A 2.4 LTD automatic in a sort of ivory with leather and power seats to be exact. Underpowered dreadful auto transmission, between 17 and 18 mpg (US gallon), no handling to speak of (not needed on US roads in New England from what I saw). Seemed to be very solidly made though and in just over 2000 miles in two weeks seemed to take the wear and tear well. The privacy glass actually suited the car in many ways and didn't look at all out of place on it. The tiny boot took two suitcases - when they gave birth to a third (cheap shopping ! ) we had to carry that on the back seat. Delightfully thoughtful feature was a 150+ channel satellite radio - Blue Collar Radio - superb American humour. Even had BBC R1 and the World Service so I could keep track of UK news and more importantly the cricket.
Other US impressions - roads are quieter than the UK in general - poor state of repair and the cambers were odd, loved following the road numbers as directional signs were challenging - maintaining my belief that we do signs very well in the in he UK - very well. Turning right on a red is a doddle and should be implemented in the UK tomorrow ! There are three "rotaries" (roundabouts) in Maine - I found them all !! TomTom worked a treat outside of Boston. Parking bays are excellently sized - if you want a job open up as a MINI dealer, bucket loads over there and apparently sales are rocketing on the back of petrol prices ( 2 quid a US Gallon !) NYT yesterday carried an article on it.
Loads and loads of bikes in Maine - no helmet law seems very strange !! One bit of advice don't drive in Boston in a rainstorm whilst jet-lagged. (trust me). Brilliantly sociable people (thanks to Dave in Gloucester ME - we'd have been lost without your help) Playing the dumb Brit helps as well !!!
I fell in love with a Dodge Charger with a 6.1 Hemi - now that is a real old fashioned American car - the cops have them in Mass. All black with black alloys - very menacing, makes the 300 look a total cheese shop- I want one.
Bad news is that the US economy is in real melt down, and its heading our way.
Edited by Pugugly on 18/07/2008 at 23:08
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I posted on here last year asking for suggestions for a replacement for my neighbours PT Cruiser (his is the 2.0 petrol).
He ended up keeping it. I have driven it a couple of times, totally out of its depth on an autobahn. It really struck me as a set of wheels to get you from A to B and nothing more. The rear seat is always folded, he is in his 60's, only him and his wife at home.
He has had numerous repair bills, last year he paid out over GBP1000 for a couple of sensors which prompted him to start looking elsewhere. He was getting allsorts of error codes being flagged up. I disconnected his battery, charged it on slow trickle for a week and no codes have returned.
The NE of America is a beautiful place. I worked there ten years ago in CT, making frequent trips up to MASS. at the weekends. The Sikorsky metal bridge is always worth a drive over just to see how much a car can weave and squirm in a straight line.
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NOOOOO...just read the 1940's metal bridge was replaced in November 2006 with a new concrete and blacktop bridge.
Edited by gmac on 18/07/2008 at 23:31
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The "drawbridges" are still alive and well - walked over it (in blistering heat) following the freedom trail to Bunker Hill via USS Constitution - Mrs P has not forgiven me for saying it was a couple of miles - forgot to mention the "streetscene" is one thing, take Plymouth as a for instance a huge diversity of cars from Prius (solar powered for 2010 !) through corvettes and Mustangs and everything in between, the other things are the sounds in our Motel room last night there, V8s and big V twins all night - magical, truly magical.
Edited by Pugugly on 19/07/2008 at 00:36
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The "drawbridges" are still alive and well - walked over it (in blistering heat) following the freedom trail to Bunker Hill via USS Constitution - Mrs P has not forgiven me for saying it was a couple of miles
Yes, it can be a bit of a walk but well worth it...
I guess Cheers! has been done to death now ? Last time I was there came out of the car park under Boston Common in the middle of a metal concert.
Totaly awesome Dude !!!
the other things are the sounds in our Motel room last night there V8s and big V twins all night - magical truly magical.
Bet Mrs PU love that !!!
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> Prius (solar powered for 2010 !)
It's a Prius with a solar panel that will just about keep your phone charged.
>through corvettes and Mustangs and everything in between
A Silver Cross cart-springed Corvette laps Nordschleife in 7'27: tinyurl.com/6pgnqz
Kevin...
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