Will I enjoy a 300 mile drive?
Discussion
I'm going from NJ to Montreal for a bachelor party this weekend - a 300 mile, 6 hour drive, with one friend. Should I take my comfortable and reliable Saab 9-5 or my "new to me" 89 Esprit with 51,000 miles?
I'm concerned about getting a speeding ticket, crossing the border, being comfortable, parking in Montreal, having good weather, and feeling safe.
Help - since I think driving the Lotus would make the drive an experience...
I'm concerned about getting a speeding ticket, crossing the border, being comfortable, parking in Montreal, having good weather, and feeling safe.
Help - since I think driving the Lotus would make the drive an experience...
Go on, You know you wana. In all honestly only you can answer the question about the reliability of your car. Personally a 300 mile trip in my 89 wouldnt concern me at all. In fact most runs I go on turn into that anyway. Just make sure you have auto recovery and take some oil, clutch/brake fluid small set of tools just incase you get cought short but I doubt you'll need them.
I covered all bases when I went to LeMans this year as it was the first time I'd taken it out the country. In the end dispite lose/using about half a pint oil over the 1000 miles nothing happened, Apart from the big grin and a couple of close ticket calls. These 89 speedos tend to be very unreliable honest officer
I covered all bases when I went to LeMans this year as it was the first time I'd taken it out the country. In the end dispite lose/using about half a pint oil over the 1000 miles nothing happened, Apart from the big grin and a couple of close ticket calls. These 89 speedos tend to be very unreliable honest officer
As a measure, I picked up my 89 in Indianapolis last Fri and drove it 600 miles back to MD. I was still trying to get used to the attention that this car brings, by the time I was back in MD. 
(Of course, I did a basic inspection before leaving Indianapolis)
Speed: Generally I stayed around the limit, very occasional bursts to about a 100. No tickets. In Dayton, at a rest area, I actually had two officers chat with me for 30 minutes about the car. They acknowledged, that given a choice between this car and a Honda (or similar) speeding, they would probably go after the Honda first..all else being equal. That was nice to know!
Comfort: The seats are surpisingly comfortable, given how low the car is. 600 miles in them wasn't bad. Sure, it's not as comfortable as my Landcruiser, but who notices my Landcruiser??
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!
(Of course, I did a basic inspection before leaving Indianapolis) Speed: Generally I stayed around the limit, very occasional bursts to about a 100. No tickets. In Dayton, at a rest area, I actually had two officers chat with me for 30 minutes about the car. They acknowledged, that given a choice between this car and a Honda (or similar) speeding, they would probably go after the Honda first..all else being equal. That was nice to know!
Comfort: The seats are surpisingly comfortable, given how low the car is. 600 miles in them wasn't bad. Sure, it's not as comfortable as my Landcruiser, but who notices my Landcruiser??
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!
Montreal! Oh man, I love Montreal! You are so lucky.
Take the Lotus. That way you can enjoy not only the destination, but the journey along the way. Barring any breakdowns, you will feel an even closer bond with the car after a trip like that.
While there, be sure to check out the nightlife on Ste. Catherine street as well as on Montagne and Crescent. Sharx Pool Bar is my favorite pool hall there. So big that it has an escalator.
No real concerns about vehicle reliability, but as with any car before a long trip, be sure to check all belts, fluids, hoses, etc before embarking.
Please be sure to take plenty of pictures of your Esprit along the way so that the rest of us can enjoy the experience as well.
Roy
San Francisco, California, but would love to be in Montreal right now in the summer.
Take the Lotus. That way you can enjoy not only the destination, but the journey along the way. Barring any breakdowns, you will feel an even closer bond with the car after a trip like that.
While there, be sure to check out the nightlife on Ste. Catherine street as well as on Montagne and Crescent. Sharx Pool Bar is my favorite pool hall there. So big that it has an escalator.
No real concerns about vehicle reliability, but as with any car before a long trip, be sure to check all belts, fluids, hoses, etc before embarking.
Please be sure to take plenty of pictures of your Esprit along the way so that the rest of us can enjoy the experience as well.
Roy
San Francisco, California, but would love to be in Montreal right now in the summer.
Take the car, I'm sure you won't regret it.
When I picked up my brand new Sport 350 in 2000 it was 3 weeks late and I'd got Castle Combe booked for the day 3 days later.
The morning I picked it up I drove from Salisbury up to the Lake District, trundled round there for the weekend and had about 1600 miles on it 3 days later (just to get past the initial rev limit).
Was a fabulous weekend being new to a Lotus, the attention was amazing, the drive sensational (even with restricted revs) and it really convinced me that this was the car for me.
Hope you have good weather and the drive is equally memorable for you.
Andy
When I picked up my brand new Sport 350 in 2000 it was 3 weeks late and I'd got Castle Combe booked for the day 3 days later.
The morning I picked it up I drove from Salisbury up to the Lake District, trundled round there for the weekend and had about 1600 miles on it 3 days later (just to get past the initial rev limit).
Was a fabulous weekend being new to a Lotus, the attention was amazing, the drive sensational (even with restricted revs) and it really convinced me that this was the car for me.
Hope you have good weather and the drive is equally memorable for you.
Andy
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