[Lafourche1]

I posted on the ZL1 thread, but have a few folks that hang out here from time to time. I have made a change. I have traded the ZL1 and my truck for a one owner, 9,100 mile Mercedes CLS 450. I shrank the fleet and when COVID-19 allows, I will have a better mount for those 2,500 mile road trips.

I did give the ZL1 a proper send off. I took it to Frederick, MD and up to Gettysburg, PA. This was a ~2,500 mile trip. I had time on Skyline Drive and just a nice trip through the Shenandoah Valley. I did the [i[iron butt[/i] from Knoxville to Lafayette. I was pretty tired when I got home.

[Ambush]

Hey Lafourche. Nice ride! I'm going to miss that white ZL1.
Picked up an Alfa Romeo Giulia for the wife. Hope to see you again sometime.

Stay safe.

[Lafourche1]

Originally Posted by Ambush

Hey Lafourche. Nice ride! I'm going to miss that white ZL1.
Picked up an Alfa Romeo Giulia for the wife. Hope to see you again sometime.

Stay safe.

It is good to hear from you. Once things start getting closer to safe, I'll be all up for travel for anything. I'm retired now and I have walked a rut in the neighborhood. I'm looking to head somewhere. The Giulia is a very cool car. The Top Gear guys say that car person should own an Alfa.

[supersportss]

Overpriced junk.

[Ambush]

Originally Posted by Lafourche1

It is good to hear from you. Once things start getting closer to safe, I'll be all up for travel for anything. I'm retired now and I have walked a rut in the neighborhood. I'm looking to head somewhere. The Giulia is a very cool car. The Top Gear guys say that car person should own an Alfa.

Hi Lafourche:

Agreed. Once the virus settles down, wife and I would love to explore traveling opportunities with you.

Miss the track days.

[Staves]

I don’t know how anyone can go from a ZL1 to a CLS450. I would be bored to death in that CLS. I’d rent a car for a 2500 trip if the ZL1 didn’t fit the bill.

[Ambush]

Originally Posted by Staves

I don’t know how anyone can go from a ZL1 to a CLS450. I would be bored to death in that CLS. I’d rent a car for a 2500 trip if the ZL1 didn’t fit the bill.

You're not old enough yet, and it would be pointless explaining it to you.

[Lafourche1]

Originally Posted by Staves

I don’t know how anyone can go from a ZL1 to a CLS450. I would be bored to death in that CLS. I’d rent a car for a 2500 trip if the ZL1 didn’t fit the bill.

It was easy for me. I bought my ZL1 to travel the United States in. COVID-19 put that a little sideways. However, I was able to strap in for a visit to a friend and a side trip to Gettysburg. 2,500 mile trip. My last leg was Knoxville TN to Lafayette, LA. That was ~740 miles, iron butt mode, with just me in the car. When I got home, I was stove up. Yes, I stopped. I walked. I took time to stretch. It was 14 hours in the car. Great seats, suspension set on Tour and I was still all done when I got home. Not only that, I was gimpy a bit the next day.

The CLS is another world of luxury. The air ride suspension is really nice. The seating is very good. The in-line 6 is buttery smooth. The mild-hybrid boost of 184 pound feet makes for both locomotive like and seamless acceleration. Nope, it isn't a ZL1. This is a (IMHO) very classy looking vehicle. It has an interior that is truly world class. It has wonderful technology and safety features.

The bottom line. I had to take my SO to Shreveport for a doctor's appointment. The appointment required me to wait in the car during the visit. So ~4 hours each way. 2 hours in the car listening to an audiobook. 10 hours and ~450ish miles. I wasn't beat-up. I was not gimpy the next day.

4,000 miles on Route 66 or to Mount Hood. I want to be able to keep moving the next day, if I pull a 700 mile leg.

[Speak99]

I drive to FL every year (2000 KMS/1242 miles each way) I was always tired after that trip. It had nothing to do with the car.....POOR ZL1, why would you blame her for that....lol

[Lafourche1]

Originally Posted by Speak99

I drive to FL every year (2000 KMS/1242 miles each way) I was always tired after that trip. It had nothing to do with the car.....POOR ZL1, why would you blame her for that....lol

It isn't a blame thing. It is an acceptance of reality. In 2014, I did a 3,000+ mile trip in our Jaguar XJ Portfolio to Gettysburg, Manassas, Harrisburg, PA and several other battlefields. I had a co-pilot. He dubbed it the Magic Carpet. It was incredibly comfortable. We pulled a 900+ mile final leg coming home.

This same friend and I did a 4,000+ mile trip, in my 2016 2SS Camaro, to the The Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Black Hills, Devil's Tower and furthest north to The Greasy Grass (Little Big Horn). We ended up with an Iron Butt from Sioux City, Iowa to Lafayette. Just a bit over 1,000 miles.

In 2018, I drove the ZL1 to Bowling Green, KY. I tracked it the next day at NCM Raceway (advanced). I made several passes at Beech Bend the next day. Saturday we road trip caravanned to the Maker's Mark distillery. Sunday, it was Iron Butt to Lafayette (~750 miles).

These are just examples. I've road tripped in several Jaguars, BMWs, 2 - 6th Gens, one CLA 45 AMG and now the CLS450. This is in the last 10 years, alone. I have some experience in these matters. I am blessed that I have been afforded the pleasure of driving some nice vehicles for these adventures.

I don't need or ask for your understanding or approval. I am confident in my choices. It is a confidence based in knowing what I value and want in a grand touring vehicle. This knowledge is based in many tens of thousands of miles touring the United States by vehicle (yes, I used a truck to haul 4 men, gear and kayaks to the Buffalo River for 3 days of kayaking).

Your mileage may vary.

[FarmerFran]

Originally Posted by supersportss

Overpriced junk.

Now how do you really feel??

[FarmerFran]

I have my eye on a E63 AMG S Wagon, not 100% sure I want to ditch the RV for Hotels yet though.

Super over priced junk

[Lafourche1]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

I have my eye on a E63 AMG S Wagon, not 100% sure I want to ditch the RV for Hotels yet though.

Super over priced junk

The AMG Driving Academy is one first class event. First class treatment. First class instruction. First class information. First class track time. It is a huge perk of buying a new AMG vehicle. The E63S Estate is considered the epidemy of AMG vehicles. You will have instant and substantial cred in the AMG community for this vehicle. Way cool!! FYI - check on your costs for A services and B services (its ugly).

We never debated the RV vs hotels. One of our good friends has been in the RV life for over 10 years. Different rigs (White Freightliner / ~40+' tralier | motorhome | now GM Topkick and ~40+' trailer). My SO and I agree that we would sooner drive a nicer vehicle, stay in a nicer hotel and not fight the RV. We get it (you got your stuff - the circle of friends, too). The cost of fuel easily pays for any hotel. That's how our math worked (FWIW).

[detltu]

I have been off the board for a while, sorry to hear you sold the Z, but glad you have something you like. Hope to still see you, I've been itching to get back to the track, but the adopted baby (now over 2 years old!) and Covid have kept me from the track, but I'm itching to get back. Hope you are enjoying retirement!