Has anyone driven on the Autobahn? What's the fastest speed you've driven?

[fujiyama]

I'll admit, I drive past the speed limit at times (The fastest I hit was a 100mph and I was still passed by someone!) Has anyone driven down the autobahn though? I know that in recent years speed limits have been instituted in some parts because of a growing population and few parts truly have unlimited speeds.

Still it looks pretty exciting driving a car at 150+ mph. I suppose their driving culture is different from what I've heard. I think in the US many are guilty of of doing too many things while driving like drinking pop or chatting on a phone. In some ways they seem to respect driving more. I heard an interesting story that when a German company was asked to place a cupholder in a car for the US, they asked what it was.

[solinvictus]

1. About 115 MpH..

Back in 1987, age 17, driving on a local highway in a 1974 Ford Maverick with a 302 at about 3AM. I'm so lucky the cops didn't catch me.

[JVS]

2. 128 mph, the Audi A3 diesel wasn't built for speed.

I wish I could have gotten a V6 or V8 and torn some 150 ass!

[Tab]

3. I have

I think we were up to 120.

Not everyone goes full speed. A lot of people just go 80 to 90, like here.

But you are expected to get the hell out of the way if someone comes bombing up behind you. The fastest car takes precedence - if you're not the fastest, move over and let them through.

On edit: Almost got my ass killed the first time I pulled onto the Autobahn. My brother had warned me to be careful entering, but I was sort of on auto-driver, and hadn't realized there was no merge lane. You basically got right on (at that location, at least), and I came this close to getting clipped.

[MADem]

4. I've driven it

...but I never hauled ass too much. Maybe 80, or a bit more.

In Italy, a lot of folks choose not to have even a radio in the car, or they have a plug in/yank out radio/CD player (deters thieves, ya see). But they don't use them, as driving is driving, and listening to the radio is something else altogether!

[Fescue4u]

5. 155mph in the Nevada Desert

Had a lincoln LS as a rental.

My eyes had to be as big as saucers.

In one direction the car did excellent, in the other direction, the car
started acting funny at about 145mph.

The traction control light would light up and cut engine power momentarily.

It took a few seconds to realize that what was happening is that the rear of the car was lifting off the ground just enough to allow the wheels to spin (activating traction control).

I slowed down then :0

Anyway thats proably the only time I've ever actually NEEDED a rear spoiler on a car to keep it on the road.

[disgruntled_goat]

6. 130mph, '74 vette

many years ago. I think overall it made me a better driver, having driven that fast for just a little bit.

it struck me at the time how over 100 or so, the quality of speed seemed different, like "deep speed"....i knew at once there was NO room for error, and that I wasn't that good a driver.

so now I'm approaching 40, and drive like a nervous old lady.

I did ~100mph once on a motorcycle. i was a little bit lost and desperately trying to catch someone in a convoy up ahead. I thought I was doing well until a dip in the road let me catch a little air...oh man..still scary. lucky doofus!

[imenja]

7. I've driven that fast in Texas

in a 92 Ford Escort. I'm not impressed.

[Kellanved]

8. Well, naturally

IMHO it is at least as insane as the US gun legislation. 120kph is fast enough.
And yes, I went to over 250kph.

As to your ideas: it is true that the "no limit" rule is only valid outside densely populated areas; I'd say about 50% of the total Autobahn. Maybe more, I don't know.

Driving is far more expensive than in the US. Gas is more expensive, it is far more expensive (and difficult) to get a driver's license and the maintenance rules for the cars are rather strict as well. It is probably because of these rules, that Germany has relatively few lethal cases due to cars/traffic (6000 per year).

Cup holders are pretty common, but things like using a cell phone are strictly forbidden.

[seriousstan]

9. 180 mph Columbus Ohio Riverside Rd.

It was in a modified 1976 TransAm wth a very low rear end gear.

I also did 120 through about 5 front yards when I was 16 in my mom's 1963 New Yorker.....by accident. :evilgrin:

[Orsino]

10. 110 mph...

...or whatever that comes out to in their primitive "Metric System." This was in an aluminum-engined Nissan Sentra, which performed like a champion...well, a champion Nissan Sentra. Good little car.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. About 144mph in a '76 Vette. Even raced at Daytona once , in same

car, and I was almost standing on the acelerator...couldn't get it to go any faster.

[DS1]

12. 142, Massachusetts

Had to break the new car in ;-)