The Car Thread

[ucci]

A glimpse into another world, it was like I had just stepped off the plane.

[Kungfu]

A glimpse into another world, it was like I had just stepped off the plane.

The same for me Ucci.

I enjoy a drive on the country roads in Devon or Cornwall but think I'll pass on those Japanese roads, I only have a run of the mill Megane but no chance I'd risk a nice Impreza or Evo on those tight streets.

I enjoyed your commentary Yakumo, not sure what I expected but was good to watch and fair play with your alleged 6 point turn (me thinks it may have been a bit more).

[abigsmurf]

Got my Practical test tommorrow. I'm really confident on general driving but reverse parallel parking is likely to be where I mess up. Hopefully if I do mess up I won't hit the curb, I'll just need to re-adjust...

[randombs]

My parallel park during my test was hands-down the worst one I've ever done, and that's including my first ever go.

It was so bad I actually laughed at it during the test when the examiner opened the door to check.

The thing is, throughout the maneuver I just kept looking around me, over my shoulder, checking the road throughout, and that was enough. You do have the option of moving it forward a bit and readjusting, but the examiner pointed out that as long as you remember your observation that's the most important thing, and to concentrate on that more than how close you are to the kerb or how neatly you straighten up.

Normally you'll have all the time in the world to adjust and readjust and try again (and to hit the kerb a few times if need be!, but to just make sure you're aware of what's going on around you.

Good luck tomorrow!

[abigsmurf]

I was told that hitting the kerb is consider a serious fault (ie a fail). But then I guess if you do hit the kerb, you'll probably have to start from scratch in parallel parking anyway.

[Hohum]

Don't think a wheel hitting the kerb counts as a serious fault, but mounting the kerb (and thus ending up on the pavement) certainly does. You won't do that if you ensure you keep your speed right down to a crawl though. Check with your instructor before taking your test, but I believe that's how it works based on what mine told me.

Good luck with your test, keep your cool and you'll be fine.

[winky]

I saw the most bizarre thing tonight; a Puegot, on its roof perfectly aligned in the lane it should have been in. The odd thing was it was a tight bend after a junction on a bridge (and my mind just could not compute how it got like that . There is no way you could ever go fast enough to overturn a car. If anyone else from Cairnhill, Airdrie seen it please let me know what happened.

Didn't have my camera with me and the rozzers were glaring at me as I drove past so didn't want to look too hard in case there was people trapped inside or something serious.

In other news I got out yesterday for a nice drive and some lunch and for a bit of photography. I am 8 months into my newest car and I still absolutley love it - everytime I get the chance to go for a drive it makes me smile a little. I just wish it had a little more oomph now that I have got used to the power, but it still does a good job compared to my previous cars.

[charlesr]

Nice pic.

I want more power too, but judging from my tyres, I probably don't need it.

[Friction]

Sorry to change the subject slightly - does anyone know of any decent scuff/scratch repair places (ideally mobile) in London?

Some charming person has decided to scrape my bumper during parking (or pulling in) and of course never bothered to tell me so I've not got a few bits of paint missing, and a repair bill. Rather not go through my insurance as I'm sure paying myself will be less than the excess anyway!

[ChrisF]

I've used http://www.chipsaway.co.uk/ before. They came out to my house. They seem to have franchises down there in that there London.

Cost me £80 to get my rear bumper fixed... Someone drove it (several times) into my garage.

[Friction]

Thanks for that Chris I'll give them a call and see what they say. From the places I did see, seems like £80 is the going rate. Thankfully the damage to mine is nowhere near as bad as the pic they show as an example. I probably shouldn't worry as it'll probably happen, but I've not had the car long so it bugs me!

[abigsmurf]

Just come back from the test.

Failed.

5 minutes in, right turn, thought an old lady had slowed down to let me go, instructor thought overwise. Stamped on his brake (she then waved). fail. Did the manouvers perfectly fine. 12 faults otherwise.

Now for the fun of the enivitable phone calls from family members and wondering when I'm going to get the next test booked (gotta pass before the end of may).

[Alastair]

Bad luck dude.

I was always taught by both my car and bike instructors to never take anyone's suggested action unless they had basically stopped and you then 'had' to go and it was safe the other way. You'll know for next time though.

I had 12 minors on my car test too, good number

[charlesr]

Unlucky...
Assume everyone out to trick you into crashing

[abigsmurf]

ironically, I got a couple of minors down for being hesitant. Go figure.

Think the gods were against me, another thing the instructor moaned at me during the test was when a van was completely blocking the road and I couldn't get past, instructor ordered me to mount the pavement to get passed.