I do like having a driving lesson tomorrow and thereafter viewing a possible car... B)

Unfortunately it is not a Ford though :(

Best of luck Jamie :)

I have heated windscreen but it's like a zebra crossing for where it works and doesn't.

Good luck Jamie!

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good luck with your lessons :)

Best of luck Jamie :)

Thanks both, if I don't return it is because I've somehow managed to kill myself!!

I have heated windscreen but it's like a zebra crossing for where it works and doesn't.

Good luck Jamie!

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That's what I'd hate about it. It's fine for the rear screen to have that effect, but for the front you want 100% visibility. That's why I prefer just to put the blower on the windscreen setting and let it run for 5-10 minutes.

Thanks both, if I don't return it is because I've somehow managed to kill myself!!

You'll be fine - just try to relax & use your ears :)

You'll be fine - just try to relax & use your ears :)

and eyes lol :)

and eyes lol :)

Of course Dez is right . . . but in the early days your Driving Instructor will have his / her eyes everywhere too, so listening & acting sensibly on the info' given is absolutely vital for your ability to learn.

Of course Dez is right . . . but in the early days your Driving Instructor will have his / her eyes everywhere too, so listening & acting sensibly on the info' given is absolutely vital for your ability to learn.

well said :)

I do like having a driving lesson tomorrow and thereafter viewing a possible car... B)

Unfortunately it is not a Ford though :(

Good luck for your lesson :)

Good luck Jamie, have you never driven on the road before?

Chris's Black Amex should cover it . . . . :)

How do you know about that?! :D

I do like Tesco's Mini Danish Pastry selection, that somehow found it's way into my bakery bag, this afternoon :)

How do you know about that?! :D

In your dreams . . . ;)

Good luck Jamie, have you never driven on the road before?

Nope, never - which makes me feel quite ashamed and embarrassed at the age of 20! On the plus side, it makes me less of a risk when it comes to insurance.

How do you know about that?! :D

He knows the numbers too, better check your statement for any strange purchases...

I do like Tesco's Mini Danish Pastry selection, that somehow found it's way into my bakery bag, this afternoon :)

I think I've had that before from the reduced trolley (of course, I rarely pay full price for anything!) and they were very good.

Nope, never - which makes me feel quite ashamed and embarrassed at the age of 20! On the plus side, it makes me less of a risk when it comes to insurance.

don't be ashamed my dad didn't start till he was 50

I think I've had that before from the reduced trolley (of course, I rarely pay full price for anything!) and they were very good.

They're £1 now

don't be ashamed my dad didn't start till he was 50

and my late Aunt didn't start until she was widowed at 68. My uncle had done all the driving, so she never bothered until she suddenly had to

Today I drove the mother in laws earth killing Vw Caddy Maxi white hearse. It was an auto, it was actually surprisingly good to drive, not as good as the previous mpv though which was a top of the line Chrysler Grand Voyager(emphasis on the 'was' I stripped it for parts). I'm writing this in the I like section as I did actually like the thing, even though I was forced into driving it lol. It doesn't however have all the 'mod' cons as my focus, which is surprising as it was a year younger + very expensive lol. Could get used to an Auto though, Auto tractors are awesome to drive(especially with auto steer, it leaves you to do other things, cough cough lol).

Today I drove the mother in laws earth killing Vw Caddy Maxi white hearse. It was an auto, it was actually surprisingly good to drive, not as good as the previous mpv though which was a top of the line Chrysler Grand Voyager(emphasis on the 'was' I stripped it for parts). I'm writing this in the I like section as I did actually like the thing, even though I was forced into driving it lol. It doesn't however have all the 'mod' cons as my focus, which is surprising as it was a year younger + very expensive lol. Could get used to an Auto though, Auto tractors are awesome to drive(especially with auto steer, it leaves you to do other things, cough cough lol).

I've had autos, but prefer manuals. :)

I like that Haye destroyed De Mori in the first round without hardly breaking a sweat.

Well I have a few things I do like today...

First of all, going to see a 2002 Fiat Punto 1.2 with 6 months MOT as a possible first car. Checked it over and it is in near-mint condition and the engine/gearbox/clutch are all sound with just over 130k. It was advertised for £150 purely because it is now redundant and the owner is worried it will need further welding for the next MOT (needed the sills done for the past one but to be honest it will probably be fine for another few years). 15 minutes later I had secured it for collection on the 27th and my wallet is only £100 lighter... I don't know if I am just lucky or have some sort of skill when it comes to consistently buying incredibly cheap cars - either way I'm not complaining!

After that we went to an off-road area where I had my first "lesson", just to see if I can drive a car. Turns out I was overthinking it as the clutch (at least on a Nissan Primera 1.8 petrol) is almost impossible to stall and I managed to get myself comfortable with gears 1 through 4 and speeds up to 35MPH. I know I still have zero skills when it comes to driving on the roads, but having been able to drive a car for the very first time and not stall once, get used to steady braking and steering plus shifting up and down gears was quite an achievement. Not so much the driving, but the fact that I managed to get through my anxiety which has plagued me for years and is one of the reasons I have waited until the age of 20 to get behind the wheel.

The final thing to add is that after getting home I telephoned an instructor (who happens to be the brother of the gentleman selling me the Punto) to book a professional driving lesson for 19:00 on the 28th.

All in all, I feel quite good. Secured a car (that actually runs and has an MOT, rather than a project which I'd never get around to!), proved to myself I can drive a car and booked my first lesson to get to grips with driving on the roads.

Not a bad Sunday!! B)

Well done Jamie!

Well done Jamie!

+1

It's quite remarkable to drive a car for the first time and not stall it, you have more skill than you realise. Most of us spent some time kangarooing upon our first time

+1

It's quite remarkable to drive a car for the first time and not stall it, you have more skill than you realise. Most of us spent some time kangarooing upon our first time

Well I thought I would, hence I was quite nervous about it (ok, VERY nervous) and refused to do anything until there was nobody else in sight for fear of embarrasing myself. As it turned out though, reving to 2,000RPM and letting the clutch out resulted in a fairly smooth take-off. Ironically, the only time that I almost stalled was reversing, I think because I was twisting my body around to check the rear. Other than that it seemed to come quite naturally, despite never having done it before.

Maybe being a passenger for 7 years and having a keen interest in the mechanical aspect of vehicles (knowing how the clutch works) made things easier? I don't know, but I'm just happy that it worked out well.