"Driving_Impaired" (drivingimpaired)
02/19/2014 at 12:16 • Filed to: None
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"Driving_Impaired" (drivingimpaired)
02/19/2014 at 12:16 • Filed to: None | 6
| 9 |
Not only do we have to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ...
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And not only is not being able to walk a pretty solid inconvenience...
But now rental companies are really !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (no one repeat that part)! No, not because I am divulging, "Hey I am going to run the hell out of your rental car!" but rather, due to an airbag sensor that only allows hand controls to be installed in certain cars but not others.
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As you can see in that linked story, my attempt to get a Camaro SS was a major FAIL. So this time around I went with Budget Rental as there is another RX event near Macon, GA this weekend.
Budget at least has better customer service but I am finding the same problem... I tried to rent a Mustang (not first choice but less variety than Hertz) and they said it's not possible due to the "airbag sensors" which was the same spiel I got from Hertz.
Can someone explain what is going on with all new cars and these airbag sensors?! I've rented a Mustang with hand controls before (many years ago) AND have hand controls in my e92 (seen here at the HPDE event from Road Atlanta this past weekend!)-
so I hardly think this is impossible. How is it that only midsize cars (Impala, Fusion, Optima) are the only options currently?
Of course the easy answer to my RX problem is to get a second, fun, project car (which I hope to do soon) but at some point I will want to travel to another city and I will want to travel in a sweet rental car of my choosing- just like anyone else.
So, if anyone can chime in here that would be great. People with disabilities have come a long way with equality, but it seems we are taking a step back in this regard.
Jon-o
> Driving_Impaired
02/19/2014 at 12:35 |
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I don't know about the airbag and hand control issue but that's an awesome E92!
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Driving_Impaired
> Jon-o
02/19/2014 at 12:45 |
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Thank you! That's my baby, er- moneypit. 335 with a lot of mods... I love her despite her failing me halfway through the track day!
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Jon-o
> Driving_Impaired
02/19/2014 at 12:51 |
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I hear ya, my dad has an 07' 335i and he just dropped a couple grand into it for various issues with fans, fuel pumps ect.. and its already had the fuel pump replaced and both turbos done under warranty luckily. But they way they drive its worth it. What mods do you have on it? He just has the Dinan stage 3 tune done maybe it could use some more things
Brian, The Life of
> Driving_Impaired
02/19/2014 at 13:17 |
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I'm only chiming in to say you're awesome. I have so much admiration for disabled folks that go about their lives like they have no fucks to give about their "disability."
Related: The first time I saw a quadriplegic behind the wheel was waaay back in the 70s when I was a kid. One of my sister's best friends in college (she is WAY older) had a custom van with hand controls (he had arm movement but limited use of his hands). He drove that thing like he stole it. We were with his brother at their cabin near Shaver lake one day and I was riding with him as he was whipping that beast through those curvy mountain roads like it was a sports car. Amazeballs!
I was just on the phone with my sister last night for a couple hours. About half the conversation was about him, as he just passed away unexpectedly the day before yesterday. RIP Jamie. You were a badass.
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Driving_Impaired
> Jon-o
02/19/2014 at 13:17 |
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That's awesome he has the Dinan tune! Mine are mostly aesthetic as I am learning adding performance is a lot of money for rarely being able to use it. Future article on that coming soon.
So mostly M3 looking stuff (plus some CF parts) on the aesthetic side. The performance mods I did do was intercooler upgrade to combat the Georgia heat and Remus Race quad exhaust. More for the noise than anything- which is awesome. Oh, and the Alpina TCU flash.
About a month after I got it, I had the water pump go out and it put me in limp mode. Had to wheel home about a mile. Has been mostly good until this weekend when the camshaft sensor decided to go at the track event. Terrible timing as it was my first track event but still good to get her out there for the time I did.
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Driving_Impaired
> Brian, The Life of
02/19/2014 at 13:25 |
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Sorry for your loss- Jamie sounded like someone that lived life the way it should be, disability or not!
The admiration is much appreciated also! I hate to complain too much about my situation and always remind myself that no matter how bad things are, it can always be worse. But the Jalop community here is so great, they often have the answers or know someone that does, hence this article.
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Brian, The Life of
> Driving_Impaired
02/19/2014 at 13:30 |
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It came from the heart, man. I have a couple close friends in chairs and, honestly, sometimes I forget they have any physical limitation because they don't let their situation get in the way of their lives. I hope you never lose that attitude, too.
tromoly
> Driving_Impaired
02/19/2014 at 20:46 |
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A gentleman a couple years ago at my track worked with a drag racing driving school to adapt hand controls into a Pro Stock car, once everything was up and going the gentleman was running times within hundreths of a second of an "abled" person in the same car using standard controls.
Best of luck with your rally cross running, one of these days I'll add RX to my own AX experience.
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Driving_Impaired
> tromoly
02/19/2014 at 21:38 |
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Thanks! I'll be posting a review of my experience so check back in sometime next week!