Couple of third gear pulls with a Ferrari 348 and 3rd gen RX7

[Sig]

Spring has sprung and all the nice cars seem to be coming out to play. Over the past few days I have seen an inordinate number of Ferrari's, couple NSX's, even a Diablo.
At any rate my commute to from work is about 10 miles on a four lane highway against traffic, so not too many cars around especially in the morning and early afternoon. Yesterday, got to play with a 348. BTW, I don't stoplight race, but will occasionally do a long gear pull on open highway with no cars ahead. We were just cruising at the speed limit for a mile or two side be side. After a couple of lurches fromn each of us we both got on it. He took off first with my front bumper at his rear bumper. The exhaust note on the Ferrari is just amazing at WOT! I was sitting in third somwhere in the low 5ks on the tach. I was on the gas almost immediately. As I hit 6k on the tach with the glorious VTEC roar screaming 12 inches behind my head, I pulled past him quite steadily. I let off at the top of 3rd and resumed the speed limit, as did he before we came up on any other cars. I realize the 348 is no 360 in the performance dept., but it's still fun to do a little spirited driving with a Ferrari.

Today a nice 3rd Gen RX7 and I had a brief 3rd gear moment too. His car was nicely detailed and looked like it may have been lowered a bit. It had what appeared to be aftermarket exhaust, not sure about that though. When the road cleared ahead, he was about 6 cars back and got a running start and passed at WOT. We had been side by side going about 55 for a few minutes before this. Ironically, we had just passed a speed trap so every car on the road dropped down to below the speed limit and drifted away in the rear-view mirror. By the time I was at full throttle he was already 5 cars in front due to the running start. I was reeling him in and was getting close enough to hear his turbo whistling. I was right behind him and gaining as I neared redline, when all of a sudden I heard a strange sound from underneath his car. Something metallic had blown apart right under the cabin in the middle of the car and was now dragging on the road creating a nice spark show. Both of us immediately slowed back to the speed limit, and I hand gestured to underneath his car. He didn't look so happy and just kind of nodded. I wanted to help him but he wouldn't exit. Oh well. So, whoever was debating a purchase of an RX7 vs. NSX, here is another reliability story for you.

FYI, I DO NOT consider these kills (although the RX7 was killed.. well suicide) nor would I post them with that intention, this is simply a review of some brief spirited driving... on an open highway... that I drive everyday... with some other nice cars. Not to mention my car has not seen VTEC level rpms in for several weeks. The past two days are a stark contrast to my normal "Street" driving.

In case anybody cares, my 91 is completley stock except eibachs and swaybars. Have a good weekend all.

[ilya]

I find it fun to simply drive WITH another nice car instead of a competitive race. Most of my trips down the empty toll road end up with me having fun with another car.
I rememeber a beautiful, burgundy 550 a few months ago. I pulled beside hime and gave him a wave. We drove side by side for a few miles, accelerating, slowing, changing lanes... just messing around until he took an exit. Or maybe he was just trying to get away from the psycho white NSX.

[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 17 May 2002).]

[Si]

I think it's the psycho nsx. jk

I see that you are from LA too. By any chance you going to that Ventura run?