What am I missing?

For me all the cars I stated would be less, suited to the task of driving
anywhere, be that long or short distances.

I still stand by my view that the Miata would be near the top of my list, to
do the journey stated, with the finances I have available it would be at the
top.
But I understand that my view is not typical,
For me comfort is important on a journey, but not at the top of my list of
requirements.

As you said mate each to their own.



"Natman" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 21:12:51 +0200, "gixer" > wrote:
>>> Challenge: Name a car produced since 1990, with comprable equipment,
>>> that would be LESS suitable for long distance freeway driving than the
>>> Miata.
>>>
>>> Geo Metro maybe?
>>>
>>
>>
>>I don't know mate I cannot ever imagine a circumstance that would make me
>>ship are car as opposed to drive it,
>>But like I said, we are all different, there is no wrong or right, only
>>what
>>suits us better.
>>
>>To be honest I can't think of many cars that are AS suitable as the MX-5,
>>economical, comfortable, top down arm out the window stereo pumping if its
>>nice,
>>AC on top up if its too hot, the same if it's raining and or cold.
>>
>>We get very different cars over in Europe, the few American cars I have
>>driven that spring to mind are the
>>Impala, is it a Chevy? by far the worst car I have ever driven, driving
>>from
>>Newark ca to San Fran was too much.
>>I think it was a Maverick, Ford pick up truck, a very close call to the
>>Impala for worst car.
>>A Mustang (I think it was a 2003 model), extremely bad car, the interior
>>looked like an explosion in a plastic factory,
>>Some Cadillac thing, it was huge sooooo slow, and handled like a Jumbo jet
>>with Flat tyres on ice.
>>There were a few others but they were the most memorable,
>>
>>So my opinion of American Automotive engineering is pretty low, apart from
>>the guys that developed the Miata of course, but even they copied, whoops
>>sorry errr were inspired by a British car, and the GT40, err no sorry
>>again
>>British designed and engineered.
>>I don't know how the American motor industry can make a 4.0L engine that
>>feels sooo slow, dull, boring and sooo rough, it is such a feat of under
>>engineering,
>>In Europe most non sport model 2L cars will absolutely blitz most American
>>V8's and the weird thing is they even sound better.
>>
>>The funny thing is you guys had 1 of best engines ever produced (the Buick
>>215ci all Aluminium V8), and you gave up on it after only 3 years of
>>production, and sold it to us Brits, the British's English engineers then
>>took the motor and gradually improved the casting process and reliability,
>>and gradually increased the standard 150bhp, to 400bhp+ that it can
>>produce
>>now (or should I say did produce as it is now out of production), and even
>>today it is the lightest V8 you can get.
>>
>>With what I have read about the new C6 it's getting better, but then the
>>New
>>Mustang GT comes out with a solid rear axle, come on Ford this is 2005
>>guys.
>>
>>So the MX-5 for me would be very close to the top of the list to drive
>>long
>>distance, freeway or not, I would prefer to Drive a car than fall asleep
>>behind the wheel of a couch with wheels.
>>
>>
>>Cheers Mark.
>>
> I asked for cars less suited for the *specific* task of extended
> freeway cruising than the Miata, not worse cars in general (of which
> there are many).
>
> IF the task at hand is four 12 hour days of straight freeway driving
> any of the cars mentioned, dogs that they are, would be far more
> comfortable than a Miata.
>
> To each their own.

Hi Grant,

I would fly, but then if I was only visiting for a short stay, and time was
the deciding factor, I would hire a car at the other end, in which case my
car would still not be shipped it would be sat at home waiting for my
return.

If I was moving home somewhere 5000km away, then me personally, I would
calculate the distance involved and schedule the appropriate number of days
to make the journey, which would mean I had more than 48 hours to complete
the journey. in which case again the car would not be shipped.

Cheers.




"Grant Edwards" > wrote in message
...
> On 2005-02-24, gixer > wrote:
>
>> I don't know mate I cannot ever imagine a circumstance that
>> would make me ship are car as opposed to drive it,
>
> You've got 48 hours to get somewhere 5000km away.
>
> You're going to drive?!?!
>
> --
> Grant Edwards grante Yow! My haircut is
> totally
> at traditional!
> visi.com

On 2005-02-24, gixer > wrote:

> If I was moving home somewhere 5000km away, then me
> personally, I would calculate the distance involved and
> schedule the appropriate number of days to make the journey,

You're concept of how much free time people have available is
completely disconnected from the reality of life in the US.

You've got to work on Friday at point A and on Monday at B. How
do you schedule a two-week trip to fit into two days? You
won't get any vacation for six months after starting work at B,
at which time you'll have one week off. Are you going to leave
your car at location A for a _year_ while you save up two weeks
of vacation time and cash for a plane ticket to go get it?

What are you going to drive for that year? Some of us don't
have a second car.

> which would mean I had more than 48 hours to complete the
> journey.

No. You don't get more than 48 hours. You don't get to pull 2
weeks of spare time out of thin air.

Your assumptions are utterly unrealistic for everybody _I_ know
who works for a living in the US.

> in which case again the car would not be shipped.

Dream on.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! I feel partially
at hydrogenated!
visi.com

Grant,

If you are moving house, which is what we are discussing, then 1 of a few
things will happen.

1/ You are moving into a new job, in which case you will have a start date,
when you agree your start date, you will know you have to move house, as
your old address is 5000km away from your new address,
so common sense would dictate that you would allow enough time to move, and
a short settling in time, before committing yourself to a unrealistic start
date.

2/ You are staying with the same company, but moving branches,
In which case you will have been given a certain period of time to relocate,
this time frame will have been agreed by you and your employer when you
discussed your relocation package.

3/ You are moving to a different location, but do not have a job yet at that
location.

I am sure there are more options than listed above, but you get the general
idea,
Which ever you choose, unless you are completely inept at planning and/or
discussing realistic relocation options with your employer, you are not
actually taking any days vacation from your work.

Unless I have been attending the avid Copperfield school of magic I'd say
that I have actually pulled some free time out of thin air!!

Whooola

Do I get a prize?

Cheers.

"Grant Edwards" > wrote in message
...
> On 2005-02-24, gixer > wrote:
>
>> If I was moving home somewhere 5000km away, then me
>> personally, I would calculate the distance involved and
>> schedule the appropriate number of days to make the journey,
>
> You're concept of how much free time people have available is
> completely disconnected from the reality of life in the US.
>
> You've got to work on Friday at point A and on Monday at B. How
> do you schedule a two-week trip to fit into two days? You
> won't get any vacation for six months after starting work at B,
> at which time you'll have one week off. Are you going to leave
> your car at location A for a _year_ while you save up two weeks
> of vacation time and cash for a plane ticket to go get it?
>
> What are you going to drive for that year? Some of us don't
> have a second car.
>
>> which would mean I had more than 48 hours to complete the
>> journey.
>
> No. You don't get more than 48 hours. You don't get to pull 2
> weeks of spare time out of thin air.
>
> Your assumptions are utterly unrealistic for everybody _I_ know
> who works for a living in the US.
>
>> in which case again the car would not be shipped.
>
> Dream on.
>
> --
> Grant Edwards grante Yow! I feel partially
> at hydrogenated!
> visi.com

On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 06:38:52 -0800, "Randy Maheux"
> wrote:

>Thanks to your input, I am going to ship the car. I don't have the luxury
>of taking the scenic route and 4 - 12 hour days is just too much!
>
>The $600 is the extra it will cost to ship vs. drive ($1200 total just to
>ship the car).
>
>Does anyone know about insurance? What if the Moving van is wrecked or the
>car damaged in transit? Will I need special coverage? What are the pros
>and cons of using a auto transporter vs. the moving company?
>
>
I used Graebel? (Two tone bluish stripes) down the side last time I
moved a vehicle. I had them move a Honda Prelude that was slightly
larger than the Miata and it fit in the bak of the trailer with no
problem.) They packed everything in the house and put the car in the
back of the Van. and it was one of the most trouble free moves I ever
made. But a move is only as good as the crew that shows up.

If this is a corporate move. Check with other people that have been
moved by other companies.

The moving company should have their own insurance. They will
inventory the state of the car down to the last scratch and give you a
copy. Get the policy and damage claim materials settled before they
pick the stuff up.

Items that you pack may not have the same level of coverage.

If you took off the tie down hooks from the car, put them back on, and
make sure that they are used. The car should be confy and well
protected. A car carrier may use an open frame that does not protect
against road debri.

If the car has a lowered suspension, like the Mazdaspeed or Flying
Miata mods, it may have difficulty going up the ramps that are used to
load the car in the trailers. This procedure may involve scary
manuevers by burly moving men. Avoid if you are sensitve.

They don't take guns.

They don't take ammo.

They don't take flammables, other than the gas in the Miata

Don't konw about wmd's

The shake, rattle and roll of a transcontinental trip will break the
filament of any small incandescent bulbs that you may have, like in
anaog meters in your stereo equipment (every time I move I have to
solder in new bulbs in my Denon amp!)

(Natman) wrote:

>Challenge: Name a car produced since 1990, with comprable equipment,
>that would be LESS suitable for long distance freeway driving than the
>Miata.

1) Go to www.edmunds.com.
2) Select manufacturer; use US type for best results.
3) Select model.
4) Repeat 2 and 3 10 times.
You now have at least 9 examples.

I would rather drive marathon freeways in my Miata than take a
passenger plane cross country, if I can manage the additional
three days.

Never thought I would completely agree with Mark on anything.

Leon

--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

Grant Edwards > wrote:

>Your assumptions are utterly unrealistic for everybody _I_ know
>who works for a living in the US.

I am on a sabbatical this year.

Leon
--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata ,)
http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

On 2005-02-24, gixer > wrote:
> Grant,
>
> If you are moving house, which is what we are discussing, then 1 of a few
> things will happen.
>
> 1/ You are moving into a new job, in which case you will have
> a start date, when you agree your start date, you will know
> you have to move house, as your old address is 5000km away
> from your new address, so common sense would dictate that you
> would allow enough time to move, and a short settling in time,
> before committing yourself to a unrealistic start date.

True, but paying for things like interim health insurance can
be pretty expensive -- even for a couple weeks. Besides, a lot
of people just can't afford to loose two weeks pay.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! ANN JILLIAN'S HAIR
at makes LONI ANDERSON'S
visi.com HAIR look like RICARDO
MONTALBAN'S HAIR!

I trust your judgement on the health insurance Grant as we have a very
different system over here, & I don't think there are many people that can
afford to lose 2 weeks pay, me included.

I wasn't intending to criticising anyone, if that's how it was viewed,
Like I said before we all have different commitments, experiences, Goals and
outlook of life, I am that last person to tell anyone how they should and
should not live,
But I still have opinions, and I would find a way around any of the problems
suggested, but that's just me (and maybe Leon by the sound of it)
I am guessing when people ask for advice they do the same as me, listen to
everyone and make their own minds up and good on em, that's what minds are
for.



Do me a favour if I ever slag anyone off for having an opinion, you have my
permission to make me drive an Impala for a month!!!!

Cheers Mark.


"Grant Edwards" > wrote in message
...
> On 2005-02-24, gixer > wrote:
>> Grant,
>>
>> If you are moving house, which is what we are discussing, then 1 of a few
>> things will happen.
>>
>> 1/ You are moving into a new job, in which case you will have
>> a start date, when you agree your start date, you will know
>> you have to move house, as your old address is 5000km away
>> from your new address, so common sense would dictate that you
>> would allow enough time to move, and a short settling in time,
>> before committing yourself to a unrealistic start date.
>
> True, but paying for things like interim health insurance can
> be pretty expensive -- even for a couple weeks. Besides, a lot
> of people just can't afford to loose two weeks pay.
>
> --
> Grant Edwards grante Yow! ANN JILLIAN'S
> HAIR
> at makes LONI ANDERSON'S
> visi.com HAIR look like RICARDO
> MONTALBAN'S HAIR!

wrote in
:

> Lest see: - The Movahe prety much sucks, Meander North to Vegas
> Take the Hoover Dam tour. Narly curvy roads round lake mead.
>
> On to the Grand Canyon - a religious experience. Then pick amongst
>
> Momunemt Valley, The Painted Desert, See the Pueblo/ Anastasy ruins.
>
> Choose El Paso and a quick run to San Antone, stop at Tombstone, or
> Langry (pretty godforsaken) and Remember the Alamo in San Antone.
> (Ybut you will go through the Sonoran Desert and will hit West Texas
> when the spring flowers are out.)
>
> Or stay on 1-20 and move to I-10 accross the Texas back state roads
> thought the panhandle onto the Texas Hill country. Time it to see the
> Blue Bonnets and truly gorgeous country. That gets you down to
> Housnton. Great Tex Mex - Papasitos, Great Stakes - A Taste of Texas
> off I-10.
>
> In Houston,detour to San Jacinto, where Sam Houston routed the Mexican
> Army and created the Republic, and haul accross the Sabine. Lunch in
> Lafayette (some good Cajun Cuisine). Cross the Atchafalaya onto Baton
> Rouge, or go down I-90 to Morgan City past the sugar cane fields and
> enter New Orleans from the Houma side. A beautiful ride that takes
> you on the edge of the Delta - you must have some cajun music to play
> along the way, I guarantee!.
>
> Hurricane at Pat O'Briens, dinner at Commander's Palace (reservations
> strongly recommended) Or Chez Paul, wander the quarter for the evening
> and cest le bons temps roulez.
>
> On to Biloxi and Mobile cross the bay and you are in Florida. haul
> all the way to Jacksonville its a long binrg drive.
>
> It's a beautiful contry and you only live once or put the car in the
> trailer and regret it.
>
> - 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed.
>

SD, CA to Datona Beach, FL : ~2500mi / 36hr (MS Mappoint estimate)

Following the "scenic" route: ~3125mi / 56hr (Mappoint estimate)

Unfortunately, since the OP didn't specify wether he had the option to
take some extra time to enjoy the trip, the discussion has digressed into
arguing about wether that's feasable. I think the point is, if you have
to get to point B in 48hrs, shipping is probably your best option. Otoh,
IF YOU HAVE TIME, take it, enjoy it.

Adding just an extra 600mi, this sounds like a pretty colorfull road-
trip. Of course, the gap between the Painted Desert and Houston is
1300mi (roughly 22hrs). Probably would need another point of interest
for that section. One option would be Carlsbad Caverns (adding another ~
100mi), otherwise, I'm sure there's something worth looking at going thru
Albuquerque and Amarillo on your way to Dallas, where you could tour
Kennedy assasination tourist stuff. The other long stretch along the FL
panhandle could be prettied up a bit by detouring on HWY 98 to run along
the Gulf coast for a bit.

-Scott
-94 Black
(and drooling over a friends 04 Ti MS)