I Have A Theory...

[Cory Wolfe]

..As to why the elderly drive so slowly. It's not because they want to be safe. It's not because their reactions are slower. It's not even because they may be a bit senile. It's the fact they're cheap and want to save every penny they can on gas without having to downgrade into a compact. Driving this Cutlass, this is what I've come up with. Seriously, it has to be true. They generally still drive large boats that chug fuel like no tomorrow. These Cutlasses are known for being own by little old ladies. Not only did we buy it off of one, I passed one the other day that looked to be 80 in a Cutlass similar to mine, but in 'elderly ecstatic' light blue. In their infinite wisdom, they've figured out that if go about 10-15 under the speed limit, you barely need to touch the gas pedal. It'll just cruise along at 35-40 effortlessly. Going even slower, you don't even need to touch the gas. Let off the brake and it will accelerate on its own up to about 25 if you let it. I'm catching on to their tricks, though. Ah, yes, it won't be long until I'm showing them who's the 'real' slow driver. I'll drive so slow, even they will be mumble under their breath about how I'm holding them up for bingo night!

[K.C.]

Interesting theory BV. I never thought of it that way before.

[Drew Dowdell]

I always figured it was because they don't really have much to do so their really is no rush to do it.

My grandparents, even after they were retired... kept waking up at 6am. Grandpop would head down to the diner for breakfast and to BS with the other old coots also there. Nana would work on her sewing or meet with her church group or visit my Great grandfather. Always plenty of time. Nana drives an Escort and grandpop drove a Windstar before he passed.

Now my other grandmother. She's a bit of a jet setter. Whenever you call her she's rushing out the door to the airport or some event..... but she's armed with a 745i and she knows how to use it.

[Newbiewar]

well i know my dad drives relitively slow, but hes been driving faster recently...

but when i asked him, what was the fastest he'd ever driven i was shocked, when he said about 120 mph... i thought this man has never gone above 70 ever...

but then he illistrated, that he'd never do that again because when he did it in the 60's the car took forever to slow back down to a reasonable speed... thus he doesnt speed, because if an accident or something needed to be changed about the volocity of the vehicle, it takes too long, and would generally make it a dangerous situation...

now me... i know cars can stop a lot faster now, after driving in my buddys old mustang... cars are a lot more efficent when it comes to deceloration...

but thats just my dad...

who knows about everyone else

[mustang84]

Old people drive slower to reduce the risk of accident to due deteriorating sight and reflexes. If an old person gets in an accident, they have a higher risk of medical complications than someone who is younger and healthier.

My grandpa, on the other hand, drives a Grand Marquis and drives it like a bat out of hell. But he's from Chicago and has New York blood in him, so that may have something to do with it.

[Newbiewar]

Old people drive slower to reduce the risk of accident to due deteriorating sight and reflexes. If an old person gets in an accident, they have a higher risk of medical complications than someone who is younger and healthier.

My grandpa, on the other hand, drives a Grand Marquis and drives it like a bat out of hell. But he's from Chicago and has New York blood in him, so that may have something to do with it.

yea i'm quite the opposite, i speed to keep myself out of accidents... i pay at least twice as much atention when i'm going above the speed limit then when i'm going below

[Paolino]

... it's a demon. A dancing demon! No, something isn't right there.

[vonVeezelsnider]

My Grandparents tried the boat thing in the 80s... Didn't go back. They had a 1983 Grand Marquis, then a 1989 Tempo, then a 1994 Neon, then a 1996 Windstar, and now drive a 2001 Caravan.

[Sixty8panther]

I can see why diesel cars are so popular in Europe. Who wouldn't want a diesel Mercedes that could go 150mph on the Autobahn and still give you 30mpg?

My Diesel Mercedes is screaming for dear life @ 85mph. Seriously.

My old tripple silver 1986 Cadillac with 185K miles would see

110mph almost every week on my business trips to Hartford, CT.

Those big old Cadillacs are geared super-highway... to save fuel,

but it comes in handy if you like the fast lane.

That Cadillac averaged 15-18mpg and yet my average speed on

the highway would be in the high 80s.

[Camino LS6]

I see the Benz has regained its hood ornament.

[Sixty8panther]

Bought one on eBay this week.... tbu what you see there is just photoshop.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I have a friend that swears up and down he can get 40 MPG in his 90's Civic if he drives under 50 everywhere...

I'm not so sure about that, but it's a pain in the ass in general trying to ride with him or lead/follow him somewhere.

FWIW...

[Sixty8panther]

Wow... your friend with the Honda must not have much of a social calendar.

50mph everywhere? That's annoying and dangerous.

WMJ: Yousa funny guy!

[DetroitNut90]

I had some fun while running an errand the other night with the Instant Economy mode on the DIC in the Venture. WOT on a slight incline will return 4 MPG, while doing 55 on a flat road (common around here) in overdrive is good for 24 or so MPG. Next time I'm out, I think I might play with it some more to see how economical the 3.4L can be.

[pow]

I had some fun while running an errand the other night with the Instant Economy mode on the DIC in the Venture. WOT on a slight incline will return 4 MPG, while doing 55 on a flat road (common around here) in overdrive is good for 24 or so MPG. Next time I'm out, I think I might play with it some more to see how economical the 3.4L can be.

That's what I always do! It's great fun, and you save money. It also tells you how great an idea hybrids area. I was averaging 32.6 MPG before there was stop-and-go traffic. Then I was just staring at the gauge, watching to average drop to 32.4, 32.2, 32.0, 31.8, 31.6...

It drops even quicker when accelerating from a stop. Usually that yields 3.2 MPG on the "instant" meter...

[Cory Wolfe]

This Cutlass sure is something. Tonight, I went 5 straight miles without touching the gas pedal at an average speed of 30-35.

[pow]

This Cutlass sure is something. Tonight, I went 5 straight miles without touching the gas pedal at an average speed of 30-35.

What gear were you in?

[Cory Wolfe]

I presume third. It only has three.

[Sixty8panther]

If you're THAT worried about fuel economy get a moped.

[Cory Wolfe]

Haha, when going 40 miles means going through a quarter of a tank, I have a right to be worried... But I'm just having fun with it. This thing has so many quirks... It's awesome.

[Cory Wolfe]

I was finally able to officially calculate the mileage: 15.5 mpg. It's sort of sad, even with all that cruising and highway driving, It still couldn't reach its rating of 18.

[vonVeezelsnider]

I was finally able to officially calculate the mileage: 15.5 mpg. It's sort of sad, even with all that cruising and highway driving, It still couldn't reach its rating of 18.

100K miles on a car that old... You're lucky you got that!

[Cory Wolfe]

Perhaps. I can't imagine what it gets under "normal driving conditions". In other words, when I go back to being a lead foot.