NationStates

Vassenor wrote:

The Two Jerseys wrote:Ah.

Honestly, the only advice I have for those situations is to know how fast your vehicle can accelerate, and if the gap looks too small it probably is.

Yeah, the advice I've seen elsewhere has basically been "try and measure a six second gap".

Or six milisecond, if you're in an Audi.

Petrolheadia wrote:

Vassenor wrote:
Yeah, the advice I've seen elsewhere has basically been "try and measure a six second gap".

Or six milisecond, if you're in an Audi.

That reminds me of the advice someone gave me when trying to pull an F-550 out into traffic with no gaps:

Just pull out in front of an expensive car, he'll stop.

Vassenor wrote:

The Two Jerseys wrote:Ah.

Honestly, the only advice I have for those situations is to know how fast your vehicle can accelerate, and if the gap looks too small it probably is.

Yeah, the advice I've seen elsewhere has basically been "try and measure a six second gap".

The big thing is to not rush it. Do not feel like you have to pull out into small gap if you are not comfortable. Wait for the next gap. It is better to not go when you could have, then go when you should not have.

But at the same time one you actually have pulled out you want to go get up to the speed of traffic quickly. Wait to begin the turn, but once you are in the process of turning going too slowly can be dangerous.

Also pull up far enough you can see and be seen (but still keeping your nose safely out of the way of traffic of course). If you stop too far back your visibility is restricted and the other cars cannot see you either.

A lot of it is just practice though. The only way to really get better driving is to keep doing it.
Early on try to avoid high traffic times and areas until you get more comfortable.

Vassenor wrote:OK, serious question - does anyone have any advice for judging gaps and distances at junctions? Because today I got told off by my instructor for jumping someone who I thought was further back than they actually were.

I seem to have an instinct for it, a lot of comes with experience. As a learner, to appease the strictest of instructors, just be super careful and wait for there to be nobody, and then you will start to develop a feel for speed and moving cars.

Auzkhia wrote:

Vassenor wrote:OK, serious question - does anyone have any advice for judging gaps and distances at junctions? Because today I got told off by my instructor for jumping someone who I thought was further back than they actually were.

I seem to have an instinct for it, a lot of comes with experience. As a learner, to appease the strictest of instructors, just be super careful and wait for there to be nobody, and then you will start to develop a feel for speed and moving cars.

Once you have enough driving experience it becomes hard to articulate as much becomes subconscious really.

But that is a good way when starting, make sure you are pulled up far enough to see (but still be safe) and then wait until you cannot see any cars.

Big thing is not to feel pressured by a car behind you, or because you are running late.

Novus America wrote:

Auzkhia wrote:I seem to have an instinct for it, a lot of comes with experience. As a learner, to appease the strictest of instructors, just be super careful and wait for there to be nobody, and then you will start to develop a feel for speed and moving cars.

Once you have enough driving experience it becomes hard to articulate as much becomes subconscious really.

But that is a good way when starting, make sure you are pulled up far enough to see (but still be safe) and then wait until you cannot see any cars.

Big thing is not to feel pressured by a car behind you, or because you are running late.

Yes, and to paraphrase what my friend's mom told me "Don't let the person behind you drive your car".

Auzkhia wrote:

Novus America wrote:
Once you have enough driving experience it becomes hard to articulate as much becomes subconscious really.

But that is a good way when starting, make sure you are pulled up far enough to see (but still be safe) and then wait until you cannot see any cars.

Big thing is not to feel pressured by a car behind you, or because you are running late.

Yes, and to paraphrase what my friend's mom told me "Don't let the person behind you drive your car".

I mean I've only been learning for a year. So far I've only had two people get noticeably impatient - one blown horn at an intersection and one person grimacing at me after I stalled at a set of temporary lights at roadworks.

Vassenor wrote:

Auzkhia wrote:Yes, and to paraphrase what my friend's mom told me "Don't let the person behind you drive your car".

I mean I've only been learning for a year. So far I've only had two people get noticeably impatient - one blown horn at an intersection and one person grimacing at me after I stalled at a set of temporary lights at roadworks.

I stalled before, it sucks, however that was a few years after I started learning, since my first car has an automatic. You're in the UK, and manual is much more common than manual.

I did manage to stall a truck with an auto.

Auzkhia wrote:

Vassenor wrote:
I mean I've only been learning for a year. So far I've only had two people get noticeably impatient - one blown horn at an intersection and one person grimacing at me after I stalled at a set of temporary lights at roadworks.

I stalled before, it sucks, however that was a few years after I started learning, since my first car has an automatic. You're in the UK, and manual is much more common than manual.

I did manage to stall a truck with an auto.

Yeah, I can mostly pull away without stalling. Hill starts are still a bugger though because I don't have the timing down between my hand on the parking brake and my foot on the clutch.

Vassenor wrote:

Auzkhia wrote:Yes, and to paraphrase what my friend's mom told me "Don't let the person behind you drive your car".

I mean I've only been learning for a year. So far I've only had two people get noticeably impatient - one blown horn at an intersection and one person grimacing at me after I stalled at a set of temporary lights at roadworks.

The number of people who get impatient is not important.
I am sure I have made hundreds of people impatient. But that is their problem.
My mom always said “they should have left earlier”.

But if you make it important it can be deadly.
Like he said do not let anyone else drive your car. It is a common beginner mistake to worry about how you look and do something you are uncomfortable with because you feel pressured.

Fact is sometimes you are going to look like an idiot.
But that is all good, as long as you are being safe.

Learning on a stick is harder for sure. I learned to drive a stick after I had been driving an automatic for years.

Vassenor wrote:

Auzkhia wrote:I stalled before, it sucks, however that was a few years after I started learning, since my first car has an automatic. You're in the UK, and manual is much more common than manual.

I did manage to stall a truck with an auto.

Yeah, I can mostly pull away without stalling. Hill starts are still a bugger though because I don't have the timing down between my hand on the parking brake and my foot on the clutch.

I adopt heel toe to roll up hills without rolling back. It helps that my pedal position is well suited for it and that I would practice heel toe as an affectation when younger dreaming of tearing through the woods or the south of France. Anyway, it's similar to the handbrake method except my heel is on the regular brake and I'm pushing the gas with my toes until the car pushes against the brakes then I ease off the brake and give it more gas. Driving around San Francisco I would look like a magician to some uninitiated passengers that even on the steepest hills I wouldn't roll back.

Well, my road test is booked for March.

Time to start praying, methinks.

Guys, if you hear about a dude who got killed trying to stop a crime wearing an old style suit with a mask and cape who was driving around in a black Lincoln Continental MK II, just know I decided to go out in the most ridiculous way possible.

Saw a cheap MK II project and thought it would make a cool Black Beauty type car. I know Black Beauty is based on a different car, just thought it'd be cool.

Having daily driven a manual car... I have to say.

Proudest moment was being able to do hill starts without any tricks. I'd just up and go without any rollback. Felt good.

NeoOasis wrote:Having daily driven a manual car... I have to say.

Proudest moment was being able to do hill starts without any tricks. I'd just up and go without any rollback. Felt good.

When the handbrake works, I can do it. Last lesson the handbrake was being iffy and wouldn't hold the car at one point. If I hadn't been under dual control then there would've been a problem.

Vassenor wrote:

NeoOasis wrote:Having daily driven a manual car... I have to say.

Proudest moment was being able to do hill starts without any tricks. I'd just up and go without any rollback. Felt good.

When the handbrake works, I can do it. Last lesson the handbrake was being iffy and wouldn't hold the car at one point. If I hadn't been under dual control then there would've been a problem.

When my dad was teaching me to drive in our (standard) VW Bug, anytime I reached for the handbrake on a hill stop he would simply slap my hand. I quickly learned how to start up without it.

Cash in your college accounts, kids...BaT has an Renault R5 Turbo for sale!

Cannot think of a name wrote:Cash in your college accounts, kids...BaT has an Renault R5 Turbo for sale!

Also on BaT: This thing kicks serious ass.

East Fredonia wrote:

Cannot think of a name wrote:Cash in your college accounts, kids...BaT has an Renault R5 Turbo for sale!

Also on BaT: This thing kicks serious ass.

Ooo, never saw the late seventies one pop up before. I like the older one but this ain't bad.

Cannot think of a name wrote:Cash in your college accounts, kids...BaT has an Renault R5 Turbo for sale!

Ah, the expensive European MR2.

Petrolheadia wrote:

Cannot think of a name wrote:Cash in your college accounts, kids...BaT has an Renault R5 Turbo for sale!

Ah, the expensive European MR2.

So much wrong with this.

Petrolheadia wrote:Or six milisecond, if you're in an Audi.

That is usually the preserve of some asshole in a Ford Ranger or Holden Commodore as the "vehicles that pass dangerously because the drivers are impatient fuckwits". Ford Falcon drivers are an honourable mention

In a world where Toyotas go for $121,000. Low, low mileage Supra.

Cannot think of a name wrote:In a world where Toyotas go for $121,000. Low, low mileage Supra.

mfw I could buy two low kms R-32 GT-R's for $21,000 less.

Cannot think of a name wrote:In a world where Toyotas go for $121,000. Low, low mileage Supra.

RegularCars recent review of the Mark IV Toyota Supra with turbos sums my thoughts on it.

Distorted memories, along with movie fame, have really made it a hot ticket in the second hand car market among enthusiasts.