Usually after I wake up from my nap while driving, I check my emails, texts, etc. once in a while I look outside. Took the brake pedal out, as I really don't need it, the gas pedal has been stuck at 3/4 for several years. But no one need to worry, as I am usually driving on the sidewalk..............
Seriously, I get more and more irritated at how many people drive, having absolutely no clue as to what is going on around them and obviously not paying attention to their driving.
( The only thing that me off about US made cars is that stupid park brake activated by your foot....How the hell are you supposed to do handbrake turns ???)
You grind off the notches that hold the pedal down, dummy!
STEALTH COMPETENT
I know what I'm doing, it just doesn't look like it.
Ive slowed down, mainly. Although i never was too crazy of a driver to begin with. Of course not having a real fast car most of the time helped. My short stint with the 66government impala i souped up would be the exception. Probably a good thing i sold it...
Btw, which engine is in Great White?
Mine has the 4.6L V8. Here's a nice Wiki photo of the car at the top of this article:
No !!! you forget, this is a special edition made for Sam !!! the exclusive Limited Yosemite Sam Edition............ one of 50 made !!! :jester:
The guy I bought Great White from had worked for Ford, serviced their inventory and other computer systems at dealerships across eastern Tx. He got the Bird totally loaded, largest engine, all the luxury stuff, plus all available handling and performance options.
I've had the car for maybe 9 years, routine maintence only except a head gasket job. It's a dream to drive, smooth, quiet, plenty of power for city/freeway driving -- at least for the way I drive these days.
Coming from a lifetime of owning sports cars and hotted up MiniCoopers, etc, I'm very pleased the way this car handles --- steering neutral, doesn't understeer like most US cars, nimble and fun instead. It's about perfect for my needs, just the right size for a single guy, a Mafia-rated 3-body trunk, comfy seats, looks nice too.
I try to take good care of it, don't exactly baby the engine but don't do the race-car stoplight thing either, regular service w. premium oil/filter.
Thinking about it, another huge change has been my extremely judicious drinking/driving thing. 2-3 beers over an evening is it, then I switch to club soda or whatever.
I'm not too proud to admit that I really took stupid chances with alcohol when I was a lot younger, very thankful that I came out the other side of that habit without harming anyone or getting in serious trouble.
I have a strict rule, once I drink any alcohol, I will not drive....
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
some may recall that I drive for a living. A lot has changed in a relatively short time. The volume of traffic is choking what used to be roads known for fast travel. Truck traffic is more congested than ever. And sadly the number of people who are impatient has also increased. I see more and more people running red lights, tailgating, passing on the right, and the list goes on. As for me, I now do a three count at a green light. I plan trips so that I never need to worry about "making time". I always try to let people merge by moving over,if possible. If I can't move over, I will slow down to allow merging. And I am much more courteous. I used to try to punish an idiot by doing things like boxing him in. Now I let them blow by. Be patient and we all arrive alive.
We do not view the world as it is, but as we perceive it to be.
I drive like an old man. Always have. I use the cruise control and keep right at or just below the speed limit, coast from one red light to the next, not generally ever floor it because that'll kill my milage.
Thanks for that.........When I come over for the 2013 SE we can do that at Teach's place. I am sure he will have the right tools for the job.
Dont know what Avis will say when I return their rental though................
That's a whole lot of unnecessary work. A piece of electric fence wire to wire back the pawl that locks the pedal in position is all that is necessary. Or if you are really in a hurry, duct tape it! You can thank me later for this information. :tooth:
“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer” ― Douglas Adams
I have never understood why the older folks start slowing down their speed as they grow older. I imagine that as I get older and realize that my time here is shortening, I wanna spend less time in travel (reflexes allowing,) and get from A to B much faster. Not be an old turd and impede traffic while finally accelerating 15 seconds after the light turns green :bang:
I have never understood why the older folks start slowing down their speed as they grow older. I imagine that as I get older and realize that my time here is shortening, I wanna spend less time in travel (reflexes allowing,) and get from A to B much faster. Not be an old turd and impede traffic while finally accelerating 15 seconds after the light turns green :bang:
Haha.... I tell my wife the same thing all of the time, ''Why is Granny going so darn slow, doesn't she want to get there while she's still alive. She obviously ain't got much time left!''
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson
That's not a big motor. That's smaller than the 289.
I don't consider it a big motor but it was the biggest engine offered on the T-Bird at the time. Regardless, I didn't buy the car new in the first place, it just came that way.
I have never understood why the older folks start slowing down their speed as they grow older. I imagine that as I get older and realize that my time here is shortening, I wanna spend less time in travel (reflexes allowing,) and get from A to B much faster. Not be an old turd and impede traffic while finally accelerating 15 seconds after the light turns green :bang:
Because sooner or later, you get to the point where you just want to relax and enjoy the ride. It eventually makes you say screw it, I get there when I get there.
I don't consider it a big motor but it was the biggest engine offered on the T-Bird at the time. Regardless, I didn't buy the car new in the first place, it just came that way.
I am glad I have the skill to yank out a piddly motor, and replace it with something better...... 4.6 liter indeed, an econo box motor...... Now if it were a 5.7 liter or better......
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
One more thought. I think there needs to be an IQ before you can use cruise control. IMHO, it is just dumb to even attempt to use it in heavy congested traffic. Yet some folks do it. You don't have to be on any multi-lane road very long to find someone in the passing lane with the cruise set one or 2 mph higher than the speed limit. Or worse yet, right on the speed limit. They will have a mile of traffic behind them and seem oblivious to the people who pass them on the right. IMHO, these drivers are dangerous and cause accidents.
We do not view the world as it is, but as we perceive it to be.
Or worse yet, right on the speed limit. They will have a mile of traffic behind them and seem oblivious to the people who pass them on the right. IMHO, these drivers are dangerous and cause accidents.
How can someone that obeys the law cause accidents?
I don't agree with them hanging out in the left lane.....but if you are following the rules of the road then there would be no reason to pass on the right.......just my opinion.
Why do people feel they get to decide what laws are ok to break?
You don't have to be on any multi-lane road very long to find someone in the passing lane with the cruise set one or 2 mph higher than the speed limit. Or worse yet, right on the speed limit. They will have a mile of traffic behind them and seem oblivious to the people who pass them on the right. IMHO, these drivers are dangerous and cause accidents.
This is me, the speed limit is the law. Why is this bad? I get several hand salutes on the freeways and all I do is smile. I have no desire to interact with the cops so I stay pretty close to what's posted.
Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
Gator and Buford are both right in that obeying the law is a good thing. That is not the issue. If you want to drive the speed limit stay in the right lane. If you must pass a slower vehicle, then pass and get back in.To me safety is a larger concern. If a ,shall we say ,cautious driver is causing a backlog, then other drivers become impatient and take chances. Ask any trucker what they observe when there is a car beside them for miles just inching past. Most of my driving is on very congested interstates in the northeast. I usually stay in the center lane when possible but if I have to pass, I will accelerate past, then get back in. The DC area is an interesting case study on traffic enforcement. Most of the beltway is posted at 55mph. But the flow is usually 65 and higher. You will never see someone pulled over for going 65 in a 55. You will see them pulled over for aggressive lane changing. This road is a good example of someone driving the speed limit being a hazard. That is the reality.
We do not view the world as it is, but as we perceive it to be.
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree,the hazard is not the person that is obeying the law.
If everyone was to drive the posted speed limit there would be no reason to pass and traffic would flow nicely, but with some going 55 and most doing 65 and some others doing 75 or 80 traffic can not flow as planned.
I understand the concept of keeping up with the flow of traffic and I do,but if someone chooses to follow the speed limit in my opinion they are not the hazard.
Gator, we are more in agreement than not. There is no question that the aggressive driver or the one who exceeds the limit by a lot are a major cause of accidents. In fact if rain or snow is beginning to fall, I will try to find an alternative route to an interstate. You just know that someone going way too fast for conditions will cause a pileup. You make an interesting point about traffic maintaining the same speed. The National Highway Safety Adm has a few pilot programs where fleet owners have agreed to have sensors installed in their cars and trucks. Sensors in the road transmit the appropriate speed to the cars and cruise kicks in. The benefits are many. Fewer accidents, backups, etc. The results are encouraging but like everything it is still cost prohibitive.
I believe another contributing factor is the difference between the posted speed limit and the effective speed limit. Speed laws have a built in fudge factor so that police have to allow 6 mph over(more or less). So 55 becomes 61,etc. I am ready to give up this way of earning money. It is increasingly dangerous and stressful.
We do not view the world as it is, but as we perceive it to be.
Replies
Oh I stop first to clear the intersection, just roll on through once traffic has stopped. The "Q" tends to get their attention.
(I was referring to running lights and siren, in a '99 Pierce 105' Aerial)
Seriously, I get more and more irritated at how many people drive, having absolutely no clue as to what is going on around them and obviously not paying attention to their driving.
It wasn't too bad actually. Not great by any means but I averaged just under 16 mpg over 1700 miles.
You grind off the notches that hold the pedal down, dummy!
I know what I'm doing, it just doesn't look like it.
HONK!!!
I know what I'm doing, it just doesn't look like it.
Mine has the 4.6L V8. Here's a nice Wiki photo of the car at the top of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Thunderbird_(tenth_generation)
The guy I bought Great White from had worked for Ford, serviced their inventory and other computer systems at dealerships across eastern Tx. He got the Bird totally loaded, largest engine, all the luxury stuff, plus all available handling and performance options.
I've had the car for maybe 9 years, routine maintence only except a head gasket job. It's a dream to drive, smooth, quiet, plenty of power for city/freeway driving -- at least for the way I drive these days.
Coming from a lifetime of owning sports cars and hotted up MiniCoopers, etc, I'm very pleased the way this car handles --- steering neutral, doesn't understeer like most US cars, nimble and fun instead. It's about perfect for my needs, just the right size for a single guy, a Mafia-rated 3-body trunk, comfy seats, looks nice too.
I try to take good care of it, don't exactly baby the engine but don't do the race-car stoplight thing either, regular service w. premium oil/filter.
I'm not too proud to admit that I really took stupid chances with alcohol when I was a lot younger, very thankful that I came out the other side of that habit without harming anyone or getting in serious trouble.
Thanks for that.........When I come over for the 2013 SE we can do that at Teach's place. I am sure he will have the right tools for the job.
Dont know what Avis will say when I return their rental though................
That's not a big motor. That's smaller than the 289.
Haha.
Ever again?
You think the minimum wage workers at Avis would ever check the parking brake?
That's a whole lot of unnecessary work. A piece of electric fence wire to wire back the pawl that locks the pedal in position is all that is necessary. Or if you are really in a hurry, duct tape it! You can thank me later for this information. :tooth:
― Douglas Adams
Haha.... I tell my wife the same thing all of the time, ''Why is Granny going so darn slow, doesn't she want to get there while she's still alive. She obviously ain't got much time left!''
I don't consider it a big motor but it was the biggest engine offered on the T-Bird at the time. Regardless, I didn't buy the car new in the first place, it just came that way.
Because sooner or later, you get to the point where you just want to relax and enjoy the ride. It eventually makes you say screw it, I get there when I get there.
The mouthbreathers at Enterprise did not find the baggie of pot someone left in my last rental car.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
I am glad I have the skill to yank out a piddly motor, and replace it with something better...... 4.6 liter indeed, an econo box motor...... Now if it were a 5.7 liter or better......
That was my first thought too. Most likely the Enterprise workers stash....
How can someone that obeys the law cause accidents?
I don't agree with them hanging out in the left lane.....but if you are following the rules of the road then there would be no reason to pass on the right.......just my opinion.
Why do people feel they get to decide what laws are ok to break?
Shoplifting........bad
Speeding..........ok
-96 lbs
This is me, the speed limit is the law. Why is this bad? I get several hand salutes on the freeways and all I do is smile. I have no desire to interact with the cops so I stay pretty close to what's posted.
If everyone was to drive the posted speed limit there would be no reason to pass and traffic would flow nicely, but with some going 55 and most doing 65 and some others doing 75 or 80 traffic can not flow as planned.
I understand the concept of keeping up with the flow of traffic and I do,but if someone chooses to follow the speed limit in my opinion they are not the hazard.
-96 lbs
I believe another contributing factor is the difference between the posted speed limit and the effective speed limit. Speed laws have a built in fudge factor so that police have to allow 6 mph over(more or less). So 55 becomes 61,etc. I am ready to give up this way of earning money. It is increasingly dangerous and stressful.