Moorron
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 posted on 15/4/09 at 09:59 PM |
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scared to drive
Now this may sound silly and i was seeing if anyone else feels the same as me but i go all funny when i want to go out for a drive!
Ever since i got the car i have become nervous (is that how you spell it) when i want to go out for a drive but im unsure why. I get nervous when i
need to fill up (i once flattened the battery at the local) and i also find myself 'putting it off' when i should be out there using it.
Am i afraid i will break down or something? i did 130 miles over the weekend but only in the local area (30 miles radius) and sometimes think i could
have driven to the derbyshire dales in less distance. I have onyl done 2 long distance drives, one was when i picked the car up, monmoth south wales
to telford with a friend following and one on a guys drinking bender to sheffield area.
I have also drove the stoneleigh 2007 with a gang of nutters (from here).
So what can i do to calm myself down so i use my pride and joy?
When im out driving normally im fine it just seems to be getting in the car in the first place.
Sorry about my spelling, im an engineer and only work in numbers.
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stevebubs
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:02 PM |
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perhaps going out on a "social" drive...with someone calling round to meet?
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tegwin
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:02 PM |
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I had a similar issue with my car after I finished it....
The best thing to do is to sit yourself down and tell yourself to DEAL WITH IT...... Get in the car and drive it (within reason) like you stole
it... enjoy it... if it breaks down, so be it...
After a few drives like that you start to realise that the car is not quite as tempremental as you thought it might be... its not as scary or
dangerous to drive as you first thought.. and hey... its actually a lot more fun than you ever thought it could be..
Get out there any enjoy it!
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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tegwin
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:03 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
perhaps going out on a "social" drive...with someone calling round to meet?
Why does that sound like you are suggesting he goes curb crawling ...maybe its just me...
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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mark chandler
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:03 PM |
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Book yourself on a track day and really learn what the car can do, this will then ease your worries.
The same applies to motorbikes, you learn so much more in relative safety.
Regards Mark
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omega0684
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:03 PM |
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i think its more of a confidence thing for most people, you here so many things on here about cars breaking down etc you start to feel that yours is
going to be the same, im always thinking that the car is overheating when in fact its absolutely fine!
when you become confident in your car you won't want to stop driving it!
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austin man
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:04 PM |
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Just put a helmet on and become captain fearless, just had mine out for a quick blast tonight after a 6month hibernation period and ragged the nuts
off it.
Life is like a bowl of fruit, funny how all the weird looking ones are left alone
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Hellfire
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:06 PM |
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Just keep going out for regular drives and increase the distance you travel each time. Before you know it, you'll be going to the South of
France and back each time your Mrs sends you out for a pint of milk.
Phil
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YQUSTA
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:11 PM |
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I must admit this is my first rear wheel drive car and first bec.
I too bought mine and drove it for 3 hours to get home, which was fine.
not long after owning it the throttle cable went on 1 of my outings not far from my housebut it was a tow home jobbie.
since then I have the feeling something will go wrong every time I go out, cant stop thinking about the noises etc.
In reality there is nothing wrong (I hope) and have done many miles along with some more 2-3 hour trips.
I found going on a track day was a big help to get used to how the car handles and as said before drove it hard but not hard enough to smash it up.
I plan on doing more track days on air fields (big run offs just in case ) to get used to it even more.
I know the car will go like stink and I also know it can bite me in the arse at any moment its just a matter of knowing how far to push.
as with me I think the more you drive it the less you will think about it even if you just do short trips it will all help
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Moorron
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:12 PM |
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cheers lads. Strange think is i do find i look at the oil pressure and temp all the time. Its the fuel i should be checking lol.
Im in the AA and i do own a Range rover which she can drive and pick me up but i still find myself only going on local known roads. 
i do rag it some times and do tend to let those who erge me on pass but i still find myself talking myself out of taking it to work and such. Its not
like its far or unsecure.
I worked out this w/e i can do 28 mpg in it. Which when compaired to my daily range rovers 14mpg makes sense to take it to work as much as
possible.
Maybe stonleight this year might help some?
Sorry about my spelling, im an engineer and only work in numbers.
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UncleFista
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:17 PM |
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I've been twatted now by 2 cars, I'm quite careful now whilst out driving but I wouldn't say I'm nervous.
I'm more worried about breaking down, although I've always managed to limp home in the past  but when I know my brother (my own recovery
service) is out or at work I do tend to stay close to home.
If I were you I'd invest in some tip-top AA/RAC service and just think that if the worst comes to the worst it's a ride home in a
flat-back
Tony Bond / UncleFista
Love is like a snowmobile, speeding across the frozen tundra.
Which suddenly flips, pinning you underneath.
At night the ice-weasels come...
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austin man
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 10:31 PM |
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caution to the wind if it breaks fix it, bet it never stops you driving your main car. The only thing that should worry you is the rain unless youve
got a top or a big f umbrella. By the way fishing umbrellas are a godsend in these cars co they cover the full cockpit
Life is like a bowl of fruit, funny how all the weird looking ones are left alone
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A1
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| posted on 15/4/09 at 11:01 PM |
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i was a wee bit nervous after my wee bang, but just took it really easy at first and took some time to get used to her...
im still wanting to go on the track though, cause i really dont know what shes capable of and dont want to break the limits on the open road.
it should be pretty reliable, just do checks before you go out. ive never had a breakdown, even with quite a few flat out blasts where its been
sitting at about 10000 rpm for about 30 mins.
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 06:38 AM |
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i get all excited when i take mine out, (the car i mean)! a little bit is nerves. im getting used to driving it now. Also i check the car over before
going out, last thing i found loose was the prop shaft! but i new it had came loose as i heard it cluncking.
i also have breakdown cover buthopefully will not need that.
Rob
[Edited on 16/4/09 by COREdevelopments]
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TimC
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 07:00 AM |
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Didn't expect this from you mate - you seemed very confident when you collected the car - and you didn't squirm at all when I took you
out. I hate being a passenger in these cars!
The track day will open your eyes - really!
quote:
Originally posted by Moorron
Maybe stonleight this year might help some?
By the way, there's a pic of the car in the Total Kit Car Stoneleigh Show Guide along with a couple of other MKs from the OC stand in 2007!
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Dangle_kt
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 08:07 AM |
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I used to find that when I had my bikes I'd stay pretty local unless I had a load of mates going on a ride out to the lakes or something.
Try and get along to a few meets, meet some locals and organise going for a blast to your nearest country park type place (I think you mentioned the
dales?)
I always found when there was a reason and a bit of company for stopping and chatting with about the ride, it was far more enjoyable and gave less
time to think about the "noises" etc.
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motorcycle_mayhem
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 08:09 AM |
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Do a track day.
If nothing breaks, wears out or drops off - you know it's all good. You may decide the track is where you need to be, who knows.
As for muppets on the road, if there's one on your side of the road around the next corner, you're dead. They won't even establish
that fact until they've finished their phonecall. Decide if it's worth the risk. I know that on the road I risk death or very serious
injury in the Westfield or on the Bike.
Speaking of which, the amount of mud and diesel splattered all over the road at the moment is something else!!!
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richardh
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 08:37 AM |
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my old KC broke down twice on way to sva in the p'eeing rain. annoying at the time but mildly funny afterwards.
i put wrong oil in gearbox so my fault first time then 2nd time i was actually out of fuel but it read half full.
my new one i'm still nervous about. it runs weak on fuel and i've posted lots on here about that.
I took it to detling - 30 miles away so not far - but it drove great even though it needs dyno'd and i loved it. it corners on rails and blasted
a S2000, boxster and an evo 8 round the twisties no probs.
the great thing is that unlike tin tops we are the builders so basically know what might be the problem if it breaks.
if not then posting here will always get an answer for you....................
and its cheaper to repair than a tin top
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GeoffT
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 09:56 AM |
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I also think the instant celebrity status these cars seem to bestow on you isn't everybody's cup of tea - you can tend to feel that the
whole world is looking and pointing at you the first few times you venture out.
I once found myself stuck in traffic in a busy Windsor town centre, surrounded by Japanese tourists taking pictures of the car - a "beam me up
Scotty" moment for me, but others I'm sure would have been less embarassed.
Nowadays I just get in and drive it like it was any other car, it's just familiarity with driving it I suppose....
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BenB
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 10:11 AM |
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It's worth considering going on a tour (like the Sevens list tour). I was very wary of driving kits until I drove to / from / round most of
Ireland. Soon sorted out my worries...... I still occasionally feel a bit apprehensive before a blat but it soon goes once the wheels start
spinning!!! I'd certainly recommend a track day. Ragging the hell out of the car in a safe environment teaches you what you can / can't do
and shows you it can handle quite a bit of abuse without breaking down....
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graememk
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 12:07 PM |
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is this one of your you tube vids as you dont look to scared
youtube
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Moorron
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| posted on 16/4/09 at 12:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by TimC
Didn't expect this from you mate - you seemed very confident when you collected the car - and you didn't squirm at all when I took you
out. I hate being a passenger in these cars!
The track day will open your eyes - really!
quote:
Originally posted by Moorron
Maybe stonleight this year might help some?
By the way, there's a pic of the car in the Total Kit Car Stoneleigh Show Guide along with a couple of other MKs from the OC stand in 2007!
lol i remember that day. I didnt mind the drive, but didnt like the bit where i couldnt breath with the air hitting me (like that panic attack you got
when as a kid you stuck your head out of the window when going fast?).
Im not to worried of the thing breaking as long as i can fix it later on its more of being stuck on the side of a busy road on my own and not knowing
what to do.
Oh yes i kept a copy of that photo from last years book (i think) of the MK owners stand. Im a star lol.
The amount of times i have stalled the car when in the middle of ironbridge when there are hundreds of tourists about is funny to me. I dont mind
this, as long as i dont get stuck and block the whole road and annoying lots of other drivers.
I feel safe in the car when driving it, i have learnt how twitchy it is in the wet and love it. It does help when in a convoy as you know your not
alone if things stop working.
Maybe what i am feeling is excitement not nerves?
[Edited on 16/4/09 by Moorron]
[Edited on 16/4/09 by Moorron]
Sorry about my spelling, im an engineer and only work in numbers.
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