I've come to the realization that I have a problem.

[Joe 1320]

I've taken the time to read though everyone's posts, I've thought about every single idea and still don't have a complete answer. I think more than anything, I've lost the love of driving. It's become stressful and lacks the enjoyment that I once had. Maybe time will change that, who knows. My love for a beautiful machine is still there, but the driving experience lacks.

[Rhode Island Red]

hmm. It makes sense kind of. I had a relative that had a black 1932 Auburn Duckback, concourse restored. She loved driving it, taking it to shows and etc. and over time she lost her fondness of driving. The main thing was that the stress of driving was catching up with her, roads crowded, law of the jungle type atmosphere on the roads, over her lifetime ate at her till it wasn't enjoyable. Maybe something similar is happening to you?


Oh and read this. If that doesn't get your blood pumping, then take a look back at yourself, reflect,and try to answer, "what gets my blood pumping now?"

[Steel2686]

Joe...

I just read the entire thread. It struck me as very odd because I went through the same thing not too long ago.... And I'm still going through it.

For years, the only car I wanted was a black Trans Am WS6. I had a down payment on one back in '95. Pulled it because I thought about it and wanted a house more.

Fast forward to three years ago. I bought the 2002. It was everything I wanted. Black on black, t-tops, 6-speed, etc... I loved owning that car. Driving it was pure joy, but I truly loved having it in my garage.

And that was what struck me as odd. I didn't even need to drive it. Just knowing I had it under a cover in my garage was enough for me. In the summer, I would detail the crap out of it and just look at it afterwards. Sometimes, I wouldn't even take it out for a ride when I was done. Just stare at it, then happily pull it into the garage and cover it.

That's what led me to selling it eventually. I put just over 2K miles on it in two years. My daily driver was falling apart, and I needed fiurnace work done. The decision to sell was easier than I thought. It hurt, but what was I going to mis? The big space taken up in my garage all winter?

Buying the TL was the best choice I could have made. It has the looks, and loves "spirited" driving. However, I rarely drive it that way. Most times, I'd rather look at the beauty of a car than drive it.

Seems I've changed. It's possible you have as well. I just hope the accident didn't steal your love of driving.

[Wild Willy]

Hey, Joe-
I read your comment about losing the love of driving, and I don't doubt that you are experiencing stress as you ride around in the sea of idiots that passes for compentent drivers these days. Maybe you should get a huge SUV with air bags and push bumpers; maybe that will make you feel safe.

I have found, as I have gotten older, that I absolutely don't trust other drivers at all. I parked my BMW motorcycle a few years ago, go tired of compensating for every other driver's mistakes- and, if I didn't, I would have been the one to pay the price-

These days, my idea of driving well, of mastering the task of driving, isn't to be the quickest from point A to point B- it is to try and drive it perfectly- not cut anybody off, signal all lane changes anticipate all the vehicles movements around me. I am not saying you have to drive slowly, just saying that, no matter how fast you are going that you need to be totally focused on what is going on around you, and have a back-up plan for whatever may occur.

Someone once wrote that although racing speeds were higher, the traffic wasn't as chaotic around you, and that, to drive well in busy traffic takes almost the same level of skill and concentration- I believe that, and I also believe that most other drivers can't do it- and, before you sneer and think it is easy, TRY IT! I bet I could ride with almost anyone for 5 minutes and find where they drift across pavement markings, fail to signal a lane change or turen, or drive on the shoulder, or roll a stop sign. You don't realize how hard it is to drive perfectly until you try- and I doubt most drivers ever try-

At least a harmless game to keep you occupied while you drive- I must do 35 or 40 thou miles a year, and have been doing it since about 1970, or so- I have put 200,000 miles on several vehicles-

[BrdWAtti2d]

Joe,

People change, and you experienced a very traumatic event. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Poeple's interests change, it's not a big deal. I can assure you it's not age. I'm pushing 52 and I love driving my formula more than ever. But I will say this, I don't get into unit measuring contests anymore, I don't have to drive the fastest car in town to reenforce my manhood. I enjoy the fact that my car is stock and I also enjoy keeping it that way. I get more enjoyment these days trying to keep the car looking new than making it faster. Chill my friend, ain't nutthin but a thang.

[Trash man]

I've taken the time to read though everyone's posts, I've thought about every single idea and still don't have a complete answer. I think more than anything, I've lost the love of driving. It's become stressful and lacks the enjoyment that I once had. Maybe time will change that, who knows. My love for a beautiful machine is still there, but the driving experience lacks.

move in the country where there isnt as many ppl. i just finished off my sisters 89 this past weekend and the past two days i've had it on the back roads. i got the urge to buy another one as soon as possible.

[Joe 1320]

move in the country .

already there. However, people are moving out to the country areas and they are getting crowded as well. The only soloution is to really move out in the sticks. As it is it's a 8 mile trip to the one grocery store, 12 miles to the other. I can't fathom being farther out.

[BrdWAtti2d]

already there. However, people are moving out to the country areas and they are getting crowded as well. The only soloution is to really move out in the sticks. As it is it's a 8 mile trip to the one grocery store, 12 miles to the other. I can't fathom being farther out.

Erm, without becoming Ted Kaczynski? Very true, please let us all know if you trade the homestead for a plywood cabin in Montana so we can take the necessary steps to deprogram you.

[Joe 1320]

This past weekend I had to do several 220 mile round trips taking my son to the airport. I've come to the conclusion that I still love driving. When I was in very sparse traffic I was pretty happy. The minute traffic gets tight, I'm looking at other vehicles as if they were on a collision course. at one point, I was accelerating away from a toll booth, about to merge lanes when some young biotch in a turbo Audi purposely goes full throttle to get up to where I was merging just so she could cut me off and then laugh about it. I fail to see the humor in forcing someone into the emergency lane. I could have gotten out and beaten the snot out of her and her companions.

It's the other drivers that are getting on my nerves.



I also thought for a moment. Actually several of them. hours as a matter of fact. If the car I had been driving had roughly 500 HP and was accelerating, there would have been no way in hell that some trashy little biotch could have pulled that manouver with anything less than a high dollar vehicle.

I think there was some healing in that rather rude behavior. I do believe that the 94 is in need of some serious infusion of power...... and I don't think and LT-1 is gonna cut it. I think that a built turbo 3.8 from the 89 Turbo T/A and Grand National would be right at home in project Blue Angel. I want this thing getting 25 mpg and 10.90s with good fuel. Oh yeah...... and an automatic. V6 emblems, quiet exhaust, total sleeper.


I think I'm healed.

[BrdWAtti2d]

I get the impression you were somewhere near Tampa airport. Sounds like one of the daily occurrences here. Lately I've been trying to resist the immediate impulse to blow those jackweeds off the road at WOT, although I'm finding it very difficult.

Glad to hear you're coming around again.

[Joe 1320]

I get the impression you were somewhere near Tampa airport.

this occured at the Sunshine Skyway toll booth on the Bradenton side.

[BrdWAtti2d]

I knew it had to be somewhere in the bay area, and I'm betting after she cut you off to the toll booth she had to dig around in her car for 5 minutes for toll money even though there's a sign 10 miles back that says in big white letters "TOLL AHEAD".

[Black97]

Good to hear to getting the need for speed again.

I hate the Audi, Bimmer and other idiot drivers that think they can flip the turn indicator and then just come in. It's like they feel they are god chosen or because they drive an imported car you and I have to break and let them in.

I usually keep the hole closed and hit the horn until they get the drift. One Audi driver here in Toronto got so poed, that he caught up with me later and pulled along side and pretended he was going to ram my car.

I don't know about you, but at times I see a certain brand of car on the road and I can tell how they are going to behave. You know, try to cut you off or if you try to pass them, they speed up, or the one that drives 30 in the 50 zone.

[Steel2686]

Great to hear you're getting the itch again, Joe.

It's funny about car brand equaling driving behavior. Now that I drive an Acura TL, I get it from both sides. Some people just assume I'm going to be a selfish @#%! and cut them off. So they pull a pre-emptive maneuver on me and cut me off. Happens mostly with people driving older, domestic cars and trucks. I guess the people driving Acuras are grouped in with the BMW and Audi drivers.

I was talking to another TL owner at a gas station a couple months back. He was telling me he loved the TL so much, he traded in his beloved Jaguar XJ12 for it. When I told him my previous car was a 2002 Trans Am WS6, he looked something like this --->

I guess it's not the usual transistion.

The best moment with this car happened over the summer. I was on the highway, and off to the right, I could see a Lexus merging from an on-ramp. I clearly had the right of way because 1) I was already on the highway, and 2) He was a bit behind me. He decided he wanted to get in front of me so he accelerates. I did the same. We finally get next to each other right before it merges into one lane and I never let off. The look on his face was priceless. Like he wanted to say "Hey! You're supposed to be one of us!"...

He finally had to let off and just stayed behind me for several exits.

[MunsonGTA]

I also thought for a moment. Actually several of them. hours as a matter of fact. If the car I had been driving had roughly 500 HP and was accelerating, there would have been no way in hell that some trashy little biotch could have pulled that manouver with anything less than a high dollar vehicle.

I think there was some healing in that rather rude behavior. I do believe that the 94 is in need of some serious infusion of power...... and I don't think and LT-1 is gonna cut it. I think that a built turbo 3.8 from the 89 Turbo T/A and Grand National would be right at home in project Blue Angel. I want this thing getting 25 mpg and 10.90s with good fuel. Oh yeah...... and an automatic. V6 emblems, quiet exhaust, total sleeper.


I think I'm healed.

next time drive the GN to the airport

sounds like you're getting that itch back.