Pro touring daily driver

[JEFFTATE]

I drive mine as much as I can.
Isn't that the point of a "touring" car ?

[jknight16]

I drove mine everywhere I went for 3 years in high school (1998-2001) and I have the numerous stone chips to prove it! Now it is relegated to Sunday drives, but the rock chips remain!!

[Chad-1stGen]

Living in So Cal I don't have to contend with the weather to much. It is my only driver as "cars" go though I put more miles on my motorcyle in a year than I do my car. Being able to get 40+ mpg, free parking, and use the HOV lane means the camaro stays home most days.

But I also get to play on Angels Crest highway right in my backyard. A godly road for motorcycles and well handeling cars.

[DarkBuddha]

I hesitate to call this pro-touring, but I'm driving an '89 Merkur XR4Ti daily. Sure, it's a 4 cyl, but it's the same turbo 2.3 from the SVO Mustang (and Turbocoupe t-bird) and can easily be built to 260-280hp without cracking the long block and with simple and fairly inexpensive mods and a bit of extra boost (300hp is totally possible with some DIY head porting).

It's also rear wheel drive with IRS. Big front brake and rear disc upgrades are available for cheap. Poly suspension front and rear kits can be done for under $350 total. Bigger Cosworth sway bars are between $130-$150. And unlike in past years, there are actually a number of parts suppliers for these cars now, including Cosworth body kits (if you wanna dress it up a bit).

My car is pretty mild right now, with just the usual basic mods (SVO ecu, big VAM, 17lbs of boost, K&N filter, FMIC) and the car is faster than a mildly modified WRX or supercharged RSX and pulls 17-19mpg in mixed driving. In fact, I pulled 24mpg on a 250 mile mountain roadtrip, averaging 90mph.

You can see a couple pics of mine on my fquick page in my signature.

[CraigMBA]

I'll drive the thing anywhere, and I do... I'm just nervous taking it anywhere and leaving it parked where I can't keep an eye on it so I'm selective of where I take it.

When I lived in Hanford I felt the same way. Why is that?

[TonyHuntimer]

I figured there would be more Pro-Touring cars as daily drivers.

I doesn't rain a lot in San Jose, but I have pics of my car with hail on it.

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[Martin71RS]

I drove it in the winter too (snow/ice/hail) even when my heater core had a leak and I had to bypass it....too cold to work on it outside and not enough space in my garage to do the job. I was driving around with handgloves/scarf/hat to stay warm a bit cause I also had to open my windows a bit to prevent the windshield from fogging up

is that hardcore or what?

can't wait to get it back on the road and put some miles on it.

Martin

[MonzaRacer]

Well guys I have had my 78 C10 on air for almost 3 yrs and baring some stupid mistakes as ART didnt actually make a true bolt on rear suspension for a 78C10 I made it my self. AND i drive any where from 30 to 45 miles one way each day and drove 5 to 6 days a week.
The only time I havent done any major driving was between the end of jan and end of feb as I got fired from other job.
I am working on my 77 Monza and its gonna get some road time too. Depends on the mileage on how much I drive it and if its better then its gonna get sumer time road work and the truck can sit till I need to tow or real bad weather (hey I can add rock to the bed and put on snow tires and the Monza is gonna be a little low so it may not get with the program in snow.
But almost 3 yrs on air and still driving, and rusting unfortunately. so now I need to get the new used bed on and fix the hole in the floor. ETC.
Been there on the no heater in my 70 Monte.
Lee

[NOT A TA]

I've used several of my cars as daily drivers in fair weather over the years. Driven my Firebird on vacations to Florida and New Orleans from New england a few times during winters. The trick is to sneak out out of snow country on a dry road night and don't stop till you're south of the sanded road territory. Another tip is a roll of heavy duty saran wrap which is used to protect the front from chips till you're south of the sanded roads. Ya I've driven for hours in the rain sometimes and hit snow coming back a couple times which meant a lot of cleaning but it's almost worth it when the Georgia trooper says "you drove this car from Connecticut???? Well I'll Be damned!!! " just before he writes up the ticket! Seems I'm always sending them a hundred bucks after the trip, almost like its a toll.

John

[Bandit]

I made a quick blast to 170 mph, very quick smooth and solid. Seems promising, but with the car currently for sale, I have dropped the goal. If it does not sell soon, I will find a place to go 200mph, and just do it. The new owner, if he can find a flat 2 mile stretch of road can try it and get back to us!!

...and if he does, may he rest in peace...