Fun long drive
Discussion
Outside Reading to down near Auch (SW France) in about 12 hours with a girl I'd met on a plane a week earlier. In someone else's 911 
820ish miles, from memory. And it was fun almost the whole way. Why TomTom sent us around the Parisian ring road I've never worked out. Took forever.
Posts like yours make me wish I had my car back! Oh for a long trip some time soon.
ETA: My dad once drove from Florida to Anchorage in some silly time (three or four days, I think). Will check with him and post back. It was idiotic, that much I remember.
820ish miles, from memory. And it was fun almost the whole way. Why TomTom sent us around the Parisian ring road I've never worked out. Took forever.
Posts like yours make me wish I had my car back! Oh for a long trip some time soon.
ETA: My dad once drove from Florida to Anchorage in some silly time (three or four days, I think). Will check with him and post back. It was idiotic, that much I remember.
Edited by all2ofme on Friday 25th November 14:15
Chris944 said:
Anyone gone further in a day?
Chris.
Yes, just... 1117 miles in 25h (about 15.5h driving)... returning from a business trip in Norway.Chris.
Details here if anyone's bored at work this Friday pm!...
A few year's ago Diesel130 said:
Got to Kristiansand on Friday 5pm for the ferry across to Denmark, but half-way through loading, they had a 'technical problem' with the engine (it's a high speed cat) and basically cancelled the crossing. Next available slot was Sunday am !! The other ferries were also booked up that night and morning, with only a chance to go on a waiting list along with about 100 other norwegians ... so, as I had my Hook-of-Holland crossing booked for Saturday night, there was no other option than to take 'the long route' back.
This involved driving back up through Norway almost to Oslo,
taking a ferry across the Oslo fjord,
down through Norway and Sweden to Malmo
across the huge bridge/tunnel to Copenhagen
down through Denmark to another ferry at Rodbyhavn to Puttgarden in Germany,
across Germany and the Netherlands to check in by 21:15 on Saturday.
Let's just say I did it, just, with 45mins to spare!
Summary was 1788km / 1117 miles in 25h (less 6h sleep at Goteborg, about 2.5h on ferries / waiting for ferries, and estimated 1h in rest breaks and refuelling (and 5 mins speaking to the owner of a 997 Turbo at a service station)) = about 15.5h driving time.
Having done all that, I must say that I am truely impressed with the 996. It's a surprisingly relaxing, great long distance GT as well as sports car!
And I now know the 996 much better. Here's a few observations / experiences of the 996 over this distance:-
1) On more than one occassion, I went to adjust volume of CD and nothing happened - found I was turning the cigarette lighter by mistake.
2) Swedish traffic lights in Goteborg change (like all foreign lights) from red to green with no amber. I went for first gear a bit too energetically and got reverse - big surprise to me and the car behind when I started going backwards (fortunately I realised in time!!).
3) I put some Norwegian chocolate bars in the 'boot' to avoid heat of sun in cabin, but after 12h of (highish) speed motorway speed driving, it was pretty hot in there - due to radiators nearby presumably. And consequenly chocolate was well melted.
4) The ability to switch the speedo over to km/h is very useful, especially with all the varying speed limits / cameras around.
5) Isn't 4th gear wonderful for accelerating from about 100km/h from services slip road onto fast moving german autobahn?
6) Having a Porsche seemed to increase the speed at which other drivers in the fast lane moved out of your way. On more than one occassion I approached a stream of cars and they all peeled out of the way.
7) Following on from (6) ... following a bright yellow 997 had an even greater impact than my silver 996 in terms of cars moving out of your way.
8) One of the fastest vehicles that passed me in Germany was a 964!
9) I always put in Shell V-Power over here. Got it OK in Holland and Germany, but in Denmark V-Power is only 95 octane! Their std fuel is either 92(!) or 95 octane. In Norway at shell garage 1, I found 95 unleaded, 95 V-Power, or 98 octane unleaded (but not branded as V-Power). Shell Garage 2 in Norway had 95 unleaded, 95 V-Power or 99 octane V-Power Racing (which I went for!). Sweden shell had only 95 V-Power, which I didn't get, but went for 98 octane unleaded in a Q8 instead. What's all that about then, Shell ? Surely you'd expect a bit more consistence across Europe from a major international distributor.
Surprisingly, I averaged 29mpg on that trip, despite keeping up a high average speed on the way back and an exploration to 260Km/h on a rare bit of not-too-busy-3-lane Autobahn.
This involved driving back up through Norway almost to Oslo,
taking a ferry across the Oslo fjord,
down through Norway and Sweden to Malmo
across the huge bridge/tunnel to Copenhagen
down through Denmark to another ferry at Rodbyhavn to Puttgarden in Germany,
across Germany and the Netherlands to check in by 21:15 on Saturday.
Let's just say I did it, just, with 45mins to spare!
Summary was 1788km / 1117 miles in 25h (less 6h sleep at Goteborg, about 2.5h on ferries / waiting for ferries, and estimated 1h in rest breaks and refuelling (and 5 mins speaking to the owner of a 997 Turbo at a service station)) = about 15.5h driving time.
Having done all that, I must say that I am truely impressed with the 996. It's a surprisingly relaxing, great long distance GT as well as sports car!
And I now know the 996 much better. Here's a few observations / experiences of the 996 over this distance:-
1) On more than one occassion, I went to adjust volume of CD and nothing happened - found I was turning the cigarette lighter by mistake.
2) Swedish traffic lights in Goteborg change (like all foreign lights) from red to green with no amber. I went for first gear a bit too energetically and got reverse - big surprise to me and the car behind when I started going backwards (fortunately I realised in time!!).
3) I put some Norwegian chocolate bars in the 'boot' to avoid heat of sun in cabin, but after 12h of (highish) speed motorway speed driving, it was pretty hot in there - due to radiators nearby presumably. And consequenly chocolate was well melted.
4) The ability to switch the speedo over to km/h is very useful, especially with all the varying speed limits / cameras around.
5) Isn't 4th gear wonderful for accelerating from about 100km/h from services slip road onto fast moving german autobahn?
6) Having a Porsche seemed to increase the speed at which other drivers in the fast lane moved out of your way. On more than one occassion I approached a stream of cars and they all peeled out of the way.
7) Following on from (6) ... following a bright yellow 997 had an even greater impact than my silver 996 in terms of cars moving out of your way.
8) One of the fastest vehicles that passed me in Germany was a 964!
9) I always put in Shell V-Power over here. Got it OK in Holland and Germany, but in Denmark V-Power is only 95 octane! Their std fuel is either 92(!) or 95 octane. In Norway at shell garage 1, I found 95 unleaded, 95 V-Power, or 98 octane unleaded (but not branded as V-Power). Shell Garage 2 in Norway had 95 unleaded, 95 V-Power or 99 octane V-Power Racing (which I went for!). Sweden shell had only 95 V-Power, which I didn't get, but went for 98 octane unleaded in a Q8 instead. What's all that about then, Shell ? Surely you'd expect a bit more consistence across Europe from a major international distributor.
Surprisingly, I averaged 29mpg on that trip, despite keeping up a high average speed on the way back and an exploration to 260Km/h on a rare bit of not-too-busy-3-lane Autobahn.
Edited by Diesel130 on Friday 25th November 15:13
Chris944 said:
Anyone gone further in a day?
Chris.
My family home on the west coast of Scotland to Portsmouth and back - 1060 miles - in 13.5 hours.............left my passport at work night before going on holiday!Chris.
That was back in 1994 in my old '44.............roads were more quiet then...especially when you leave at midnight.
Did circa 1,300kms (900 miles) in 20 hrs about 4 years ago in my Boxster.
From near Geneva, via Dijon and Luxembourg then on to the 'ring for 6 laps of evening touristenfahrten before heading home through Germany via Basle. It was a fairly insane idea but I had a (pointless) 1hr meeting to attend in Luxembourg and according to my petrolhead/man-maths it seemed like a vaugely more sensible itinery than taking (connecting) flights via Paris, Brussels or Frankfurt!
It was an epic day. The car was absolutley superb both on the 'ring (OK, it is a bit softly sprung/floaty) and the 'bahns esp. in the 200-230kmph zone for hour after hour. The last 250kms limited to 120kmph (plus a licence friendly margin) in Switzerland was the most frustrating part only because the roads were deserted around midnight. Adding another 100kmph would have been ideal and would have seen me home an hour earlier! Your mind certainly begins to wander at the end of long day at such 'low' speeds when you're on a 4km perfectly flat dead-straight section of (as-then brand new) autoroute that the Swiss have just built to act as a back up runway for their F/A-18s (ref. Payerne).
Not quite the same thing but 10+ years ago I drove from London to Aberdeen (c530 miles) on the last Saturday/shopping day before Christmas and did it in 7.5hrs (70mph average!), roof down in a Barchetta in dry but chilly conditions on deserted motorways (in full ski gear incl. gloves and goggles!) with the heated seats on max just stopping for fuel!
It will be a while before such jolly japes are possible in any electric vehicle!
From near Geneva, via Dijon and Luxembourg then on to the 'ring for 6 laps of evening touristenfahrten before heading home through Germany via Basle. It was a fairly insane idea but I had a (pointless) 1hr meeting to attend in Luxembourg and according to my petrolhead/man-maths it seemed like a vaugely more sensible itinery than taking (connecting) flights via Paris, Brussels or Frankfurt!
It was an epic day. The car was absolutley superb both on the 'ring (OK, it is a bit softly sprung/floaty) and the 'bahns esp. in the 200-230kmph zone for hour after hour. The last 250kms limited to 120kmph (plus a licence friendly margin) in Switzerland was the most frustrating part only because the roads were deserted around midnight. Adding another 100kmph would have been ideal and would have seen me home an hour earlier! Your mind certainly begins to wander at the end of long day at such 'low' speeds when you're on a 4km perfectly flat dead-straight section of (as-then brand new) autoroute that the Swiss have just built to act as a back up runway for their F/A-18s (ref. Payerne).
Not quite the same thing but 10+ years ago I drove from London to Aberdeen (c530 miles) on the last Saturday/shopping day before Christmas and did it in 7.5hrs (70mph average!), roof down in a Barchetta in dry but chilly conditions on deserted motorways (in full ski gear incl. gloves and goggles!) with the heated seats on max just stopping for fuel!
It will be a while before such jolly japes are possible in any electric vehicle!
Edited by MogulBoy on Friday 25th November 16:18
Ah, "jolly japes" says it all. The Norway trip back to the UK sounds effing epic. Once you're used to 100mph+ driving on autobahns then UK traffic behaviour and speed limits seem insane. I didn't feel at home in my Boxster before the trip - only had it 3-4 months, but now I'm one with the beautiful little thing, warts and all.
Bring it on again.
Chris.
Bring it on again.
Chris.
6C4GTS said:
My family home on the west coast of Scotland to Portsmouth and back - 1060 miles - in 13.5 hours.............left my passport at work night before going on holiday!
That was back in 1994 in my old '44.............roads were more quiet then...especially when you leave at midnight.
I'm sorry, but LOL!!!(never ever use this term but seems appropriate here) I can just imagine someone shouting fThat was back in 1994 in my old '44.............roads were more quiet then...especially when you leave at midnight.
k, fk, fk for 13.5 hours driving from Scotland to Portsmouth and straight back.That sounds like a harsh trip!
^^^^^^ Similar thing here.
Northumberland to Canterbury in an old Volvo 940 to buy racecar and trailer.
Trailer turned out to be an old German farm trailer, unbraked, no lights and about 4 foot off the floor!!
Torrential rain on way home (after buying a number plate/light board) sees us arrive back at 1am after leaving 5am the day before. Never again!
Don't know the miles but it felt like a LOT!
Furthest fun drive in a day, probably Northumberland to Hon Fleur on the way to Lemans. Hon Fleur to Lemans the next morning.
Northumberland to Canterbury in an old Volvo 940 to buy racecar and trailer.
Trailer turned out to be an old German farm trailer, unbraked, no lights and about 4 foot off the floor!!
Torrential rain on way home (after buying a number plate/light board) sees us arrive back at 1am after leaving 5am the day before. Never again!
Don't know the miles but it felt like a LOT!
Furthest fun drive in a day, probably Northumberland to Hon Fleur on the way to Lemans. Hon Fleur to Lemans the next morning.
Ha ha, Junior Bianno - good call
I had a similarly sweary moment one evening having had a really long day at Lamborghini and Ferrari then at Pagani. We drove all the way up to Cernobbio where we were going to take a couple of days just taking it easy by the lake. Getting my bag out of the car I noticed it was a bit light. I'd either lost, or left my camera behind at Pagani.
They were well and truly closed by then, so we had a few drinks and decided we'd head back the next morning. Luckily they had it, but 500km and a good deal of Milanese traffic on the way past Milan didn't make for the most relaxing start to our two days of putting our feet up. The passport run must have been better still!
I had a similarly sweary moment one evening having had a really long day at Lamborghini and Ferrari then at Pagani. We drove all the way up to Cernobbio where we were going to take a couple of days just taking it easy by the lake. Getting my bag out of the car I noticed it was a bit light. I'd either lost, or left my camera behind at Pagani.
They were well and truly closed by then, so we had a few drinks and decided we'd head back the next morning. Luckily they had it, but 500km and a good deal of Milanese traffic on the way past Milan didn't make for the most relaxing start to our two days of putting our feet up. The passport run must have been better still!
Ha ha - I was economical with my wording there. Girl from plane, 911 from a friend. Good mix. Yes, I picked up the petrol.
Found out the extent of my dad's bonkers drive.
I wonder if he got lost at all - wouldn't help bring the miles down
Found out the extent of my dad's bonkers drive.
my Dad said:
First day I drove from Fort Lauderdale to Toronto in ONE day.
Went to look for a job and lady said there would be work in the West.
I said "oh I will drive there tomorrow"
She gave me an odd look which I realised the meaning of when I got to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It is very boring from there on across the prairies. 3 days I think from Toronto to Edmonton.
Stick to driving around the outside of USA and Canada.
That's 1,471 miles in a day. Without stopping. Nutter. Bet he needed a piss! Went to look for a job and lady said there would be work in the West.
I said "oh I will drive there tomorrow"
She gave me an odd look which I realised the meaning of when I got to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It is very boring from there on across the prairies. 3 days I think from Toronto to Edmonton.
Stick to driving around the outside of USA and Canada.
I wonder if he got lost at all - wouldn't help bring the miles down
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