First Spark EV owner to get a speeding ticket?

[tsears]

That would probably be me... off Harbor drive near the Convention Center. I was a the stop light, and seriously questioning the 400ft/lbs TQ that everyone says this has. I have a 2007 Corvette Z06 that I track as well and coming from that monster, its really hard to find anything comparable. Suffice it to say, traction control OFF, Sport Mod ON, traffic clear - Light turns green and I'm off heading up the bridge. Wheel spin at first and after about 30mph it starts to pick up FAST. I get the the top of the bridge and uh, oh... Harbor police parked on the side with his gun. Instantly lights me up. I pull over exchange the typical greetings with registration, license and insurance. He runs my info and writes me up for 62 in a 45. He asked if I was in a hurry... I chuckled, "No, just seeing what all this hype was in my new electric car..." He laughed a bit, and said "Well now you can tell all your friends that yes, it does have 400ft/lbs TQ, and yes, you did get a speeding ticket to prove it. I laughed, signed the ticket and went on my way.

Lesson learned. This car is fun! (And way cheaper than a 7.0L Z06!)

 

[drivefast]

is it moral to congratulate you?...

 

[Anonymous]

Said the cop, as he was tossing the ticket into your Spark, "I'm embarrassed FOR you."

hehe

 

[rickp]

I've felt that the Spark EV would make a great drivers-ed/new driver car as it is roomy, excels in the stop/go scenario of driver training and is stable and predictable. As well, it can carry up to 3 students and yet retains the acceleration/stopping of a car carrying only the driver.

However, its rapid acceleration could get a young driver in trouble for speeding. I know my tendency is to let it fly until I am at or over the posted limit and it's just a matter of time.

 

[EVelyn]

I sold my Porsche when I bought the Spark... What I've realized is that this car is never going to win a race against a Porsche like mine - but you can generally drive it quicker around town and with a lot LESS attention (no gas engine revving, and not Speed Yellow like my old ride!). I'm just hoping to get around town quickly while flying below radar with the Spark!

 

[Raymondjram]

I sold my Porsche when I bought the Spark... What I've realized is that this car is never going to win a race against a Porsche like mine - but you can generally drive it quicker around town and with a lot LESS attention (no gas engine revving, and not Speed Yellow like my old ride!). I'm just hoping to get around town quickly while flying below radar with the Spark!

You CAN win a race against that Porsche. Just set up one condition: the race starts at ZERO RPM (engine not turning). You can also set up no gear shifting and a maximum RPM, since the Spark has only one gear ratio. With these conditions, any electric can win against any gas engine car!

 

[Sesamecrunch]

I sold my Porsche when I bought the Spark...

Chevy should use your story in a commercial for the Spark EV!

 

[EVGuy]

I read the question on this thread a while back, and Saturday after getting a ticket thought I ought to check if I was first. Looks like I'm second among the members of this board.

I was giving a co-worker a ride home from a half marathon we did that ended in Banks, Oregon. I'm driving on a highway that I assume is 65, but it was 55.

This part is not made up: my co-worker is saying "I'm really impressed. This thing is nice inside, and it seems to have plenty of juice too." (He drives a Ford F-150 four door). So of course I say "Oh yeah it's got lots of torque," and I stomp on the accelerator and zoom up to about 73. Then I notice a state trooper parked in the median of the highway. In my rear view mirror I can seen the nose of the trooper's car start to move forward.

Dang.

My co-worker and friends have thought it was pretty funny, so I'm just using the story to get laughs and "legitimize" the Spark EV.