long trip in S2000
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From: Madrid, Spain
I just did a roundtrip from Madrid, Spain to Cassis, France...almost 3.000 Kms! Did about half of that with the top down, but since a lot was on super highways (150 kms. an hour...90mph!), the windows were UP most of the time. Alright, so it doesn't look cool. I think my wife is a pretty cool lady for letting me do what I did, so at least the windows up thing is a small concession on my part!
Anyhow, the drive to Cassis was not all that exciting...two days with a nite's layover. All highway driving. Very strong winds...the highway electronic signs said "vent violente" so that should give one an idea... We actually had to put the top up as the wind was going ACROSS the car, and we were in danger of blowing objects!
Once in the French Riviera area, the driving was nothing short of glorious. We did daily trips up in the mountains. No traffic, wonderful, winding roads, excellent surface, gobs of shifting & exciting S2000 VTECH roaaaaaarsssss! :>
Visited midieval towns, ate cheese & baguetes on country benches in the sun. Dozed off a bit....etc., etc.
Saw a grey S2000 in the yacht port at Cassis.
The trip back home was through the Pyrenees mountains. Unfortunately, every Frenchman in France took off on the same day for his Easter holidays, so we were 10 hrs. getting to our mountaintop nite's stop (a 1000 yr. old house!). The drive should have only taken about 6 hrs.
Anyway, even after 10 hrs. driving I was ready to sit at the dinner table, taking first some local wine, and later some local after dinner drinks! Dinner lasted FOUR hours! Eat yer hearts out....youse guys over there in "fast-food land"!
Leg of lamb, chicken, vegs & potatoes all locally raised or grown, locally slaughtered or picked & delightfully cooked.
By the way, I was very surprised to climb out of the car after 10 hrs, the last 4 on winding, top of the mountain, driving, to feel completed at ease with no aches & pains. Whatacar! It is such a pleasure to drive.
During the last 4 hrs. of all-mountain road driving, I was passed on numerous occassions by the most outlandish types of vehicles. We were really HIGH UP, with steep drops down the sides, and people were dying to overtake me! I let them, rather than to challenge them, as dying was what could happen!
It was probably the same phenonema that you guys in the States go on about at traffic lights. People just WANT to show up the S2000. I rest in the knowledge than I can outdo just about anyone I wish, IF I wish! :>
The following day, after a good nite's sleep, we headed home on the second day of our return trip. This took 6 hrs., and included some beautiful top down driving thru mountain gorges, with a beautiful river running alongside the road. Lots of turns, and down-shifting. Hurray! Then, on to the National II highway from Zaragoza to Madrid, which is top up, 150 kms. per hour driving. Very uninteresting, but comfortable.
What did I do as soon as I got home? I washed my beloved & put her to sleep under her lovely, fitted cover! That's the car, by the way. My wife washes herself!!
If anyone has any doubts about buying this car, I hope this message will help you decide in the right direction. Rubbernecking in practically every car around you is a normal occassion. Some people almost steer into you trying to get a better look. (Mine's red, by the way!)
Anyhow, the drive to Cassis was not all that exciting...two days with a nite's layover. All highway driving. Very strong winds...the highway electronic signs said "vent violente" so that should give one an idea... We actually had to put the top up as the wind was going ACROSS the car, and we were in danger of blowing objects!
Once in the French Riviera area, the driving was nothing short of glorious. We did daily trips up in the mountains. No traffic, wonderful, winding roads, excellent surface, gobs of shifting & exciting S2000 VTECH roaaaaaarsssss! :>
Visited midieval towns, ate cheese & baguetes on country benches in the sun. Dozed off a bit....etc., etc.
Saw a grey S2000 in the yacht port at Cassis.
The trip back home was through the Pyrenees mountains. Unfortunately, every Frenchman in France took off on the same day for his Easter holidays, so we were 10 hrs. getting to our mountaintop nite's stop (a 1000 yr. old house!). The drive should have only taken about 6 hrs.
Anyway, even after 10 hrs. driving I was ready to sit at the dinner table, taking first some local wine, and later some local after dinner drinks! Dinner lasted FOUR hours! Eat yer hearts out....youse guys over there in "fast-food land"!
Leg of lamb, chicken, vegs & potatoes all locally raised or grown, locally slaughtered or picked & delightfully cooked.
By the way, I was very surprised to climb out of the car after 10 hrs, the last 4 on winding, top of the mountain, driving, to feel completed at ease with no aches & pains. Whatacar! It is such a pleasure to drive.
During the last 4 hrs. of all-mountain road driving, I was passed on numerous occassions by the most outlandish types of vehicles. We were really HIGH UP, with steep drops down the sides, and people were dying to overtake me! I let them, rather than to challenge them, as dying was what could happen!
It was probably the same phenonema that you guys in the States go on about at traffic lights. People just WANT to show up the S2000. I rest in the knowledge than I can outdo just about anyone I wish, IF I wish! :>
The following day, after a good nite's sleep, we headed home on the second day of our return trip. This took 6 hrs., and included some beautiful top down driving thru mountain gorges, with a beautiful river running alongside the road. Lots of turns, and down-shifting. Hurray! Then, on to the National II highway from Zaragoza to Madrid, which is top up, 150 kms. per hour driving. Very uninteresting, but comfortable.
What did I do as soon as I got home? I washed my beloved & put her to sleep under her lovely, fitted cover! That's the car, by the way. My wife washes herself!!
If anyone has any doubts about buying this car, I hope this message will help you decide in the right direction. Rubbernecking in practically every car around you is a normal occassion. Some people almost steer into you trying to get a better look. (Mine's red, by the way!)
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From: Kirkland
The French Riviera... that place is freakin' gorgeous. I remember it now... sigh.
I remember Madrid, too. Not nearly as pretty, but fun in its own way.
I saw several RS4s in Southern France so don't mess with them.
I remember Madrid, too. Not nearly as pretty, but fun in its own way.
I saw several RS4s in Southern France so don't mess with them.
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From: eurostar
nice trip jim, although it seems like you did not really use the car to its full potential 
especially in Europe where you can definitely drive faster than in the US... the last time kept a 150km/h speed for more than 5 minutes was last weekend when I knew there were cop cars everywhere (easter), and I was right to do so because I passed a masked Peugeot 306 with a camera inserted in the back, at 150kmph and they didn't arrest me (speed limit is 130, but they're cool).
And cars overtaking you? In the mountains? Come on...
you're right about the food
especially in Europe where you can definitely drive faster than in the US... the last time kept a 150km/h speed for more than 5 minutes was last weekend when I knew there were cop cars everywhere (easter), and I was right to do so because I passed a masked Peugeot 306 with a camera inserted in the back, at 150kmph and they didn't arrest me (speed limit is 130, but they're cool).
And cars overtaking you? In the mountains? Come on...
you're right about the food
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From: HouStook TX
And that's exactly why I live in Houston! No mountain traffic.
It sounds like you had a nice trip. I enjoyed reading your post, because it briefly made me think about something other than work.
It sounds like you had a nice trip. I enjoyed reading your post, because it briefly made me think about something other than work.
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From: Madrid, Spain
"le car" in Paris lamented that I might not be getting the most out of my car by allowing people to pass me on a mountain rode.
My answer to that one is that I will be celebrating my 60th. birthday on Monday JUST because I AM prudent at the correct times. When no one is around me, I enjoy the fast speeds as much as anyone. That's why I bought this baby! But, I back down when there's a crowd.
And, 90 mph is a decent speed for a crowded highway with only two lanes, one completely jam packed with long trucks!
I suspect "le car" was just pulling my leg a bit, but still, I think there's a morale here. The idea is to stay alive long enough to enjoy the S2000!
Now, before anybody blasts me for being an "old man"...I've just done a full days work....9am to 9pm, and am now going out for a gig (jazz, thank you very much!) which starts at midnite. I'll hit the sack around 5am, be up at 9:30 'cause I have some more studio work to do tomorrow before going off to a 9pm concert (8.000 Watt type) followed by another session at the jazz club at midnite. So much for being an "old man"! :>
My answer to that one is that I will be celebrating my 60th. birthday on Monday JUST because I AM prudent at the correct times. When no one is around me, I enjoy the fast speeds as much as anyone. That's why I bought this baby! But, I back down when there's a crowd.
And, 90 mph is a decent speed for a crowded highway with only two lanes, one completely jam packed with long trucks!
I suspect "le car" was just pulling my leg a bit, but still, I think there's a morale here. The idea is to stay alive long enough to enjoy the S2000!
Now, before anybody blasts me for being an "old man"...I've just done a full days work....9am to 9pm, and am now going out for a gig (jazz, thank you very much!) which starts at midnite. I'll hit the sack around 5am, be up at 9:30 'cause I have some more studio work to do tomorrow before going off to a 9pm concert (8.000 Watt type) followed by another session at the jazz club at midnite. So much for being an "old man"! :>
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From: Sugar Land
Jim,
That's great... French country side really is very pretty. Two years ago, we drove from Angers(sp?) France, NEC/Bull factory to Nantes. It was the most perfect day ever. Sunny, clouds, cool wind... I mean it's the kinda stuff you see in the movies. Nice mountain roads... oh man... I miss it a lot.
-Shing
That's great... French country side really is very pretty. Two years ago, we drove from Angers(sp?) France, NEC/Bull factory to Nantes. It was the most perfect day ever. Sunny, clouds, cool wind... I mean it's the kinda stuff you see in the movies. Nice mountain roads... oh man... I miss it a lot.
-Shing
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From: eurostar
Don't worry Jim, I'm just a typical 26 years old mad cat, and my testosterone level is just too high to drive this car with a minimum of common sense... Cars overtaking me on mountain roads simply can't happen, first because I get so frustrated driving in London traffic all year long that as soon as I hit the Alpine roads, I 'unleash the dog', and second because my stupid macho pride dictates my driving...
In fact I wish I was as wise as you, but I'm just too used to dangerous activities to use my brain properly (broken bones, twisted ligaments & memory losses didn't stop me from riding a snowboard for the last 16 years)
Enjoy the Madrilene spring!
In fact I wish I was as wise as you, but I'm just too used to dangerous activities to use my brain properly (broken bones, twisted ligaments & memory losses didn't stop me from riding a snowboard for the last 16 years)
Enjoy the Madrilene spring!