Been on a little drive in the Type S, and thought I'd give my impressions.

My wife's sister asked us to visit her & her husband's family in Montana, and since my wife hates to fly, driving was the best choice.

Had the 7500 mile service done a bit early and headed out three Wednesday's ago...I-270-70 to the PA turnpike, toll roads to Chicago, I-94 to Montana, and finally two-lanes through Montana to Kalispell. After a week of family fun, went back through Yellowstone in Wyoming, two-lanes to S.D., and I-90 back to the toll roads and home. About 6500 round trip in 2 1/2 weeks.

Got to say I was really pleased with the TLS as a road car. Comfortable on 800+ mile days, plenty of power to pass on twisty two-lane roads, 30 mpg on the highway at 75-80 mph, climate control kept us comfortable from humid 90+ days to low 40 nights, plenty of luggage room for clothes plus fishing gear.

Surprisingly, the thing my wife liked most was the CD changer. Load it up in the morning when you gas up, turn it on, and you don't have to bother with it untill until you have to fill up again at mid-day.

The Sport-Shift was really handy on some of the mountain passes in Wyoming, both for engine braking on long down-grades and for keeping in the powerband on long climbs. Also used it quite a bit when passing so I didn't have to wait for the auto to kick down.

Handled very well on dirt roads, and gave a good ride on wash-board and gravel. A few of the usual squeaks and rattles showed up on cool mornings, but seemed to go away after a few hundred miles.

Not a problem the whole trip, except the rear bumper seems designed as a dust magnet on dirt roads. Glad that's not too much of an issue in N.Va.

 

Sounds like you had a great time. Beautiful country, family, nice car....Heaven!

Great report. Only one thing: Dirt roads? OMG.

 

Sounds like a great trip. How many miles on the baby when you started (and did you use the pass through from the trunk for the fishing gear )???

 

Rockin'... My sister-in-law lives up a dirt road. It's the only way you can get up there and enjoy the Million-dollar view. Some of the roads in Yellowstone were under repair and just dirt too. If I worked at it, I could get the VSA to kick in quite a bit. Never thought of the TLS as a World Rally car, but it does OK in the dirt when it has to.

Darla...Started with about 6800. Can't wait to see the service guy's face when I come in for the 15,000 mile service a month after the 7500. About the fishing gear...I've found that you can get the tube for a 9', two-piece fly rod to fit in the trunk if you put one end in the indentation on the left side of the trunk and gently slip the other end past the weatherseal on the right side. Had 4 rods, two vests, two sets of waders and boots, a float tube, and various other fishing junk. Still plenty of room for suitcases and such, with nothing on the back seat but jackets.