By Jeff Glucker
Top-down, sun out, and your favorite tunes blasting or just the sound of the exhaust echoing off the road behind you. That would be your favorite moment if you’re a summer driving sort of person. Maybe you want color on the trees, your favorite sweater on, and a warm mug of coffee in the cup holder? You are all about fall motoring. I’m sure others prefer power oversteering through the snow while others still prefer the warming sun melting away that snow and revealing a perfect tarmac below.
What’s your favorite driving season and why? Sound off below.
Summer driving is the easiest, with relaxed, long distances in one go. But I’d vote for winter. There’s one thing about the scenery, low sun, glittering snow in the air, fog, frozen, snow-covered lakes reflecting the moon as much as the sun. Also the ease at which even the crappiest crap can™ feels fast on slippery grounds. As an automobile omnivore, I believe almost all cars can be driven with gusto and joy, but on snow and ice, with a low threshhold for sideways movement even in FWD vans, every drive can be fun. Some of my best driving memories are going to the mountains in januar/februar, during the coldest time of winter with the best colours. That’s before most people go skiing and therefore the roads are empty. The heater set to infernal, barely managing to keep the frost out, short days from sunrise to sunset.
This time of year is best. Not too hot, too cold, too wet, or too windy to have the top down.
In Ireland, we have no seasons, only weather.
Fall. Out here in Idaho, it’s just right. Fewer tourists (some hunters), leaves turning and falling. Snow in the higher elevations, Sun on the pavement for the tires and cool weather for the motor.
Fall. No debate. I love driving in the fall. Windows down, heat on, slight whiff of gasoline from the four-barrel carb, burble of a dual exhaust singing V8 songs behind me.
There’s nothing more relaxing than a late evening drive on a hot summer’s day with the top down. Warm temps, low sun. Perfect. Behind that are warm top down days in the spring and fall.