Dumb Deer

While driving home late Saturday night from The Villages (after visiting Bonnie's parents), we had a close encounter with a deer.    Just before picking up I4, we both saw 2 deer streak across from the shoulder.   I hit the brakes hard, very hard.   It was quite a test of my 325's stopping power - and it passed.  

Anyway, I was telling my friends at work about the encounter.   Somehow we got to talking about hunting.   I mentioned that hunting just doesn't seem fair - the deer should at least get to fight back.   Apparently, if you're dumb enough to try to shoot one at point blank range - they do fight back.

Fill it up

At $3.25 today, gas is getting a little ridiculous.   Maybe I should've bought a Prius instead of a BMW.   I guess I'll just make the most of my growling combustion engine while I can still afford to fill the tank!

Out For a Drive

We made it out yesterday for a drive down A1A to St. Augustine. It's a great little trip with lots of fabulous beach houses (and mansions). These houses are about as close to the water as I'd think you could build a house. Nothing separates the property line from the beach, no dunes, nothing...

Unfortunately, this route is straight as an arrow. So I didn't get to make much use of the cornering abilities of the car. But the cruise control works great. We took I95 back home. The BMW 325i really settles in at high speeds.

Today I took a few photos of the car. It finally gave me a chance to try some of the Strobist exercises.

New Ride

Succumbing to my driving urges, I signed my life away for the next 4 years. The punishment: A 2004 BMW 325i. Luckily I was able to resist the temptation to go all out for a 2006 or 2007 model year - maybe next time (and hopefully gas won't be $8 a gallon).

Plain and simple, just like every review out there, this is a driver's car. The 'growl' of the engine is almost soothing... It may even sound better than the stereo! Even with the base engine, the car is quick and agile.

The German ergonomics take some getting used to. Some things make sense but aren't as obvious. Setting the clock, for example, is probably the easiest to set of any car I've ever owned - once I figured out which knob to turn.

Storage space (again, as any review mentions) is quite minimal. The manuals nearly fill the glove box. Ashtrays seem more prevalent (and accessible) than storage compartments. Nothing wrong with a sterile cockpit, it'll keep me focused on the road.

So far, my favorite 'luxury feature' is the rain sensing wipers. They're perfect for the scattered rain so common in Florida. The blade speed adjusts automatically depending on the water volume passing over the sensor... so cool.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the real leather seats, just the 'leatherette.' So it may be a little sticky in the intense sun - nothing will prevent that in Florida.

Hopefully this weekend we'll get out for a drive. And photos are in order as well...