joyride

Etymology

joy + ride

noun

1. A ride in a vehicle taken for enjoyment.
   Launched last March, the H.C.C. is similar to a country club-except, instead of playing golf, members take joyrides or leisurely weekend trips in any of the top-of-the-line cars housed in a Century City garage. 2004 October, John Brodie, “Driving Privileges”, in Vanity Fair, number 530, New York: Condé Nast, page 158
   It's called the Beast for a reason: You literally hold on to your hat -- and your sunglasses, and anything else that isn't secured -- for a 30-minute joyride. Painted to look like a bright green, sharp-toothed shark, this 70-foot racing boat zips down the Hudson, skips over waves and zooms past the Empire State Building and other landmarks at up to 45 mph. 7 July 2013, Heather Salerno, “Go for a Wet and Wild Joyride Down the Hudson”, in The Journal News, White Plains, New York: Gannett Co.
2. An instance of driving a motor vehicle in a carefree or reckless manner, especially a vehicle which has been taken without the permission of the owner.
   Thieves took three go-karts for a joyride through the streets of Norwich. 13 September 2008, Sam Emanuel, “Thieves go for spin in stolen go-karts”, in Norwich Evening News, retrieved 2008-09-25

verb

1. (intransitive) To take a joyride.
   You joyride around for a while listening / to the radio, and then abandon death, walk / away, and leave death for the police / to find. c. 1969, Richard Brautigan, Death is a Beautiful Parked Car Only
   His parents were out shopping and he used the opportunity to snatch the keys to the 1999 Suzuki Esteem and joyride around the neighborhood. 27 August 2008, Laura Albanese, “Joyriding teen arrested on delinquency charge”, in Newsday, retrieved 2008-09-25