in some way. My biggest fear is meeting a wrong way driver coming at me in the left lane--or a car crossing over from the other side of the freeway.
The Dayton traffic construction mess is because of the 5th time they've rebuilt the downtown strip since it originally went in. They finally did away with the 90 degree turn at the north end of downtown. This problematic layout has been all the result of politicians determining where the highway should go through the city--mostly black and white politicians who had bought up land on the west side of the river from poorer folks and wanted to profit from having I75 crisscross the river using the land the politicians had bought up west of downtown.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Thanks ty and yes, it was nice to come home and everything seeems to be ok except for one thing. My wife flew home for a week in February and I think she messed up the remote control that works the TV in the bedroom. I can change the stations using the remote for the cable box. But the LG TV remote won't do anything...won't turn it on/off, change channels, put on timer. Probably have to look for a teenager who can figure it out.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
This happens everywhere. I came back to more political scandals back home...and of course there is Toronto's crack mayor still making news. Then, in Tampa area there were even better scandals going on. A new police chief taking time off work to meet his married girlfriend who was a teacher and she was taking time off work to meet the chief. The teachers husband put a GPS on her car and followed her to the secret rendezvous. She spilled the beans on the chief who was meeting her while he was on company time...she failed to realize she was using sick days to meet the chief too. I think they will both lose their jobs....and that kind of ended the romance.
We have a great system of government....but, is it ever flawed. (since they are both on the government payroll and we pay their salaries, I'll count them as working for the government)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
In the past several years, there is one smart (maybe just lucky) decision the US government made regarding the auto industry - they sold all their GM stock before GM recalled 2+ million cars and trucks and SUV's, with probably millions more yet to be recalled.
The value of GM stock is doomed to big drops due to this ignition problem. It cost Toyota 1.2 billion dollars for not owning up to their problems. What are the chances they will penalize GM a few hundred million or more for keeping the ignition problem "hush-hush" for years?
Is it possible the US government received insider information which allowed them to sell their remaining GM stock prior to these recalls? If they did, no one will ever know!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Driver, glad you are home safe. By the way, much do you pay in tolls.
On an other topic, did anyone see Elon Musk on 60 Minutes last night? He said he was engaged two weeks after meeting his current wife. Now, that's a man who knows what he wants.
That's a man with a great team of attorneys that drafted one heck of a pre-nup in case said May to September romance goes awry!!
There are no tolls along I-75. It is a magnificent system...that is one thing government is good at, making a decent highway system. I-75 goes from Saulte St Marie Michigan, on the Canadian border all the way South to Miami, crossing through 6 states. It is almost 1800 miles long with nice rest stops along the way. There are also lots of restaurants and motels all along the way. And, the best part, there isn't one toll. The only real toll was $5 to cross the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit into Windsor Canada.
I was thinking how nice it is the government makes these nice roads so we can go on vacations. Then I realized we need a great road system to deliver goods and to make the economy run. Oh well, but, it is a tremendous project that keeps the economy humming, and carries people and goods across the country.
I did see the 60 minutes interview with Musk and he is a fascinating person. That 2 week thing shocked me too, he's faster than our own GG, but what Rob said was true to...I didn't think of that but there is probably a nice pre-nup in there. She said she liked looking after the 5 kids - which weren't hers, but.............
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Tolls are a big argument in KY and Cincinnati right now. The big government decided there's not enough money to rebuild the out-dated Brent Spence Bridge over the river. The area, which did not support the current big government leader, will have to come up with lots of money. Others don't like the idea of tolls for the bridge over the Ohio River. KY just passed a law against tolls on bridges.
From the big government, The claim is that the gasoline tax needs to be raised because there's not enough money in the highway funds to put in bridges and other pork for the favored folk. In reality, the gasoline tax money is being spent on walkways, bike paths, trolley cars, reclaiming bogs, railroads, etc., and other kinds of things that aren't in the original list of roads and bridges for cars and trucks.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That's another problem too. In our town they put in a bike lane on one medium useage street. My guess, is that during good weather, May to Oct, the maximum bike riders on that street may be as much as 10. Meanwhile there is no longer parking on most of the streets. Businesses, who actually paid taxes, are closing because customers can't park on the street. My doctors office is on that street, and now several people who can hardly walk have to park a long ways away because of the bike lanes.
I talked to the "green" councilor about it and he thinks he is making the city a better place to live.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'm really happy for you. The two most important questions are (1) When is the big day? (2) What does she drive? Best wishes to a most deserving guy!
Richard
You have those reversed. Most important is What does she drive?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If you could see his picture on his musical CD, you would immediately understand why those earrings are totally for him. I don't mean that he isn't macho; they would just suit him so well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FEZO!
Richard
The first of this month, we drove my BIL to his vacation home in Florida for the last time. I did all of the driving. We left at 10 AM and arrived there at 9 PM. Those eleven hours wiped me out. A week later, we repeated the same trip coming home. I'm getting too old for that kind of driving.
Richard
I had the '89 Town Car----my very favorite of all time. Yes, it did float like a cloud. I'm still in to the soft ride. The bigger the barge, the better I like it. The SRX is close to that, but I'll admit that it does handle much better than the older ambulances.
Richard
OMG! I just realized where you are from. I've been all over the world and across the U.S. several times. Please allow me to say that your home is our favorite spot on the planet. It is without a doubt the most beautiful scenery and the cleanest land mass on the face of the earth. We've been twice and absolutely love Nova Scotia. In addition to that, the people are so hospitable and helpful.
Richard
Your travel times are well planned. Get through Richmond and you're home free. Try to reach Fayetteville before 5:30 PM. The Fort Bragg civilians get off about that time of day. It's not too bad, just easier if you get the drop on them.
Richard
Need an opinion about a TV set. There are a few things that don't work as they should....after a long trip. This one is the 50 inch LG TV in the bedroom. It was bought on March 3 in 2009, so it is 5 years old. It wasn't expensive, just $800 at the time, when most TVs were at least $1500. All that stopped working is the remote....that is the LG remote and the auxiliary universal remote, so I would say it is a fault with the TV.
I called LG and they will send a guy out on Wed to look at it. Service call is $90. Maybe he can fix the remote...more likely needs a new part for the TV to accept the remote signal. Estimated cost by the customer service rep....when asked $300.
I am thinking I am best to cut my losses. Had 5 years use out of the TV, using the Driver Method of cost per use...it works out to $160 a year for decent entertainment value and putting us to sleep. I can get a newer much better 46 or 50 inch Samsung...don't even need Smart for the bedroom for $700 or $800. Or fix the old one for $300, any opinions?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250