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Posted by Aaron (92 SE Auto) on September 04, 2002 at 22:14:13:
In Reply to: My story... posted by Mikey P on September 04, 2002 at 21:20:48:
: My drive across was kickass. The only glitch was a drive through the ghetto of cleveland (courtesy of mapblast). I don't think I have ever been that scared at 2:00am. Made it from Hartford to Sacramento in 47 hours split into 3 chuncks of 12, 17, and 18 hours. Damn good time for a solo drive. I stopped for a 7 hour break twice for sleep, food, oil, etc. Left Hartford at 4pm Satrurday and arrived here late late night Monday. : I took I-80 all the way through except for a detour into Colorado and then across utah and nevada on Route 50 also known as "The loaniest Road in America". That portion on route 50 may have been the best drive I have ever been on. Not especially scenic in the early portions (unless you count decomposing cows) but it is very low traffic. Later it gets more scenic in Nevada as weird rocks protrude througout. I didn't see a single cop for over 300 miles and I was able to reach sustained speeds of 95 for prolonged periods on 2 lane roads straight as an arrow. I spoke to a lady working the signs at a construction stop and she said that road is essentially not patroled at all. The route also takes you over about 7 windy mountain passes of around 7000 feet in between the staight areas. I saw a coyote about 10 feet from my car at dusk. No houses no people just road. Got my car up to 135 for a brief bit. Couldn't resist. There is something truly wonderful about driving a far distance in this country and not being surrounded by tons of other cars. Actually wonderful doesn't come close to describing it. : The max performed well all the way across. For some reason my highest mpg reading prior to the trip was 23 and during the trip it ranged from 27 to 28. I haven't done a full tank here so I don't know if it was the steady driving or something else. My speeds were a steady 85, not the most fuel efficient. The only car problem was a small oil leak which I suspect is the cranshaft seal again which I just recently replaced. That is the second time I have replaced that f'n seal. It only leaked about 2 quarts in 3000+ miles. I did my clutch 3 days before I left and my car immeditaly shifted much much better. My friend just put a lift in his garage and we were able to knock it out in about 5 hours. I also replaced axles and ball joins while it was all apart. Took it in for a 4 wheel alignment the day before I left and all the guys at that tire shop were amazed at the SFC's underneath. So that's my story for now.
That trip was fun. Took me 41 driving hours with my dad helping me drive. I would never drive without a passenger. The trip was exact 2441 miles. I'm going to drive my Maxima back to Vegas again this Dec. The I-40 blues. My gas mileage ranged anywhere from 21-30 mpg. The 21 mpg came when I had stop and go traffic beginning the trip at the Hoover Dam and the upside of the Flagstaff mountain range. The 30 mpg came from an entire tank coming down the Flagstaff mountain range. Plus it was -10 degrees that night I drove down hill for 400 or so miles. Thanks for reading my story. :)
: So I'm here in lovely California. Actually I am in Rocklin which is outside of Sacramento and I can only describe it as suburan hell. More stores in sight then I would ever care to see. I can't wait to get established and over into the San Francisco area.
: -MP