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The Driving Thread

I get my license oct 1. I drive a 6speed stick, its a Volkswagen GLI, it has a 2.0L Turbo. :D i took a drivers course, its the only way to get a permit at 15 here. but no discount on the insurance, however i will be insured on an old van as a full time driver for like 45$ a month so thats really good, even thought i wont ever actually drive it... and it costs very little to be a part time driver on a vehicle. and there is no difference between the two.

@Scarlet Fever wow thats a crazy system. but what ever floats your government's boat is cool and all.
 
I'm waiting for the materials for my "drivers ed" to get here. I'm doing the thing where you have your parent teach you everything instead of going to a class. I'm learning on a standard transmission, my dad thinks its important to know in case I ever have to use one. (In fact, I think I enjoy driving standards more anyway; automatic is kind of boring. :p)

I should have my permit by the end of the year if everything goes well.
 
I notice a lot of people (Americans in particular) seem to only learn to drive an automatic. Are manual gearboxes not very popular over the pond? I don't know anyone who drives an automatic.
 
richardjames said:
I notice a lot of people (Americans in particular) seem to only learn to drive an automatic. Are manual gearboxes not very popular over the pond? I don't know anyone who drives an automatic.
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Yeah, in America is actually rare to see someone voluntarily drive stick. Most people don't want to be bothered by the extra work. Me, I learned how to drive on automatic, but will probably learn stick soon. I would like the extra human input, plus I'll be able to borrow my parents' car (stick) and not have to bug my sister to borrow hers (automatic).
 
Manual aren't nearly as common here, pretty much only sports car come with them here. And with cars like the Prius, manual isn't so good.

I'm currently learning to drive, and we wound up on the highway today, which was very uncomfortable as we were attempting to get on an access road. It turned out okay though.
 
richardjames said:
I notice a lot of people (Americans in particular) seem to only learn to drive an automatic. Are manual gearboxes not very popular over the pond? I don't know anyone who drives an automatic.
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i think its something like 5% of Americans who do drive a stick, and about 10% who can drive one. the 10% might be low. and the rest are well automatics. I cant think of many people who are my age that can/do drive a stick.

jpmittins said:
Yeah, in America is actually rare to see someone voluntarily drive stick. Most people don't want to be bothered by the extra work. Me, I learned how to drive on automatic, but will probably learn stick soon. I would like the extra human input, plus I'll be able to borrow my parents' car (stick) and not have to bug my sister to borrow hers (automatic).
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hmm, there are a few good youtube videos that show most everything you need to know to get going, but your parents are the most valuable/useful source of info you have. I drove an automatic for the first few months then once i didnt have to think about it. i got my manual gli just recently but i learned the basic concepts of a stick a while before i got my permit, so it was more of a reintroduction to a stick
 
The second day I got my license, I was at my local shopping center, backing out of my parking space, then, a guy ran behind my truck, I went to go hit the brake, but instead hit the gas accidentally. I basically made him jump and fall over. He then gave me the finger, and I then yelled "Dumbass don't run behind a moving vehicle that is 200x bigger than you, and is backing up in your direction".

Good times. Good times.
 
Fearless Leader said:
i think its something like 5% of Americans who do drive a stick, and about 10% who can drive one. the 10% might be low. and the rest are well automatics. I cant think of many people who are my age that can/do drive a stick.



hmm, there are a few good youtube videos that show most everything you need to know to get going, but your parents are the most valuable/useful source of info you have. I drove an automatic for the first few months then once i didnt have to think about it. i got my manual gli just recently but i learned the basic concepts of a stick a while before i got my permit, so it was more of a reintroduction to a stick
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Yeah, both my parents first learned close to forty years ago how to drive automatic, but when the car they wanted to buy was stick only, they had to learn to drive that and never went back. Sometimes, when my dad is in my sister's car (automatic) and at a traffic light, he drives to shift to start moving again; it's really funny to watch him try to move the gearshift that only goes up and down sideways.

jaikob said:
The second day I got my license, I was at my local shopping center, backing out of my parking space, then, a guy ran behind my truck, I went to go hit the brake, but instead hit the gas accidentally. I basically made him jump and fall over. He then gave me the finger, and I then yelled "Dumbass don't run behind a moving vehicle that is 200x bigger than you, and is backing up in your direction".

Good times. Good times.
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That's funny. Once, I was in a car and went to put my foot on the brake so I could take it out of park; I accidentally put my foot on the gas and revved like mad! I am so glad it was still in park, or else I would have crashed immediately into the car in front of me.
 
Driving stick is more fun in my opinion. Plus it makes you think about what you're doing when you're driving, so you're more alert to your surroundings.

I don't like hills when I'm driving standard. Especially when it's a 4 speed transmission and you need to be doing 35 MPH in 2nd to make it up said hill.
 
OK, I'll throw a serious post in here...

I started driving when I was 14, mainly trips the the hardware and grocery store. The car was an automatic 1994(this took place in '94) Z28 with T-tops, fun car. My friend bought a new Z28 every year so he wouldn't have to do the maintenance on the "old" one. Yes, he had that kind of change...

A couple years later my dad taught me to drive a stick. it was a 1965 F100 with a 3-on-the-tree and a stock, right down to the oil-bath air filter, 352 V8. I learn to drive it in the mountains in NW Washington. It wasn't long before my dad had to start telling me to slow down around the turns. At this time I was still driving a Z28 regularly, my dad thought I was a natural behind the wheel.

At 17 I got a learners permit and took the driving course at my high school, naturally I did well. I finally got my license at 18.

When I was 20 I went to truck driving school and all my driving habits changed drastically. I got my CDL but didn't use it for a couple years, now I live my life on the road.

Almost all my cars have been sticks, here is a list of cars I've had, in chronological order. The last three I still have.

'83 Ranger 4x4 "Fireball"
'85 SVO Mustang
'00 Escort ZX2
that '65 F100 mentioned above
another '85 SVO Mustang
'85 Merkur XR4Ti (Ford Sierrra in Europe)
'86 F250 4x4 Turbo Diesel, my first auto

My next purchase will likely be the truck I drive, an '08 Kenworth T2000, unless I can find a good running turbo Pinto wagon with a stick first.
 
LumbermanSVO said:
OK, I'll throw a serious post in here...

I started driving when I was 14, mainly trips the the hardware and grocery store. The car was an automatic 1994(this took place in '94) Z28 with T-tops, fun car. My friend bought a new Z28 every year so he wouldn't have to do the maintenance on the "old" one. Yes, he had that kind of change...

A couple years later my dad taught me to drive a stick. it was a 1965 F100 with a 3-on-the-tree and a stock, right down to the oil-bath air filter, 352 V8. I learn to drive it in the mountains in NW Washington. It wasn't long before my dad had to start telling me to slow down around the turns. At this time I was still driving a Z28 regularly, my dad thought I was a natural behind the wheel.

At 17 I got a learners permit and took the driving course at my high school, naturally I did well. I finally got my license at 18.

When I was 20 I went to truck driving school and all my driving habits changed drastically. I got my CDL but didn't use it for a couple years, now I live my life on the road.

Almost all my cars have been sticks, here is a list of cars I've had, in chronological order. The last three I still have.

'83 Ranger 4x4 "Fireball"
'85 SVO Mustang
'00 Escort ZX2
that '65 F100 mentioned above
another '85 SVO Mustang
'85 Merkur XR4Ti (Ford Sierrra in Europe)
'86 F250 4x4 Turbo Diesel, my first auto

My next purchase will likely be the truck I drive, an '08 Kenworth T2000, unless I can find a good running turbo Pinto wagon with a stick first.
Click to expand...

Sheesh, I can't imagine the mindset behind people who spend money like that. Hang on though; isn't the Pinto the car that exploded if it was rammed from behind?
 
jpmittins said:
Sheesh, I can't imagine the mindset behind people who spend money like that. Hang on though; isn't the Pinto the car that exploded if it was rammed from behind?
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He retired about a month ago, over the last five years or so his spending habits changed in preparation for retirement.

Sure, the Pinto might not be the "safest" car on the road, but they are cheap, super light and with a 300HP turbo 4 banger they go hell. They can even be made to handle really well fairly cheaply. Setup like that it'll even get great fuel mileage! Is there a more perfect vehicle for someone who likes "odd" and fast cars?
 
LumbermanSVO said:
He retired about a month ago, over the last five years or so his spending habits changed in preparation for retirement.

Sure, the Pinto might not be the "safest" car on the road, but they are cheap, super light and with a 300HP turbo 4 banger they go hell. They can even be made to handle really well fairly cheaply. Setup like that it'll even get great fuel mileage! Is there a more perfect vehicle for someone who likes "odd" and fast cars?
Click to expand...

I would much prefer not having to worry about keeping my rear end entirely free from any collision, lest the gas tank explode. I think that I would definitely sacrifice oddness and speed for the knowledge that it won't explode in my face.
 
jpmittins said:
I would much prefer not having to worry about keeping my rear end entirely free from any collision, lest the gas tank explode. I think that I would definitely sacrifice oddness and speed for the knowledge that it won't explode in my face.
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Ford issued a recall that fixed the problem after it hit the mainstream media got ahold of the story. There aren't many roaming around that haven't been fixed, and anyone who takes the time to do an engine swap will have fixed the problem then they dropped the tank to add the EFi fuel pump anyway.

Besides, how many times have you been hit? Or even rear ended? Aren't motorcycles much more dangerous in a collision? What happens if you get hit by a big truck, not much will help you then. You can't eliminate all risk.
 
LumbermanSVO said:
Ford issued a recall that fixed the problem after it hit the mainstream media got ahold of the story. There aren't many roaming around that haven't been fixed, and anyone who takes the time to do an engine swap will have fixed the problem then they dropped the tank to add the EFi fuel pump anyway.

Besides, how many times have you been hit? Or even rear ended? Aren't motorcycles much more dangerous in a collision? What happens if you get hit by a big truck, not much will help you then. You can't eliminate all risk.
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I didn't know there was a recall. However, there are times when I'm just not observant enough and almost hit the back of a car before I stop completely. And yeah, I know you can't eliminate all risk. Of course, you can help by not using a dangerous car (not saying anything bad about the Pinto; after I found out about the recall I have nothing against it).
 
jpmittins said:
I didn't know there was a recall. However, there are times when I'm just not observant enough and almost hit the back of a car before I stop completely. And yeah, I know you can't eliminate all risk. Of course, you can help by not using a dangerous car (not saying anything bad about the Pinto; after I found out about the recall I have nothing against it).
Click to expand...

Ford knew about the problem but decided it was cheaper to pay-out on a few lawsuits than to do a re-design and fix the problem on the assembly line. Naturally, once the general public found out they weren't too happy. This resulted in several lawsuits and a recall.

Wikipedia mentions a 1991 paper that shows that the Pinto was actually no more dangerous than other cars in its class at the time.

Either way, a 2200lb car with 300HP is a blast to drive :D
 
im an Asian. i think this is Racism.
i took DL test in Santa barbara when i just turned 18. i failed 7 times on driving test. one time i failed was by a racist. once you get into a car for driving test, you gotta sign on their grading sheet. right? but examiner said signiture was different from your original. i signed 3 times and she said all were wrong. so i failed and i had to retake the written exam. you know what! she said, "i" was not in your signiture. isn't that racism?? it is a signiture.. rite! everytime you sign, it is different a little bit.. who care of missing of "i" ??? it took me one and half year to get the DL there.
 
I get my license hopefully later on this month, a bit behind on my friends(I'm 17, most have had it for over a year) but I kinda don't regret waiting. Can't wait to start driving my mom's truck everywhere, but I still gotta do better on parking :(
 
nakamuramori2 said:
im an Asian. i think this is Racism.
i took DL test in Santa barbara when i just turned 18. i failed 7 times on driving test. one time i failed was by a racist. once you get into a car for driving test, you gotta sign on their grading sheet. right? but examiner said signiture was different from your original. i signed 3 times and she said all were wrong. so i failed and i had to retake the written exam. you know what! she said, "i" was not in your signiture. isn't that racism?? it is a signiture.. rite! everytime you sign, it is different a little bit.. who care of missing of "i" ??? it took me one and half year to get the DL there.
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That seriously sucks. If you have definite proof, couldn't you get that person in trouble?
 
So I'm learning clutch now. It's really hard, I have a lot of trouble making the car have a smooth start from it being off/at a stop sign/at a red light. Though everyone keeps giving me advice and experience is the best teacher, anyone who can drive clutch well want to give me a little more advise?
 
jpmittins said:
So I'm learning clutch now. It's really hard, I have a lot of trouble making the car have a smooth start from it being off/at a stop sign/at a red light. Though everyone keeps giving me advice and experience is the best teacher, anyone who can drive clutch well want to give me a little more advise?
Click to expand...

Move the pedal slower.
 
Find a flat and fairly empty parking lot somewhere and practice getting the car moving without using the throttle. This will teach you where the friction point is and to move your foot/leg a little slower.

Once you get this down try adding some throttle and see what happens.
 
LumbermanSVO said:
Find a flat and fairly empty parking lot somewhere and practice getting the car moving without using the throttle. This will teach you where the friction point is and to move your foot/leg a little slower.

Once you get this down try adding some throttle and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Well, thanks for the advice, even though I had already heard it before. I'm going driving later today, so I just hope to learn a little then.
 
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