Today we are driving 8 hours, traveling from Maine to New Jersey. We've passed through several toll booths, with most employees appearing rather oblivious to the commuters passing through. However, in Massachusetts, I was driving, and stopped to pay the toll, and the attendant said, "Hey! I love your car! I love the car, the driver, and the whole deal!!!" Imagine that in your best, most enthusiastic, Joey Tribbiani, from Friends voice, because that's how he sounded. I told him thank you, and we drove off laughing. It was awesome.
A few notes about how the car is doing, for you car buffs out there. (You know who you are). We had NO idea how the gas mileage would be until we hit the road, but it has averaged 20 miles per gallon. Whew! Kind of a relief, really.
The first problem we encountered was leaving the driveway in Fort Smith. Seriously, never made it to the street, and we were stopped by a sickening sound. ("Well, this is not good," I'm thinking). Keith had lowered the car, for appearances, and at the time didn't think putting luggage in the trunk would be a problem, but it was, apparently. As soon as we backed out, the fender was scraping the left back wheel. Not good. We kind of need that wheel at this point. We eventually loaded most everything from the trunk on to the backseat, which was empty anyway, now that Saleen was preferring to sit up front. This solved the problem MOSTLY. We are slowing down on big bumps, just in case. Keith tells me he can change the springs to avoid this, but I don't think he is planning too. I'm pretty sure that future trips will have a weight limit on luggage. Like at the airport. Only lighter.
When we left DC, we had filled up the day before, but when we hit the road the next morning, it showed empty. At first, we were afraid someone had stolen gas. But when we tried to fill up, it was still full. (Sorry for the bad thoughts we may have had about you, DC). Once in Maine, he and his dad figured out that the float in the gas tank had a leak, and fixed that, so now it's operating nicely.
There was a few other minor tweaks that they did to the car, to address a few noises that they could hear. You couldn't ask for two better mechanics to put their heads together under a hood.
So she's riding pretty good, and shifts very easily, I am happy to say (Since we take turns driving every two hours).
One other thing I noticed when I was driving, which was humorous - that the windshield wipers have a rhythm all their own - or rather, the right one does. You know how it is when a crowd is listening to music, and there's that one friend of yours with no rhythm that's trying to clap to the beat along with everyone else, but they just can't do it? Well, THAT'S what the right wiper does. The left one operates just fine, but the right one is hilarious, definitely doing its own thing.
ALERT THE MEDIA! At our last fuel stop, I did the math, and we just set a new PR - 24 miles per gallon! Whoo Whoo!
A few photos, as we drive through the Bronx:
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