Any Reformed SUV/Muscle Car/Truck Drivers?

[rh77]

I've been a Pro-Rally and WRC fan for a while now. To participate as a spectator, sweep worker, or just driving the course of these events is a rush. I'll admit that I drive efficiently on a day-to-day basis, but when it comes to racing, there's a time and place.

Previous vehicles:

'99 Honda Civic Si (somewhat stock at 100 hp/litre)
'03 Mitsubitshi Lancer Evolution VIII (300hp, intercooled-turbo, AWD)

They were fun to drive, but to realize their full potential required sucking down the gas when you didn't need to, and getting in trouble.

Judging by the list, most of the high-hp cars/trucks listed would be good as race-day vehicles, but that's costly for the average Joe. That's the problem with most auto mags out there -- they assume each reader is running quarter miles, top-ends, and max-g corners on the way to work every day. For me, it just doesn't make sense daily -- so here we are. I'd love to have a race-prepped Rally car to have fun once at sanctioned events, but the cost-benefit ratio is tough right now.

RH77

[Hockey4mnhs]

ive only had one car and thats the same one as now. I got tired of driving fast to school (100+) every day and seeing no real differance in time of getting there. Now i just leave earlyer and enjoy my music while getting good mpgs

[MorningGaser]

I was concieved in the back of a Metro, so this is why that car is very fond to me. I felt immense guilt for having betrayed my parent's sentiments, by purchasing a new Yaris. My parents are heartbroke at this pissing on their past, however with therapy I feel good about getting past this latest speed bump. Still, I am glad to have found all you very close and precious friends, as we bond while saving gas, and relive the glorious pasts that we all bring to this wonderful site. I have to admit however that I do miss the days of thundering down the highway in my good old Eagle Talon, a real man's car, to be sure. If only my wife hadn't forced me to sell this wonderful monument to American engineering, I would be as happy as a clam today. Well, boys, I have to get back to my glass of Dewar's as it is late, and I'm yet to catch up to my wife's 4th glass for the evening.

Cheers all!

[ELF]

Originally Posted by MorningGaser

I have to admit however that I do miss the days of thundering down the highway in my good old Eagle Talon, a real man's car, to be sure. If only my wife hadn't forced me to sell this wonderful monument to American engineering,

Cheers all!

Real mans car? You owned a talon and don't even know what country it was engineered in? "Hint" Japan.

[GasSavers_Kraig]

I have a rare (1 of 83) turbocharged 4 cylinder '86 Comp Prep SVO Mustang in the garage for the occasions when "Need for Speed" kicks in! It feels Really quick after you get in it after driving The Festiva for a couple of months It actually gets decent mileage, upper 20s on the highway.

[MorningGaser]

Originally Posted by ELF

Real mans car? You owned a talon and don't even know what country it was engineered in? "Hint" Japan.

Japan, American? There you go spliting hairs on me again... The truth is, I shouldn't drink & post!

[diamondlarry]

I owned a '98 Durango before I bought my first Saturn. I was able to get as high as 21 on the highway before I finally gave up trying to hypermile the heck out of it to get such poor numbers.

[Snax]

Originally Posted by rh77

They were fun to drive, but to realize their full potential required sucking down the gas when you didn't need to, and getting in trouble.

It's nice not having to worry about being spotted hypermiling. That's the other reason the sports cars had to go. They were just too much fun not to use as intended. Mine and my wife's driving records are proof of that.

Now at least we are seeing our insurance rates drop.

[ELF]

Originally Posted by MorningGaser

Japan, American? There you go spliting hairs on me again... The truth is, I shouldn't drink & post!

I hear ya, I have posted some stuff when drinking elswhere not good sometimes. anyways welcome to gasavers

[Sludgy]

I traded in my 1/2 ton GMC pickup in 2002 for a Toyota Matrix 4WD. The Matrix got exceptional mileage BUT I got a backache on every long drive, and the chin spoiler got dinged off-road. I raised the seat about an inch with washers whch made the seat more comfortable, but there wasn't much I could do to make it off-road-worthy. I suppose I could have ripped the bumper cover off and lived with it, but in all the Matrix just wasn't practical for me.

So, I had to trade the Matrix in, but wanted higher mileage than the GMC, so I bought a Ford 6.0 diesel pickup. It gets worse mileage than the GMC gasser. I still have 18 months of payments, and I'm really unhappy with the dealer, the truck, and the company.