The General Car Thread - The Facelift.

[Novus America]

A good policy. Best to prepare for the toughest examiner and hopefully you get a not so bad one.
But it sounds like you should be fine.
And there is no shame in retaking if something goes wrong for some reason.

I knew someone who had to take it maybe 8 times.

Really not over stressing is the best policy.
You drive better when you are less stressed.

Make sure you get a good night’s sleep of course.
You drive better if you are well rested.

But sounds like you got the main parts down fine.
You definitely have the ability to pass.

Everyone else in my family took at least three goes. And there is a little bit of pressure because my instructor is actually closing out his books so he can retire as a self-employed instructor and go off to coach police drivers instead and we don't want to feel like I've wasted the last year.

You will not have wasted it though even if you have to retake.
You will only have wasted it if you never pass and quit altogether.

You still will have learned, plus it it should not take a year to retake.

I am not sure how it is there but I think here you can retake in a few days.
Or at least could.

I failed my first one because the instructor said I did not stop long enough at a sign, I actually stopped and asked if I could go, he said go and still hit me with not waiting long enough.

Retook it a few days later and passed with no problems (though the instructor said I stopped too long at stops).

[NeoOasis]

Got lucky and passed my test in the US the first time. Annoyingly it took me 3 goes for the Japanese test. I made the same stupid mistake each time. Still, apart from that one mistake, perfection.

[Novus America]

It would be definitely interesting to hear driving lesson/test stories.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

[Auzkhia]

My Dad taught me how to drive, and he has no skill at teaching at all. It wasn't easy learning under him, my grandma and mom were better instructors though.

I took a lot of tries to get my license. Turns out? I suck at parallel parking. My Dad and I tried many centers across Pennsylvania. Sometimes I get the parking job right and pass on to the driving stage, but one time I failed because I was waiting at a red light and my hands were not on the steering wheel.

The written part was easy, but that's just for the learner's permit.

[The Two Jerseys]

It would be definitely interesting to hear driving lesson/test stories.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

I aced the written exam and passed the road test on the first try.

Doesn't really make for an interesting story, does it?

[Elwher]

It would be definitely interesting to hear driving lesson/test stories.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

I aced the written exam and passed the road test on the first try.

Doesn't really make for an interesting story, does it?

Pretty much mine as well, although the examiner admitted he had no idea if I was working the manual transmission correctly since he did not know how to drive one himself. As I recall, his comment was something to the effect of "If I don't hear any strange noises, you're doing fine"

[The Two Jerseys]

I aced the written exam and passed the road test on the first try.

Doesn't really make for an interesting story, does it?

Pretty much mine as well, although the examiner admitted he had no idea if I was working the manual transmission correctly since he did not know how to drive one himself. As I recall, his comment was something to the effect of "If I don't hear any strange noises, you're doing fine"

They actually let you take the test with a stick?

[Special Aromas]

Pretty much mine as well, although the examiner admitted he had no idea if I was working the manual transmission correctly since he did not know how to drive one himself. As I recall, his comment was something to the effect of "If I don't hear any strange noises, you're doing fine"

They actually let you take the test with a stick?

Where I come from if you don't take your test in a manual, you're not given a licence to drive a manual car. It says "Automatic" in big, bold letters on your licence to solidify your status as a lesser being.

[Cannot think of a name]

They actually let you take the test with a stick?

Where I come from if you don't take your test in a manual, you're not given a licence to drive a manual car. It says "Automatic" in big, bold letters on your licence to solidify your status as a lesser being.

Inability to drive a manual seems self limiting without a license issue. Like, if you don't know how to drive a manual, you're not really going to get anywhere in a manual transmission car no matter what your license says.

[Elwher]

Pretty much mine as well, although the examiner admitted he had no idea if I was working the manual transmission correctly since he did not know how to drive one himself. As I recall, his comment was something to the effect of "If I don't hear any strange noises, you're doing fine"

They actually let you take the test with a stick?

Yep, whatever car you showed up in was what you took the test in.

[Vassenor]

They actually let you take the test with a stick?

Where I come from if you don't take your test in a manual, you're not given a licence to drive a manual car. It says "Automatic" in big, bold letters on your licence to solidify your status as a lesser being.

I mean here driving an auto is the exception rather than the norm.

[Partybus]

I took my driving test during a blizzard. Took the tester around a rotary (roundabout), drove half way up a hill, three point turn, that was it, a 1/2 mile tops. I passed.

On an unrelated note, I think I know what car I am going to own next. Mazda is coming out with a Mazda 3 (I currently drive a 2008 5 door). All wheel drive, and, a standard (manual)transmission. The only thing holding me back is the stigma of buying the first model year, of course, this will be my 4th Mazda, and I love them...we will see...

[Novus America]

Where I come from if you don't take your test in a manual, you're not given a licence to drive a manual car. It says "Automatic" in big, bold letters on your licence to solidify your status as a lesser being.

I mean here driving an auto is the exception rather than the norm.

I always found the fascinating. Why auto is so prevalent in the US, and yet has not become dominant in Europe.

Here they do not care, because manuals are only for enthusiasts.
There is no need to test for it, or mention it on the liscense at all, because only a a few gear heads actually drive them, at least for passenger vehicles.

Manuals are still found on many heavy trucks, though even there becoming increasingly rare.

Auto is the standard on basically all cars, manual is only available as an option on a few.
Most no longer even have manual as an option.

Learning to drive a manual is often hard (and not necessary) because most people never encounter a manual.

[Petrolheadia]

I mean here driving an auto is the exception rather than the norm.

I always found the fascinating. Why auto is so prevalent in the US, and yet has not become dominant in Europe.

Worse economies resulted in people historically not having enough money to option their cars up with a manual, nor buy something with an engine with enough power to lose.

It's changing, though.

It would be definitely interesting to hear driving lesson/test stories.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

Wait 7 more months. Though many of my friends are now turning 18, so they are having their tests.

Talking about first car stories, the Volvo 945 vs Honda CR-V choice has just received another competitor - one of my dad's coworkers is selling a Mercedes 190 with a 2.0.
The asking price is 4K PLN (~$1050), but given that such cars often go for a grand or more less, we'll try to talk it down.

I'm still more tempted to get the Volvo - while its size might be hard to handle, it would help with carrying DIY stuff, it's relatively cheap, and I don't see myself getting a CR-V.

[The Two Jerseys]

Roughing it in the jungle, Italian style.

[Petrolheadia]

I took my driving test during a blizzard. Took the tester around a rotary (roundabout), drove half way up a hill, three point turn, that was it, a 1/2 mile tops. I passed.

On an unrelated note, I think I know what car I am going to own next. Mazda is coming out with a Mazda 3 (I currently drive a 2008 5 door). All wheel drive, and, a standard (manual)transmission. The only thing holding me back is the stigma of buying the first model year, of course, this will be my 4th Mazda, and I love them...we will see...

The most interesting thing about the new 3 in Poland has been the price.

It is just below 100k PLN, which isn't really 120 HP compact car money. You can buy a base automatic Optima, with 160 HP, for that sort of money (maybe even a wagon one if you haggle).

[Cannot think of a name]

Roughing it in the jungle, Italian style.

I'd rock it.

[Hillstranders]

I aced the written exam and passed the road test on the first try.

Doesn't really make for an interesting story, does it?

Pretty much mine as well, although the examiner admitted he had no idea if I was working the manual transmission correctly since he did not know how to drive one himself. As I recall, his comment was something to the effect of "If I don't hear any strange noises, you're doing fine"

Reminds me of my younger brother's test drive. He sensed he's not that knowledgeable when it comes to manual, my brother could be more than him. Or maybe my brother is good at mechanics. We were wrenching his truck installing the new rack, retractable tonneau and setting up the wires for the led light bars. He knows how to do stuff.

[Cannot think of a name]

Ah hahaha

25,000 B.C ROADSTER ...Rust free, Air blows cold, foot brakes, well under 10 million miles. Wood body panels original seats..this is a solid car!! email me for more pics

[Petrolheadia]

Remember the 190 I told you about?

Well, the asking price is 4k for a car with no inspection, in a world where the roadworthy ones are listed for 3k. And the owner isn't even sure if it's a 2.0 or 2.0E, which doesn't bode well for the condition...

[The Two Jerseys]

Ah hahaha

25,000 B.C ROADSTER ...Rust free, Air blows cold, foot brakes, well under 10 million miles. Wood body panels original seats..this is a solid car!! email me for more pics

Yabba dabba doo!

[NeoOasis]

I took my driving test during a blizzard. Took the tester around a rotary (roundabout), drove half way up a hill, three point turn, that was it, a 1/2 mile tops. I passed.

On an unrelated note, I think I know what car I am going to own next. Mazda is coming out with a Mazda 3 (I currently drive a 2008 5 door). All wheel drive, and, a standard (manual)transmission. The only thing holding me back is the stigma of buying the first model year, of course, this will be my 4th Mazda, and I love them...we will see...

Depends on the market, but in the US the manual will only come with front wheel drive in the top spec trim. (The SPCCI is set to be released at a later date according to Mazda.) Still the car is at the top of my list alongside a Honda Civic Si, and a WRX. 30 grand does actually open up my options quite dramatically.

[Petrolheadia]

I took my driving test during a blizzard. Took the tester around a rotary (roundabout), drove half way up a hill, three point turn, that was it, a 1/2 mile tops. I passed.

On an unrelated note, I think I know what car I am going to own next. Mazda is coming out with a Mazda 3 (I currently drive a 2008 5 door). All wheel drive, and, a standard (manual)transmission. The only thing holding me back is the stigma of buying the first model year, of course, this will be my 4th Mazda, and I love them...we will see...

Depends on the market, but in the US the manual will only come with front wheel drive in the top spec trim. (The SPCCI is set to be released at a later date according to Mazda.) Still the car is at the top of my list alongside a Honda Civic Si, and a WRX. 30 grand does actually open up my options quite dramatically.

TBH, 30 grand is near base Stinger territory.

[Partybus]

I took my driving test during a blizzard. Took the tester around a rotary (roundabout), drove half way up a hill, three point turn, that was it, a 1/2 mile tops. I passed.

On an unrelated note, I think I know what car I am going to own next. Mazda is coming out with a Mazda 3 (I currently drive a 2008 5 door). All wheel drive, and, a standard (manual)transmission. The only thing holding me back is the stigma of buying the first model year, of course, this will be my 4th Mazda, and I love them...we will see...

Depends on the market, but in the US the manual will only come with front wheel drive in the top spec trim. (The SPCCI is set to be released at a later date according to Mazda.) Still the car is at the top of my list alongside a Honda Civic Si, and a WRX. 30 grand does actually open up my options quite dramatically.

The last time I got an oil change (1/1/19), I was chatting with one of the sales people, he seemed to be pretty sure it(Mazda 3) will be available in all wheel with the manual sometime later this month in Vermont. Now, the CX 3 SUV on the other hand can be acquired with a manual trans, but only in FWD, as I am not yet willing to own an automatic, let alone an SUV, and I want AWD, If this option is not available I might have to widen my brand choices, which will greatly disappoint me.

[Petrolheadia]

If this option is not available I might have to widen my brand choices, which will greatly disappoint me.

Why disappoint?

If Mazda isn't offering a product for you, it's their problem.