Coasters that age well...

We all talk about how some coasters age poorly or faster than others, but can you guys think of any coasters that have gotten better with age?

Raven has gotten better if anything.

B:TR is just as good as ever, even after 10 years.

I think Raptor still delivers like day 1.

I can't think of others (over 5 years) that seems to have not changed one bit.

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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

AE at SFGAm comes to mind. I know it is rickety and it feels like its gonna collapse, but isnt that what you want from a woodie?

A few that come to my mind are Kumba at BGT, and the Blue Streak at CP is still a very good ride. On the note of Kumba I think most B&M age very well.

pretty much any BM coaster and any wooden coaster. i love and old wooden coaster ride, you can literally feel the age.

Personally, while I like Blue Streak, I think it pales in comparison with the Blue Streak of old.

Rides that have "aged well" certainly include the Kennywoodies, and the Knoebel's rides. Basically, most wooden coasters that are actually MAINTAINED, seem to hold up well.

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My page
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Certainly Big Dipper @ SFWoA was quite a nice ride...I was impressed. CI Cyclone, MSAP's Starliner come to mind.
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Not all B&M's age well. Some say Iron Wolf isn't rough: Well, compared to what it used to be, it sure is (totally ruining it for those of us who experienced it in its glory... sigh...). Also, big woodies don't age well: All the Summers and Dinn monsters (as well as AE) have been trimmmed, toning down the overall ride experience (even if they've been maintained pretty well).

But this is a positive thread. So, what has aged well? Well, I like Raging Bull better every time I ride it. Maybe it's just me, maybe it's the ride. Viper (SFGAm) hasn't lost any punch, and B:TR is still in nice shape. You people are going to kill me, but here's an interesting one: Shock Wave. Seriously, the last two times I rode the thing were the smoothest rides I ever had on it. I was actually looking forward to riding it, last year (Alas, my first visit was the first week it went SBNO).

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I hear America screaming...
*** This post was edited by (SF)Great American 2/25/2003 10:22:34 PM ***

For this one i'm going to have to go with Orient Express at Worlds of Fun, still runs like its brand new.

When it comes to arrows I definately gotta say:

Big Bad Wolf and Loch Ness Monster

They are in awesome shape!

Also Beemers do age well but if the paint starts fading it ruins our day because we like to seem em perfect ;)

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The Demon, well at PGA it is butter smooth. Also The Giant Dipper at SCBB is almost 100 years old and is smoother than any day old woodie. ThunderBolt at SFNE was very smooth for a coaster of its age also.

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"I took the highway to the danger zone"

I rode it for the first time this year, but I imagine Adventuredome's Canyon Blaster hasn't changed much since '94. Also, I've never ridden a Schwarzkopf that aged poorly. They're all as smooth as they were the day they opened.

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-Vater
'These pretzels are making me thirsty.'
Take a ride...

The ride which I use as a name :) It seems to get better each year.

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SFGAm Viper

Maggie seems to be doing just fine, although i know many would disagree. I'll admit it seems less intense than it used to, but i think that's Intamin's fault, not the Magnum maintenance crew. When you compare it to other old Arrows, it's like glass.

Also, I find that B&M inverts always seem smooth; the SFGAm version was the best ride on one i've ever had this year. Although, the stand-ups seem to get rough over time (Iron Wolf and Mantis kicked my butt this year; and not in a pleasant way).

I'm still waiting to see how the Intamin Mega/Giga's age. S:ROS (SFNE) seems fine after 3 years, but i'll be amazed if it's still smooth in 10 years. Although, i will say that after 2 years of continuous operations, MF still seemed as smooth as any coaster i've been on this past summer. The true test of engineering is whether or not it stands the test of time, and for MF to stand up to the Erie winds and harsh winter, I'm impressed.

~me

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Rollergator, you took the words right out of my mouth!!

Big Dipper@SFWOA rode very well, in fact I think that was my overall favorite at that park. And the CI Cyclone, as old as it is, still gives a great ride. Out of control, fast, and rough(without being painful). Wish all woodies aged like that.

I would have to say the Kennywood 3. It is impossible to get a bad ride on them... Thunderbolt with all those laterals must need retracking all the time as well. Go Kennywood!

The Big Dipper at Camden is still a great ride with some surprising airtime!

The Blue Streak at CP keeps getting better and better, as does the Raptor! I can't say the same for Magnum personally but maybe that will change again this year.

And of course the obvious: SOB, although it hasn't been around long. FOF and both Racers seem to be getting better also.

Although I have only ridden the Carolina Cyclone a few times I was VERY surprised at how smooth it was, especially for it's age!!!

-Tina

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*** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 2/26/2003 8:28:12 AM ***

Schwarzkopf coasters seem to age great. Sooperdooperlooper rides like brand new.

Schwarzkopfs do just fine unless you *tinker* with them....ain't that right, SFMM, SFAW...;)

As fas as Beemers, the inverts age pretty well (Ice is *back*, BTW)....the stand-ups just don't...

Nemesis, gets faster every year I swear! The more it rusts the better it fits in with its themeing to!

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