I wanna be an F1 racing driver!
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Sometimes you have to get out of the driver’s seat in order to better enjoy your time in the driver’s seat. Today that was/is the case. You see after some time, no matter how well everything works today, something is in fact going to break. As in the case of my 2001 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ, many things have needed attention.
In all fairness this car has been extremely reliable and has almost always been there when I needed it. As of today there are 226634 miles on this car. The car has been part of the family for all but 21,000 of those miles.
Today I finally had to break down and replace the driver side power window motor and regulator assembly. This after spending nearly 3 hours on a previous weekend trying to repair the old regulator which I finally determined had been FUBAR. So I went to my trust AutoZone and paid my $107, thanks to my $20 AutoZone rewards credit and purchased the replacement motor/regulator assembly. While in the parking lot at my kids dance school I replaced the components, installed the door panel and function checked the new window motor/regulator unless than 30 minutes.
I had enough time between finishing the replacement of the window components and the time my kids finish dance class to write this little post.
Next time you are in the driver’s seat, take a look around the vehicle and see of there isn’t a small project you can do to improve your experience from the driver seat
Today I found myself in the less than unique position of being stuck in afterwork rush hour traffic. The “journey” from office to hotel room, a total of about 1.5 miles, took around 45 minutes. Now I know many people endure much longer commutes than that but this is not about how long your traffic jam is, but how you [and others] behave while in the traffic.
While stuck in traffic I began observing some of the many others around me. I observed folks getting a bit anxious and tired of being in traffic and made their feelings known by honking at others around them in hopes of speeding things up. I also noticed some who could seemingly transform their vehicles and squeeze even the largest of pickup trucks into the tiniest of cracks in traffic. Then there were others who seemed to simply understand the moment and just take the heavy traffic as a time to catch up on email, tweets and Facebook. I know, because for some, I could see their phone screens 🙂
Me, I just started to observe others both in cars, trucks, vans and buses and those on foot. Lots of folks looking for parking. Plenty of folks on foot dressed in boots, hats and some even in rhinestones and fringes. You see, the traffic that I was stuck in today was 1 part afterwork traffic from the Texas Medical Center area of Houston and 1 part Reliant Stadium traffic and 1 part people on foot making their way to the stadium. Tonight is another night of Houston Rodeo! The annual event that draws so many people that the Houston Rodeo has become the largest in the US. At least that’s what the announcer said when I went to the rodeo.
So what does this have to do with the namesake of this blog? Well, the next time you find yourself planning your route, make sure the largest rodeo in the country isn’t in full swing, otherwise, plan to be delayed and enjoying the scenery a little during your drive.
And as for the car, well this week’s rental is the Chrysler 200. A nice car with good driving features. Although the car is pretty well equipped, there is nothing that stands out and makes me go “wow” about this car. It handles very well in city traffic and on the bumpy, pot-hole ridden Houston roads. It also is very maneuveralbe in parking lots and city driving. The driving position is comfortable and the controls are all placed well (for me). Is this a great car that I’d love to have, uh, no. But is this a good car that is a nice ride and not too bad to get stuck in traffic in, yep. You could certainly do worse. How’s that for a less than glowing review?!
Next time you find yourself in the driver seat remember to take a moment to enjoy the ride. After all, there may be a rodeo nearby!
Enjoy yourself, safely, from the driver seat!
What do you consider the best driver seat? If you could or even better if you do, what driver seat would you like to sit in?
I’m kinda in a toss up between a fighter jet and a formula 1 race car.
So I rode in a taxi for the first time in a long time. And you you believe I disliked as much today as I did the last time I did it 4 years ago.
I’d rather be in control from the driver seat
And damn, it’s expensive!! Ok, nuff said.
It’s simple, some people’s fantasies are other peoples reality. In the context of this blog’s subject matter, I’m thinking cars!
There are some cars out there that will forever be dream or better yet fantasy drives for me. While for some they are merely the daily (or weekend) drive.
Dream List
- BMW M3 or M5
- Audi R4
- Mercedes AMG
Fantasy List
- Audi R8
- Lamborghini
- Ferrari (yea, pretty much any)
- Aston-Martin DB9
the “yea right list”
- Bugatti Veyron
Thanks for the reminder Top Gear
Yea, I think you get the picture. If I ever get the pleasure, or if a fantasy comes true, I’ll be sure to drop back by this post and brag, I mean update!
Her’s to your dreams and a few fantasies coming true for you, from the driver seat
Ever been going down the road then suddenly something grabs your attention for an instant?
For me it’s the sound of a well tuned exhaust. The deep rumble like that of a base drum or maybe the trumpeting of a sport motorcycle. James May, of Top Gear fame, once did a piece on making the theme music of the show using the sounds collected from some very amazing sounding cars. Quite an accomplishment and a great merging of music and the sounds of some of the greatest machines.
When I’m fortunate enough to drive a car with a low rumbling dual exhaust, well I have no need for a radio. The sound of the engine, the exhaust and the wind is a perfect drive for me.
I’ve enjoyed a few such drives and many such rides on my motorcycles. Life is short, sometimes you just have to stop and listen to the amazing sounds around you while you enjoy some time from the driver seat.
Lately I’ve heard a number of advertisements stating
your car is an investment
. These ads range from insurance companies to autoparts retailers. Now, I suspect that there are the limited few out there actually buying cars as investments such as classic muscle cars, antique roadsters and the like. However for the other 99% (yes I just made up the percentage to illustrate a point) most vehicles purchased are liabilities.
Loosely defined an investment is something you would expect to return an increase over time. You pay for it, then at a later date you sell and make a profit. This would perhaps be considered an asset. Conversely if you spend money on an item, let’s say a car, truck or motorcycle an over the life of that vehicle you continue to spend money to maintain and repair it. Then when that day comes you sell it, you don’t in fact turn a profit but realize a loss, then this would be considered a poor investment. Perhaps even a liability
Now don’t get me wrong, the money we spend for some of life’s simple pleasures is what provides us with entertainment, enjoyment and functionality. All desired and necessary facets of our lives. I for one understand that you have to pay to play. I’ll do so happily as long as I get to continue enjoying my time in the driver’s seat.
For those who are lucky enough to turn a profit while also experiencing the joy of driving on the open roads and around city streets, congratulations. For the rest of us, the money is well spent if you gain personal satisfaction when you turn the key to your very own car, truck or motorcycle and the sound of the engine puts a smile on your face!
Stay safe out there and enjoy your day, from the driver’s seat!
The primary focus of this blog has been from them driver’s seat with regards to vehicle operation, performance and enjoyment. However there are a few key elements that contribute to the longevity and happiness of the relationship you have with your vehicle. This little post addresses just one of those key elements. Changing the oil!
Changing your vehicles oil regularly has been proven to extend the life of the engine, reduce the cost of repairs and ultimately extend the enjoyment you have from the driver’s seat by giving you a smoother, longer running engine. There are dozens of resources on the benefits of regular oil changes, including when, how much and what types of oil are best for your vehicle and driving conditions. To keep it simple take a look at the owner’s manual. It’s the best place to start when looking for information about your vehicle. Yea, I know, simple but sometimes we overlook the simple solutions so I figured I’d I’d mention it.
Finally, have you ever changed the oil on your vehicle yourself? This is one of the simplest yet most important maintenance items you can do and it only requires a few simple tools. Changing the oil yourself gives you a chance to get to know your vehicle. While you are changing the oil, take a look around. Look for leaks, loose bolts and/or wires and other possible trouble areas. Taking a little time to do some of the maintenance yourself can bring a great feeling of accomplishment, bring you closer to your vehicle and maybe even give you an indication of repairs required before they become major issues.
The next time your vehicle nears it’s schedules oil change time, consider getting a little dirty and doing it yourself.
Until next time, drive safe, keep and eye on your vehicle’s maintenance and above all, enjoy your time from the driver’s seat