For the first time in more than 15 years, I took a long vacation away from everything. I was originally going to take my 4Runner, but I'm able to get a really good deal through Hertz as they have a location where I work. I figured the numbers on a Camry and it would cost less to rent it plus gas than gas alone would in the 4R. A coworker told me what it cost him to rent a Wrangler for a week after it was all said and done.
Which got me thinking...."I'm going on vacation...what would a Mustang GT cost...or...a Vette?!?" I talked with Hertz about my plans and they said they would try for the Vette, but the GT wouldn't be a problem. Yay! The day before I was supposed to pick up the car, I was told a Vette had been returned and would be available. Double yay! It ends up being a convertible with some highly polished Klingon looking wheels...I assumed it would be a hardtop...they look SO much better and I don't like convertibles! I was told there was a GT in the lot so I asked if I could take a look. Sure...no problem. I turn the corner to where its parked and my jaw dropped. Its not your run of the mill GT. It is one of the performance package GTs! Silver...my favorite car color. Recaro seats. Rear spoiler. Throw a few stickers on and its almost a race car! "Yes, please! I'll take the GT instead!"
I used to live in Kalispell MT, graduated high school there and I wanted to see it again. So I hit four National Parks: Zion, Bryce, Glacier and Yellowstone on the way up and down in the wickedly cool GT. Got a speeding ticket just outside of Browning MT because I was looking at my directions and didn't realize I had accelerated, which is WAY too easy in this car. Cop was cool, knocked the speed down, paid a small fine and was on my way. A tiny bit of extra right foot pressure and you've gained 5-10 mph. I caught this happening quite a bit and after the ticket, I used the cruise control about 90% more.
About two days from the trip ending, a guy asks about the car...he has one too. He's really surprised it a rental. He then asks if I've tried the Sport mode. "S" on shifter, right? Nope, toggle switch below info center! He tells me what it does. Harder shifts and different shift points. Wish I'd have known from day one!
Drove my 4R (stiffer than stock Bilstein shocks, which drastically improved the handling) and it might as well be a covered wagon compared to the GT! I thought something might be wrong with it since it sat for ten days. Nope, just me being used to sports car handling, braking, and acceleration. Man, what an great drive and an awesome car!
A picture of each park and one of the car:
I used to live in Kalispell MT, graduated high school there and I wanted to see it again. So I hit four National Parks: Zion, Bryce, Glacier and Yellowstone on the way up and down in the wickedly cool GT. Got a speeding ticket just outside of Browning MT because I was looking at my directions and didn't realize I had accelerated, which is WAY too easy in this car. Cop was cool, knocked the speed down, paid a small fine and was on my way. A tiny bit of extra right foot pressure and you've gained 5-10 mph. I caught this happening quite a bit and after the ticket, I used the cruise control about 90% more.
About two days from the trip ending, a guy asks about the car...he has one too. He's really surprised it a rental. He then asks if I've tried the Sport mode. "S" on shifter, right? Nope, toggle switch below info center! He tells me what it does. Harder shifts and different shift points. Wish I'd have known from day one!
Drove my 4R (stiffer than stock Bilstein shocks, which drastically improved the handling) and it might as well be a covered wagon compared to the GT! I thought something might be wrong with it since it sat for ten days. Nope, just me being used to sports car handling, braking, and acceleration. Man, what an great drive and an awesome car!
A picture of each park and one of the car: