| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 8:16:42 AM | So I'm taking driving lessons, quite close to doing my test, I really liked the last car, I was used to it and it was easy to drive. Now however I'm using a new car, just driven it today and it felt so awkward and difficult to drive, it's also wider too, not sure whether the car is actually more difficult to drive or whether it's just 100% down to the fact that I'm not used to it, but I don't really feel that happy with it :(
It does however feel a lot more easier to drive when I'm on the faster roads and I'm driving at a decent speed, feels more responsive like I can go quicker.
How do you people find driving a different/new car for the first time? | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 8:20:00 AM | ross.. when i was taking Driving lessons.. i had about 15 lessons in my instructors car which was a little Honda Accord. I loved it..
I was so used to the car, and felt really confident driving it, then a on the day of my test, his car broke down so i had to drive in another car, OMG.. everything was back to front, i kept on putting the windscreen wipers on when i meant to put the indicators on!! 
Needless to say.. I Failed.. coz i panicked!! | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 8:20:07 AM | There's always a brief period of adjustment needed, especially if you're a learner driver, so don't worry.
As for me, it's all much of a muchness really, except in the case of changing from an auto to a manual or a softly sprung saloon to a sportier car.
I loves me driving!!!
Good luck mate.
P.S Fancy a game of tennis? | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 8:27:22 AM | Each new car takes a bit of practice to get used to.
The more you drive the easier it is to swap cars. It's all practice, that's all.
I'm teaching my lady to drive my car, I suppose she will have to take her test in it too unless we invest in a few lessons with an instructor towards test day. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 8:33:10 AM | ross.. when i was taking Driving lessons.. i had about 15 lessons in my instructors car which was a little Honda Accord. I loved it..
I was so used to the car, and felt really confident driving it, then a on the day of my test, his car broke down so i had to drive in another car, OMG.. everything was back to front, i kept on putting the windscreen wipers on when i meant to put the indicators on!!
Needless to say.. I Failed.. coz i panicked!!
Yeah, it actually got me thinking about whether there'd be a new car when I take my test and whether it'd feel more difficult to drive.
When I changed from the first car to the last one I was driving (2005 Vauxhaull Corsa I think), the only difference was that the car felt more newer, the controls felt more tight, but this one (one of those new Peugeots with the oversized grill at the front) just all weird and too difficult.
There's always a brief period of adjustment needed, especially if you're a learner driver, so don't worry.
As for me, it's all much of a muchness really, except in the case of changing from an auto to a manual or a softly sprung saloon to a sportier car.
I loves me driving!!!
Good luck mate.
Thanks mate.
P.S Fancy a game of tennis?
Lol, I'm afraid I've lost you there. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 8:50:38 AM | You'll get used to it. I remember when I was having my lessons. My instructors car changed half way through and it felt a little odd. Now I regularly drive about 6 different cars both automatics and manuals and have no problem adjusting to any of them. Just the other day I had to drive my friends Alfa home because he'd had one or two pints and legally couldn't drive. No problems there at all.
You'll be fine, just stay relaxed at all times and you'll never have a problem! | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 9:25:16 AM | | i,m sure you will get used to it ross . i have to drive different truck,s and car on a daily basis soon get used to swapping about .once you,ve had your licence a few years you will find each car you drive is different in all sorts of way,s but you just adapt to it . imagine this i drive truck,s all day long , use my motorbike to get to and from work , have a big left hand drive van i drive w,ends and sunny day,s and when i,m out with my new lady i drive her mondeo . now thats being adaptable lol . best of luck when you do your test . dave | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 9:46:55 AM |
i,m sure you will get used to it ross . i have to drive different truck,s and car on a daily basis soon get used to swapping about .once you,ve had your licence a few years you will find each car you drive is different in all sorts of way,s but you just adapt to it . imagine this i drive truck,s all day long , use my motorbike to get to and from work , have a big left hand drive van i drive w,ends and sunny day,s and when i,m out with my new lady i drive her mondeo . now thats being adaptable lol . best of luck when you do your test . dave
Thanks guys.
Hey Dave, love your Dodge van, now I know why your van's left hand drive, lol, it must guzzle a lot of gas. I love American vehicles too.
What made you buy it, do you just like the styling of American vehicles? | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 10:13:18 AM | I've driven - quite literally - hundreds of cars over the years, and they all take a little getting used to, even if they're ostensibly the same. (A place I used to work at years ago had a hodload of "identical" Peugeot 205s, and they were all different to drive; some to the extent that I could tell which was which without checking the number plate).
With time, you DO get used to it - but every time you change cars, you'll spend a little time getting used to it. | |
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l3sl3y
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Joined: 5/12/2008
Msg: 10 | |
| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 10:13:49 AM | In my job I drive new cars all the time - my own car changes every 6 months, but I can be jumping in and out of various cars of all shapes and sizes from entry level to top of the range sports models.
I would advise any new driver to drive as many different cars as possible if they get the chance - I know a few people who have insisted that they can only drive the model they learnt in...and are very nervous and reluctant to drive other vehicles. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 11:29:00 AM | OOH I would love a new car!! Have to wait until I pass my damn test first then I will treat myself!!
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 11:34:20 AM | After 35 years of driving I finally got the car of my dreams, a Mercedes.
About a week after buying it I was badly cut up on a roundabout.
Being used to the tatty old Citroen I drove before changing cars I gave the 'cutter upper' a really angy blast on my windscreen washers!! The horn on the Citroen is where the washers are on the Merc.
Yes, it's because you are not used to it. Give it a week or two and you'll be fine. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 2:53:05 PM | I recently passed my driving test in a new style Ford Fiesta and found that to be quite an enjoyable car to drive. So in the past few days I have dreaded receiving my company car, a Vauxhall Vectra, due to its larger size and the fear of trying to park it.
OMG.... what on earth was I worrying about. I received it yesterday and I can honestly say it's far easier to drive than the Fiesta  I have not had any problems with parking it at all.
I guess what I'm trying to say is simply try not to be fazed by jumping into a different car. At the end of the day the fundamental controls are the same and provided you are careful and take it easy in the early days you'll have no problems at all. You will be surprised at just how quickly you get used to the new car.... I am living prove of that 
Now... All I have to do is figure out how to operate the air con | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 2:53:23 PM | | yes ross about 18 to a gallon , hence the bike too that average,s 55 mpg . long story about why i bought dodge but lets just say getting 8 people into a eurobox is a bit like trying to put a pint in a half pint glass and yes i do like the yank motor,s . the older the better . dave | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/3/2008 3:05:49 PM | I can usually drive any car with no problems at all. Sounds good, however once I'm back in my own, I completely forget how to drive the fecker.
Did a little bit of driving vintage limos for weddings a few years back. Had no bother with them at all; unfortunately they were all automatics and without fail, when I got back in my Clio, I forgot I had a clutch. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 5:48:59 AM | I'd just like a car at the moment  having had mine stolen........
Anyway Ross, you'll get used to the new one, and the next one and the next one, it's a learning curve called getting your road sense.........all us drivers went through it, I often go from manual to Automatic as well, which can cause a few hilarious moments when stamping on the brake with the wrong foot  | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 6:03:10 AM | | I love my Leon Cupra, best car in the world. I have owned Seats pretty much my whole life for the simple fact that they're all built the same, and considerably cheaper than a Veedub, but with the same build spec and build quality :D. Long story short, I find it easy to adapt, sometimes when switching from a civic back to a euro it can be a bit confusing because they're back to front but apart from that I find most cars fairly similar even the shitty chavy saxos etc. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 6:43:07 AM | It's all about experience in the driving seat really. The more you do it, the easier and more pleasurable it becomes.
I tend to be in something different every few days. So I'm not at the point where it doesn't take me long to learn how to get the most of of them once I've figures out which buttons to press of course. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 7:43:00 AM |
I love my Leon Cupra, best car in the world. I have owned Seats pretty much my whole life for the simple fact that they're all built the same, and considerably cheaper than a Veedub, but with the same build spec and build quality :D. Long story short, I find it easy to adapt, sometimes when switching from a civic back to a euro it can be a bit confusing because they're back to front but apart from that I find most cars fairly similar even the shitty chavy saxos etc.
I've been thinking of getting a Honda myself, since it's supposed to be the most reliable make. Must be nice to be able to afford a Leon Cupra. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 8:57:10 AM | | i would get a grande punto if i was you.get the 1.4 litre version,16 valve if you can afford it.not too big, not too small, just about right. whats with the tennis thing i prefer snooker. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 9:21:32 AM | i would get a grande punto if i was you.get the 1.4 litre version,16 valve if you can afford it.not too big, not too small, just about right. whats with the tennis thing i prefer snooker.
Lol, there's no way I'd be able to afford that. I've got about £1200 saved up at the moment, but some of it will also have to go on tax and insurance, I'll probably also keep the amount I'll need for an MOT in the bank just to make sure it's there when I need one. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 9:23:03 AM |
I've been thinking of getting a Honda myself, since it's supposed to be the most reliable make. Must be nice to be able to afford a Leon Cupra.
They're not expensive (but maybe im just an ungrateful prick!), just a bit costly to run at the moment, all German made parts so very durable, cheaper to repair than a Honda... My mate has had Hondas all his life but recently changed to an A3 which he seems to love. If I were you buying a car, id go for a Mk 3 golf or something similar, good runners, good build quality, good mpg etc etc. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 9:27:48 AM | They're not expensive (but maybe im just an ungrateful prick!), just a bit costly to run at the moment, all German made parts so very durable, cheaper to repair than a Honda... My mate has had Hondas all his life but recently changed to an A3 which he seems to love. If I were you buying a car, id go for a Mk 3 golf or something similar, good runners, good build quality, good mpg etc etc.
Yup, I've also been thinking of getting a Volkswagon Golf too, since Volkswagon are supposed to be another reliable make, and because I like the look of Golfs, if I get one I'd like to get it in black.
Also been thinking about whether I should get a diesel or petrol, since a diesel is cheaper to run, but then again the car will cost more, not sure how much more, but if it's a lot I'd probably have to get something older, which means there's more of a chance of having some problems with it... so it's something to think about I suppose. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 10:59:31 AM | If you've only got £1200 you need to be very careful.
It's going to be hard enough to find a safe and reliable car in that price range with a bit left over for tax and insurance etc without limiting yourself to certain makes, models and colours. Your priority should be to find a good car. Remember, as it's your first one you don't want to look back on it as being a complete nightmare.
Don't buy anything in this price range from a dealer. It'll just be a tarted up piece of crap if he's going to make any money from it. Watch out for people selling cars on behalf of friends, sisters etc. If the person selling the car isn't the same as the name and address on the log book it's more than likely it's some dodgy trader selling off his drive. You should be really looking to buy privately. However ensure that you carry out an indemnity check on any car you're considering to make sure that it hasn't been in any accidents. Private sellers are buggers for trying to shaft people with Cat C and Cat D right offs and cracking on that they nothing about it.
Believe it not the best place to get cars at knock down prices is Ebay. I actually nick quite a bit of stock off there. However, never bid on anything. Just look for cars that are local to you and email the seller and ask to go and have a look. Then you can either wave cash under their nose and buy it. Or preferably wait until the auction ends and the car doesn't sell. It's surprising how many people put unrealistic reserves on their cars not realising that Ebay is the worst place to get a fair price for it. You can the email them and make then an offer. They usually accept as they just want rid.
Finally, I'd say the most important factor to someone in your position would be the insurance group of the cars you're looking at. Brace yourself. As a 20 something first time driver you are going to get shafted so any savings you make by choosing diesel over petrol etc will be insignificant compared to the amount you'd save by dropping down a couple of insurance groups. | |
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| Driving a new car.
Posted: 7/4/2008 1:11:10 PM | get new company car every few years, think the OP should go for something small engined like fiesta or mini otherwise insurance could end up costing more than the car
friend bought a car off ebay, drove great until the next day when the radiator was found to be leaking exhaust gases, buyer beware.... think that he got £150 scrap for it
sold my fair share of cars that could be better, but both were to traders who SHOULD have known better :) | |
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