[V8] nice long drive...

[John Bysinger]

I just got back from our v8's first real long trip with us and thought I'd
share a little of the drive.

My fiancee and I needed to make a run from the Seattle area up to Sandpoint
Idaho this weekend for some family needs, and it sounded like a wonderful
opportunity to see how the v8 does on a nice long trip.  The trip consisted
of about 300 miles of I-90 and 45 miles or so of US-95 in Idaho, and what an
enjoyable trip it was.  I was somewhat hesitant to take her that far just
for one night and come home, as I'm still working out some of the
used-car-bugs (typical power windows, climate control, recently fixed power
steering leak, blown fusable link for the 2nd electric radiator fan.)  But
the only even whimper I got from her was watching the temp gauge rise about
10* C on the hill climbs over the various passes, never once going above
75*.  Speaking of mountain passes, I can honestly say that this is the first
vehicle I've owned that didn't even shudder slightly on all of those hill
climbs.  Over the top of snoqualmie pass she didn't even downshift as I
cruised by at 75-80, I don't even think I noticed the torque converter
lockup unlock.

Then there's the gas mileage, she mostly sees around town driving with about
18 mpg, and at cruise we were getting about 22 (on a '90 3.6) not too shabby
for 80+ most of the way with some playing with the throttle along the way.
I was also very impressed with the range, I was expecting to gas up sometime
around hitting Spokane, but we got to about 5 miles out of Sandpoint and
were just nudging the "E" on the idiot gauge for miles left and thought we'd
stop at a conoco off of us-95.  As soon as I fill up the tank and go to pay,
up rolls another v8!  So of course we talk to the guy very briefly, it's
another '90, that dark smoke grey color in pretty nice shape.  Nice guy, I
thought about mentioning the list but my fiancee was anxious to get to the
hotel so we parted ways (maybe he's already on here?  Anyone from around
Sandpoint, ID??

Oh and of course the v8 ate a couple of snacks along the way too, one in
particular a Saab 9-6 didn't like me moving into the passing lane on I-90 to
move around him and sped up to pace me as I accelerated.  It sure was fun to
tease him to about 85, then switch it to manual, drop it to 3rd and leave
him on the horizon as I rolled over the century mark.  Ahhh, what a nice
drive.

Back to the morning grind tomorrow and rush hour...

-John
'90v8