Texas Has the Autobahn? Top speeders of 2017

[TheMeanGreen]

Oh yes, I-10 and I-20 headed east from the New Mexico border, speed limit is 80-85, 15 over is 100mph. Too much fun, but when driving a car not designed for speed, like a ‘98 Honda Accord (however V6) it was a little nerve wrecking as people tend to cruise those stretches around 92-95mph, for the majority of cars and their owners, emergency avoidance maneuvers can be deadly.

Give my GS300 two more gears, 100 more HP/TQ, upgraded wheels and brakes, stiffer swaybars, it would be the perfect car. Not too fast, but capable of cruising comfortably at 100mph and able to stop itself many times over with the ability to handle its weight. The horse power wars are so exciting, but here in the states we simply don’t have the roadways that can permit the majority of higher performance cars to be driven at 5/10ths.

 

[Accumulator]

So much truth to the saying, "Better to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow".

Absolutely!

My GTI has 200-is HP, and is a total hoot on the Ozark back roads about 1.5 hours from where I live. On an early Saturday morning I can have endless hours of fun tossing the car around without any worry of launching myself into the trees. A bigger, much more powerful vehicle would be out of place and actually not much fun..

Right! A well-balanced driver`s car like that is my taste as well.

Even after my first track day, I was quite happy with 200 HP. Now give me a few more sessions of experience and/or a less twisty track and that all might change...

It was funny...after my Racing Schools and Track Days, I wanted to drive FAST, and kinda on the edge- "hey, I`m skilled now!" (Yeah, sure...keep telling yourself that Accumulator.. ) BUT, otoh...after training at VDI I wanted to drive *WELL* and had a lot more respect for what can happen when I [mess] up, even though I`m actually MUCH more skilled than I ever could`ve become with the other experiences. The Takeaway Mindset was completely different and it changed my whole view of, and approach to, driving on the street.

And yes indeed folks, that`s a plug for the Vehicle Dynamics Institute. Best. (over-the-road) Driver`s. Training. Period.

 

[Desertnate]

Wow, we`ve strayed from the OP`s topic...Oh, well. Great discussion anyway!

It was funny...after my Racing Schools and Track Days, I wanted to drive FAST, and kinda on the edge- "hey, I`m skilled now!" (Yeah, sure...keep telling yourself that Accumulator.. ) BUT, otoh...after training at VDI I wanted to drive *WELL* and had a lot more respect for what can happen when I [mess] up, even though I`m actually MUCH more skilled than I ever could`ve become with the other experiences. The Takeaway Mindset was completely different and it changed my whole view of, and approach to, driving on the street.

Interesting thoughts. I`m not overly aggressive or much of a risk taker, so my thrill from the track day was hitting the mechanics right. I`d rather drive "right" than fast.

When I came out a braking zone correctly and nailed an apex it was a huge rush despite never topping 80mph and rarely leaving third gear. I loved being able to smoothly slice around the course on a good line each session while noticing my instructor was providing less guidance each time. Unbeknownst to me, I apparently shaved nearly six seconds off my lap times as the day progressed. The speed for me was a byproduct of doing things right.

 

[512detail]

I drive a good stretch of the 80mph i10 when I go back home (about 200 miles of it) and I just set the cruise at 84. I`ve had people get pulled over after passing me but I`ve never got pulled for 84. I`m not saying I`m always going that speed but that is one fun stretch of road to show someone what real power can do when they try to run up on you at 85. (my car pulls quite nicely from that speed all the way to as far as you can stomach) - all the way to that 88 mph time traveling speed

 

[Nizmo]

I`ve never gone "stupid" fast, but once the GTI hit break-in I wanted to see what it could do. There`s a miles stretch of clear highway just as you come off the mountain, I decide to go for it. It`s true it`s stock limited to 130ish mph. Although living in a small town you can`t break wind without someone knowing. Next day I was gassing up and a state trooper pulls up to the pump beside me, I think nothing of it. Starts pumping gas and goes "So, how fast you get it to?" Uh, WTH!? "Sorry guy, I just got it a couple months ago and was seeing what it could do." "I know, you have the only one in town, I wouldn`t do it again if I were you." It was just light enough outside to make out the car, and apparently he was going under the underpass at the time. Oops.

 

[512detail]

I live 10 minutes from the fastest road in America (probably) - 85 mph toll road.. you get passed by busses going 85 mph on that road

 

[Accumulator]

Wow, we`ve strayed from the OP`s topic...Oh, well. Great discussion anyway!

Eh, probably my fault again But "speeding on public roads" does lend itself to some good discussions and maybe somebody will have one of those ah-ha! moments.

When I came out a braking zone correctly and nailed an apex it was a huge rush ... I loved being able to smoothly slice around the course on a good line...

My wife could`ve posted that almost word-for-word!

 

[512detail]

I`ve derailed so many threads myself I could care less if this thread gets derailed - still on subject matter essentially anyways.

 

[Never Enuff]

The problem with high speed on 130 is the wild hogs. Saw a picture of a Chy 300 that hit one at 85mph+ on 130 and the amount of bondo need to fix the car would be astronomical---after you replaced the complete front end, hood, grille and both front doors and the windshield.
Jay

 

[512detail]

The problem with high speed on 130 is the wild hogs. Saw a picture of a Chy 300 that hit one at 85mph+ on 130 and the amount of bondo need to fix the car would be astronomical---after you replaced the complete front end, hood, grille and both front doors and the windshield.
Jay

that`s why they were paying people to come and shoot them when they first built those toll roads. it was much worse then

only in Texas, huh?

 

[TheMeanGreen]

Hogs and Deer are killers, literally. I love night time road trips because it is nice to be the only one on the road and let the drive clear the mind, but without a decent set of headlights, I aint driving enthusiastically. During night time driving, you are only as safe as far as you can see.

Side note: Has anyone seen the YouTube video`s by the company`s with circular hog traps, they are capable of catching nearly 40 hogs at once. :blink:

 

[Dan]

As I`ve posted before, the whole "having a highly-capable car but not being able to use it" is what finally got me *OUT OF* really fast cars, even *with* a license! (I never end up doing many track days any more..) Driving a great car at 4/10ths simply frustrates me...constant exercise in frustration and self-control, just too far away from the vehicle`s "natural rhythm" for me to enjoy it.

Amen, the real fun is trying to get 11/10ths out of your vehicle. I love my vette but if I drive it over 3/10ths I`m in jail. VA is the worst state in the union to speed in. I have had lots of friends do jailtime just for speeding.

My best adventure was on I95. In court after I gave my side of the story, the judge asked the trooper if he had anything to add. His response was "Your honor, the accused`s car accelerated so fast, the patrol car had no hope of keeping up."

I felt like Donald duck when he shrinks on TV.

 

[Accumulator]

Oh man, Deer...long-timers here might remember my "S8 vs. Deer" thread. I was FAST-Hands and did everything right...Accumulatorette couldn`t believe...and BARELY touched it, maybe caused it a little arthritis, but sure damaged the car but good and it`ll never quite be the same cosmetically. Turned the trip into a scene from Ronin for the rest of the way (I did NOT allow the Deer Incident to spoil our trip, just got it drivable roadside and continued on), heh heh people sure get out of the way when a wrecked S8 comes flying up behind them

BUT..had I been doing maybe 5-10mph more it would`ve been really gruesome; more than that and everybody would`ve died. And there`s not that much diff between what wild animals do on roads and the behavior of many drivers...most anything can happen most any time, for reasons that might never occur to ya.

 

[Accumulator]

Dan- heh heh, that I95 story is great!

Yeah, my Mallett `vette, maybe the best performing car I`ve ever owned, was utterly unbearable for me...sold it near-new with no regrets (good trade towards the S8).

Yeah#2, driving in VA is an exercise in self-control for me, that`s where I got the Crown Vic. Fortunately, the staties apparently, uhm...assumed the guy waving at them behind the tint and maintaining [that speed] was a fellow LEO Wouldn`t get away with that now that every Dept. has Chargers.

 

[TheMeanGreen]

Dan- heh heh, that I95 story is great!

Yeah, my Mallett `vette, maybe the best performing car I`ve ever owned, was utterly unbearable for me...sold it near-new with no regrets (good trade towards the S8).

Yeah#2, driving in VA is an exercise in self-control for me, that`s where I got the Crown Vic. Fortunately, the staties apparently, uhm...assumed the guy waving at them behind the tint and maintaining [that speed] was a fellow LEO Wouldn`t get away with that now that every Dept. has Chargers.

Just buy a Charger.

 

[Accumulator]

Just buy a Charger.

No misunderstanding- I do think the Chargers are *VERY* good cars, but for various reasons they`re not as good as a Crown Vic *for me*. Absolutely ZERO question in my mind about it, and I`ve definitely given it proper consideration.

I kinda wish it *would* work for me! Police Package Charger (must have column shift, which means sticking with the 5sp auto and that poses limitations) with probably a ScatPack engine, good aftermarket suspension...sure, it would have its merits.

But anyhow, the self-control I`d need in one of those would drive me nuts; I`d probably get in big trouble.

 

[JustJesus]

JustJesus- No doubt! My CRX`s were actually a lot more fun than my Porsches; I`d take my CRXSi (or first-gen RX7) back in a heartbeat, but you couldn`t *give* me another 928 (even if I do still swoon over them ).

That`s a bit surprising! Any modifications to your CRX?

I`m not saying I`m always going that speed but that is one fun stretch of road to show someone what real power can do when they try to run up on you at 85. (my car pulls quite nicely from that speed all the way to as far as you can stomach)

Sounds nice. How much power are you making?

85 mph toll road.. you get passed by busses going 85 mph on that road

That`s a bit crazy!

 

[Accumulator]

Any modifications to your CRX?

Not unless you count tires and hardwiring the radar detector. Both were bought new and traded shortly after their warranties expired. The `85 was kinda a POS (so much for Honda reliability) but the later Si was a good car.

...show someone what real power can do when they try to run up on you at 85.

Guys (never gals, it`s always GUYS) sometimes pass me at [very big number] but, invariably, a few miles later I pass them again without giving it any thought, usually when the road gets curvy. My wife and I suspect the [female passengers] tell `em to slow down about the time things get truly, uhm....demanding. (Accumulatorette falls asleep at [big number] and has basically zero interest in how fast I drive whether she`s in the car or not; 100% confidence.)

 

[TTBear]

Tsk, tsk..... this thread is disappointing. So many posts that are in effect, ultimately glorifying speeding. I have a suggestion. Why don`t we divert, and see if we can emphasize a more positive direction for the thread? Fuel consumption, for example. This happened on a "last kick at the can" drive, (in Mexico, of course), with the group I drive with, prior to putting the cars away for the winter.

Not bad gas mileage, wouldn`t you say? I would think not bad

There ya go. I am SO glad that I could direct this thread towards a more environmentally responsible direction!

 

[Stokdgs]

Allan !

I LOVE the MAX Speed Reading of 211.888 mph !

Happy New Year !!!

Dan F