1200 mile trip

Ubetit · 09-22-2013, 09:11 PM

Just got back from a 1200 mile trip from Columbus to Williamsburg and back for a wedding. Top down (yes I have a roadster) all the way except for an hour of complete downpour on Friday. Even at 45 miles an hour the car got squirrely a few times. It felt like we were barely moving during that hour. People in WV and VA drive fast. Thank God for Aquapel because using the wipers only made things worse during the downpour. I don't normally drive mine in the rain but if you do, I highly recommend Aquapel.

I averaged 28.9 mpg on the way down and 26.8 on the way home. I was pleased with the mileage considering the sustained speeds I was traveling trying to keep up with the little old ladies in VA. Also of note is that I forgot my sunscreen even though I've owned many convertibles and know better. My face and left arm is torched.

The giant bugs are formidable opponents as they peppered my bumper and windshield all day. Removing them has taken almost an hour of rehydration and then light scrubbing. Yes I brought detailing supplies and removed them on Friday when I arrived in Williamsburg. Two groundskeepers proceeded to cover my car in dust from their blowers moments after I cleaned the car though. Thankfully it rained hard while I was attending the wedding and removed the dust.

I came from an S2000 (which I love) but I was much happier in this car for the long trip. My touring roadster seats are comfortable and have heat to warm my wife's rearend as we sped through the cold mountains of VA and WV. My back would kill after 5 hours in the S2000 and I didn't have that issue after 8 hours in the Z. The ride is much less harsh than my lowered S2000 as well so that is a contributing factor. My wife commented that she is more comfortable in the passenger seat of the Z than her CRV that we usually take on trips.

Overall I think the Z roadster is a great GTS. (Grand Tourer Spider)

Highway · 09-22-2013, 11:03 PM

I did a trip to Florence, SC and back in mine last fall and didn't have any major complaints. Only issue was having my legs cramp up since I'm not really able to move them around.

I also came from an S2K and don't think I ever drove it further than 200 miles.

The S2K was better at driving in the rain with the top down. As long as you're doing 60+ you would never get wet, but the Z will soak you at any speed.

bvl · 09-23-2013, 06:41 AM

The Roadster is a great GT car no doubt. I am a bit shocked at your MPG to be honest...pure HWY I will touch 27ish at sub-80 cruise speeds but getting into the happy pedal typically puts me in the 25 range. My combined driving for life of car has been 22.5 or so (25K miles).

With enough rain most any car get get a bit loose but if you are still on OEM tires, let alone < 1/2 tread I am not that surprised. The OE Sport Bridgestones were meh in rain at 1/2 tread or less. Newer S03's have *much* better rain performance, though it still pays to slow down

- b

IDZRVIT · 09-23-2013, 06:57 AM

I'm running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S +. Car handles amazingly well in heavy rain at speed ~70 mph. I wouldn't do that with the original Bridgestone tires.

kenchan · 09-23-2013, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvl

The Roadster is a great GT car no doubt. I am a bit shocked at your MPG to be honest...pure HWY I will touch 27ish at sub-80 cruise speeds but getting into the happy pedal typically puts me in the 25 range. My combined driving for life of car has been 22.5 or so (25K miles).

With enough rain most any car get get a bit loose but if you are still on OEM tires, let alone < 1/2 tread I am not that surprised. The OE Sport Bridgestones were meh in rain at 1/2 tread or less. Newer S03's have *much* better rain performance, though it still pays to slow down

- b

We S04 now.

Ubetit · 09-23-2013, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvl

The Roadster is a great GT car no doubt. I am a bit shocked at your MPG to be honest...pure HWY I will touch 27ish at sub-80 cruise speeds but getting into the happy pedal typically puts me in the 25 range. My combined driving for life of car has been 22.5 or so (25K miles).

- b

My car averages 20.6 mpg in my mixed driving for the last year and a half so I was pleased with the mileage. Once I got outside of Richmond there is a 255 mile stretch to Beckley WV that is pretty light on traffic. Aside from a fuel stop, I don't think I took the cruise control off so that may have something to do with the mileage.

My tires are the second set of originals but I have some PSS waiting at home to be put on. In the spring I'll make the switch. Again, I don't drive my car in bad weather unless i'm caught at an event/gathering.

Ubetit · 09-23-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highway

The S2K was better at driving in the rain with the top down. As long as you're doing 60+ you would never get wet, but the Z will soak you at any speed.

I'd have to try it out. The tires on the S were horrible in the rain so I always slowed way down. One time coming back from the Dragon I left early to get back to an event and I got caught in a late season snow storm. I think I went 20 mph for 2 hours.

My wife noticed though that the Z buffets the wind much better in the cabin with the side windows up. We could actually have a conversation and listen to music even over the FI exhaust droning a tad climbing the hills.

kenchan · 09-23-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubetit

Overall I think the Z roadster is a great GTS. (Grand Tourer Spider)

sounds good. i have the coupe and running DW's right now. very smooth and compliant ride.

i consider my Z a GT sports car as well, perfect for street.

DEpointfive0 · 09-23-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvl

The Roadster is a great GT car no doubt. I am a bit shocked at your MPG to be honest...pure HWY I will touch 27ish at sub-80 cruise speeds but getting into the happy pedal typically puts me in the 25 range. My combined driving for life of car has been 22.5 or so (25K miles).

With enough rain most any car get get a bit loose but if you are still on OEM tires, let alone < 1/2 tread I am not that surprised. The OE Sport Bridgestones were meh in rain at 1/2 tread or less. Newer S03's have *much* better rain performance, though it still pays to slow down

- b

When I drove from TX to CA, I got like 28MPG, and I drove a bit in town, and there was more than one time that I decided to park it in the middle of the freeway to test the 0-60. (The freeway way DEAD, I could've done a top speed run, but I didn't) and I think I was going about 80MPH most of the way as well

onzedge · 09-23-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

We S04 now.

09-22-2013, 09:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ubetit Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 527 Drives: the women lazy Rep Power: 14	1200 mile trip Just got back from a 1200 mile trip from Columbus to Williamsburg and back for a wedding. Top down (yes I have a roadster) all the way except for an hour of complete downpour on Friday. Even at 45 miles an hour the car got squirrely a few times. It felt like we were barely moving during that hour. People in WV and VA drive fast. Thank God for Aquapel because using the wipers only made things worse during the downpour. I don't normally drive mine in the rain but if you do, I highly recommend Aquapel. I averaged 28.9 mpg on the way down and 26.8 on the way home. I was pleased with the mileage considering the sustained speeds I was traveling trying to keep up with the little old ladies in VA. Also of note is that I forgot my sunscreen even though I've owned many convertibles and know better. My face and left arm is torched. The giant bugs are formidable opponents as they peppered my bumper and windshield all day. Removing them has taken almost an hour of rehydration and then light scrubbing. Yes I brought detailing supplies and removed them on Friday when I arrived in Williamsburg. Two groundskeepers proceeded to cover my car in dust from their blowers moments after I cleaned the car though. Thankfully it rained hard while I was attending the wedding and removed the dust. I came from an S2000 (which I love) but I was much happier in this car for the long trip. My touring roadster seats are comfortable and have heat to warm my wife's rearend as we sped through the cold mountains of VA and WV. My back would kill after 5 hours in the S2000 and I didn't have that issue after 8 hours in the Z. The ride is much less harsh than my lowered S2000 as well so that is a contributing factor. My wife commented that she is more comfortable in the passenger seat of the Z than her CRV that we usually take on trips. Overall I think the Z roadster is a great GTS. (Grand Tourer Spider) onzedge, Highway and critical like this.

09-23-2013, 06:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 27	I'm running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S +. Car handles amazingly well in heavy rain at speed ~70 mph. I wouldn't do that with the original Bridgestone tires. __________________ "America.... still builds rockets!" Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp '13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

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09-22-2013, 11:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Highway Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 394 Drives: Offroad Rep Power: 14	I did a trip to Florence, SC and back in mine last fall and didn't have any major complaints. Only issue was having my legs cramp up since I'm not really able to move them around. I also came from an S2K and don't think I ever drove it further than 200 miles. The S2K was better at driving in the rain with the top down. As long as you're doing 60+ you would never get wet, but the Z will soak you at any speed.

09-23-2013, 06:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
bvl Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA Posts: 362 Drives: MB Roadster (sold) Rep Power: 14	The Roadster is a great GT car no doubt. I am a bit shocked at your MPG to be honest...pure HWY I will touch 27ish at sub-80 cruise speeds but getting into the happy pedal typically puts me in the 25 range. My combined driving for life of car has been 22.5 or so (25K miles). With enough rain most any car get get a bit loose but if you are still on OEM tires, let alone < 1/2 tread I am not that surprised. The OE Sport Bridgestones were meh in rain at 1/2 tread or less. Newer S03's have much better rain performance, though it still pays to slow down - b