This morning as I drove to work on studded snow tires, I realized I never put together that new car post I was promising. So here it is. I’d like to formally introduce you to Rod Zapa.
Rod Zapa on a dark and dreary day
Rod Zapa is my ‘new’ red 1998 Mazda Protege stick shift. I purchased it from Margo, speed skater extraordinaire.
This is my first standard vehicle. It was awhile before I stopped loathing hill starts. Each hill became a delicate game of timing as I tried to crawl towards unforgiving red lights and speed through wavering greens. When I faltered in my timing, my passenger (most often carpool buddy Shaun L.) had to endure excessive revving as I tried to compensate for my shaky clutch work. I sometimes wonder if those cars who stood idly by my side at lights thought it odd I would taunt them with my car’s throaty roar only to piddle and sputter forward once the light changed.
The car has a number of amenities that are novel to me. Most obvious perhaps is the CD player (The future is now!) Rod Zapa also has a sunroof and a temperamental Air Conditioner system (better than my previous ornamental Air Conditioner). Granted, the car runs a little louder than the Nissan and lacks some of the luxurious faux wood paneling in its interior, but its performance has been consistent and I’m pleased with the new ride.
Thanks Margo for the great car!
Why the heck do you have studded tires on your protege in southern connecticut, where it hardly snows?
Rod Zapa.
I named my new surfboard Rasputin Lemmy
I stand by those snow tires. Meriden got about 4″ of snow this morning and, I must say, it was pretty handy to have the tires.
You should buy a Snowcat just in case.
I thought studded tires were for driving across lakes and that regular snow tires just had different tread and materials…
Yeah, snow tires usually are just a softer rubber that is supposed to stay grippy on ice, and has a deeper tread pattern better for traction in snow. By the way, studs are only allowed in CT from November 15 – April 30, which is why I moved to NJ for the winter… HAY-OH!
I must say it was pretty handy to have a tiny 2 wheel drive car and an unplowed road as an excellent reason to stay home from work yesterday.
Agreed, I have snow tires. Snow tires rock. Studded tires though, that’s a little extreme.
Some snows have mini-studs that provide extra traction on ice, but do not have the same road wear characteristics of studded tires, for example the Bridgestone Blizzak calls them “Riblets” http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tireselector/GlamourIndex_BS_EN.aspx?ProductID=2007 not to be confused with “riblets” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riblets which are tasty and delicious