Although I have not been posting test drive reports we have been busy looking for a trip car since the CTS warranty is up in October. The two top contenders are the BMW 5-series or an Audi A6. Both passed our initial short drive test. The 5-series was not nearly as sporting and fun for me as your 3-series and the steering seemed heavy compared to the Audi which felt more sporting. The Audi's resale values don't hold up nearly as good as the BMW. After several years the dragon eyes don't bug me as much as they once did but I still would prefer something different. For several thousands less, we both the like the Infinity G35 which had wonderful seats but the passenger's seat floor was not flat which my wife needs. Who know's what we will end up with?

 

There are three places to stay in Rockland. The Samoset which is beautiful and right on the harbor. It's $300 - $400 a night, though. For the more budget-minded there is the Navigator Motor Inn and the Trade Winds. They're both owned by the same people and I think the cost runs in the $125/night range. The NMI is located directly across the street from the Maine State ferry landing.
The Trade Winds Motor Inn is located south of the NMI and has rooms with some nice views of Rockland harbor and the Breakwater. I can't speak for the food at either place, since I haven't eaten at either one for years. If you don't mind driving north for a few miles, I can recommend the Lobster Pot in Lincolnville. They have great lobster rolls - steamed lobster with lots of melted butter in a toasted roll - none of that lobster mixed with mayonnaise and celery crap that we generally feed the unsuspecting tourists. Their steamed lobster and steamed clams are also very good.

I'll put on my thinking cap and see what else I can come up with for you in that area.

 

I have not yet driven the S over 5 hours straight yet. That seems like it would call for many stop and stretch stops. The Mohawk Trail ride it takes me 1.5 hours to get to the start point, another 1.5 hours to the lunch stop point and another hour to the end, then about 1.5 hours home. That is about 4.5 hours drive time but we had many stops. Total drive miles home to home was 310 miles. I cannot imagine at this time a straight 5 hour drive.

 

Dave - I gather you checked out Lexus? Perhaps not sporty enough. The +1's ES350 is really nice. I like the Audi A6, also.

Also, my SIL is from MI and was driving around northern MI yesterday. She called to say I should make an effort to drive some of those roads around/along the water. She was on 55, I think...that area. Have you driven around there?

 

On long drives, I always stop at the rest stops to break it up. I get sleepy otherwise. I will clean the windshield. If I get really sleepy I'll look for coffee or a Diet Mountain Dew to buy, thanks to you, Maury.

Also, I do not drive at night if I can help it. I don't mind getting on the road in the dark of morning as long as I can reach my destination before nightfall.

 

[QUOTE=dean,Jul 9 2007, 11:44 AM]There are three places to stay in Rockland. The Samoset which is beautiful and right on the harbor. It's $300 - $400 a night, though. For the more budget-minded there is the Navigator Motor Inn and the Trade Winds. They're both owned by the same people and I think the cost runs in the $125/night range. The NMI is located directly across the street from the Maine State ferry landing.
The Trade Winds Motor Inn is located south of the NMI and has rooms with some nice views of Rockland harbor and the Breakwater. I can't speak for the food at either place, since I haven't eaten at either one for years. If you don't mind driving north for a few miles, I can recommend the Lobster Pot in Lincolnville. They have great lobster rolls - steamed lobster with lots of melted butter in a toasted roll - none of that lobster mixed with mayonnaise and celery crap that we generally feed the unsuspecting tourists.

 

Deb, I agree. It's nice. The ES350 is on my "maybe" list. Good ride, good seats, and styling but I found the center console extended out further than I like (in certain driving positions I found my elbow hitting it). Surprisingly we felt both Infinity cars we tested had more comfortable seats than the Lexus. If the M45 was all wheel drive and a V-6 I think I would gone for that. My designated driver (Donna) doesn't like real wheel drive in our winter driving, so I am leaning towards AWD.

M-55 has a very nice stretch of road that runs from Cadillac to Manistee. Lots of MI scenery with deer, eagle, etc. spotting's being common. Lots of nice wilderness in that area.

 

I don't know. I could probably drive my S all day, 7, 8, 9 hours. The same with my Si. Liz on the other hand can't stand much more than 3 to 4 hours in either car.

I find it much harder to drive Liz's Civic for long periods of time. I get sleepy and bored. My left leg falls asleep and I don't know what to do with my right hand. Liz, on the other hand, much prefers her car for any long drives.

It also depends on the time and the destination. I found it much harder to drive 45 minutes to my old office in rush hour traffic than I find it to drive 3 hours on an old US Highway on a Sunday afternoon.

 

Night driving used to be a PITA for me but ever since I got the 2007, it hasn't bothered me as much. Better lights? Maybe.

Driving long distances is very soothing to me.

 

Dave, don't you get sleepy? I love long drives of about 3 hours, but then I start getting sleepy.