Any 17-20 year olds that love driving?

[Hammy98]

Bit of a strange topic here but I've thought of myself as a bit odd when it comes to driving.

Had the full wheel and pedals setup on the ps2 from what must have been age 9-10, would spend hours grinding Gran Turismo and the Colin Macrae games. Always had a love of cars etc.

I sat my test as soon as I was 17 - well a few weeks after - and I've taken every opportunity to drive ever since passing. I'm now 19 and I've noticed that there really isn't many people near my age that share the same enthusiasm I do when it comes to driving.

I've got pals that you could say are into their motors, but just because they like cars doesn't mean they like driving - if that makes sense?

I work for an IT firm in Glasgow, so my commute to work is mainly motorway, however come finishing time I ALWAYS take the long route home which is a mixture of country roads. I brought this up in the pub with a few mates the other week and the general consensus was 'Why take the long way home?'

After a sober Saturday night at the weekend I woke up earlyish Sunday, stuck the fresh pads and droplinks I'd ordered on the car, jumped in and headed up towards Loch Lomond and the Rest and be Thankful - cracking driving roads up there! However I honestly can't think of a single person my age group who wouldn't scoff at the thought of doing that. Even seemingly 'Car mad' mates that are mechanics by trade.

Is driving just not quite as popular with young people as it used to be? I know from heading about my dad's upbringing that cars played a large part in his late teens and near enough everyone was a petrolhead. Just doesn't seem that common these days.

Apologies for the random post, started thinking about it as I'm waiting on 5 o'clock rolling round

[Hammy98]

AndrewEH1 said:

I was at that age, 27 this year though.

Most 17-20 year olds care too much about social media etc rather than actually doing things. Was similar 10 years ago but I feel that it's gotten much worse in recent years.

Was at the gym on Sunday, there were four young girls there who sat/stood around the rowing machines taking selfies and shapchats for about 20 minutes without actually using the machines...

I get what you mean, I know loads of people that say they are into motors but see them as more of a status symbol. Seems to be the going thing at this age who can afford the most expensive beemer or merc, just so they can stick a picture of it on facebook so everyone thinks they're doing well.

[Hammy98]

ashleyman said:

Well. I'm 27 but was the same as you with the PS2.

I'm going to Top Gear on Wednesday and am genuinely more excited about spanking down the country lanes to Dunsfold more than watching the recording. Then I've got 4 weeks in April spending 2 days in Brighton and again, I've mapped out a country lane route instead of going motorways just to hopefully have some fun at 7am on the way there each day.

Always been a Top Gear fan as well, the road trips with the old trio are great. Harris' reviews from the new series are on point.

I think insurance can be a bit of a limiting factor for people 17-21. More and more people getting forced into black boxes meaning its getting harder to get out and have fun or drive something interesting.

[Hammy98]

Alex_225 said:

I do get the impression though, that a lot of younger people (under 25) can't be bothered with driving and are happy using public transport. My two cousins are aged 20 and 23, neither of them drive. Yet when I was 17 all everyone seemed to want to do at college was get their licence!

The majority of the guys I work with do have cars, however choose to commute by train or car share. By comparison a lot of people I went to school with don't drive and have no desire to, the way they see it they can get everywhere they need to without a car.

I reckon I'll always use the car if I have it, insurance and road tax costs too much to let it sit on the drive!

[Hammy98]

XMT said:

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to go to car shows or the F1 or silverston. Only just last year did I managed to get to knockhill for a ferrari experience but similar to you I enjoyed the drive more in my 335i.

I have got to a point where when my son and daughter grow up I will go with them and make memories with them.

I've been lucky enough to make it down to Silverston a few times - makes for a cracking weekend.

My dad is a big petrolhead as well however I find he's busy a lot and is usually caught up with things more now than he used to be. He just doesn't have as much time for cars anymore, he's ended up with a bog standard golf company car from his work which hasn't helped matters

Out of interest, how do you find your 335? Was having a browse on auto trader and saw a couple, would love one. The wastegate issues on the early ones are scaring me off and I can't quite afford the later single turbo ones.

[Hammy98]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

This is scarily familiar!

Love the drive down to Largs, we always try to avoid the busy times because it tends to be a bit packed once you get down there.

Over the braes is my go-to for a quick blast, 5 minute drive from my house.

[Hammy98]

Appreciate all the replies even if I havent replied individually. Also, I didn't mean to exclude anyone with that age bracket - Its just that anyone I know that likes a decent drive is 21 or older.

Its good to hear everyone's experiences and thoughts, and glad to know I'm not the only one! I think its becoming clear that motors just aren't as popular with the youngsters anymore.

I was thinking about this on my way into work this morning and realized there is a bit of a 'Cars or football' divide. Not sure if this is limited to my group of pals, but any of them that are interested in cars aren't interested in football and vice versa. I never used to follow football at all and to an extent I still don't however turning 18 and going to the pub etc means I've sort of become used to it - dont mind going to the pub for the big games.

[Hammy98]

Bradley1500 said:

I’m 21, and love driving. I couldn’t wait to pass my test when I turned 17, and thanks to having a father who’s a driving instructor managed to pass four weeks after my seventeenth.

I’ve had a lot of cars since passing my test, and currently drive a modified Toyota Supra. I don’t think I’m particularly unusual in this respect either as many of my friends love cars and driving too.

I've always lusted after a supra

Reckon by the time I'm old enough to insure one the prices will either be 20k+ or it'll be impossible to find a manual twin turbo!

I can dream..