P plates or not?

Lirin

If clutch is giving a problem, I learnt on the driveway barefoot to feel the vibrations coming through. Helps initially, though you soon pick it up anyway.

username

Another one here saying don't bother with P plates.

Passed my test nearly 1 and a bit years ago, never bothered with them.

Of course, first few weeks were a bit of a occasional stall/over-rev fest (and the clutch took some time to get used to, since I learnt to drive in a diesel, and this was a petrol) but after driving 100 or so miles each day during the weekdays, I soon got used to it quickly, and I was like a duck to water after the first month.

Just drive, and if you're having problems getting used to the clutch in that car, find an empty carpark on a Sunday morning and practice clutch control/moving off there. The clutch is different on every vehicle, but practice helps a lot, sticking a plate on the back of the car won't.

scheming_gypsy

You don't need P plates, you're a bird so everybody will be expecting you to do something wrong anyway


~grabs coat and runs~

Beki88

Again thanks for the replies.

To the poster who asked why I didnt go out in the car, I did try once but I couldn't hack family shouting at me and judging me, and it made me worse in the learner car, I had a lot of cars and instructors (BSM's fault not my own) and every change was a nightmare really so I just had to stick with the learner car. And I want to do pass plus but can't afford the £150 right now and our council don't take part in the scheme.

I think what had happened yesterday was a combination of not wanting to hold people up and bringing clutch up to fast plus setting off from handbrake as that's how I learnt.

I realised last night I don't feel comfortable in the car though, I feel as though its too big, sporty and powerful for me but another car isn't an option so will just have to keep on going.

Edit: I was fine setting off and at junctions it was just the roundabout and traffic lights which leads me to believe I'm panicking because of other people!

scheming_gypsy

Couple of things to remember; a fast sports car is only a fast sports car when you're driving it fast. If you're driving it the same as granny's car then it's not scary. Also, turn the radio on! it helps you to stop concentrating too much so you can drive without worrying about what you're doing

liam8282

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Couple of things to remember; a fast sports car is only a fast sports car when you're driving it fast. If you're driving it the same as granny's car then it's not scary. Also, turn the radio on! it helps you to stop concentrating too much so you can drive without worrying about what you're doing

The difference between a 1.2 fiat and 1.6 astra sxi will be quite considerable still, even if you are driving them both the same.

The astra will have sports suspension, sports gearbox, different clutch as the OP is finding out.

To the OP, as has already been said, the only way you are going to get used to it is by driving it. Don't bother with P plates either, useless.

Every car takes a bit of getting used to when you drive it the first time (will take just that bit longer for a new driver with less experience).

Just try not to worry about it, personally I think that one of the most important aspects of driving is probably confidence.

WestonDave

Funnily enough I learned in a Vauxhall Nova (the model before the Corsa) and struggled to drive my parents Astra (albeit the mark2 version rather than the mark 4 or 5 you are probably driving). I then bought a Nova but it didn't take very long before I could swap between the two fairly easily. To be fair even experienced drivers will stall an unfamiliar car, especially in situations where they have to concentrate on the road rather than their foot and the engine. If I were you I'd take it somewhere like a car park/industrial estate and just do a load of starts and stops, turns into marked spaces etc, so you get really used to its handling, its driving and things like its turning circle. This is where you start really being a driver rather than just being able to remember how to drive the car you learned in.

Tinks74

As said above even experienced drivers stall occasionally, the difference is how you deal with it.
My mother always told me to operate an 'LBW' policy - Let the B*ggers Wait - don't panic, don't immediately look in you mirror to see if someone is getting wound up etc, just safely restart your car and complete your manoeuvre.
Concentrate on what you are doing and ignore anyone else if they want to waste their energy by honking or gesturing let them - they can't go faster than the car in front.

Most importantly enjoy it ;o)

scheming_gypsy

People don't bother too much if the car in front stalls, it's what happens after that counts. If you put the hand brake on, take it out of gear and start everything from scratch people start to get annoyed because you're taking your time. So if you stall it; clutch in, footbrake on, turn key and off you go.

Lirin

Practise. In every car and situation you can. It's the only way you'll gain from it- I said on a thread somewhere else recently the list of vehicles I learnt in, which was extensive.... Out of all his daughters, I'm the only one Dad taught this way (Mum taught the rest of my sisters). I'm the only one who isn't fazed at driving pretty much anythingnow, though it takes a little time to familiarise yourself with each vehicle.....
Every car is different. My DH and I both have the same cars- the difference in them is amazing. His has a shorter clutch, a different liftoff from mine, and handles much different. Learn to recognise what you've done wrong, recover fast from it, and move on.... You'll be fine.