Last Ride of the Season?

Winter is quickly approaching us here in New England as the first snow fall in the greater Boston area is here. Yesterday may have been the last ride until spring, but who knows for sure. After all it’s New England.


I had to attend a meeting in Connecticut, about a 3 hour ride from Cape Ann without traffic. I could have taken a company car … or take my car with the company credit card. So I decided to take the 612 for possibly the last ride of the season, just me and the car. No one to say stop here I got to pee or slow down or anything, just 6 hours of getting to know the car better.


I departed at 4:15 am and it was 38 deg so I tooled along and short shifted until I got fuel. $70 later I was on my way and the interior is nice and toasty but the engine water and oil temp gauges are only at ¼ the way up the scale and stayed that way until I got into stop and go traffic. Even then it wouldn’t quite get to ½ way and the fan(s) would come on and down it would go to about 1/3 the scale. I’d like to know if other owners see similar readings with their cars in colder weather. Ran into some serious stop and go commuter traffic on the way home, buy anticipating my stops and cheating (using just enough brake to turn the brake lights on without stopping) the tranny it was no different then any other car. I really enjoyed the drive.


A couple of cons:

I wish my ride had cruse control. Is that an option for an early 612? I found cruising at 70 in 6th gear turns around 2400 rpm or 3300 in 5th So it is easy to creep up to 80 if not consciously paying attention. No drink holder is another big deal to me so I plan on using the ash tray location to fab a simple phone/usb/drink holder that can be easily removed. For this ride I put a beach towel on the passenger’s seat and belted in a small soft cooler with a drink holder attached facing the driver. It’s also easy to miss a vehicle hanging off the passengers’ rear pillar location. So I had to move the mirror out a lot more to catch a glimpse of someone in that area. You have to remember to turn in your mirrors before turning off the key. The center console holds…well nothing, ok a package of M&M’s. The sun visor could be a couple of inches wider. Windows don’t go all the way down. Eats everything. Fuel like I have a leak, brakes, and tires if I remain in a spirited mood.


The pros:

Can transport 4 adult humans. Impressive room in the trunk. Comfortable seats and ride. I could have easily done 5 hours no problem. The sound of the engine, it’s so intoxicating and why I cant help myself to blasts well into triple digits in seconds, and the resulting poor fuel mileage. Awesome acceleration and brakes. The precision of the steering. Quiet interior. Great sound system. The smell of leather never gets old. Excellent heat and A/C. Huge glove box. And the car is elegant, always getting thumbs up or photos taken and I always offer to share. I have to show restraint not to take it out all the time.

Dam I wish it was spring already!

 

Sure thing Paul. Maybe its my right foot that likes the loud peddle that gives me poor fuel mileage. The CC I guess is like a chick who keeps asking "does this make me look fat?" The car wants your attention.

 

No holder for a cup, but maybe for a flip phone from the 80's.