First car advice

Great choice with the Swift, much nicer than the usual dross like Corsa's etc.

The clutch you will master in a week or two if you drive the car everyday, dont give up, thats for losers. :p
 
Thanks dude! It's a great car. Don't regret getting it. Looks and feels brilliant imo. My insurance was about £800 fully comp. Used parkers to get best quote. Age could be factor. I'm 28.

Haha, you're on! I'd be up for a sale if I don't get on with it after few months.

I'm getting more used to it now but am definitely going to get the instructor I used to sit in with me for a hour or so and just do some general driving. I'm realising now that a good measure is the RPM I give it. Can find the biting point a little easier now after someone suggested I listen for it instead of feel. Once I hear the creak, I apply about 1500 RPM and release the handbrake. Seems smooth. 2000 RPM for hills I guess.

It does actually creep forwards a bit on the flat with just the clutch. So am happy about that as can use the clutch still to do tight parking etc.

But yeah, time will tell I think. If I really don't enjoy it I will have to go for diesel or auto I guess. But early days.

Hehe, glad to hear it! £800's a damn sight cheaper than the £1500 I'm looking at, I reckon age (I'm 25) and location are the factors here, as I'm told that car insurance is much higher if you're living in London, which makes a certain amount of sense! I'll definitely look into Parkers when I next look for quotes though :)

If sounds to me like you're starting to get the hang of it already, so keep at it and enjoy that beauty :D
 
3k on a first car? :o

Bear in mind you will no doubt prang it and scrap it (and learn from those little mistakes over time), just buy a shed and drive that for a year.
 
3k on a first car? :o

Bear in mind you will no doubt prang it and scrap it (and learn from those little mistakes over time), just buy a shed and drive that for a year.

I drove a brand new car for my first year doing about 700/800 miles a week and didn't even scratch it. Not everyone drives like a moron.
 
I drove a brand new car for my first year doing about 700/800 miles a week and didn't even scratch it. Not everyone drives like a moron.

That's great and all. But surely you do realise in all your years of driving that you don't have to "drive like a moron" to scuff your car from a mere accident, an oversight or any number of scenarios that result in even a small thing happening to it?

It's generally accepted that the first couple of years of driving after you pass your test are the years you actually learn how to drive, sure most people will hit some snags along the way, such is life and as the old saying goes, how do you pick yourself up if you never fall down?
 
Surely you do realise in all your years of driving that you don't have to "drive like a moron" to scuff your car from a mere accident, an oversight or any number of scenarios that result in even a small thing happening to it?

It's generally accepted that the couple of years of driving after you pass your test are the years you actually learn how to drive, sure most people will hit some snags along the way, such is life and as the old saying goes, how do you pick yourself up if you never fall down?

But small accidents, oversights and slight lacks of attention are much more likely (in my opinion) to happen after a few years driving when you feel more confident.

I did 35,000 miles in my first year, in Edinburgh, London, Birmingham and plenty of other places, driving isn't difficult so long as you aren't stupid. I had plenty of cases where someone almost went into the side of me, pulled out on me and the likes, but you can't drive a banger around just because someone else may cause an accident.

I've known plenty of people I went to school with pass their tests and go on to roll their Corsa into a field.
 
You're clearly one of the exceptions then of course!

Regarding people making mistakes after their confidence builds up, for some, sure, that will indeed be the case. The world has a global nation of lazy people who don't give a damn about driving with due care and attention, evidence of this is everywhere on this section of the forum based on how many complaints members post about what they;ve seen on the roads.

This would apply to anything though, not just driving.

Truth is people who actually enjoy driving will be more aware as they gain more confidence, will generally be able to spot a doofus on the road and avoid getting into a situation etc.

Sad truth though is that many people just don't enjoy driving with general courtesy or safety in mind, it's survival of the fittest to them.
 
I drive the car in my sig. Haven't pranged it yet and up until recently was doing a fair load of miles. I don't think it really matters what car you drive. If you prang a car no matter if it costs £1000 to buy or £5000 to buy you're likely still going to want to repair it and it'll likely cost the same.
 
Hehe, glad to hear it! £800's a damn sight cheaper than the £1500 I'm looking at, I reckon age (I'm 25) and location are the factors here, as I'm told that car insurance is much higher if you're living in London, which makes a certain amount of sense! I'll definitely look into Parkers when I next look for quotes though :)

If sounds to me like you're starting to get the hang of it already, so keep at it and enjoy that beauty :D

Yeah location is big factor. I think it might well end up a tad cheaper for me actually as I forgot to tell them I had an immobiliser. I also set the estimated value of the car way too high stupidly. Just requested they update the policy. I might well find the premium is lower and I get some money back.

I had a good drive last night to get petrol. About 10 miles so not that far but enough to start to properly get feel for clutch. Stalled a few times (all at same set of lights) but was fine for most part and by the end could tell the difference. Was thinking about it far less and pulling away without much issue.

Still struggling a bit with reversing when going uphill slightly. But it's minor and one of those rare situations. I tend to avoid reversing uphill when possible!
 
Yeah location is big factor. I think it might well end up a tad cheaper for me actually as I forgot to tell them I had an immobiliser. I also set the estimated value of the car way too high stupidly. Just requested they update the policy. I might well find the premium is lower and I get some money back.

I had a good drive last night to get petrol. About 10 miles so not that far but enough to start to properly get feel for clutch. Stalled a few times (all at same set of lights) but was fine for most part and by the end could tell the difference. Was thinking about it far less and pulling away without much issue.

Still struggling a bit with reversing when going uphill slightly. But it's minor and one of those rare situations. I tend to avoid reversing uphill when possible!

try london lol, 24 here, can't get insurance below 2k :) unless I buy a brand new beetle which then randomly costs 1300 fully comp :rolleyes:
 
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