NationStates Jolt Archive

Heres a question.

When was the last time you just went for a drive for no reason? I try to do it as much as I can. Sometimes I love just grabbing the keys at night and go for a nice open window drive to nowhere and back. Esp in my Volvo 740T, nothing beats being alone driving a classic sports car, not to go anywhere. Just to drive!

I don't have the money or inclination to go waste gas for no reason.

A friend of mine advocates "Cruising for Peace!" He reasons that all the fighting is about oil, so we should burn it all up as quickly as possible.

Driving to and from work everyday is more than enough money spent on gas as it is.

I went for a drive just this morning, after the earthquake. I'm in Chino, at the supposed epicenter of the quake, so I wanted to see if there was any real damage. There wasn't. Lots of news vans. I cruised around for about 45 minutes, following the satellite trucks. Pretty boring, but we made Drudge Report at least.

Two years ago. I spent 2 days driving around the coast of Rodos on my bike.

Heres a question.

When was the last time you just went for a drive for no reason? I try to do it as much as I can. Sometimes I love just grabbing the keys at night and go for a nice open window drive to nowhere and back. Esp in my Volvo 740T, nothing beats being alone driving a classic sports car, not to go anywhere. Just to drive!

years ago. it was my favorite passtime.

now I do the same with buses. take a bus and ride the circuit.

Never. It's a waste of petrol and I don't enjoy driving enough for it to be worthwhile.

I go for walks, though.

A week ago. Usually it'll be with friends though. We'll all go out every couple weeks or so and just have fun driving listening to music, singing, talking, or simply looking at the countryside.

Haven't been for a drive in ages. It doesn't help I don't have a car.

I used to, but with the high cost of gas, I don't anymore.

I used to go off-roading as a teenager. Not since then.

I haven't in a while. Being in a city isn't so condusive to random drives, as it just makes me more stressed, not less.

I'd say maybe a year ago?

Last night, although it wasnt my car, it was one of my friend's lol...

Do you know how much petrol costs these days?

I put gas in my car once a month. It's a 10 gallon tank, I get 32 mpg. No, I don't go for random drives, I go for random walks.

Not for a while. Used to go for drives to the countryside fairly often with my friends, we'd drive fifty miles out of the city, each chipping in a fiver for petrol (those were the fucking days) and kick about enjoying nature at its finest.

Now it's a bit expensive and most of my friends are on holiday abroad anyway :(

Never. Driving is unenjoyable enough without doing it for no reason.

now I do the same with buses. take a bus and ride the circuit.

that is cheating since your bus loops are slightly nicer than most of the rest of ours

though you have to avoid the time right after school when the high schoolers are riding it home. that's just loud and obnoxious.

a while back... a few weeks, on a really hot, sunny day. glitziness and i hopped in the convertible, picked up a friend and went for an hour long cooldown in the open air. it lead to a great quote from the friend sitting in the back yelling "i can't feel my face!" :p

we used to do it more last summer, because this summer hasn't been that good yet (in terms of weather)

Do you know how much petrol costs these days?

He's a rich brat whose family has 12 cars. He doesn't care how much it costs. Stuff like that doesn't affect our patrician betters.

The one, and only time I've driven a car was in a field the other day, when my friend let me behind the wheel. I managed a couple times of going round in a big circle, before I fucked up the clutch and the bloody thing stalled.

I think I'll just stick to me bike.

Usually my drives are more of a reason to light up without having to deal with the hassle of smoking bans than anything else. That being said, there's some nice land around here to simply relax and smoke a few.

Probably about nine years ago. I was living in Calgary and the nightlife sucked, so we'd hop in the car, three or four of us, and drive the length and breadth of the city. By three or four in the morning we basically owned the roads, which seemed fun at the time I guess.

There was the one time we left the bar at midnight and decided to drive to Montana for breakfast. Don't know if that counts, since we had a destination (sort of) in mind. Would've been about the same time.

Do you know how much petrol costs these days?

I think we're all aware. ;) Still, there are plenty of things people spend money on hoping to reduce stress that are more wasteful than going for a drive.

I think we're all aware. ;) Still, there are plenty of things people spend money on hoping to reduce stress that are more wasteful than going for a drive.

And there are still plenty of people who can afford to waste money.

Yesterday.

I very much enjoyed it.

I am poor and gas is expensive. Therefore, the closest I come to taking "random drives" is occasionally deciding "I will run my errands at the group of stores thirty miles to the northeast instead of the group of stores thirty miles to the north, because it is a more pleasant drive."

A few weeks ago. I live right on the edge of town. 2 Miles south and its MSU. 2 Miles north and it's all farmland. I've been up there a few times. I found an airport, a baitshop, and a gunstore.

I used to go on drives all the time. Gas is a little too expensive to be doing it as much nowadays, but I do still try and go on one every now and again. I usually drive late at night or in the evening as to avoid traffic and all that mess. To me there is nothing more stress relieving than going on a drive late in the evening/night with no particular destination and just listening to music or talking with my friends.

Living in the metro-detroit area there are plenty of interesting sights to look at while driving. If its an early evening drive in the summer you can go cruise the crazy rich neighborhoods in the nothern suburbs, or check out the crappy neighborhoods around the perimeter of detroit (only during the day and with the windows up of course and never too far in lol) I tend to marvel at the immense difference in wealth between in some cases just 2 or 3 miles. Driving out by the river/lakefront can yield some gorgeous scenery.

It seems amazing to me that driving for recreational purposes can be so enjoyable. I mean I drive a lot and when you constantly have a destination and time constraints driving can be one of the most annoying activities out there. But, when all that stress commonly associated with driving dissapears, driving can be quite a relaxing activity.

Most of the time its just me and one of my friends or my girlfriend and we just listen to music and talk about it and anything else on our minds. It amazes me at just how much conversational ground can be covered on a nice relaxing drive.

Granted, driving isnt as cheap as it used to be but i figure if it's something I feel like doing and I have the money it is totally worth it. I mean let's say I went to a movie with a friend/girlfriend 8 dollars for a movie ticket and if i want popcorn/candy/drink it ends up being somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 dollars. so at least 10-15 dollars if i go with a friend and probably closer to 20-25 if i go with my gf. If I decide to go on a drive with my friend or gf for roughly the same amount of time. At 4 dollars a gallon, 25 mpg, an average speed of 40mph, and 2.5 hours of drive time. That's 100 miles which at 25mpg takes 4 gallons of gas. And 4 gallons at 4 dollars a gallon totals a whopping $16. Roughly the same as going to see a movie, and if the person im with chips in for my gas even cheaper. There is some variation depending on where you're driving to and your vehicle but the point is that if you planned on going out and doing something you are most likely going to spend as much money doing that as you would on going on a drive. (assuming you dont go on excessively long drives but who drive past 3 hours anyway? Most drives are between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the mood.)

In short if you like driving and it is something you enjoy it is a perfectly viable and legitimate way to your spend money.

When I was a kid I went all the time. Sometimes daily. But when you grow up, it looses a good deal of it's excitement. I still enjoy hitting the road from time to time, but I do so with a destination in mind (be it a quirky museum, park, cafe, city, landmark, etc).

Heres a question.

When was the last time you just went for a drive for no reason?

Never...I've always had a reason, even if it was a pointless or useless one.

I don't have the money or inclination to go waste gasfor no reason.

Bingo.

Never. Driving is unenjoyable enough without doing it for no reason.

It's a waste of petrol and I don't enjoy driving enough for it to be worthwhile.

I go for walks, though.

Driving is horrible...have you seen how many idiots there are on the road???

Driving at night doesn't help matters...that's when the drunk-drivers are at their most numerous.

Walking, FTW!

Well obviously if one doesn't enjoy driving it is a total waste of money, and is a terrible idea. I can't tell you the amount of times I've been pulled over for no apparent reason when driving late at night. Countless times the cops are bewildered that someone would drive just to drive and always think I have some underlying motive and always try and tell me to go home like im doing something illegal. I don't usually mind it adds some interesting experiences to the drive. It's not like I'm doing anything wrong so I have absolutely nothing to worry about they make me laugh sometimes.

well the last time i had anything TO drive, was more then ten years ago. got rid of a pain in the tires to reduce my overhead, which i don't think i'd have this computer, with is worth orders of magnatude more to me, if i hadn't.

i do, or have from time to time, just taken off, on public transportation, just for the heck of it and to enjoy the ride. my wife and i's anaversary we rode amtrak down to the bay area and bart out to pleasanton and had lunch and came back.

not something we can afford to do often, but it was worth it. and tomarrow we're probably riding the county transit bus up the the flour garden bakery in auburn, for her birthday.

neither of these quite totally spontanious of course.

most of my wanderings these days, its too damd hot to be outside in the summer time to me here without pretty much having to, are done at home under the ac and on the computer, on the internet.

but in the spring and fall, if and when we do get a few reasonably comfortable days, i'll stick my camera in my pocket and just wander arround a bit.

=^^=
.../\...

About 2 months ago. My car got stolen... I live in Detroit...

If I want to go for a drive, I hop on my bicycle.

If I want to go for a drive, I hop on my bicycle.

Idem. And the last time I hopped on my bicycle for no reason was last weekend.

I would never, ever drive just for fun in this city (new york) it is just horrible with traffic.

I often drive around. Both my GF and my mom also enjoy driving around (well, riding around since I'm the one driving :p ). I also enjoy walking, but it has two problems compared to driving.

1. I can't get nearly as far.
2. The weather has been alternating between heavy rains and near 100 degree temps.

It's winter here, not fun to drive in.

It's also over 45 minutes drive one way with no turnoffs, other than dead end gravel tracks. the other way there's a junction in about 5 Km, and then theres nothing for miles.

The fact I sold the convertible and only have a van and a 4wd also means it's a bit less fun. I've a 1978 Nissan 280ZX with no motor I aim to drop a ford small block into :D that ought to change matters once I finish some Hire purchase debts and can start working on it.

I live an hour's drive from work each way. However, it is worth the cost of gas for what I'm paid. But when I move to Tucson for school in Jan, my bike will get more use in the cool season.

I went camping in the mountains last week. It was amazing! We took the quads on a little adventure.

Summer of 2005.

1868 - we were driving 2,000 head of longhorns up to Abilene...no that was a film I saw not reality.

I like to travel, but driving isn't my thing. Going on a cruise maybe...?

Driving is horrible...have you seen how many idiots there are on the road???

Yeah, and that's just the ones that have got themselves run over, not to mention the ones driving...

Haven't been for a drive in ages. It helps that I don't have a car.

Fixed ;)

I don't do that. I'm not paid by anyone to drive up gas prices, so I usually walk instead :wink:

He's a rich brat whose family has 12 cars. He doesn't care how much it costs. Stuff like that doesn't affect our patrician betters.

Correction:

My family is rich.

I'm not. I only bring in about 45k a year. Night classes ftw. ( My school offered after hours Vo-tech. so I took advantage of it. )

That you use "only" in conjunction with "45k" suggests that you are rich.

I do not remember a single time when I went driving without a reason. Perhaps I did when I was one, but I doubt that'd count.

About 2 months ago. My car got stolen... I live in Detroit...

What does where you live have anything remotely to do with having your cars stolen? I was living in a sleepy suburb 25 miles north of Seattle when mine was stolen in February of 2005. I'm sorry you were robbed, I know how much that sucks, but as far as where, what's your point?

That you use "only" in conjunction with "45k" suggests that you are rich.

Quite. In fact, where I grew up 45k would be rich.

Quite. In fact, where I grew up 45k would be rich.
Dude, at current exchange rates there's a realistic chance that I might make double that for my first job out of uni.

Granted, if I went to the US at the moment I'd be able to buy half the place, but that's besides the point. $45,000 really doesn't qualify as anything but middle class.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8f/Personal_Household_Income_U.png

Dude, at current exchange rates there's a realistic chance that I might make double that for my first job out of uni.

Granted, if I went to the US at the moment I'd be able to buy half the place, but that's besides the point. $45,000 really doesn't qualify as anything but middle class.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8f/Personal_Household_Income_U.png

You may have missed the "where I grew up" part. I'm from an agrarian area where the average income is around $20-30k.

It's really quite relative. If one were to live in West Bloomfield, Michigan 45k would make you a relative pauper while in Escanaba, Michigan you'd be among the richest people in town.

Hopefully I'll be making over $60.000 with my first post-university job (I'll be teaching French, hopefully at the university level), which is vastly more than anyone else in my family has ever made. In fact, right now I'm making about $4.000 per month while deployed as a Sergeant in the Guard, which is again more than anyone else in my family has ever made.

I hate cars and driving. I find the thought of driving for fun to the be puzzling to say the least. Now a nice bike ride on the other hand....

Back in September, mostly to get ideas of where stuff was located and to explore the city than to actually go anywhere, if that counts.

I love cars, and I enjoy driving, but I haven't driven for recreation in about a year.

I used to all the time on my motercycle ... not the same in a car

I do however take the Jeep or Truck offroading from time to time randomly (usually on planned trips though ... whats the fun of taking an rock Jeep through some fields comparatively ... )

I used to do it all the time.

But now that XBox 360 games cost less than a tank of gas... I do that instead ;)

I've never done that before. If I'm driving, it's with a destination in mind.

I hate cars and driving. I find the thought of driving for fun to the be puzzling to say the least.

I gather youve never driven an expensive high performance vehicle before?

I gather youve never driven an expensive high performance vehicle before?

You don't need an expensive, high-performance vehicle to have fun driving. My daughter had a 1992 Mazda Miata - that was fun to drive. Getting into and out of it wasn't fun, however.

You don't need an expensive, high-performance vehicle to have fun driving. My daughter had a 1992 Mazda Miata - that was fun to drive. Getting into and out of it wasn't fun, however.

I have a Mazda RX-8 and all i can say is WHEEEE!!

You don't need an expensive, high-performance vehicle to have fun driving. My daughter had a 1992 Mazda Miata - that was fun to drive. Getting into and out of it wasn't fun, however.

So True, none of the cars I own are over powered or expensive, but it doesn't mean they're not fun to drive. Here they are.

2007 Civic SI- 197hp ( 23,000 )
1995 Thunderbird LX - 251rwhp ( its modified- by me ) ( 7,000 )
1989 Volvo 740 Turbo 160hp at the crank ( Restored to mint factory condition, it was my senior project )

None of those cars are expensive, and none have alot horsepower. But it doesn't make them any less fun to drive.

I go for bike rides without much purpose... but not lately, it's been too hot.

I gather youve never driven an expensive high performance vehicle before?

Like that really matters? A "high performance" vehicle stuck in traffic is going at exactly the same pace as a '76 Pacer -- slower if you're solo and the Pacer's got passengers in the carpool lane.

So True, none of the cars I own are over powered or expensive, but it doesn't mean they're not fun to drive. Here they are.

2007 Civic SI- 197hp ( 23,000 )
1995 Thunderbird LX - 251rwhp ( its modified- by me ) ( 7,000 )
1989 Volvo 740 Turbo 160hp at the crank ( Restored to mint factory condition, it was my senior project )

None of those cars are expensive, and none have alot horsepower. But it doesn't make them any less fun to drive.

Just put it in your sig, ECF, it'll save you time.

Just put it in your sig, ECF, it'll save you time.

People have Sigs on this fourm?

I've never even noticed.

Like that really matters? A "high performance" vehicle stuck in traffic is going at exactly the same pace as a '76 Pacer -- slower if you're solo and the Pacer's got passengers in the carpool lane.

Not really enoug people around here for ttraffic.

Even with loads of traffic I enjoy driving. I enjoy driving in the city, on twisty, windy, country lanes, motorways, wherever.

Wednesday, I think.

I've never known how fun just spontaneously driving around was before (probably because I've never had anyone *to* drive me around--I'm not able to drive just yet). Fun times.

I do allot of driving with my friends going "so, where should we go today?" "i dunno"

I have a fairly noticably drivers tan...

I can't afford that.

You don't need an expensive, high-performance vehicle to have fun driving. My daughter had a 1992 Mazda Miata - that was fun to drive. Getting into and out of it wasn't fun, however.

amen. driving anywhere is fun when you have a convertible


edit: damn chavs keyed down the passenger side of my car this morning. charming two foot scratch. am sad/angry/annoyed/hurt/vengeful now :mad:
last year they broke my wingmirror (looked like they kicked it), and a few weeks ago they nearly did it again. just one chav family and their chavvy kids moving in down the street. want CCTV... or a drive to park in.