Cars you just don't get used to.

Jonny69

Jonny69

Jonny69

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Man of Honour
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3 May 2004
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Kapitalist Republik of Surrey
I've owned my Anglia for about 7 years now and been driving it for about 3 of those years. I recently got it back on the road and as soon as I got back in it even though it had different seats I felt totally at home and comfortable with it. I took it up the road, gave it some stick and I felt totally comfortable doing so.

My girlfriend's car I've probably done just as many miles in it. We've had it for 3 or so years and it's been an infill car while mine have been off the road etc so I've used it for social and commuting, lanes, town and motorway so I should be totally at ease when driving it. Well the odd thing is I've been driving my Anglia now for 3 weeks. I haven't gone that far but as soon as I get back in the Renault it feels totally alien to me. I have no perception of its size, I can't judge its speed properly and I keep messing up where the basic controls are like the indicators.

So I may drive this car for a few weeks and get used to it again and go out for one short journey in my Ford Pop (really old classic car for those that don't know it), and this will completely mess me up again in Renault.

Does anyone else get this? I just cannot get used to the Renault.
 
Not really. There is a big difference in the way modern cars drive though compared to old ones so I guess it's understandable. I don't like the stupidly light controls in the modern hatches I've driven, don't think I'd ever get used to it but I never drive any for any appreciable time.
You mention basic controls though, I'm so used to Jap cars that I'm forever turning on the wipers and getting into a kafuffle in European cars.
 
It's the spatial awareness that gets me though. I can understand pounding the brake pedal when you're used to no power brakes but I know I know the corners of that Renault really well because I can squeeze it into a tiny space, but it takes one drive of one of my other cars to screw that up. I know visibility is better in the older motors because I don't need anywhere near as much practice to park one (plus they are a LOT smaller) but it shouldn't affect the other car that much!
 
I just think it goes to show how all the electronics and enclosure of modern cars makes you less able to 'feel' the car.
 
Totally agree i've had jap cars for the last 8 years also Supra 300zx 200sx just can't get used to new cars, the driving position doesnt help, i'm 6 4 so any small hatch i drive has an awkward driving position, I like to lay back and stretch out, plus they all feel flimsy, I test drove an M5 last year and though it was comfy and fast still felt odd.
 
The lexus I had when my A4 was in the garage was a nightmare. Everything was the wrong way around.
I just could not get used to it.
 
Never found this, possibly as a result of working for a 2nd hand car dealer when I was younger, meaning I drove all sorts of cars, from a 6litre Jag to the worst of the worst Hyundai Accent. I find that it takes about 10-20 minutes to be comfortable with a motor, after a day or two I feel like it is totally natural.
 
Not really. I go from my Octavia to Golf, then Leon, then A3, then Bora, then Altea then Touran and it's all the same. Like they were one and the same car. (makes eery "twilight zone" eyes :eek:) ;)
 
I'll drive anything comfortably really. Doesn't bother me much. The only thing I dislike is the EPS in the CTR. Electronic power steering is just weird.
 
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