Across the country... with a Maxima... in the snow... in the dark.

**Jesda** · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 05:07 AM

The adjustment from RWD to FWD isn't as easy as I thought it would be. After having a half dozen RWD cars, I've forgotten how to control a FWD car in bad weather, and it isn't the "Just drive it like you normally expect" way that Consumer Reports claims.

First of all, its snowing like a motherfudder here in Wyoming. It snowed all the way from Idaho, and it was especially heavy in Montana and northern WY, slowing me down to 30mph. The high beams on this car dont work either, which basically leaves me wandering in the darkness, looking at reflectors on the shoulder [mostly covered in snow] to keep me on the road. And when a truck passes, I'm completely blinded.

Second, this car has no ABS. I started driving in the snow with an old Sentra without ABS, and learned to pump the brakes. After a series of ABS-equipped cars, I find myself instinctively slamming down on the pedal, forgetting to modulate the brake force appropriately. That sent me swerving a bit down an incline in Bozeman, MT.

Now, the drive wheels. In a RWD car like the Q, you can use the throttle to manage vehicle stability. The rear does one task while the front does another, so you have complete control (in theory) over the direction of the vehicle. In the Maxima, the nose plows directly into whatever's in front of me whether I'm steering or braking. The most I can do is grab the e-brake and hope that I don't turn into 18-wheeler roadkill. Parking is a pain too, because the loss of traction is sudden and I have no precise way of maneuvering the back end.

On the plus side, the SOHC VG30E is a GREAT engine. The most comparable one that comes to mind is the GM 3800 -- lots of torque, a broad powerband, super-smooth and silent operation, and good gas mileage, so far 24.5 mpg. The 3800 would probably do 32mpg+, but the VG doesnt lose its breath at 90mph. The Maxima actually feels quite at home doing 115. Steering tracks well at high speeds (even with worn rack bushings) and braking is super-confident and secure. The suspension on this car could use some work, since it tends to wallow and bob up and down. Its also kind of loud at speeds over 80. Overall, for $1200 with brand new tires, I got a heck of a deal on this car.

For some reason, the steering wheel smells like farts, and not my own (I have a signature odor). Now after ten hours of driving my hands smell like flatulence. *shrug* Time to buy a wheel cover I guess.

Some pics!

Wallace, Idaho. Home of the slowest freaking gas pump on earth. It took almost ten minutes to pump 13 gallons. I asked the lady at the counter if it was pumping molasses.

Basically what Montana looks like. Snow, darkness, and abandoned hardware.

Super 8 calls this an "executive suite" because there's a microwave and slow-as-dirt Internet access.

Travel note: There's a town in Montana called "Lame Deer"

Spyder · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 05:20 AM

Ah, you should have hired me to drive that thing across the country for ya! I'da done it for airfare, fuel and food...adventure awaits!

hardrockcamaro@mac.c · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 06:14 AM

Roadtrip!

Looks like fun to me.

airbalancer · #4 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 07:47 AM

Sounds like a good trip
My would you want your high beams ,if it is snowing out

Night Wolf · #5 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 08:10 AM

Quote:

The adjustment from RWD to FWD isn't as easy as I thought it would be. After having a half dozen RWD cars, I've forgotten how to control a FWD car in bad weather, and it isn't the "Just drive it like you normally expect" way that Consumer Reports claims.

WHAT!?!? Consumer Reports give you misleading information! THIS IS AN OUT RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I have no problem with RWD in snow, atleast when your drive wheels spin, you can still maintain vehicle heading.

Wow man, sounds like a blast! I love road trips, I am looking forward to driving the '79 DeVille down to FL next month

***Boombotz*** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 08:28 AM

Sounds like fun! I love road trips!

Spyder · #7 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 01:34 PM

Ah, if I wasn't on my way out the door to school right now, I'd give ya'll some road trip stories...I'm still a youngin', but I've got some good ones...it all started with a 15 year old hitting the road from north of Sacramento to Louisville, taking a week off of his drivers training course to do so, and completing the one way trip in 42 hours...I can go into details later, but alas, I don't have the time this morning.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #8 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 01:48 PM

Wait so Jesda, what exactly were you doing?

JC316 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 02:00 PM

What's snow precious eh? What's snow? I have driven on ice before and I don't want to do it again. Even with traction assist and ABS on my Mark VIII I was slipping and sliding. I can't stand rear drive cars on ice, my sister was sideways on 635 in Mesquite, due to a 90 T-bird. Same with my old 88 silverado, 230HP, 300ftlbs of torque, 3.73 towing gears, and a very stiff gas pedal, you can imagine. If it even threatens to be icy, my seville is going to be the car I take.

powerglide · #10 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 02:06 PM

Sounds like you're having quite an adventure!
You'll get used to the front drive soon enough...enjoy and drive safe!

**slk230mb** · #11 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 02:40 PM

Looks like good times Jesda.

powerglide- wasn't last nights family guy hilarious.

powerglide · #12 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slk230mb

Looks like good times Jesda.
powerglide- wasn't last nights family guy hilarious.

OMG I laughed my ass off.....I was waiting for someone to recognize my signature tag line!

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #13 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 03:39 PM

yeah that was quite the family guy last night!

Pow right in the kisser!
Pow right in the kisser!
Pow right in the kisser!

**Jesda** · #14 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 10:08 PM

ARGH!!! We didnt get further than 350 miles before they closed down I-90 through South Dakota, so here I am stuck in Rapid City SD. Last time I was here was 2001 with a 1995 Mazda 626, and holy CRAP has this place grown [rapidly... ha ha!]. I dont quite understand why so many people live here, since its in the middle of the Black Hills surrounded by nothingness and some caves. They have every shopping place you can imagine, a good-sized mall, even a convention center.
Anyway, the highway was closed apparently due to quarter-mile visibility. Later in the evening, that warning was changed to zero visibility. The wind is INSANE and snow drifts are enough blind you; the endless string of overturned vehicles is proof.
When I was running from the car to the entrance of the Ramada Inn with my bags in hand, a gust of wind knocked me to the side, lunging my left shoulder into a brick wall, leaving what will be a big bruise in the morning. I'll sue! They should rubberize the building!
Here's pics and captions:

Some barren part of Wyoming. HOLY FARKING CRAP ITS COLD. I was going to get pics of myself standing in front of the "scenic viewpoint" but I couldnt tolerate being outside any longer.

I had a meeting with The Bobs.

The trunk is surprisingly huge.

The damn cig lighter won't work! I hear clicks and pops on the radio when I plug something in. The wires in the back of it are all there and connected. The fuses all look good. Argh!

Since I can't use my XM tuner, I have to download and burn more music tonight [good thing I bought an MP3-capable head unit], after I finish downloading Sunday's episode of Family Guy. The Ramada Inn's broadband wireless is quite nice.
For the easily amused, a progress map is attached. Hell, this entire thread is for the easily amused.

I really like this car. It'll make an awesome commuter when I get it home. I'm ready for a Seville though.

**Jesda** · #15 (**permalink**) 11-28-05, 10:09 PM