The Motor Forum

BeN

It's no secret that I like driving. I love driving. It's one of the very few things that I'm good at.

But sometimes, driving in crowded and congested Singapore, really makes me want to pull my hair out.

There's so many things to think and worry about. Road tolls, parking, traffic jams, idiot drivers and pedestrains. Like today. I nearly knocked someone over because a) He was walking without looking in a petrol station, and b) I wasn't fully awake this morning, and the stress of driving to school probably got to me.

Sometimes, I wonder, is it really worth it?

Then I look at public transport (with the crowded squeeze on the bus/train, and the waiting and long journey from my home to anywhere). It's hard to make a decision.

Travelling is such a pain. I don't win either way.

I guess at least I enjoy driving, like, 90% of the time (when it's not morning rush hour). I enjoy public transport 0% of the time.

Like someone said in the papers recently, it doesn't take a PhD to decide which one to choose.

Rant over. Feel free to ignore.

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On the other side of the world - Hurlecot de Millou

Not the same since 2008

woof woof · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

BeN, you should move to East Cleveland or North Yorkshire. I haven't been to too many places the world over but I'm convinced that I have some of the worlds best driving roads around me.

Come on...move over here...
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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

Ben, this isn't stress. Consider driving with also grappling with:

a) The likelihood you might lose your job tomorrow and you've a family to feed.
b) You're wife has just left you for another person.
c) You've got to make 50 staff redundant this morning.
d) You've just been told you're child is seriously ill and needs a life or death operation.

That's stress, driving is just hassle.

I'd also suggest you pay more attention and drive slower in petrol stations.

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Aint no substitute for cubic inches.

BeN · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:22 am Post subject:

BeN · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:24 am Post subject:

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:26 am Post subject:

Get a track car! Problems solved.
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Aint no substitute for cubic inches.

BeN · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:26 am Post subject:

Turbonutter · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:27 am Post subject:

I'm glad I live in the area I do. Driving for me is still a pleasure - my route to work is an interesting B-road ( or I can take a dual-carriageway )

Snippet

Bob Sacramento · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:34 am Post subject:

Boxer6 · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:59 am Post subject:

DradusContact · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:01 pm Post subject:

I got lost last week going to my mates and ended up in manchester city centre. Even though it was 7pm i rarely got up to 30mph. Its all red lights, make 20 yards, red light. It had me going mental, city driving is not for me.
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TimR · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

BeN · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:07 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately my leg doesn't hold up for cycling. Doctor's orders.

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On the other side of the world - Hurlecot de Millou

Not the same since 2008

Turbonutter · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject:

Bob Sacramento · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

My stress levels dropped at least 50% when I switched to an auto. Having fought my way through traffic to and from work I'd arrive home mentallly knackered. Now I just relax, stick some music on and let the car creep through traffic by itself. Public transport isn't an option - well it is, it would just take 2 hours to get to work.

I'm sure that coming through the Tyne Tunnel I could just hop in the back for a kip and let it get on with it.
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Keep Calm & Carry On.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:54 pm Post subject:

Scouse · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:54 pm Post subject:

Scouse · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject:

Yes, I think it was them, and I remember about the cruise deactivating itself.

Bob Sacramento · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

woof woof · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

You're all reminding me of my auto Jag S, a stress less drive and rode and handled very well too. I'd recommend them to anyone.
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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Scouse · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:

Don't even get me started on the &%$&%$"&$& Trafford Centre. Should bomb the place.

Scouse · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:35 pm Post subject:

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

DaveGibson · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject:

Bob Sacramento · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject:

Careful lads, if we start an autobox love-in we will be ostracised and banished to our own little corner of the forum where no self respecting motoring enthusiast will speak to us.

If they come looking you haven't seen us, right?
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Keep Calm & Carry On.

Martin · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

Luckily my commute doesn't suffer much from traffic problems and I don't have to trudge across urban areas either, so I don't have to resort to getting an automatic. It also means that I have interesting roads (although not so interesting when you are on them every day) to drive on, with overtaking chances and proper corners!

It was pretty awful when our HO was just outside Croydon, the M4/M25 commute was terrible most days. Luckily I only had to go once or sometimes twice a week in the role I had at that time.
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gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

To be honest, I don't think the benefits of a manual are so great on a non tubro big NA car - kick down gives you pretty much whatever gear you want to be in and take off is immediate.

The only big downside is no dropping the clutch to spin the rear wheels.

_________________
Aint no substitute for cubic inches.

Martin · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

I've not tried that yet....

The Suburban would happily spin the wheels in 2 wheel drive mode and that was an Auto!
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DaveGibson · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject:

Apex clipper · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:30 pm Post subject:

I drive an auto.

At work. FLTs would be a pain in the arse with a manual 'box.

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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

Guitar Zero · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject:

It's no secret that I like driving. I love driving. It's one of the very few things that I'm good at.

I nearly knocked someone over because a) He was walking without looking in a petrol station, and b) I wasn't fully awake this morning, and the stress of driving to school probably got to me.

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Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
2001 BMW 520i
2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
1999 Fiat Punto

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:25 pm Post subject:

Turbonutter · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:52 pm Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject:

BeN · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:26 am Post subject:

Turbonutter · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:58 am Post subject:

Looking at some other forums and the complaints re traffic, road restraints etc it must be incredibly frustrating to have a sporty car in London or similar and never really get the chance to drive it apart from one trip a year to France etc or the odd visit to relatives in North Yorks or the like. The irony is that the people who get the large amounts needed to buy these sort of cars tend to live in big cities.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:05 am Post subject:

One reason for choosing to live in Docklands was ease of exit from the city and, more importantly, just over an hour from the Channel Tunnel. Living further in must be horrendous though.

DradusContact · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:49 am Post subject:

DradusContact · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:53 am Post subject:

I couldnt commute in traffic in mine, the clutch hurts your foor if your sitting on it for more than a few seconds.
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TimR · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

You should try sitting on the seat instead.

DradusContact · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:59 am Post subject:

Ah, of course!
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DaveGibson · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:30 am Post subject:

DradusContact · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:38 am Post subject:

I do actually. But you cant really sit in neutral when your moving along slowly in 1st, the clutch is sort of needed.
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Turbonutter · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:56 pm Post subject: