The 6 1/2 hr drive home in the snow

[runutzzzzz]

Well, I've never considered a car that I drive to be a reflection on me. That said, however, I do sometimes think that the cars people drive and especially the way the drive them do reflect them. For example, from the way they drive, I often get the feeling that people who drive really big vehicles like monster trucks or outsize SUVs are by nature aggressive and pushy (or maybe it's just when they get into their road-tanks). :rant: When I see somebody in a really expensive sedan like a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus blowing by me on a freeway at 15-20 miles per hour above the speed limit, I think they must be pretty arrogant in other venues. :drool: And of course, I think any motorcyclist who drives/rides as if he/she were bullet-proof, weaving in and out of traffic at top speed, or just going at 80-plus miles an hour, is certifiably nuts. :bike: For that matter, I think that anybody who drives any kind of vehicle as if the laws of physics -- not to speak of traffic ordinances -- don't apply to them is a bit crazy and not very bright. :headscratch: But do I worry about how people in general might judge me because of the car I'm driving when I'm minding my P's and Q's, as it were? Absolutely not. All that matters to me is whether whatever car I choose, be it a Kia, or a Hyundai, or a Toyota, or a Ford, or even a Lincoln or Lexus (unlikely), makes sense for me in terms of value, reliability, comfort and performance.

 

 

So I wonder where that puts me... I've fit into all your categories and then some ;)

[AptosDriver]

So I wonder where that puts me... I've fit into all your categories and then some ;)

So maybe you're older and wiser now? :headspin:

[oldschool1962]

Haven't had too many days of snow here this year. We had the one storm in December and the rest have just poofed out before arriving. We seem to be in some sort of vortex between the sea and mountains that basically changes the weather. North of us can get clobbered with all kinds of stuff and even South but for some reason.......more times than not we do escape. Sucks when you are hoping for a good storm for rain and it skips over you. Anyhow, has anyone changed their gas in the tires....from plain old compressed air to nitrogen.......noticed any different effects in the snow? I ask because I did and noticed a difference in the car on dry and wet pavement. It is for the better on both so I hope the law of averages works in my favor. I also noticed an increase in mileage of about 2-3mpg as well. Still a long season ahead. We have seen snow as late as April even in this area. Happened in 2007. Even back in Atlanta March seemed to deliver a couple wallops while I lived there over the last 20-30 years. I don't know but this year for ya'll to our North....it reminds me of the 60's and 70's. There were some very good storms during those decades. Growing up and living in Chicago I remember the winters of '67, 72. 77, 78-79 and even 83 and 84-85 being very cold and filled with snow. Coldest winters I ever experienced were those of 83-84 and 84-85. Seem to remember the temp being 47 below a couple times and that was not the wind chill. We canceled Christmas at my families because it was so cold we didn't want to get stuck on the road. I also remember having an old four-banger EXP with a 5spd that I had to keep running over night to keep it from freezing solid so I could get to work the next day. That was a cold winter and one of my last for years living in the North!!!!!! Then I somehow ended up in NY South of Rochester. Sheesh!!!!!

[AptosDriver]

.... has anyone changed their gas in the tires....from plain old compressed air to nitrogen.......noticed any different effects in the snow? I ask because I did and noticed a difference in the car on dry and wet pavement. It is for the better on both so I hope the law of averages works in my favor. I also noticed an increase in mileage of about 2-3mpg as well.

I think you should inflate 'em with nitrous oxide. Then every trip you take will be a laugh.

 

Growing up and living in Chicago I remember the winters of '67, 72. 77, 78-79 and even 83 and 84-85 being very cold and filled with snow. Coldest winters I ever experienced were those of 83-84 and 84-85. Seem to remember the temp being 47 below a couple times and that was not the wind chill.

Yeah, and I remember the winters of '49-'63, up until I skipped town to go to college ... in Iowa. It got pretty cold and snowy there too, but at least the snow didn't turn to dirty gray mush decorated with dog manure. I flew back to Chicago in winter '67 for a grad-school interview. I remember that the snow accumulation was so great then that the sidewalks had turned to canyons between the snow berms piled up in front yards and the parkways. Winter in the city was for the most part no fun. It wasn't until I started skiing in my late twenties that I learned to enjoy it.

[akirby]

Anyhow, has anyone changed their gas in the tires....from plain old compressed air to nitrogen.......noticed any different effects in the snow? I ask because I did and noticed a difference in the car on dry and wet pavement.

 

That's either a placebo effect or the result of just changing the tire pressure when they were refilled. There is no performance difference based on the type of gas in the tire (on the street).