New to driving, tips and ideas?

[tomtomh5]

Hello all,
I passed my test 6 months ago, and have been driving customers cars at work, but only from the car park into the workshop. My dad has kindly brought me my first car, a 02 Skoda Fabia 1.4 Comfort.
Any tips and hints to help me get settled into driving?
I have 3 years road experience on a motorbike, but apparently "its not the same".

Also, where is a decent place for me to buy some modifications? Obviously nothing too expensive.
Im also planning a holiday, where can I find out how much petrol the trip will take me? if possible

Thanks!
Tom.

[Cemesis]

Fill the car up, reset the 2nd mileage counter and see how many miles you get from a tank. That will give you your mpg, probably over mixed driving conditions. I'd expect about 400 miles to a tank out of a Fabia. Then you can use Google maps to work out how many tanks your trip will take and therefore cost.

If you have been on the road for 3 years on a motorbike then you at least know what the traffic is like. Regarding modifications, I always feel its best to leave them and upgrade the car. Stick the money in a 'car fund' and see if you can upgrade after a year, maybe to an Octavia for example, or a VRS Fabia (they are fun). Saves having to worry about declaring mods on the insurance too.

[tomtomh5]

Thanks!
I saw one at a petrol station which had been heavily modified I was wondering where you get all the bit and pieces from (just out of interest), there's a few jobs I've gotta complete on it anyways, mainly service work

[Cemesis]

Google would be your friend there but I imagine alot of insurance companies would enjoy a substantial premium increase because of it. I'd still suggest keeping it for a year and then grabbing a nice VRS, or something bigger if you fancy it.

[tomtomh5]

My insurance is 3k at the moment, I think something bigger would treble it

[ambuletz]

I would say 3years motorbike experience is worth more then 3years in a car! I wouldn't worry about it.

[swifthobo]

Remember 10 to 2 haha

[calum_ek]

tomtomh5 said:

My insurance is 3k at the moment, I think something bigger would treble it

On a 1.4!? Jeez-o!I'd say, dont modify it then, save yer money! As said, it's better off upgrading to a better car in a few years than trying to improve your current one.

[americancrx]

Fill the tank as you come in tonight.

Tomorrow morning, wake up at 5 AM. Grab a map, draw up a route that takes you away from the cities, towards the rivers, lakes, and mountains.

Draw up around 250-350 miles of route, then set out at once.

Roll down the windows, tape the junction list (route 8 to US 7, etc) to your steering wheel, and get rolling. Drive fast sometimes, drive slow other times, get used to it, and have fun.

[AlpineWhite]

As for upgrades, decent tyres. Then stop, don't waste your money.

Watch out for the other idiots on the road - probably the same as on a bike.

[R0G]

Consider doing an advanced driving course and test with the IAM or ROSPA

The IAM have an insurance company which give better deals for full members over age 19 (waiting to see if they lower that...)

Some other insurers give discounts for those who passed an advanced driving test but they tend to be the higher priced ones

Not sure if Adrian flux are still offering a good deal on that ......