drivetofive

Odometer:  504,418

There must be something special about vehicles made in 1994.  My friend Ryan shared a link with me to a fellow high-miler’s success story that I wanted to share.  Brian Greenslade from the U.K. recently achieved 500,000 miles in his 1994 Audi and there’s a great article here.  I congratulate Brian on his accomplishment and welcome him to the 500k club!  🙂

Speaking of high mileage in the global realm, through my WordPress blog’s “dashboard” utility I can readily view the sites that are linking to my site, and I noticed this week that Drive to Five is even getting some international exposure now.  An Acura Club forum in Russia appears to have been discussing it.  Here is the link to the site.

And on the opposite end of the mileage spectrum, last weekend I visited my good friend Chuck who’s had his pristine 1993 Acura Legend LS coupe since 2004.  It’s only got 29,000 miles on it and the leather looks absolutely brand new underneath the sheepskin seat covers.  You can also see Chuck’s 1981 Civic CVCC wagon in the background – pretty incredible condition for a 30 year classic car.

This weekend, the Legend stayed tucked safely into its warm bed while I hopped on a flight to San Francisco to see a concert for one of my favorite bands, Metallica. I got my ears blasted by some of the loudest music I’ve heard in a long time — an impressive performance by a band that’s been together for as long as I’ve been alive, since 1981.  Prior to leaving Phoenix, a last farewell to the sleeping beauties.

View of San Fran from my hotel in Japantown.

At the SFO airport, I couldn’t help but capture the following picture at a restaurant right next to our gate.  Legends!  The Bay Area was also the first home for my Legend and where it lived for the first 9 years of its life under the care of its original owner.

I received a very special gift from my mom.  She found online a place that specializes in converting blogs to books.  A package arrived this week containing my blog, from its inception in March of this year, through my 500k achievement on 11/4/2011, printed in hard copy book that’s 272 pages long!  Pretty awesome.

This afternoon I pulled the old hot rod out of the garage for a quick Sunday drive.  It’s days like today that remind me why I choose to live in this beautiful area:  67 degrees, full-sunshine, weather perfection.  I rolled out of the neighborhood with the windows down in shorts, a T-shirt, and flip flops.  Not your typical mid-December attire in many other parts of the country or world.

Here’s one of the entrance signs to the city in which I live.

I rolled over to the Phoenix Zoo area which is near Papago Park, home to many of the desert’s most famous plants, the saguaro cacti, as well as some interesting sandstone rock formations estimated to date back millions of years.  Papago has a nice little one-lane loop that makes for a nice scenic drive.

Next oil change is coming up sometime after the 505k mark, so not too far away.  Until then, This Old Acura (my favorite show growing up was Bob Vila’s “This Old House”) just keeps going and going and going and going…

Odometer:  497,871

For years I carried this fortune around with me in my wallet because of just how inspired it was.

The oven-like temperatures have finally released their grip on Phoenix and we’ve dipped below triple-digits.  It’s finally enjoyable to cruise around with the moonroof open and windows down.  Today I decided to take a scenic Sunday afternoon drive about 80 miles east of the Phoenix area to visit one of my favorite copper boomtowns of the old west:  Miami.

Eastbound on US Hwy 60, approaching Superior, AZ.

Beyond Superior, the highway steeply gains elevation and passes through the Queen Creek Tunnel, completed in 1952.

I took a quick side-trip down a road called “Magma Mine Road” because the name intrigued me.  Great twisties, rated at 10 and 15 mph but easily taken at more than that speed.  I imagine this would be a great driver’s road if my suspension was a little more in tune.  Maybe when I pick up my NSX!

Finally, arriving!  But, this Miami is a full 2,251 miles away from the Miami you may have thought I was talking about.  The classic song “Oceanfront Property in Arizona” comes to mind.

Antiques are pretty much all this boarded-up town can offer to a passing-by motorist.  The main street looks like it may have at one time been a bustling center for commerce and entertainment but it’s pretty sad looking today.

And a lonely railroad crossing sign.  The tracks were washed out and covered in thick mud.  I don’t think they’ve seen any locomotives in awhile.

Finally, heading back to the Phoenix area and pit-stopping along Superior’s main street.

The trusty Legend again made an effortless trip with no issues to report.  It’s tired and slow compared to cars like my friend Josh’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo that I drove this morning (Acceleration nearly gave me whiplash!  Thanks Josh!), but it’s as dependable as the day is long, and I don’t think twice about turning the key and pointing that (A) emblem on the nose in any direction I feel like.

Odometer:  496,423

I found my future home location yesterday.  If I don’t end up at the Tyson RV Park in Quartzsite, Arizona, I’d like to live somewhere near the intersection of Legendary Drive and Legend Trail Rd near the Legend Trail Golf Club in Carefree, Arizona.   There is just WAY too much “Legend” going on in this particular photograph.  Way.

Today’s adventure was about 170 miles each way from the Phoenix area.  I picked up a couple of adventurous friends, Jared and Matt, and we headed for the Kartchner Caverns of southern Arizona.

My “standard” stop between Phoenix and Tucson is the DQ at Picacho Peak at exactly the halfway point.  The Legend filled up on 91 octane Shell gasoline and I filled up on a grilled chicken sandwich.

From the visitor parking lot at Kartchner Caverns State Park, the air was so clear that we could see the mountain range about 30 miles to the south that resided just within the Mexican border.  The caverns were discovered in 1974 and to this day are some of the best preserved examples in the world, thanks to a humidification system and a series of 4 air-lock doors that guests must pass through ($28 million worth!) during the 90-minute tour.  Photographs were not allowed but here’s one I pulled off the Internet.

What an eye opener to see formations that have been “growing” for 50,000 years or more.

Exiting the park grounds, I took advantage of the photo-op and made Jared be a part of it with me.

Another road trip completed without a hiccup and the car still moseys right along at 80 mph.

In other news, on Friday night I had the pleasure of spending an evening with my friend Rich who I’d met via the Acura Legend forums.  He hails from the Atlanta area and flew all the way to this side of the country to buy a local black 1994 Legend LS coupe.  After a dinner and some Legend talk, Rich and his friend Matt headed northbound to Flagstaff and eventually eastward toward home.  As of this posting I still believe they’re on the road.  Safe travels, Rich, and thanks for stopping by!

And lastly, a cell phone pic of what is perhaps the most ideal parking space in the world.  What car lover would not love to have his or her baby protected on all sides?  This happened at lunch the other day and I couldn’t help but document it.

Tomorrow the Legend coupe goes in for an oil change at Acura of Tempe.  I received this week two service coupons from that dealership.  I’m also going to have the rear upper control arms redone.  Ever since about 487,000 when I had them changed before, I’ve had a very pronounced creak from the rear suspension.  I’m almost positive the cheaper quality aftermarket control arms that I used are to blame.   Lesson learned – only Acura OEM parts from here on out.  Not that I should need anything at this point –only 3,500 miles to go!  I can practically see the finish line from here!

Odometer:  493,608

It’s fitting that when I shuffled the mix of 85 road/car-related songs in my “Drive to Five” playlist this morning (thanks Amber!) the song that came on first was “Freedom’s Road” by John Mellencamp.  It’s a commemorative 9/11 anniversary and I spent 5 hours today in the car reflecting on the last 10 years while on a quick lunchtime road trip to the scenic nearby mountains.

I ate at The Early Bird Restaurant in Pine, Arizona.  The buffalo chicken sandwich with a side of cottage cheese is highly recommended.  It is quite a change to eat at a place where the server calculates the total due for each guest check using an actual old-school calculator!  That was the case here.  “Katie” obliged for a photo prior to my departure.  Great staff!

You know it’s going to be good food when there’s a sign announcing “Never trust a skinny cook!”

Among other destinations in this wooded area is the state’s oldest standing schoolhouse, in Strawberry.  It dates back to 1884.

On the way back to the Phoenix area, I pit-stopped for a couple of quick car photos off Highway 87.

“Windmill Corner Inn” – in Strawberry.  The motel office is located inside the windmill.

I was fueling up with $3.65/gal 91 octane at Shell on the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation near my home and noticed that Shell’s latest promotion carries a similar slogan to my 500k quest.  In this case, the “five” refers to a 5 cent/gallon promotion of some sort.  At any rate, here’s my worn out 1994 Legend key that while looking completely useless still does the trick.

Yesterday, I had the car’s oil change and a full alignment performed by Acura of Tempe.  The alignment was pretty far out of spec since I had the rear upper control arms changed at about 487,000.  The technician recommended having the front upper control arms done sometime in the near future.  There were no additional comments, but I received another one of the 140-someodd service reminder stickers that have been placed at the top left corner of my windshield and I was sent on my way for the next 3,000 miles.  Here is a shot of my car in the service bay for alignment.

Until next time!

Odometer:  490,622

One of the questions I get asked most frequently when people learn of my many travels is, “Are your road trips work-related?” or, “Do you work in sales?”  The answer to both questions is no.  My Monday through Friday drive to work is a measly 10 miles each direction.  The mileage accumulation on the Legend comes almost entirely from my weekend/leisure adventures.  I stuck my point & shoot digital Canon camera to the top of the car this morning and drove to work with it recording.  Enjoy with me my sped-up commute.  In reality, it takes about 18 minutes.  I left the house this morning around 6:45 and the freeway you see featured here in Loop 101 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

You should have seen some of the looks I got from fellow motorists as they eyeballed my video equipment atop the car.

Odometer:  490,580

Phoenicians love to flock (or phlock!) to the hills on warm summer weekends to beat the heat.  Payson, Arizona is a short 70-miles away via curvy technical 4-lane highway (3,000 ft+  in elevation gain) so I decided to see what was going on up north for a bit.  Shortly after arriving there, I saw a call come in from my friend Chuck.  “Where are you?” he asks.  I told him I was in Payson.  “Look four cars behind you,” was his response.  As it turns out he and his wife Patty were heading back to Phoenix from a cabin weekend.  We decided to rendezvous for an impromptu lunch.

Chuck also just happens to drive an Acura Legend that similar to mine is equipped in LS trim with a 6-speed manual transmission.  His car, however, has seen far less use since 1993 than mine has.  Interesting fact:  My car has averaged about the same number of miles PER YEAR that his has accumulated in total over its entire 18 years.  With just 29,356 miles on the odometer, his coupe has averaged 1,600 miles annually.  A baby!

Two extremes in the mileage spectrum united today for a photo.

I took care of some routine maintenance yesterday morning at Acura of Tempe.  Never have I seen another customer lounge with such amenities!  Juices, sodas, fresh baked cookes, fruits.  It’s no wonder I intentionally show up with an empty stomach when I take the car in for service.  I’m often asked how often I have to get oil changes based on my hyper-mileage driving patterns.  Typically I drop $35-40 on an oil change about once a month.  Yesterday’s receipt notes that my Optima red-top battery (new exactly 3 years ago) has failed the load test.  Battery life in the desert seems to be 3 years.  The heat just kills them.  I didn’t opt for a replacement at this time.

Dana, “my” service advisor, declined the chance to star in a photo but did allow me to take one at her desk.  Thanks Dana for taking good care of me!

With that, I added yet another line to the maintenance spreadsheet.  As a data analyst by trade, I could have a heyday with this spreadsheet but I won’t bore my audience other than by saying that as of today, the Legend has cost $28,304.32 to operate since the day it was new.  This number won’t include anything associated with registration, emissions inspections, fuel, or insurance.  And I’m fairly confident I’ve left off “most” of my sets of tires (since I’ve gone through 13 different kinds of rims – a story for another day).  Also – the $28k won’t reflect any expenditures related to accessorizing.  These are strictly wear and tear, keep-it-on-the-road dollars.  If you’re curious, it comes out to 5.8 cents per mile over 490,322 miles.

Have I been better off by spending 5.8 cents per mile over the last 8 1/2 years keeping this car on the road as opposed to buying a new vehicle?  Depends.  I haven’t had a car payment in years.  And the way I look at it, most maintenance items can apply even to a new vehicle.  I’d still be in the dealership for an oil change monthly even if I drove a 2011 model.  It’s an argument you can take either way.  Truth is, there’s nothing else I’d “like” to drive right now (within my budget anyway) more than my Legend, so for me keeping it on the road is the best answer.

I always love browsing the local pick-n-pull salvage yards to see what kind of treasures I can dig up.  Yesterday afternoon, my Legend-owning friend Spencer and I went to one of the yards in Chandler, Arizona.  We found only four 1991-95 Acura Legends in inventory — all sedans, all automatics, and all only “L” trim models.  No treasured parts here, although we did pull he audio/cruise steering wheel buttons off this tired old 1991 Cobalt Blue ride.  I think I got second degree burns when I put my hand on the hood for this picture.  Metal in 106 degrees & sun:  don’t try this at home.

I also take note of the odometers of cars that interest me in the salvage yards.  The highest achieved on any of the Legends in there was 215,000.  It’s too bad they for whatever reason were retired before their time.

Spencer’s car – 1994 Legend LS coupe, Cashmere Silver Metallic 6-speed manual.

I’ll close out today’s entry with a for-sale plug for my friend Mirel who’s selling his gorgeous (and rare) 1994 Legend LS coupe 6-speed in Granada Black Pearl.  I visited him yesterday to take some pictures of it for an out-of-state friend who’s interested.  A link to his craigslist ad follows.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/2539019522.html

The refrigerator in my home proudly wears my magnetic name badge from last week’s visit to Acura on its door.  Signing out!

Odometer:  479,785

You’d think a clean freak like me would lose sleep over taking my pride and joy on a dirt road.  Such is not the case!

I just rolled back into town from the second annual campout with a great group of friends.  We take the opportunity once a year to escape the PHX area’s soaring temps and pitch our tents up on the Mogollon Rim east of Payson, Arizona off Hwy 260.  Rising to about 7,000 feet elevation, the comfortable weather makes it a great place to catch some fresh air and get away from the bustle of the city.

My friend Nick took the “shotgun” seat and we spent 2 hours getting from my driveway to our group’s campsite off Forest Road 300 near Woods Canyon Lake.  The last 8 miles of our trip were on dirt roads.  Aside from some washboard ruts, the roads are well maintained and I was still able to cruise along at 25-35 mph without too much issue.  The real inconvenience was when we’d pass someone coming the opposite direction and breathe their cloud of dust for the next few minutes.  My air filter hates me right now!

The trusty Legend made the trip flawlessly and fired right up first thing this morning when it was time to make the return trip.

This is after we made the last turn off the main dirt road and to creep down a narrow one-laner to our final campsite.  Don’t try to bring a lowered suspension vehicle out here!  Even on stock height suspension I was nervous about a couple dips & rocks in the roadway.

Nick strikes a pose upon arrival.

Last night’s sunset as seen from our campsite.

Off to the coin-op pressure wash I go!