The Driving Thread

[Raoul Duke]

Passed my Theory Test yesterday :groove:

[Boydy]

What do you do for a living, @Sincere?

Did you decide on a new car yet?

[Boydy]

Passed my Theory Test yesterday :groove:

Are you learning to drive in London?

[Giggles]

Are you learning to drive in London?

Are cars allowed within view of London any more?

[SincereTheRebel]

What do you do for a living, @Sincere?

Did you decide on a new car yet?

Work in IT. Havent secided yet. Drove the subaru and the comfort level was disgusting.

[Raoul Duke]

Are you learning to drive in London?

Nah, I've moved out to The Countryside (ish) now

[Spikey M]

Nah, I've moved out to The Countryside (ish) now

Romford?

[Raoul Duke]

Come on now

[Spikey M]

Dagenham it is.

[Baz]

Have any of you bought a car through Carwow before? I’ve specced up a few different versions of the Ford SUVs and the offers are flooding in. I feel important.

[Giggles]

Kuga or Edge?

[Baz]

Kuga and Focus Active. Not too fussy. There’s also the EcoSport but the boot is rubbish so don’t want one of them. It’s for my wife; I’ll drive it at weekends.

Edge is too expensive and doesn’t have a petrol option. :thbdn:

You been in either?

[Giggles]

I had a mk1 Kuga for a time, very comfortable bus and the 4 wheel drive was nice. Test drove a mk3 when I was getting the Volvo and it was much the same to drive. Love the Edge but they're too expensive altogether.

All those EcoSports should be set on fire. Hideous fucking things.

[Baz]

A dealership in North Wales has already chucked this offer at me:

https://i.imgur.com/skDWJIC.png

Carwow seems awesome.

I didn't particularly want a silver car, and my not-so-inner nerd is sad it doesn't have the wireless charging pad addon thingy*, but that seems like a good deal to me.

First one too so obviously not getting carried away, plus my uncles on holiday so can't get the voucher yet, and my wife would probably prefer the Kuga (I saw a black Focus ST today and it looked mega :uhoh:) but I certainly wouldn't say no to a Focus Active for £192 a month.

Best part about car shopping is making a spreadsheet to go with it.

*This car isn't to what I specced up on carwow, preesumably one they have ready as they said I could have it this month!

[Giggles]

That's a nice car. My Da is looking for one at the minute too, and I've a Ford ordered myself for work. 12 week waiting list though :moop:

[Baz]

If he can get to North Wales, he can have that one.

I presume you've ordered some kind of Transit? :cool:

[Giggles]

If he can get to North Wales, he can have that one.

I presume you've ordered some kind of Transit? :cool:

You know me well :cool:

[Boydy]

6000 miles a year isn't very much, is it?

[Baz]

6000 miles a year isn't very much, is it?We've had the Fiesta for 3 and done 12,800 so it's enough for us. :sorry: We split our mileage well over the two cars, I guess.

I work about 3 miles from where I work and she's about 6 from hers.

[Magic]

Raped with company car tax in Scotland so contemplating a car allowance. Cunts.

[LMCM]

Learning to drive at 33 years of age. It's great fun, but I imagine my 17-year-old self would have done it without any fear whereas I weigh up all the possibles.

My 17-year-old self was too busy on here and playing FM to learn to drive. :|

[Magic]

Alright Raoul. :harold:

[Baz]

Learning to drive at 33 years of age. It's great fun, but I imagine my 17-year-old self would have done it without any fear whereas I weigh up all the possibles.

My 17-year-old self was too busy on here and playing FM to learn to drive. :|Bloody hell; Nick? Still kicking hicks? :youpi:

[Raoul Duke]

Learning to drive at 33 years of age. It's great fun, but I imagine my 17-year-old self would have done it without any fear whereas I weigh up all the possibles.

My 17-year-old self was too busy on here and playing FM to learn to drive. :|

I'm in the same boat. Wish I'd done it sooner but at least now we'll have cheaper insurance?


Alright Raoul. :harold:

Test booked in for mid-May. Soon I shall become a grown-up :groove:

[SvN]

Continuing the theme of non-driving spastics, I've booked my theory test for a few weeks time.

[LMCM]

Bloody hell; Nick? Still kicking hicks? :youpi:

Indeed, Baz. Still garden soccering with Mike and The Reid?

[LMCM]

Glad I'm not the only old-timer learning to drive!

Out of nosiness Raoul and SvN, what took you so long? For me, I worked four nights a week after college when I was 17. Then uni and work meant I never really had to commute other than using public transport. Lived in big cities where to have a car was to be stuck in traffic. Now back in Stoke and definitely need a car for work. Wish I'd done it sooner, but dems da cards I was dealt.

[SvN]

I've never needed to drive. I've always lived in a city centre, and worked near a train station. I much prefer a 2 hour train journey as opposed to a 2 hour car journey. Sitting in a car for hours is awful.

I did attempt it a few years ago and failed my test (5 minors, 1 serious) and then didn't bother carrying on. But we're due to move later this year and it's unlikely we'll be within walking distance of places, so it's going to become a necessity.

[SincereTheRebel]

I'm in the same boat. Wish I'd done it sooner but at least now we'll have cheaper insurance?




Whenever my car insurance was due, my current insuer would always put the price up becuase of my age even though I was getting older every year and have never cakked them for anything.

[Magic]

Imagine being fired by a manlet who can't even drive.

[Baz]

Had a look at more pics of the Focus Active and the more I see it, the less I like it. Plus it doesn't come in black. I reckon the Kuga might be the right choice.

Had two more quotes from carwow, both from the same dealership:

Quote 1 - Ford Kuga Titanium Edition 1.5T Ecoboost 150ps 5dr Manual 2WD in Shadow Black and with optional Family Pack (in hindsight the £150 family pack is completely unnecessary so I'll take that out) 38 x Monthly Payments of - £222.97

Quote 2 - Ford Focus Active 1.5T Ecoboost 150ps 5dr Manual in Magnetic with optional Wireless Charging Pad - 38 x Monthly Payments of - £207.21

Considering our budget is £220-230 (which I didn't tell the dealership) that Kuga could be the one.

[Magic]

Fuck off you boring cunt.

[Baz]

:cry:

[Raoul Duke]

Continuing the theme of non-driving spastics, I've booked my theory test for a few weeks time.

The official app is pretty ace for this, if you've not got it. Covered everything you need and the hazard perception stuff is useful.


Glad I'm not the only old-timer learning to drive!

Out of nosiness Raoul and SvN, what took you so long? For me, I worked four nights a week after college when I was 17. Then uni and work meant I never really had to commute other than using public transport. Lived in big cities where to have a car was to be stuck in traffic. Now back in Stoke and definitely need a car for work. Wish I'd done it sooner, but dems da cards I was dealt.

Combination of being skint, being a student and being lazy earlier and then I moved to London and never needed one. Moved out a bit now and it made sense to get involved.


Whenever my car insurance was due, my current insuer would always put the price up becuase of my age even though I was getting older every year and have never cakked them for anything.

Dunno how it normally works, but surely insuring 18 year olds is more risky than 36 year olds?

[Boydy]

Combination of being skint, being a student and being lazy earlier and then I moved to London and never needed one. Moved out a bit now and it made sense to get involved.


Where'd you move to? Are you still working in London?

[Raoul Duke]

Where'd you move to? Are you still working in London?

St Albans, but still working in London.

[Giggles]

Had a look at more pics of the Focus Active and the more I see it, the less I like it. Plus it doesn't come in black. I reckon the Kuga might be the right choice.

Had two more quotes from carwow, both from the same dealership:

Quote 1 - Ford Kuga Titanium Edition 1.5T Ecoboost 150ps 5dr Manual 2WD in Shadow Black and with optional Family Pack (in hindsight the £150 family pack is completely unnecessary so I'll take that out) 38 x Monthly Payments of - £222.97

Quote 2 - Ford Focus Active 1.5T Ecoboost 150ps 5dr Manual in Magnetic with optional Wireless Charging Pad - 38 x Monthly Payments of - £207.21

Considering our budget is £220-230 (which I didn't tell the dealership) that Kuga could be the one.

Throw in the Sync 3 and get the Kuga.

[SvN]

The official app is pretty ace for this, if you've not got it. Covered everything you need and the hazard perception stuff is useful.



I'll definitely download it to make sure I'm up to speed. I have already passed the theory test twice though, but it only lasts for 2 years.

[niko_cee]

For fear of further stoking anti-Irish sentiment (I assume it's that Limerick in the article) lol (https://uk.yahoo.com/style/speed-ramps-stop-boy-racer-driving-lowered-car-village-145948326.html).

Just so much gold in there, from the bizarre numbers about modifications and insurance, to the effing and jeffing road worker who then bowled out words like frivolous and vexatious.

I assume it must be almost entirely made-up, seeing as it reads like a Daily Mash piece.

[Baz]

Throw in the Sync 3 and get the Kuga.The Titanium has that as standard afaik :thbup:

[Giggles]

The Titanium has that as standard afaik :thbup:

Ah yes probably does. I forgot the commercials have different levels (Base, Trend, Limited).

[Raoul Duke]

Buying a car is an absolute clusterfuck of an experience. Just started looking into it recently. Jesus fucking wept.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just buy the best Volvo that your budget allows.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Buying a car is an absolute clusterfuck of an experience. Just started looking into it recently. Jesus fucking wept.

I take it you've never tried buying a flat.

[SvN]

Before we bought our first house, we briefly considered buying a flat. We found one we liked and then discovered that the annual service charge was £2.3k. That basically adds on £200 per month to your mortgage. How does anyone put up with that?

[Giggles]

Especially when none of the management companies do one fucking things you're paying them to. Biggest con job of all time.

[Baz]

Buying a car is an absolute clusterfuck of an experience. Just started looking into it recently. Jesus fucking wept.Use Carwow.

Obligatory referral link: https://quotes.carwow.co.uk/r/1704942

[SincereTheRebel]

Before we bought our first house, we briefly considered buying a flat. We found one we liked and then discovered that the annual service charge was £2.3k. That basically adds on £200 per month to your mortgage. How does anyone put up with that?

Im about to pay about half of that which isnt ideal, but its about affordability.

[Mike]

I pay about half that, it keeps the communal areas clean as we have weekly cleaners and they do a fairly regular carpet wash too. They keep the outside too, we have flower beds and grass, which is useful. Pays for the electric gate on the car park too, I’d happy have those removed to save money.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Was going through some old photos and found a picture of my Dad's old car:

https://imgur.com/8GwHuhB.png

Gutted I never got to drive it.

[Spikey M]

Nice sandals, monghow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

As if I was ever that skinny.

Those are two of my Polish cousins.

[Baz]

Was his reg MAD 2?

[Pepe]

I noticed that too. :D

Looks like my rear hub bearing is broken. :moop:

Maybe I shouldn't have gone over the rumble strips on every lap yesterday. :eyemouth:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Was his reg MAD 2?

It was.

He sold it shortly after the Porsche went.

[Pepe]

This shit has to be the worst modern car trend:

https://static.carthrottle.com/workspace/uploads/comments/2015/07/schermafbeelding-2015-07-28-om-55b760552667b.png

[Jimmy Floyd]

What is that? A USB exhaust manifold?

[Pepe]

Fake exhaust tips. Because 'Sporty SUVs' need to be a thing I guess.

At least this one is well hidden:

https://pressfrom.info/upload/images/real/2019/06/20/2020-ford-explorer-st-review-a-midsize-suv-with-a-focus-on-fast__67612_.jpg?content=1

Most of them are just tragic.

https://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/fake-exhausts-invade-2018-paris-motor-show-and-mercedes-is-the-biggest-offender_8.jpg

https://images.carscoops.com/2018/10/67e1ec8f-fake-exhausts-audi-a6-02.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/1/450/0/uploads/comments/7fea4ee039a11f7576faab6f169b1143.jpg

lol.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Shameful but not surprising unfortunately.

[Lewis]

It's weirdly pointless isn't it. Just don't have anything there. I wonder whether they think people expect rear sections to look a certain way, so just keep them 'traditional'.

[Giggles]

I don't mind them. Looks better than if they weren't there.

[Yevrah]

I'm not even sure which bit you're all looking at...

[Baz]

I'm not even sure which bit you're all looking at...The exhaust pipe doesn’t feed through the fancy hole.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

It's not just that, the 'fancy hole' is made to look like the real exhaust. The usual fake, vain bollocks nowadays.

I remember the Civic Type R from 2006 being one of the first to have fancy looking tips then upon closer inspection you'd see a regular pipe within it.

If you're going to do it, do it properly I say.

[Baz]

Those Civics always reminded me of Danni Minogue’s nostrils. (https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article6634147.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Dannii-Minogue-InStyle-in-association-with-Audi-will-host-the-second-Man-of-Style-cocktail-party-to-celebrate-seven.jpg)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

My car is going to be recalled.

According to the letter 'the engine's plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform. In a worst case scenario this may cause a localised engine bay fire to develop.'

Sounds fun.

[Mellberg]

Those Civics always reminded me of Danni Minogue’s nostrils. (https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article6634147.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Dannii-Minogue-InStyle-in-association-with-Audi-will-host-the-second-Man-of-Style-cocktail-party-to-celebrate-seven.jpg)

What nostrils? :eyemouth:

About to invest in a new car. Might go second hand for the first time. Definitely HP rather than PCP anyway. I'd say about 15k is the budget. Eyeing up 17ish plate Focus ST-2s or 3s at the minute. Any suggestions?

[Baz]

I’ve been offered what seems like an incredible deal on a Kuga (£191 a month). Got two weeks to test drive one so the wife can okay it. Got a busy fortnight though. :uhoh:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

There's someone who drives a McLaren F1 here (never seen them, always see the car parked around town though) that has a blue badge displayed.

I'd be amazed if anyone who is actually eligible for a blue badge could get into it.

[Shindig]

You don't just get them for physical disabilities.

[Lewis]

It's probably for mental illness parking a ten million quid car around town.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You don't just get them for physical disabilities.

True but I'd imagine he's bought it off someone/constantly borrowing it from a family member.

[Pepe]

Probably a Pontiac Fiero with a bodykit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Saw it again and decided to look its reg up as I had doubts it was an actual F1.

It's only a 570GT.

[Lewis]

You pleb.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Here it is btw:

https://i.imgur.com/Od4pp2Y.png

It's registration lists it as silver though...

[Giggles]

Here it is btw:

https://i.imgur.com/Od4pp2Y.png

It's registration lists it as silver though...

Probably wrapped.

[Baz]

Looks fast.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Looks fast.

204mph top speed.

Just what a disabled person needs.

[Shindig]

Beats waiting for the ambulance.

[Lewis]

The new Corvette looks like a Chinese Ferrari. Why have they gone mid-engined?

[Pepe]

Not really sure why. Doesn't look great, but doesn't look bad either. You are still getting ridiculous performance for lol money (starting at under $60k, they say.)

[Shindig]

Fuck buying a house. I could live in that.

[Baz]

All those EcoSports should be set on fire. Hideous fucking things.Ended up with one of these. :cab:

[Giggles]

Ended up with one of these. :cab:

It'll have loads of pockets for your lipstick and tampons at least.

[Mellberg]

New motor as of Wednesday replacing the ST :drool:

https://i.ibb.co/d2bd2M6/20190729-213052.jpg (https://ibb.co/6Pv3Pwb)

[Foe]

Quality.

That a 3? You get x drive? What's the spec? I've got a 320d m sport x drive and it's great. Hope you enjoy it!

[bruhnaldo]

very nice

[Mellberg]

Yar it's a 3. 320i 2.0 Sport. Took it for a test drive earlier and I'm extremely wet for it. Can't wait for Weds.

:rave:

[Pepe]

Prefer the ST.

[Pepe]

Got a speeding ticket this morning. $150 :moop:

[Giggles]

Prefer the ST.

The pops off that 5 cylinder :drool:

[Pepe]

The pops off that 5 cylinder :drool:

Pops might be my favorite car trait.

[Mellberg]

Prefer the ST.

Nearly went with another one, but variety is the spice of life :nodd:

[Lewis]

The 'i' stands for 'intermediate stage between practical and giving up'.

[Pepe]

Hit a pothole and bent a wheel. :moop:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lorry tipped over here and it's turned half the town into a car park. Police have had to close two roads.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.thecomet.net/motoring/grove-road-closed-after-lorry-incident-1-6215988

Looks like a digger off a lorry actually.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-49393998

A homemade motorcycle stopped on the M25 was described by a traffic officer as the "most unusual vehicle" he had apprehended in 26 years.

Another roads policing officer called the vehicle a "homemade electric motorcycle" which was "made from bits of balsa wood and duck tape".

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/B988/production/_108369474_vehicle1.png

Stunning.

[Lewis]

Driving it with no shoes on too. Legend.

[Giggles]

The filthy animal.

[Pepe]

Took me like eight months but I finally got it on the track:

https://i.imgur.com/ZMVn58q.jpg

:cool:

[LMCM]

Passed the driving test first time :joy:

It's fucking brilliant being able to just jump in the car and go wherever I want, whenever I need to.

[SincereTheRebel]

Took me like eight months but I finally got it on the track:

https://i.imgur.com/ZMVn58q.jpg

:cool:

That is super cool

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Had a supercar experience today, bit of a mickey mouse makeshift track set up at Crail Airfield but it was still good fun, can't complain at getting to drive the tits off a Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo for free.

After that got a couple of fast passenger laps in a Lotus Evora, fucking hell that was ridiculous. The instructors obviously don't have to worry about the 5 grand insurance excess, would never have believed you could drive so quickly through chicanes without wiping out the cones.

[Baz]

Yeah well I get a new Eco Sport tomorrow. :cab:

[Giggles]

Zafira strikes again, big time on this occasion.

Up to 60 cars scorched in ‘accidental’ Cork car park blaze (https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/up-to-60-cars-scorched-in-accidental-cork-car-park-blaze-1.4004015?fbclid=IwAR2yHXh_6TbjkFX9K-wuhdgdevSUqvSfojbemXK1-Unpf-iSisnAFD8ZXiw)


1168116704746123265


.

[Giggles]

Apparently the bint drove it into the car park already on fire to look for some assistance. I passed it today and they were craning out the cars trapped on the upper levels and it’s to be demolished in the next few weeks.

[Giggles]

This, I do like. Cunts slipping around trying to avoid fines, be great to see them off the roads.


https://www.independent.ie/business/brexit/nodeal-brexit-to-put-thousands-in-ireland-with-uk-driving-licences-off-the-road-38525109.html

[Mazuuurk]

So at my ripe age I finally learned to drive through a great deal of effort and pain. Or learn is maybe a strong word but I have a license anyway, so sort of trying to "learn properly" now if you know what I mean.

Now, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of jumping back and fourth between manual and automatic? As normally I drive Manual at home, but I'm travelling in the US and they fucking only have automatic cars which sort of feels like cheating to me, but anyway, I'm scared that I'll basically forget the mechanics of driving manual in a few weeks. Will I?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not unless you're a complete mong.

[Yevrah]

It's like riding a bike so you won't forget, but if you do a reasonable amount of driving I'd always opt for an automatic.

[Mazuuurk]

Thats good then. I do want to drive mainly manual for now, as I just wanna get (even) more used to that.

I don't like driving automatic really as I don't know what to do with my left foot and right hand (not UK you know) and it feels fucking weird but atm I'm forced to.
Also driving in the US is a fucking experience in many other ways as well.

[Baz]

Drive as much as you can. But yeah, preferably a manual.

[Mazuuurk]

Well after a few days of driving around with an automatic car it feels like I'll never fucking remember how to do manual again. It's like driving those rally cars at a fun-fair. Or a go-cart really.

No wonder the Americans only do this, it's barely a fucking challenge at all. Granted, they still can't drive for shit, and that's coming from someone who is well aware I cannot drive very well myself. They also don't seem to have any overtaking-rules on their motorways. Fucking nutters, near death experience every day.

[niko_cee]

Depending on where you are, they're probably all drunk. The yanks seem to be big into their drink driving. That and not wearing seatbelts, which is one I have never really understood. The freedom to die in an otherwise survivable accident.

[Mazuuurk]

I'm in Louisiana, so yeah. Drive-through Daiquiri shops plenty abound (how is that even a concept they think is viable).

Basically I've figured you can never ever ever be in someone blind spot because people switch lanes like crazy without looking or signalling. Half the time unwittingly because they are hammered no doubt.

[Shindig]

I found New Yorkers gave fuck all shits about pedestrian crossings. If they wanted to turn, they were going to force it. In other news, this week I saw someone genuinely intend to blast through a red. I was at a traffic light waiting to cross and saw this twat revving his engine for about a minute. I figured, as soon as it turns red, he's flooring it. Sure enough, he did.

Absolute twat.

[Spikey M]

Wait. He sat at a green light waiting for it to go red?

[Shindig]

Aye. I almost wanted to cross just to show the cunt up. Floored it to the front of the queue through a red whilst the traffic behind stopped.

[Magic]

I've got a Golf GTE now. By fuck it's rapid.

[Spikey M]

He'll be booking an 18-30's holiday next.

[Magic]

Sorry how is that not acceptable given I meet the criteria.

[Giggles]

I've been waiting since March for my new motor. Delay after delay after delay and I passed the dealers yesterday and it looks cleared out and shut down.

[Giggles]

I think the clutch is about to go in my new van. There’s not even 3000km on the cunting thing :moop:

[Pepe]

Learn to drive lol.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Didn't have Giggles down as a woman driver who cruises around in 2nd with the clutch down.

[Giggles]

It’s the release bearing making a noise, not the plates themselves.

[SincereTheRebel]

I really don't like drivers who overtake you above the speed limit, and then when they come back into your lane. They brake hard which then causes me to either brake or overtake them back :cab:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cyclists are my issue at the moment. They simply do not look around them or make proper signals. I cannot believe people are willing to do that on rush hour roads with cars and vans.

There was one this morning that came off the pavement onto the road in front of me, forcing me to brake, and then went through a red light. He should be placed under permanent house arrest and never allowed to travel by any method again.

[Spikey M]

It's one of the certain signs in life that said driver has a prick the size of a matchstick.

[Lewis]

I got a thirty quid fine for driving in a bus lane. I assumed that it had ceased to be a bus lane that late at night, but apparently not.

https://i.ibb.co/sbxSn2K/Untitled0.png
https://i.ibb.co/mqRXk0c/Untitled.png

Neowwwwwm. Look at me go. :cool:

[Pepe]

A Mini? :cool:

[Lewis]

Yeah. It's absolutely shit, but it was free, so it's brilliant.

[niko_cee]

Was that silver car stopped or something?

You should claim you were avoiding it.

Ah, it's a different one in the second picture. I thought you'd managed to go past it in the blink of an eye.

[Baz]

They stop being bus lanes at 7, I thought. The one near me definitely does.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

The signs just seem to be that awkward size where it's hard to definitely make out the times and days before you're past it.

[Shindig]

I don't think the ones near me specify a time.

[Lewis]

I think this is a permanent one (it must be), because Portsmouth is the shittest car city imaginable.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've just had to book a speed awareness course after being STRUNG UP for 36 in a 30, in a rural road in fucking Guildford. How long do they go on for? I've been given the weird start time of 7.45am on a weekday and I can't seem to find any answers online.

[Shindig]

I hope you get to watch a video.

[Spikey M]

Anyone ever driven abroad in a country where theydrive on the right? With the car, are the pedals the opposite way round as well?

I'm thinking of hiring a car in Croatia, and I reckon I could get past sitting on the left and having the gear stick in my right hand (or just get an automatic), but I think having the accelerator to the left and the clutch to to the right would see us hurtling off the nearest cliff.

[Pepe]

Pedals are the same everywhere.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Indeed.

[niko_cee]

Driving a left-hand drive manual takes a bit of getting used to, although not much.

[Giggles]

Get an automatic and you’ll be used to it in 2 minutes. 5 for a manual.

[Danny]

It really doesn’t take long to switch. I have no issue going back to it when I come home to visit.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Anyone ever driven abroad in a country where theydrive on the right? With the car, are the pedals the opposite way round as well?

I'm thinking of hiring a car in Croatia, and I reckon I could get past sitting on the left and having the gear stick in my right hand (or just get an automatic), but I think having the accelerator to the left and the clutch to to the right would see us hurtling off the nearest cliff.

Fuck me this is so good. :D

[Giggles]

I’d actually missed that the first time round :D

The throttle will always be for the right foot.

[Spikey M]

What have I done?

[Giggles]

What have I done?

The pedal positions don’t reverse in a LHD vehicle.

[Spikey M]

Fucked if I know. All I know is the forrins sit and drive on the wrong side. I just wasn't sure if that carried through to the illogical conclusion of everything being a mirror image. My thinking had them keeping the clutch the same side as the gear stick.

[Foe]

Legit concern.

Although when I got my 1 series I thought rear wheel drive meant the back wheels did the steering so fucked if I know anything about cars.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

The other half used to think that and I still haven't let her live it down.

[Magic]

Requested my new company car:

Golf GTE
Passat GTE
Mini Countryman PHEV Sport
Merc A250E PHEV

Driving down to Leeds tonight to pick up an Audi pool car from the office until my new one is ready. They're seeing if there's any of the above in stock with the leasing companies first, but I'd be happy with any of the above. Merc is cheapest on tax, Golf is dearest.

[Spikey M]

1267433890744057857?s=19

Pepe driving home in his 500 with fake Abarth badges.

[Lewis]

There's a whiff of Motability about the Mini Countryman.

[Shindig]

I get really disappointed when I think a cool bike's coming down the road, only to see it's a Civic with a fat exhaust.

[Magic]

Fucked the company car off when I saw the tax, disgusting unless your company will allow you to get a Tesla.

Opted for a Merc A180 AMG Line Exec instead on a personal lease. :drool:

[Giggles]

Fucked the company car off when I saw the tax, disgusting unless your company will allow you to get a Tesla.

Opted for a Merc A180 AMG Line Exec instead on a personal lease. :drool:

How many shampoos and cuts have you lined up for the first week back open?

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of my mates has that Merc in black, he lets me store my gaydar in it at weekends.

[Magic]

The jealousy. :drool:

[Baz]

Did you at least get it in that nice gunmetal colour?

[Giggles]

The jealousy. :drool:

That fact at your age you would rattle off a car giving it's full spec line and then think anyone cares :drool:

[Lewis]

You should have got a big dog Skoda like a proper company man. We have them as pool cars at work, and I clocked sixty-odd miles per gallon on my last jaunt into darkest Berkshire.

[Magic]

Did you at least get it in that nice gunmetal colour?

That one was black, but had a COMPETITIVE QUOTE in at the last minute for the A200, exact same spec and price but in gunmetal grey so going for that.

[Magic]

That fact at your age you would rattle off a car giving it's full spec line and then think anyone cares :drool:

The fact you'd respond in such a childish manner at your age. :drool:

[Magic]

You should have got a big dog Skoda like a proper company man. We have them as pool cars at work, and I clocked sixty-odd miles per gallon on my last jaunt into darkest Berkshire.

Gone are those days, my friend. I'm a divorcee now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My Skoda is the fucking business. I can play the characters of low to mid ranking salesman; balding single man in early thirties; and high handicap golfer, all in one car.

[Magic]

And I can play the bread winning lesbian, the share holding hairdresser, the League One footballer and successful salesman all in one go.

[Boydy]

Proper Hyacinth car.

[Magic]

Maybe so, but by far and away the best value for money.

£350pcm on 12000 annual miles with only 6p per mile over for a £30,000 car? Not beating that anywhere else.

[SvN]

You should've got an electric company car, zero tax.

[Magic]

You should've got an electric company car, zero tax.

Yes I did have a choice of Zoe, Leaf etc but the range is no use for me given HQ is over 300 miles away, and most of my customers are 100 mile plus round trips at least.

I get a £500 monthly car allowance and can claim back at £0.45 per mile. Laughing to the bank.

[Giggles]

Electric cars are pointless if you have to go anywhere. The first evening I was done for the day and I had to charge it to get home I’d set it alight.

[SvN]

Fair enough, I assumed your customers would mostly be regional.

Still - https://www.intelligentcarleasing.com/deals/tesla/model-3/saloon-long-range-awd-4dr-auto

348 mile range. I'm definitely getting one as soon as I actually learn to drive.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Good luck trying to get insurance on it.

[Magic]

Fair enough, I assumed your customers would mostly be regional.

Still - https://www.intelligentcarleasing.com/deals/tesla/model-3/saloon-long-range-awd-4dr-auto

348 mile range. I'm definitely getting one as soon as I actually learn to drive.

Country wide, and a 300 mile round trip in Scotland is very different to one in England...so glad I've got a bit of poke behind me.

And lol no way would my company stump up that cash for a Tesla. I'm only a BDM, not a director.

[Jimmy Floyd]

People down here never realise how big and empty Scotland is. It has more people than New Zealand, but all in a small strip of land and the rest is just 80,000 square km of heather.

[Magic]

People down here never realise how big and empty Scotland is. It has more people than New Zealand, but all in a small strip of land and the rest is just 80,000 square km of heather.

Indeed, and this is mostly why it fucks me off when all these sweaty cunts start ripping in to England for flooding to the beach. They simply don't realise it is completely and utterly different down there in terms of space and population. We've got so much space it's actually mental.

[Lewis]

My Skoda is the fucking business. I can play the characters of low to mid ranking salesman; balding single man in early thirties; and high handicap golfer, all in one car.

The Octavias are good enough, but the Superb more than lives up to its name. If any comparable priced car beats them in a branding-blind challenge I would be amazed.

[Spikey M]

Indeed, and this is mostly why it fucks me off when all these sweaty cunts start ripping in to England for flooding to the beach. They simply don't realise it is completely and utterly different down there in terms of space and population. We've got so much space it's actually mental.

But understandable.

[Baz]

The Octavias are good enough, but the Superb more than lives up to its name. If any comparable priced car beats them in a branding-blind challenge I would be amazed.

Fabias are what the real top lads drive.

[Don]

My attempts to renew my tax have made it clear I need a valid MOT to do so. I'm going to go drop it off at mechanics tomorrow. MOT last expired in Feb, can my boy give me 2 MOTs up to Feb '22 or am I just doing all this shit for a 8 month top-up?

[Giggles]

I’d forgot MOT was such a scam over there. The commercial test here is the same but thankfully cars are independent. Even the third world (NI) has a proper system for cars.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If they changed it then about 4 million shitty mechanics would go out of business. Honestly, there are at least 50 places that do it within about a 3 mile radius of me, according to google.

[Kikó]

I started driving lessons last week so one covid/ny resolution is finally being worked on. Still at the there are a million different things to think about stage but at least I've learnt you don't need to attack the gear stick. Nicer to start learning in Manchester rather than London as well.

[Don]

Not the time for it.

https://youtu.be/kMpqVfnuyII

[Giggles]

https://youtu.be/gj3nE_cuOvE

[Jimmy Floyd]

People like that just need to go inside and not come out.

[Giggles]

Hopefully they got the reg and can sink him. Also, I don’t know what’s up with that second bin man. There must be more reactive people in comas.

[niko_cee]

People like that just need to go inside and not come out.

Of the bin lorry?

They should have driven the truck into him/his car.

The going to the boot to get something to whack the dopey fucker was quite funny.

[Giggles]

Of the bin lorry?

They should have driven the truck into him/his car.

The going to the boot to get something to whack the dopey fucker was quite funny.

That’s the bit will see him get a holiday if they find out who he is. He’d have got away with the rest, but deliberately going to take out a weapon will see him done.

All that said, if Daddy bought him the car and he’s a big shot then he could do the same again tomorrow and laugh it off.

[Shindig]

I'd have floored it and took the sod's car out. Unfortunately, you can't assume some curtain twitcher's filming across the road.

[Giggles]

I'd have floored it and took the sod's car out. Unfortunately, you can't assume some curtain twitcher's filming across the road.

I’d say they were recording because he was making a racket for a good while beforehand. Unless they’ve a bin man fetish.

[Giggles]

He has a tasty bit of biscuit.


1284236698210246656

[Pepe]

That arm. :sick:

[Spikey M]

I mean, they've no reason to be blocking the road like that. Plenty of room. Well worth a slap.

[Lofty]

I can only imagine they knew people were watching (that geezer who was walking down the street seemingly oblivious at first) which is why they were both quite passive but in an ideal world number two would have been moving over to sucker punch that streak of piss before he even went into his boot. You don't even need to hit someone in that scenario, I've had it before with some random wanker starting on my mate for no reason at a festival in the middle of a crowd so I just grabbed him by his collar and put him on his arse for some thinking time. Unfortunately a penalised but effective move in american football, that.

I used to get people giving it the big one on the train but it was fun if you were about to finish at the station they were getting off at, usually piped down when they realised you were off the clock shortly and didn't have to be a punching bag in a uniform any longer. It was great if it was a quiet train too so you could get away with giving them comebacks they were never expecting but every fucker videoing everything that has ever happened now would probably see me on the dole for that these days.

[Lewis]

'Hey you guuuuuys!'

[Lofty]

'Hey you guuuuuys!'

I once entered a carriage on a late night train to check tickets of the drunks within to have that shouted at me, just fucked it off :D

[Baz]

Was clearing out the drawers in my bedroom and came across a car window sticker that I got free with Championship Manager 4 in 2003. I then realised I now actually own a car that isn't leased or anything so can stick it in now.

Spent about five minutes cleaning the window so it would stick nice, and it did so surprisingly well for a 17 year old sticker. Only problem is, in a moment of madness, I stuck it smack-bang in the middle of my rear window.

https://i.imgur.com/hX6d5U9.jpeg

[Lewis]

:lol:

[Shindig]

Great minds make great decisions, Lewis.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is that the shittest attempt at a mid-life crisis?

[Spikey M]

No. His hair is.

[Baz]

Has anyone here got a private plate?

[Baz]

Has anyone here got a private plate?

https://i.imgur.com/L9SpZSd_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:face:

[Lewis]

That actually works. :lol:/:cool:

[Don]

If you ever decide to jetwash your drive and walls, send me the vid for that sweet sweet ASMR.

[Pepe]

Interesting parking spot.

[Pepe]

Wait a second, is 774 = TTH. If so, you deserve a :cool:

[Baz]

Interesting parking spot.
Most people couldn't swing it in there, I bet. Leaves room for the other car, in the actual open part of the driveway.

[Lofty]

Snow foam lances: for wankers or decent kit?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wankers.

[Baz]

Just ordered a Karcher K7 pressure washer and a load of car cleaning stuff cos I’m a saddo.

I usually just take it to a car wash but figured I’d do my dad proud and not only get good at car washing, but get way into it. Although my dad calls his next door neighbour for using special tyre shining stuff, and I’ve bought some. :harold:

Anyone got any tips?

Did you get a snow foam thing, Lofty?

[Don]

I've got a few of these wannabe suburban American dream wankers who spend a ridiculous amount of time cleaning their luxurious SUVs with their Karcher kits. What a life.

Equally, I would probably have so much fun and satisfaction out of a pressure washer :drool:

What are the portable ones like? A quick google suggest they put out 100ml a second. Would they have a 20l tank for a 3 min wash? That would be quiet tasty for most jobs.

[Don]

I take it back, judging by this (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071HM1SVP?tag=pwasher20-21&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1), 4l tank and generally weak pressure seems to be what's on offer.

[niko_cee]

I've no idea about cleaning cars, but Karcher (and probably all electric) pressure washers are an absolute waste of time.

Get a petrol badboy.

[SvN]

I forgot to mention that at the age of 35, I finally have a pink license :cool:

[Lofty]

Just ordered a Karcher K7 pressure washer and a load of car cleaning stuff cos I’m a saddo.

I usually just take it to a car wash but figured I’d do my dad proud and not only get good at car washing, but get way into it. Although my dad calls his next door neighbour for using special tyre shining stuff, and I’ve bought some. :harold:

Anyone got any tips?

Did you get a snow foam thing, Lofty?


I did. Apologies, I don't see mentions most of the time since I use mobile format. It is quite good but you have to use it weekly to get the most out of it.

[Baz]

Bought it in April and still never used it. :D

[Lofty]

Haha they are good but I can only be arsed with it once every 6 weeks.

[SvN]

I bought an automatic robot lawnmower for £500 in February 2020 and it's still sitting in the box in my shed.

[Don]

Lockdown consumerism :drool:

[Pepe]

I bought a car lift about two years ago. Still all boxed up.

[Lofty]

I bought an automatic robot lawnmower for £500 in February 2020 and it's still sitting in the box in my shed.

The robo knobheads have to live in a little house dont they? Considered it for mine but no direct access to the lawn.

[SvN]

Yeah, one of the reasons why it's taken so long is that I had to dig up a small patch of gravel and lay some turf so it had access to the lawn. But I did that in May 2020. I'm just a lazy dickhead.

[Baz]

What cars everyone got?

Counting down the [literally 12 more] months til we can get rid of the Eco Sport and it’s dogshit boot. I quite like the look of a VW Tiguan. Also like the Skoda Karoq and Kodiaq (I think, I mix the three of them up) but probably can’t afford the latter. Probably can’t afford a BMW X3 either, but they do look nice.

(Meanwhile my little Skoda Fabia is still doing the business.)

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm in the Skoda game too, my Octavia is reliable as fuck, never lets me down.

[Don]

On my 3rd Fiesta Mk5 (my 4th one will be free as I've filled my loyalty card now). Would recommend.

[Kikó]

I failed my driving test last week. Completely fucked the parallel park.

[Disco]

VW Polo.

[Lofty]

I failed my driving test last week. Completely fucked the parallel park.

First attempt? Better than me, I managed to commit such a major the examiner said 'do be careful' within the first 5 minutes.

Car wise we are currently on a Hyundai Tucson 1.7 diesel and it's decent, good size, can get most shit in it either boot alone or seat folding. Excellent on fuel too. In my limited experience 1.7 diesel engines are a sweet spot for nailing the mileage. I once drove my old 1.7 Vauxhall Mokka from Barrow to Taunton and back on a single tank :cool:

Had a Focus last time, was wank compared to the Mokka, the Qashqai and the Tucson. Heard the Santa Fe big brother of the Tucson is a bit dodgy and a lot worse economy though.

[Kikó]

Yeah first one. I think I fucked it a bit earlier for stopping at the lights in the cyclists area which would have annoyed me more for failing on. Surprised how nerve wracking I found it.

[Foe]

BMW 3 series. Its a nice reliable car but I’d probably have been cheaper just getting a taxi for every journey I’ve actually done in it. It’s 4WD though which probably makes a huge difference.

My parents have a old tiguan though baz and it’s a really good, reliable car. Would recommend.

[Foe]

But only if you get a diesel or petrol. If you go electric you’ll never get another Fernando Torres sticker from me.

[Giggles]

Transit Connect.

[Lofty]

Yeah first one. I think I fucked it a bit earlier for stopping at the lights in the cyclists area which would have annoyed me more for failing on. Surprised how nerve wracking I found it.

I was a wreck, probably the most nervous I have ever been in my life. Not helped that in a small town I got the guy notorious for failing people. Second time round, it's daft but a workman turned up and the guy doing my test told him it would only be 20 mins and he'd be back, this somehow clicked in my head I was going to pass and so it came to be.

[Disco]

I failed first time, mostly due to hesitating because I was nervous. Fine the second time.

[Pepe]

My wife is getting annoyed at having to insert the baby into the Fiat through the trunk, so we might have to buy something larger soon. Might go full lol and get like a Chrysler 300 or some other boat like that.

[Foe]

Ford F3500.

Make it happen, Pepe.

[Pepe]

Definitely not.

[Ian]

I was a third time pass.

Can't remember what happened on the first but the second I was convinced I'd done a major on a manoeuvre early on and rather than do the mature thing and get on with it teen-me took the hump and didn't bother my arse because I thought I'd failed. Turns out I hadn't committed a major when I thought I had. Oops.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

First time I had a prick who seemed determined to fail me. He said afterwards that he had to brake for me loads of times but he only did it twice when I wasn't going too fast and was slowing down myself.

Second time I vomited in the car park just before the test but I managed to compose myself and pass.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I failed four times at 17 and passed first (fifth) time at 27.

The first failure was for pulling out in front of an Audi (fair cop guv). The next two were on the infamous 'left reverse', which had been binned from the programme by the time I retook it, a bit like Olympic softball. The fourth was for 'driving too close to parked cars', which I thought was bullshit so I just gave up for a decade and walked. Tests 2, 3 and 4 all had the same examiner, called Ray, known locally as 'Gay Ray'.

By the time I passed as a fully grown man, and Ray was safely in his retirement home/coffin, it was honestly the easiest thing ever.

[Kikó]

Genuinely good to hear you were all shite in the first test. I parallel parked but went too far on the first part so then proceeded to hit the kerb three times and she slammed the break because I got too close to the car in front (was never going to hit it). I finished pretty close to it and just gave up trying to fix it and she said "have you finished?" Fuck off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Driving too close to parked cars is mental. Unless you were taking the wing mirrors off.