Rambling Man

Since getting 8-ized, I have converted a couple of business trips from airplane trips to road trips. The first of these, Long Beach to Sacramento via Yosemite just concluded, so wanting to share my maiden road trip:

Leaving almost early enough to avoid the L.A. rush hour commute (there’s a 1.5 hour window in the middle of the day that is sometimes possible to thread the needle and avoid traffic), I kept my Titanium, N-flashed, totally stock 6-speed at the L.A.-citified maximum of 75 MPH until I hit Magic Mountain and headed into the grapevine in the mid-upper-eighties.

The car handled like a dream, and on the way to the Yosemite turn off not a soul passed me, and no other RX-8s were in evidence. Refueling at Highway 41, I got 21 MPG steady highway driving, with speeds averaging in the mid 80’s, only briefly passing 100 mpg. Funny how the mileage would slightly improve on the Yosemite back roads, with the windows and moon roof full open, which included stop-and-go traffic coming into Sacramento, go figure?

In what my wife is already referring to as my “mid-life crisis speeding ticket”, on the way into Yosemite I was pulled over for going 85 in a 55 zone. “Listen, no problem with the ticket, but this is my maiden road trip, how about a little professional courtesy and writing it for a more manageable number?” I suggested to the peach-fuzzed Chippie. “The State of California”, he chuckled, “needs the money and I’ve been instructed by my boss to extract every mile out of y’all for the next six months.” “No arguing with that” I replied, realizing that it could have been worse, a lot worse, especially as I was later to get into the 130’s.

I overnighted just out of Yosemite at the historic Wawona Hotel, a bargain at $87 per night including a buffet breakfast. The next morning the memories of the ticket cowed my lead foot until I hit the tunnel into Yosemite Valley and as methinks that CHP can’t hide in the tunnel; I purred it up to 96 MPG, shooting majestically into Nature’s wonderment.

Hiked all day, climbing to the top of Nevada falls and then going a few miles into the back country before heading out, taking 120 to 132, wanting to enjoy the back way and a pleasant drive. For clearing your head, Yosemite is for hiking what the 8 is for driving.

Interlude: On divided highways, fifth gear proved to be a much more satisfying passing gear than sixth. If there was any rise, fourth gear was my passing gear of preference.

In rush hour into Sacramento the only other 8 I saw on the trip (titanium—damn he has good taste) passed me as he was in the car pool lane.

Apparently not having learned my lesson, I looked for a deserted spot on the I-5 just north of the Fresno turnoff and bumped it up to 117 without effort. Feeling emboldened, I said a silent prayer that there wasn’t a CHP radar plane overhead, and passed 120, 130 and my heart started to pound at 132, so I eased off…not because there wasn’t plenty left—there was; not because the car wasn’t stable—it was; but because of being a contractor with a Federal agency, a ticket at 132 would have required a lot of explaining to my D.C. masters. Perhaps I have the speed thing out of my system? Perhaps not.

Not surprisingly the leg that included the 117 and 132 mph runs got worse mileage, but only down to 20.5 MPG. Go figure?

Afterthoughts: Only disappointment was minor. The non-variable seat heater is useless in California, as on is too hot. I was completely satisfied with the expense-accounted mileage, and very pleased that at one point the gas warning light didn’t go on until I had 290 miles on the trip odometer. In fact, since this is a mid-life crisis car, at this point I need to get out every couple hundred miles and pee anyway, so range is less important than it one was. In over 700 miles, I apparently burned about a fifth a quart of oil…maybe a tad less.

Any ideas of changing the exhaust system or the chip are on the back burner, as stock rocks on this car. Besides, on the next “converted into a road trip-business trip” to Tucson via Las Vegas, via Grand Canyon via Sedona, I’m going to have to drive like I have already just been awarded a speeding ticket (actually, got another speeding ticket in my Saab 9000 the week before picking up my Mazda—knew I was going to regret that).

RxAMBLING MAN OUT…Besides, gotta go Zaino the ride before this Monday’s road trip to Santa Barbara.

poolsidenaz

Sounds like a great ride. I'm amazed at how effortless this car achieves high speed and how smooth the ride is. Course...i've only had her up to 97 *SHY

If you make it thru Phoenix you should give a shout out. There's a number of us here that have met up twice in about 6 weeks. Here's our drive to Tortilla Flats last Sunday https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...5&pagenumber=4 Surely we could get a couple folks to meet up for lunch or something on your pass thru to Tuscon - ya never know right? Enjoy your Zaino experience today. In fact I just may follow your lead

bowman

The cop ACTUALLY said that!

Rambling Man

Pretty much word for word. Didn't bother me except for the "six months" comment.

Loaded8

Hey... where did my reply go?? lol...I must've hit the wrong button or something.... anyways.... sounds like an awesome trip except for the speeding ticket. :D

kbull

I had a cop gun me at over 100 on I-5 in the middle of nowhere, and he only wrote the ticket for 90. I'm glad he didn't get the same lecture from his boss that your cop did.