Your honest level of driving ability
Discussion
It seems everyone on here is a driving God that can detect the sublest of nuances in handling and chassis dynamics as well as having a perfect understanding of how to drive anything from a 2CV to an F1 car.
I'd say I'm a fairly decent driver and did the IAM test yonks ago plus some cop training but nothing more. I'm crash free and until a silly mistake up last year, I was points free. I love our RWD 335d and feel I get the best out of it now (okay that's not a lot to the heroes here) and generally love a good chassis although my appreciation for anything FWD has waned significantly in recent years.
However it would seem that most here have an opinion of anything - the GT3 vs Turbo "debate" is a case in point. Now how many of you would honestly be able to extract anything like the full potential of a GT3 and if you do think you could, where the hell would you do it? How many of your would genuinely power a C63 into a long corner and get sideways on a public road? How many of you genuinely avoid a car because it's known to understeer but have actually induced dangerous handling?
It's an interesting one IMO (well I wrote it so it must be... ;-) ) and I'd be intrigued to know. There are some honest folk here, some genuinely expert drivers but I suspect like many things in life, it's reading mags and watching Top Gear that influences decisions rather than actual experience. I for one would be extremely unlikely to extract the potential of a GT3 - it would quite honestly be wasted on me, lovely as they are. And the "boring" MP4 12C and 991 Turbo S? To me both looks stunning, are compact, one is British made. I couldn't give two hoots if they less likely to fling me into a wall than more "hardcore" cars - I love them.
On a more modest note, I've also had a huge amount of fun in rather modest kit - the Puma, the ST170, the mk3 MR2 (brilliant little car) but found some hero cars a bit of a PITA (Elise 111R, Ferrari F355).
I'd say I'm a fairly decent driver and did the IAM test yonks ago plus some cop training but nothing more. I'm crash free and until a silly mistake up last year, I was points free. I love our RWD 335d and feel I get the best out of it now (okay that's not a lot to the heroes here) and generally love a good chassis although my appreciation for anything FWD has waned significantly in recent years.
However it would seem that most here have an opinion of anything - the GT3 vs Turbo "debate" is a case in point. Now how many of you would honestly be able to extract anything like the full potential of a GT3 and if you do think you could, where the hell would you do it? How many of your would genuinely power a C63 into a long corner and get sideways on a public road? How many of you genuinely avoid a car because it's known to understeer but have actually induced dangerous handling?
It's an interesting one IMO (well I wrote it so it must be... ;-) ) and I'd be intrigued to know. There are some honest folk here, some genuinely expert drivers but I suspect like many things in life, it's reading mags and watching Top Gear that influences decisions rather than actual experience. I for one would be extremely unlikely to extract the potential of a GT3 - it would quite honestly be wasted on me, lovely as they are. And the "boring" MP4 12C and 991 Turbo S? To me both looks stunning, are compact, one is British made. I couldn't give two hoots if they less likely to fling me into a wall than more "hardcore" cars - I love them.
On a more modest note, I've also had a huge amount of fun in rather modest kit - the Puma, the ST170, the mk3 MR2 (brilliant little car) but found some hero cars a bit of a PITA (Elise 111R, Ferrari F355).
I'd generally rate myself as a decent road driver - I actively try to improve my own driving and observation to be able to read a situation ahead and make the smoothest/quickest progress I can within safe limits. Never had an accident (or a close call from my own mistake, only others that I avoided), save for misjudging a parking maneuver. Like most PH'ers, we are generally better driving than a member of the general populace with no interest in improving themselves.
As far as driving something like a 991GT3 goes I wouldn't get anywhere near what it could do without many hours of driving tuition and track days.
On the subject of choosing one car type over another, very often the handling characteristics at the limit defines some of its character. Case in point: my 106. Renowned for being a snappy tail-out hatch, that shines through in it feeling sharp and agile even at sensible speeds, leading to a more interesting character than, say, a BINI, which feels numb and boring.
As far as driving something like a 991GT3 goes I wouldn't get anywhere near what it could do without many hours of driving tuition and track days.
On the subject of choosing one car type over another, very often the handling characteristics at the limit defines some of its character. Case in point: my 106. Renowned for being a snappy tail-out hatch, that shines through in it feeling sharp and agile even at sensible speeds, leading to a more interesting character than, say, a BINI, which feels numb and boring.
I have absolutely no idea. Seriously.
Like everyone, I think I am OK. But have never pushed it to any huge extent on the public road, or done a like for like comparison against anyone.
I may be the next Senna (doubtful), I may be a compelte ham fisted clot (more likely), but I honestly don't know
Like everyone, I think I am OK. But have never pushed it to any huge extent on the public road, or done a like for like comparison against anyone.
I may be the next Senna (doubtful), I may be a compelte ham fisted clot (more likely), but I honestly don't know
Don't get my opinions from Top Gear or magazines as I don't bother with either...
Been driving/motorcycling for thirty years and aside from being killed in a bike accident when I was a young un (drunk as a skunk) and being driven into a few years back have remained remarkably accident and points free. Half a million miles so far?
However, nearly all my experience is with older rear wheel drive cars - the only moderns I drive are hire cars and then very rarely. Give me something old without traction control/seat belts/power steering etc. and I'll happily drive on its limits (after gently finding them) but with something modern you'll probably have to show me how to start it...
Been driving/motorcycling for thirty years and aside from being killed in a bike accident when I was a young un (drunk as a skunk) and being driven into a few years back have remained remarkably accident and points free. Half a million miles so far?
However, nearly all my experience is with older rear wheel drive cars - the only moderns I drive are hire cars and then very rarely. Give me something old without traction control/seat belts/power steering etc. and I'll happily drive on its limits (after gently finding them) but with something modern you'll probably have to show me how to start it...
I'm an excellent driver!
Well probably not to be honest, in my early driving days I had a few reasonably large bumps mainly due to enthusiasm overcoming talent.
Now I still drive/ride faster than about 80% of the motoring public (that can mean actually doing 60 in a 60) and have been known to do silly speeds when the mood and conditions are right.
I do however have good observational skills, I can read the road well and will anticipate the actions of the moron brigade so take far less risks than I used to.
This is all due to motorbikes, where you may well be in the right but that won't replace your leg because some arse has pulled out.
I do spend quite a lot of time in the car wishing I was on the bike as it's faster through traffic and for overtakes.
Well probably not to be honest, in my early driving days I had a few reasonably large bumps mainly due to enthusiasm overcoming talent.
Now I still drive/ride faster than about 80% of the motoring public (that can mean actually doing 60 in a 60) and have been known to do silly speeds when the mood and conditions are right.
I do however have good observational skills, I can read the road well and will anticipate the actions of the moron brigade so take far less risks than I used to.
This is all due to motorbikes, where you may well be in the right but that won't replace your leg because some arse has pulled out.
I do spend quite a lot of time in the car wishing I was on the bike as it's faster through traffic and for overtakes.
My road driving is OK - the IAM examiner was impressed, and some types who know said it was good. Three years, 40,000 miles, no points, no accidents, one near miss I can think of.
However I've no idea of limit handling, never driven RWD, never driven a powerful car, never been on a track.
When I did have to deal with a minor emergency requiring hard braking, I was successful, but it certainly wasn't optimal, and highlighted to me just how much I have to learn. Day to day road driving is not very demanding.
There's always more to learn.
However I've no idea of limit handling, never driven RWD, never driven a powerful car, never been on a track.
When I did have to deal with a minor emergency requiring hard braking, I was successful, but it certainly wasn't optimal, and highlighted to me just how much I have to learn. Day to day road driving is not very demanding.
There's always more to learn.
Average at best if we are talking getting the most out of your car. I am safe as houses, not been near an accident that was my fault, but I have owned an Impreza that I didn't get near the abilities of (even std, before it was mapped) and a VX220 that I'm scared to rip into corners (and it is like s
t on a carpet, honestly)!5 years driving, no accidents or claims, reverse park 95% of the time (I think this says a lot 
)
I've never had the opportunity to drive a "proper" car though. My bog standard 1.6 Ford Focus hardly pushes any boundaries.
I do however have a Track Day lined up (which was a gift from last year) in a Nissan GT-R - so time will tell
)I've never had the opportunity to drive a "proper" car though. My bog standard 1.6 Ford Focus hardly pushes any boundaries.
I do however have a Track Day lined up (which was a gift from last year) in a Nissan GT-R - so time will tell
0836whimper said:
People are going to have to do better than 4 or 5 years with no bumps, dings or claims etc
I'll raise it to 20
I got to 20 then jumped a bloody red light by mistake (it was genuinely obscured and in a very odd place) in Glasgow last year. Unblemished record ruined. No crashes though. Two claims - one was the wife, another was a no fault "got crashed into" incident a while back.I'll raise it to 20
Been driving 20 years and 8 months, and 10 of those were doing 30-40k per annum, so I reckon I have an easy half million miles under my belt. One non-fault accident (car pulled out of a T-junction straight across in front of me) about 10 years ago. Otherwise incident and accident free. I had never been so much as reprimanded by the police, until I was done for 35 in a 30 on a camera last year, but did the speed awareness course so license still clean.
I do recognise and appreciate things like steering feel and basic balance in a chassis, and I don't believe you need to hang it all out to be able to feel and enjoy these things.
I do watch CH's videos and wish I could do the whole powerslide thing like that. Which is a very honest way of admitting that I can't. Although I am going drifting for the first time at the end of September and very much looking forward to it.
I believe I'm competent. Ever since a couple of hot laps of Brands in the passenger seat with Mark Webber in an E36 318iS back in the mid 90s, I know I am not, and never will be good. Good is a whole different ballgame. Even though Mark was a top bloke, I felt an inch tall
I do recognise and appreciate things like steering feel and basic balance in a chassis, and I don't believe you need to hang it all out to be able to feel and enjoy these things.
I do watch CH's videos and wish I could do the whole powerslide thing like that. Which is a very honest way of admitting that I can't. Although I am going drifting for the first time at the end of September and very much looking forward to it.
I believe I'm competent. Ever since a couple of hot laps of Brands in the passenger seat with Mark Webber in an E36 318iS back in the mid 90s, I know I am not, and never will be good. Good is a whole different ballgame. Even though Mark was a top bloke, I felt an inch tall
Edited by Limpet on Thursday 29th August 14:48
I think being good at driving a fast car near it's limits is a lot like being good at fighting - there are two ways you can get good:
1 - Be a tt and learn by doing it, hoping not to get hurt in the process.
2 - Go through a lot of expensive and inconvenient training in a controlled, safe environment.
Since I've never been dheaded enough for the first or rich/committed enough for the second, I've no real idea how far I could push my car or my ability, and tend to play it safe.
I can still have some fun on a dry day though.
1 - Be a t
t and learn by doing it, hoping not to get hurt in the process.2 - Go through a lot of expensive and inconvenient training in a controlled, safe environment.
Since I've never been d
headed enough for the first or rich/committed enough for the second, I've no real idea how far I could push my car or my ability, and tend to play it safe.I can still have some fun on a dry day though.
Honestly, I don't know. Fairly average I'd imagine though.
Day to day driving I'd say I'm generally pretty good. This year I'll have had my licence 10 years, and in that time I've had no crashes, or points, or been pulled over and told off
I drive around 30-35k miles a year normally, and pretty much have done since I passed, as I live out in the sticks. I don't sit on people's bumpers, I try to watch what's going on and not settle too much into "knowing" a road, and hopefully, that's all contributed to not bending anything yet. I'm confident and enjoy driving, and I've had "lots" of cars since I passed my test with many different attributes, 4x4's, convertibles, estates, saloons, hatchbacks, FWD, RWD, manual and automatic. I quite enjoy jumping in and trying something new.
However, that's a different set of skills to track driving really. I've only in the last 2 years got into track days, and I've learnt more in that time about how a car can handle, and what it can do than the previous 8 of driving on the road. I'm competent enough on track to feel comfortable, but I'm not expecting a call from Red Bull anytime soon I think next year if I can get some more time in, and my own car sorted (drive a mate's on track currently) then I'd look at tuition to move me on a bit.
Day to day driving I'd say I'm generally pretty good. This year I'll have had my licence 10 years, and in that time I've had no crashes, or points, or been pulled over and told off
I drive around 30-35k miles a year normally, and pretty much have done since I passed, as I live out in the sticks. I don't sit on people's bumpers, I try to watch what's going on and not settle too much into "knowing" a road, and hopefully, that's all contributed to not bending anything yet. I'm confident and enjoy driving, and I've had "lots" of cars since I passed my test with many different attributes, 4x4's, convertibles, estates, saloons, hatchbacks, FWD, RWD, manual and automatic. I quite enjoy jumping in and trying something new.However, that's a different set of skills to track driving really. I've only in the last 2 years got into track days, and I've learnt more in that time about how a car can handle, and what it can do than the previous 8 of driving on the road. I'm competent enough on track to feel comfortable, but I'm not expecting a call from Red Bull anytime soon
I think next year if I can get some more time in, and my own car sorted (drive a mate's on track currently) then I'd look at tuition to move me on a bit.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff