Am I going to end up like my dad?

[XJ Dreamin']

I was talking to my dad the other day. He was complaining about my sister's driving. He doesn't like her jack rabbit starts and heavy, last second breaking. His beefs are wear-and-tear on equipment and the risk of rolling into someone if her breaks should fail. He prefers that you break early and then roll up to the line. That way you have time for emergency contingencies, if needed.

So, he's going on about her driving, and then he comes after me: "You like to start out pretty quickly yourself, don't you?" Suddenly, I'm thinking, "What the heck. Why's he after me?" But, I'm quick so I come back, "That depends on how much power I have available." Cute, but I knew I had to cover myself, so I back tracked, "I rarely use even half throttle and hardly ever go over 4,000 rpm."

He says [and this is where I finally get to my point], "I like to watch the torque more than the RPM." He went on to tell me, proudly, how in limiting the amount of torque he demands from his car, he is reducing wear-and-tear and saving on fuel. By way of example, he told me how, when he turns from their lane onto the highway, he's only going 35 mph when he gets to the top of the hill.

At that point, it was all I could do to keep my composure. I realized that my dad is one of those old bastids who pull out in front of me and refuse to open their throttle! Now I know why! I had to let the conversation die, there. I couldn't go on without blowing up in a tirade.

For anybody in the O'Fallon area: I appologize for my dad. If he gets in front of you, please be nice to him. He's my dad, and he's old. He can't help it.

 

[streetpirate]

yeah, your right.

on the bright side, old people can double as firewood!

(but they smell even worse when burning)

 

[OT]

I have my dad's, looks, lack of patience, and his hard to control temper.
After that, the similarities fall off.
He can't so much as change his oil and I can't do math.
Now that my shoulder is injured and need a new career path, I wish I had his office skills.

 

[8Mud]

Being old as dirt and able to relate a bit, I got to say oldsters driving within there abilites is smart. Even if it slows down the flow on occasion. Driving out of your personal envelope will sure enough get you in trouble sooner or later. I don't feel the need to press the envelope on a daily basis. Just getting there and back again, with the ride in one piece is satisfaction enough. The adrenlin rush, just isn't necessary continiously.
Youngsters on the other hand are often impatient, jerky and often don't plan ahead very well.
You rarley see an oldster tailgating, then passing on the right, exceeding the speed limit, then sitting at the next red light while you slowly pull up next to him.
On the plus side, there is no arguing with success, even if they drive (in your oppinion) like crap, they have made it to old age, driving there way.
I usually shoot for the 2000-2200 RPM range and keep it there as much as possible. easy on the motor, the drive train and the pocket book. Then maybe when you really need it, the the power will be there and the drive train won't fail.
I got to say though, driving with my wife drives me nuts, she does everything just about the opposite of what I do. Fast around the corners and slow on the straights, jack rabbits away from the stop lights, seems to have to pass everybody and then backs off the gas and is either following way to near or way to far. She seems incapable of driving with the flow.

 

[IXNAYXJ]

I realized that my dad is one of those old bastids who pull out in front of me and refuse to open their throttle!

I know how you feel. In the 1960s my dad raced sports cars in Arizona and California. He had a couple Jaguar XK-120s, two Allard J2Xs and a K2, an Aston Martin DB4 GT factory lightweight, etc.... He did then what I wish I could do now, in other words.

Now he drives so fawking slow it drives me NUTS!!! I actually refuse to ride with him anywhere, lest I lose my mind completely and scream DRIVE FASTER GAWDAMMIT!!!!

I feel your pain.

-----Matt-----

 

[bjoehandley]

Other than taking fast corners more often, I'm already doing alot of the stuff my Dad does. However, if the he'll atleasty run atleast speed limit and try to hhit that in a reasonable length of time. He also gets pretty pissy if somebody is blocking the flow of traffic by only running 35 in a 45 or being a general impedement to traffic flow. He's also been known to have people driving "better" handling vehicles get into trouble trying to follow him around exit/enterance ramps. Dad also complains about how my sister drives, but she is the only one that seems to be able to warp Cherokee rotors. She actually scares the crap out of her boyfriend, and of the two times he's ridden in my Limited one of them I took a corner little fast and he was holding onto teh Oh Chit handle tight Heaven help him if Dad ever decides to take him for a ride, he may need to clean the passenger seat.....................

 

[OT]

It's excess pad residue, der......:dunce:

 

[LBEXJ]

I learned patience several years ago ...

I was coming home from work one evening and ended up behind a line of traffic ... probably 15 cars or so. They were all traveling 40 MPH down a two lane highway. There were very few passing lanes, so I just had to settle in and drive approximately 5 miles to my turn off. All along the way, I was cussing the old fawk that was holding up traffic, especially during the hours when most people were getting of work.

When I got to my turn, I looked ahead and saw the "old fawk" was my Father. I learned patience with older drivers that day.

Les

 

[OT]

I learned patience several years ago ...

I was coming home from work one evening and ended up behind a line of traffic ... probably 15 cars or so. They were all traveling 40 MPH down a two lane highway. There were very few passing lanes, so I just had to settle in and drive approximately 5 miles to my turn off. All along the way, I was cussing the old fawk that was holding up traffic, especially during the hours when most people were getting of work.

When I got to my turn, I looked ahead and saw the "old fawk" was my Father. I learned patience with older drivers that day.

Les

I would have called him up and told him to move his gas saving ass!

 

[LBEXJ]

I would have called him up and told him to move his gas saving ass!

:laugh3: He would only have laughed. Matter of fact, when I told him the story about how I was cussing him, he did exactly that ... he laughed.

Les

 

[87manche]

I've got no problem "leading the parade"
THe speed limit is all you need to do. I don't have to be paranoid about cops because I'm not speeding. I did the math on my daily commute, the difference between 70 and 55 is about 4 minutes after you factor in the stop signs effects on your average speed. It also uses 1/2 gallon more fuel.

 

[XJ Dreamin']

Hey all! Sorry I didn't get back sooner.

The funny thing about that conversation with my dad is, some of my fondest memories is riding in the back seat of some old '60s Dodge listening to the tires squeal around every corner. For several years he had a '60 TR3 that regularly did 100 mph. He taught me how to corner at high speed, how to slap shift, how to double clutch. He was a terror to ignoramuses everywhere and never had an accident. He was my idol.

The kicker is, he still has his pilot's license so there's nothing wrong with his ability. He gets in the way now only because he doesn't want to put on too much torque. Once he gets it rolling he'll do the speed limit, but it takes forever to get there.

This is a particularly annoying behavior for me because, down here in SE Texas, even with 3 miles of clear highway behind me, ayholes everywhere will pull right out in front and spend the next 5 miles getting up to speed. Now, I know I don't have the right to drive around and never touch the brake, but if you're so all fired in a hurry that you can't wait 3 seconds for me to pass, then why won't you get on the gall darned throttle. And if you're not in a hurry, then wait 3 seconds and let me by.

I used to fear that this behavior was due to age related infirmity. I figured if I ever reached that stage I would just rather have my wife stage an 'accident' and have some fun with the insurance. Now that I've learned this behavior is a choice...I just don't know what to do. At least, now, there is a glimmer of hope that my fate is not sealed. I can choose not to be a PITA. I bit of a relief, as long as I'm not behind my dad.

 

[XJ Dreamin']

I've got no problem "leading the parade"
THe speed limit is all you need to do. I don't have to be paranoid about cops because I'm not speeding. I did the math on my daily commute, the difference between 70 and 55 is about 4 minutes after you factor in the stop signs effects on your average speed. It also uses 1/2 gallon more fuel.

Not talking about speeding here - I'm talking about getting the f out of my way, or wait 'till I get by. Why pull out in front of traffic and not move?

 

[XJ Dreamin']

I learned patience several years ago ...

I was coming home from work one evening and ended up behind a line of traffic ... probably 15 cars or so. They were all traveling 40 MPH down a two lane highway. There were very few passing lanes, so I just had to settle in and drive approximately 5 miles to my turn off. All along the way, I was cussing the old fawk that was holding up traffic, especially during the hours when most people were getting of work.

When I got to my turn, I looked ahead and saw the "old fawk" was my Father. I learned patience with older drivers that day.

Les

Fortunately, my dad and I are driving in the same region only a couple times a year. Either we go home to MO or they come down here to visit. As I say, once he gets it going he drives the speed limit. It's the gettin' it goin' part where he's dropped the ball.

 

[XJ Dreamin']

I know how you feel. In the 1960s my dad raced sports cars in Arizona and California. He had a couple Jaguar XK-120s, two Allard J2Xs and a K2, an Aston Martin DB4 GT factory lightweight, etc.... He did then what I wish I could do now, in other words.

Now he drives so fawking slow it drives me NUTS!!! I actually refuse to ride with him anywhere, lest I lose my mind completely and scream DRIVE FASTER GAWDAMMIT!!!!

I feel your pain.

-----Matt-----

Thanks for the sympathy. It's weird partly because, even though he is 78, he doesn't act old. He's still flying, he and mom still vacation all over the damn place, he keeps a garden and maintains a swimming pool... Point is, this is the first hint that he is actually an old fart. Kinda hard to take.

 

[HaleYes]

I did the math on my daily commute, the difference between 70 and 55 is about 4 minutes after you factor in the stop signs effects on your average speed. It also uses 1/2 gallon more fuel.

Why dosen't this surprise me.
OK, you are now the official MWC nerd. :laugh3:
Is there a nerd warrior?
I'll go look.....

 

[XJ Dreamin']

Being old as dirt and able to relate a bit, I got to say oldsters driving within there abilites is smart. Even if it slows down the flow on occasion. Driving out of your personal envelope will sure enough get you in trouble sooner or later. I don't feel the need to press the envelope on a daily basis. Just getting there and back again, with the ride in one piece is satisfaction enough. The adrenlin rush, just isn't necessary continiously.
Youngsters on the other hand are often impatient, jerky and often don't plan ahead very well.
You rarley see an oldster tailgating, then passing on the right, exceeding the speed limit, then sitting at the next red light while you slowly pull up next to him.
On the plus side, there is no arguing with success, even if they drive (in your oppinion) like crap, they have made it to old age, driving there way.
I usually shoot for the 2000-2200 RPM range and keep it there as much as possible. easy on the motor, the drive train and the pocket book. Then maybe when you really need it, the the power will be there and the drive train won't fail.
I got to say though, driving with my wife drives me nuts, she does everything just about the opposite of what I do. Fast around the corners and slow on the straights, jack rabbits away from the stop lights, seems to have to pass everybody and then backs off the gas and is either following way to near or way to far. She seems incapable of driving with the flow.

The point is, it's not about his ability: he still has that. It's about somebody I thought I knew choosing to be a PITA. It's as though he suddenly said, "Why that GW! What a swell guy!" I'd be all, "WTF are you talking about?!" It just makes no sense.

As far as me getting to the stop light first - I won, you lost. Better luck next time

 

[XJ Dreamin']

even if they drive (in your oppinion) like crap, they have made it to old age, driving there way.

If pulling out in front of existing traffic and not getting clear is how they got old, then they got there on pure luck. I do not trust existing traffic to miss me. I know if I hit them, it's my fault, but I do not appreciate their arrogance in refusing to accept any responsibility by not making an effort to get clear, or at least wait for me to pass.

 

[scoobyxj]

I've got no problem "leading the parade"
THe speed limit is all you need to do. I don't have to be paranoid about cops because I'm not speeding. I did the math on my daily commute, the difference between 70 and 55 is about 4 minutes after you factor in the stop signs effects on your average speed. It also uses 1/2 gallon more fuel.

That all depends on how far your going. I know if I try to stay close to 70mph on a trip to home vs 55mph I gain around 25/30 minutes on a 120mi trip. As far as the fuel is conserned. I seem to stay around 18mpg on the highway regardless if I drive 55/60 on 65/70. I think it's just how its geared being I'm in the moters sweet spot at 65/70, and it has a tendicy to lugg more at 55/60.

 

[87manche]

Why dosen't this surprise me.
OK, you are now the official MWC nerd. :laugh3:
Is there a nerd warrior?
I'll go look.....

I'm the logical one. I need numbers to make decisions.