A driving thread

[Kaahl]

Dan, start putting money aside for it until you have enough to do a 10 hour (or however much you feel you need) intensive course. Granted, you're not guaranteed to pass, but it's absolutely worth it.

[Azubi]

Indeed, save rather than make excuses.

[V-Man]

Yeah I do feel for you if you're having to fund the whole thing yourself because a very large proportion of teenage drivers these days (myself included) were spoilt by their parents and had it all paid for that said I think it's still a worthy investment if you have a source of income i.e a job. If you don't have one or work shit hours though you can kiss the whole thing goodbye because magically spawning enough money for lessons, tests, an actual car or insurance isn't going to happen until you're a bit older.

Oh and because everyone else is doing it:

I've been driving for a year and a half and passed when I was 17 (I'm now 19). There have been gaps in my driving because of university but I've been driving like 300-400 miles a week on the motorway all summer (which may not seem much to regular commuters but is alot if you've only done local driving before) and to be honest it's made me feel like I'm the best driver I ever have been. The M6, M5, M42, A38 etc provide alot of good driving experience if you're having to commute regularly around the west midlands area.

[Tet]

I passed first time and have been driving for 25 years or so. I passed my bike test first time, too, a few years later. I've driven everything from a Citroën 2CV to Ferrari/Lamborghini supercars to Luton vans. My current drives/rides are:

Ford Capri 2.8i
Ford Capri 7.7 V8 (no, you can't beat me away from the lights, no matter what you're driving or how hard you're trying)
Swift Kon-Tiki motorhome
Honda Magna VF700C

[PoonLagoonGuy23]

Passed 2nd time 3 years ago at 17. Still driving around my mummys piece of shit Honda logo (don't expect anyone to know the model its that turd)

Hoping to save some money soon and get something decent that doesn't cost an absolute bomb to insure on my own. Any tips on a car for a 20 yr old trying to get insurance for the first time that is UNDER £1,000?

[angel_of_death]

With stuff like this:
/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=36299

The need to at least have a license should be a high priority. As has been said, it greatly increases job prospects and your options. Even if you don't intend to get a car, being able to drive is a good skill. I've never trusted public transport, and increasing costs aren't going to make me want to use it any time soon.

I was a late learner too, got my provisional at 17 but didn't actually start learning till I was 20. Passed test second time at 21. Got an escort for £100 that lasted me 3 months, then a 1988 micra 1L that lasted about 4 years, then I got an astra 1.4 which lasted until nearly 6 years until 2 months ago now I have a Vectra 1.9 Diesel. I like it, apart from the CD player..I like my iphone as my music source, CDs are annoying!
No accidents apart from the non-fault that wrote off the astra.

[TheLotusEater193]

Passed 2nd time 3 years ago at 17. Still driving around my mummys piece of shit Honda logo (don't expect anyone to know the model its that turd)

Hoping to save some money soon and get something decent that doesn't cost an absolute bomb to insure on my own. Any tips on a car for a 20 yr old trying to get insurance for the first time that is UNDER £1,000?

When I was looking around for a car I just looked around all the local garages and asked if they had anything in my price range that would be good for a first car. If they didn't have anything most told me some other places I could try. I made sure to take my step dad with me though as he knows what he's talking about with cars and I know nothing if you don't know a lot it might be good to find someone who does to take along.

Anywho I got my 8 year old Renault Clio for £1100 so if you do the same you should probably be able to find something pretty similar for around £1000 or less.

[Andrewhall28]

Yeah I do feel for you if you're having to fund the whole thing yourself because a very large proportion of teenage drivers these days (myself included) were spoilt by their parents and had it all paid for

Was never going to happen for me, my parents income just about covered the bills and food, I worked part time during the week and was at college in the day time, and worked all weekend to get money and that all went on my living costs, but yeah it does seem that today's teenagers expect thing to happen, ok I admit sweeping statement, but it certainly comes across that way

Nothing is a given, you have to earn everything sadly. would be nice the other way around though that's for sure

[angel_of_death]

Yeah I do feel for you if you're having to fund the whole thing yourself because a very large proportion of teenage drivers these days (myself included) were spoilt by their parents and had it all paid for

Was never going to happen for me, my parents income just about covered the bills and food, I worked part time during the week and was at college in the day time, and worked all weekend to get money and that all went on my living costs, but yeah it does seem that today's teenagers expect thing to happen, ok I admit sweeping statement, but it certainly comes across that way

Nothing is a given, you have to earn everything sadly. would be nice the other way around though that's for sure

I never had anything given to me, I've worked for every single thing I have, including driving. I just knew it needed to be done, so all my wages (part-time job, but was 29 hours a week so almost full time) went on learning to drive for a couple of months..I think I was also supporting my dad who was out of work at the time!

[karastorm]

something I miss though and it's going to sound strange , I miss the manual Steering. Power steering is all well and good but I miss having to Fight my car around a bend and feeling like She-ra after even a small drive.

You're insane! I don't know how people coped without power steering. I drove a car without it in Germany and nearly killed us all on an ausfahrt.

Yes I am....haha but no it really was a nice drive, having that feel of power untamed is real nice, if I could I afford it I'd get my bike license and go to Direct access giving me the change once I pass to ride a nice 750cc engine.

[jamestomo]

Yeah I do feel for you if you're having to fund the whole thing yourself because a very large proportion of teenage drivers these days (myself included) were spoilt by their parents and had it all paid for

Was never going to happen for me, my parents income just about covered the bills and food, I worked part time during the week and was at college in the day time, and worked all weekend to get money and that all went on my living costs, but yeah it does seem that today's teenagers expect thing to happen, ok I admit sweeping statement, but it certainly comes across that way

Nothing is a given, you have to earn everything sadly. would be nice the other way around though that's for sure

I never had anything given to me, I've worked for every single thing I have, including driving. I just knew it needed to be done, so all my wages (part-time job, but was 29 hours a week so almost full time) went on learning to drive for a couple of months..I think I was also supporting my dad who was out of work at the time!

Yep same! sooo many people get spoilt these days and while I would have liked to have things given to me, it is a lot more satisfactory when you work your way towards getting your own things..
I managed (whilst working part-time and at college) to pay for all my driving lessons, car and insurance.. Looking back, I don't know how the fuck I managed it because I sometimes struggle with cash these days and I'm full time

[someone else]

I was really lucky and got 5 numbers on a rollover week on the Lottery when I was 17 which paid for a 1.1 Fiesta and lessons. The insurance was a killer when i took it to Leeds - parked on the street, LS6, under 25, cost me £1500 back in 1999.

[Jim]

I was really lucky and got 5 numbers on a rollover week on the Lottery when I was 17 which paid for a 1.1 Fiesta and lessons. The insurance was a killer when i took it to Leeds - parked on the street, LS6, under 25, cost me £1500 back in 1999.

Whoa, I used to live in LS6 when I was under 25 (back in 2007, was 22), and my insurance was only around £500 or something for my 1.2 Clio!

[someone else]

I was really lucky and got 5 numbers on a rollover week on the Lottery when I was 17 which paid for a 1.1 Fiesta and lessons. The insurance was a killer when i took it to Leeds - parked on the street, LS6, under 25, cost me £1500 back in 1999.

Whoa, I used to live in LS6 when I was under 25 (back in 2007, was 22), and my insurance was only around £500 or something for my 1.2 Clio!

Dunno what it was - may have been no years no claims as it was originally insured under my Mum. Had to fit an imobiliser aswell.

[Jim]

My car got broken into once. Didn't steal owt. I think they wanted my leather jacket, tried to pry off one of the rear side windows and when it shattered they legged it.

Didn't put my insurance up at all, neither. Good ol' Headingley.