At&T U-Verse Sucks...................

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Well, while I'm here and the "C" word was mentioned... anyone have a 2012 Chevy Impala - may want to not read this.  I had the occasion to drive one for two weeks and 2,200 miles (roughly 200 miles in town).  Big disappointment.  Instead of the EPA "estimate" of near 30 mpg, it gets 25.  (I get 22 mpg on a 7,000 lb truck using same calculation methods, and a little bit higher in town miles). 

How heavy is your right foot?   The Chevy web site lists the Impala engine as 3.6 Litre/ 217 CID, 300 HP @ 6500 RPM, and 262 (lb-ft, not shown) @ 5300 RPM.  I didn't see the weight of the car but it's probably pushing 4000 lb.

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I guess that explains why the ladies have been propositioning me so often lately.

The shirt, the shoes, the car or a combination?

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Just don't wear a lumberjack shirt and Birkenstocks or you will be mistaken for a dyke.

Even in a WRX?

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Also, extremely uncomfortable seats.  Not good.  Next time, will try a Subaru.

Mid 90s Chrysler products killed my back.  I had to stuff a jacket between the small of my back and the seat back or I was toast in less than 1/2 hr.  I haven't driven anything new from GM but I hope they didn't get their seat designers from Chrysler.

[heironymouspasparagus]

How heavy is your right foot?   The Chevy web site lists the Impala engine as 3.6 Litre/ 217 CID, 300 HP @ 6500 RPM, and 262 (lb-ft, not shown) @ 5300 RPM.  I didn't see the weight of the car but it's probably pushing 4000 lb.

3555 lbs.  62/38 weight distribution.

Heavy enough to get 22 mpg on the Dodge diesel - combined city AND highway.  Drove Route 66 several times from OKC to Tulsa in last few years - average a little slower highway - about 60mph - but got 26 mpg on the Dodge (5.9 liter).

I got 23 on the 96 Olds Delta with a 3.8 liter!  And a whole lot more comfortable!  But then, this is the "good GM feeling"....

[heironymouspasparagus]

Mid 90s Chrysler products killed my back.  I had to stuff a jacket between the small of my back and the seat back or I was toast in less than 1/2 hr.  I haven't driven anything new from GM but I hope they didn't get their seat designers from Chrysler.

Done outside - none of the "Big 3" designs or builds their seats.

[nathanm]

Even in a WRX?

Someone with a new-to-them Evo X took me out to Sand Springs on old north road the other day. Let's just say that cars should not be capable of going that fast around corners that sharp and bumpy, and I say this as someone who would probably be called a reckless driver by a large segment of the population.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I am accused of driving like an old man 'cause I accelerate and brake modestly at every opportunity.  That's how I get good mileage.  I do know a guy who beats me like a rented mule.  He got in the 80 and 90 mpg range with his Honda Civic - doing those maximum mileage field trial things.  My 1976 Civic couldn't get much better than about 43-45 with me driving it.

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Someone with a new-to-them Evo X took me out to Sand Springs on old north road the other day. Let's just say that cars should not be capable of going that fast around corners that sharp and bumpy, and I say this as someone who would probably be called a reckless driver by a large segment of the population.

Evo X, another street legal road racer.  A few years ago, a co-worker had an Evo (not sure about the "X").  It was like a go-kart on steroids.  The driver wasn't as smooth (d³x/dt³) as he thought he was but the car stayed in control.  I would rather have cars more capable than necessary than the other way around but the American buying public will keep performance in rein.  Reckless is not so good but assertive is better than being indecisive.

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I am accused of driving like an old man 'cause (You are one.  ) I accelerate and brake modestly at every opportunity.  That's how I get good mileage.  I do know a guy who beats me like a rented mule.  He got in the 80 and 90 mpg range with his Honda Civic - doing those maximum mileage field trial things.  My 1976 Civic couldn't get much better than about 43-45 with me driving it.

You don't have to be a jack rabbit but if you don't keep pace with traffic, you are a contributing cause to others doing stupid things to get around you.  I also hope you are not one of those drivers that tries to merge with 65 mph traffic on the expressways while only accelerating to 45 or 50 mph on the entrance/acceleration ramps. 

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3555 lbs.  62/38 weight distribution.

Front wheel drive is horrible in that regard.

My '66 Skylark GS (400) was about 54/46 with the big 400 CID (401 Nailhead) engine with about a half tank of gas.  2100 front/1800 rear without people in it. (Yes, I weighed it.)

[nathanm]

Evo X, another street legal road racer.  A few years ago, a co-worker had an Evo (not sure about the "X").  It was like a go-kart on steroids.  The driver wasn't as smooth (d³x/dt³) as he thought he was but the car stayed in control.  I would rather have cars more capable than necessary than the other way around but the American buying public will keep performance in rein.  Reckless is not so good but assertive is better than being indecisive.

I agree with pretty much all of what you said. Good tools will save your donkey and bad ones will come back to bite your donkey. My SO once had an Escort ZX2. It turned much better than it had any right to, but I found out about snap oversteer one evening in that car. It's just not something you expect out of a front wheel drive car with a half-decent weight distribution.

The pride in me says that I proved how good a driver I was by managing to avoid the many obstacles that could have made my night even worse, after all, I was only off by a couple of inches despite nearly spinning the car. It was still worth a flat tire. The realist says I shouldn't have been going that fast around that corner in that car. Since then, I've gotten over the need to test the limits of every car I drive.

FWIW, the current Evo is probably the least expensive car you can get an auto-clutch transmission in, if that's your thing.

[heironymouspasparagus]

You don't have to be a jack rabbit but if you don't keep pace with traffic, you are a contributing cause to others doing stupid things to get around you.  I also hope you are not one of those drivers that tries to merge with 65 mph traffic on the expressways while only accelerating to 45 or 50 mph on the entrance/acceleration ramps.  

I merge at 65 to 75.

There are certain ramps where you just can't get up enough speed (BA eastbound at Harvard) but mostly I get fast pretty quick.  Not jack rabbit.  And I will wait for traffic to give me more room.

Oh, yeah...and yes, very old!  (Just like you!!  Na na na na na!!)

[nathanm]

There are certain ramps where you just can't get up enough speed (BA eastbound at Harvard) but mostly I get fast pretty quick.  Not jack rabbit.  And I will wait for traffic to give me more room.

My speedometer says that 65 is possible even at that onramp. (if you're not stuck behind a line of minivans driving 40, of course) Granted, there may be people whose vehicles literally cannot accelerate that quickly, but they're rare these days. Even my 110HP 1991 Honda Accord will do it. It does require knowing where the right pedal is and (in some vehicles, like the Honda) does require knowing that the pedal on the right can in fact be pushed all the way to the floor or that curves can be taken at speed without flying off the road...or onto the road in that case.

Unfortunately, some people seem to be afraid of the noise and discomfort that accompanies acceleration. I'm not saying that it's a good idea to always accelerate like gangbusters. It's terrible for mileage, after all. However, there are times when driving when you should pay the extra ten cents and not create a hazard to all the other road users. Merging onto a highway and turns into/across heavy traffic are two that come immediately to mind. It never ceases to amaze me how many people will turn into a small gap without bothering to even try to get up to speed quickly.

[Conan71]

My speedometer says that 65 is possible even at that onramp. (if you're not stuck behind a line of minivans driving 40, of course) Granted, there may be people whose vehicles literally cannot accelerate that quickly, but they're rare these days. Even my 110HP 1991 Honda Accord will do it. It does require knowing where the right pedal is and (in some vehicles, like the Honda) does require knowing that the pedal on the right can in fact be pushed all the way to the floor or that curves can be taken at speed without flying off the road...or onto the road in that case.

Unfortunately, some people seem to be afraid of the noise and discomfort that accompanies acceleration. I'm not saying that it's a good idea to always accelerate like gangbusters. It's terrible for mileage, after all. However, there are times when driving when you should pay the extra ten cents and not create a hazard to all the other road users. Merging onto a highway and turns into/across heavy traffic are two that come immediately to mind. It never ceases to amaze me how many people will turn into a small gap without bothering to even try to get up to speed quickly.

The jog in the entrance ramp eastbound intimidates a lot of drivers.  Having a car that handles quick steering inputs helps.

I've grazed that curb a couple of times myself.  The real donkey-pain merge is the on-ramp right before Lewis eastbound.  It's uphill and short.