Not Enjoying Driving Anymore
Discussion
Jbeale96 said:
Today when I got to work I decided that I was going to leave early and go for a blast afterwards. So 2:30 came and I left, excited for the drive ahead - quick jaunt down the Bristol ring road then on to Cheddar.
However, I got maybe a few miles after the ring road before I decided that I'd had enough of the slow
s, poor road surfaces, slow s, lack of overtaking opportunities and slow s...
I don't know what it is but when I got this Citigo it was because I wanted a fun new car that was cheap as chips for a young un to insure. I know it's a slow as balls car but I used to have so much fun in it, now not so much. Every fun drive is ruined by some old bag in a Yaris driving at 36 mph, with nowhere to overtake and I just don't enjoy it. I can't remember the last time I even cracked a smile because of a nice bit of road or a well taken corner.
Maybe it's the fact that not long after getting the car I moved and now need to do a 65 mile each way commute (which is hell on the way home) that has ruined my enthusiasm, but that still doesn't change the lack of available good roads that aren't clogged up by coffin dodgers and useless mums.
I will be getting the train from next month which will present some good roads to be used for coming home from the station, so maybe my enthusiasm will be restored by not having a soul destroying commute.
Has anyone else felt this way? I've been into cars since I was a kid and it's sad that at 21 years old with only 2 years of driving under my belt I'm considering chopping in my car when it ls eligible for VT and just getting a white goods EV...
"Some old bag"? Lack of enjoyment at driving is perhaps an attitude issue.However, I got maybe a few miles after the ring road before I decided that I'd had enough of the slow
s, poor road surfaces, slow s, lack of overtaking opportunities and slow s...I don't know what it is but when I got this Citigo it was because I wanted a fun new car that was cheap as chips for a young un to insure. I know it's a slow as balls car but I used to have so much fun in it, now not so much. Every fun drive is ruined by some old bag in a Yaris driving at 36 mph, with nowhere to overtake and I just don't enjoy it. I can't remember the last time I even cracked a smile because of a nice bit of road or a well taken corner.
Maybe it's the fact that not long after getting the car I moved and now need to do a 65 mile each way commute (which is hell on the way home) that has ruined my enthusiasm, but that still doesn't change the lack of available good roads that aren't clogged up by coffin dodgers and useless mums.
I will be getting the train from next month which will present some good roads to be used for coming home from the station, so maybe my enthusiasm will be restored by not having a soul destroying commute.
Has anyone else felt this way? I've been into cars since I was a kid and it's sad that at 21 years old with only 2 years of driving under my belt I'm considering chopping in my car when it ls eligible for VT and just getting a white goods EV...
xjay1337 said:
AB57 said:
Hahahaha! As soon as I saw Bristol I thought the same thing! There is rarely any joy to be had driving in Bristol, regardless of what time it is.
OP firstly I think your car is fine it's just the traffic density. I find when the roads are quiet on the odd occasion in Bristol I can have some safe legal fun. A good one is having a nice flowing driving down the ring road back from Ashton after seeing my girlfriend. I love plodding at 70 mph watching all the cars fly past me and then smoothly but quickly flying past them come the roundabouts only then to get over taken again. Rinse and repeat all the way down the carriageways. I drive a 2001 70bhp Ka and I'm blown away at much fun it is to drive, so I imagine the citgo is great fun as well while not having to break, if actually possible, 70.
I suggest your car is fine and you just need to get up nice and early and head out of Bristol and maybe into Wales and have a drive. But the important thing to remember is that your on a public road and you have to be patient and safe. Don't allow yourself to get frustrated with others even if they're bad drivers. I found Advanced Driving helped a huge amount in changing my attitude to others and learning how to drive smooth, safe, and at a quick pace.
Hopefully the train works out for you. I can just about cope with a 40 minute drive in traffic in the Ka before I start to lose the will to live.
Sorry, I re-read your post but I noticed you said you drive a Ford KA, and that you had a girlfriend? OP firstly I think your car is fine it's just the traffic density. I find when the roads are quiet on the odd occasion in Bristol I can have some safe legal fun. A good one is having a nice flowing driving down the ring road back from Ashton after seeing my girlfriend. I love plodding at 70 mph watching all the cars fly past me and then smoothly but quickly flying past them come the roundabouts only then to get over taken again. Rinse and repeat all the way down the carriageways. I drive a 2001 70bhp Ka and I'm blown away at much fun it is to drive, so I imagine the citgo is great fun as well while not having to break, if actually possible, 70.
I suggest your car is fine and you just need to get up nice and early and head out of Bristol and maybe into Wales and have a drive. But the important thing to remember is that your on a public road and you have to be patient and safe. Don't allow yourself to get frustrated with others even if they're bad drivers. I found Advanced Driving helped a huge amount in changing my attitude to others and learning how to drive smooth, safe, and at a quick pace.
Hopefully the train works out for you. I can just about cope with a 40 minute drive in traffic in the Ka before I start to lose the will to live.
I was in a similar situation until a couple of years ago. I live in a semi-rural area, and that means: crappy roads covered in potholes, cracks, sunken drain covers, and roadworks springing up everywhere! Driving an Alfa with "sporty" suspension on the UK's crumbling country roads was torture. Alfas were designed for well-maintained roads. I sold my sporty Italian car and replaced it with a heavy mini-barge. I am much happier now, and more relaxed, but I also have more power and I can overtake much more easily (the 0-60 on my barge is 2 seconds faster than the Alfa!!!!!)
GetCarter said:
You're in the wrong country. 
This !!!As a nation we've been swamped by incompetence, people acting like lemmings and afraid to overtake whilst doing their utmost to stop anyone else from going past them as that would be pushing in...
The country is policed within an inch of it's life for speeding and parking yet we seem incapable to do anything about MLMs, phone usage and generally poor standards of driving from people who seem to think having driving licence is a right and that they can do pretty much what they want with impunity....
Having spent 5+ weeks this year in Turkey, I actually love driving out there - it's considered and careful chaos - no road rage, generally well maintained main roads with very few pot holes, next to zero speed camera etc, parking pretty much free wherever you go.
Accepted there are the obligatory cars with sheep and goats on the back seats - scooter riders carrying sheets of corrugated roofing with a water melon between their legs... but in the main slower vehicles pull over as much as they can to allow faster stuff by... something the great unwashed in the UK should learn...
Edited by Seesure on Friday 1st September 09:33
As others have said, unless you're extraordinarily lucky, commuting is never going to be an amusing drive.
I would also agree that the UK has become impossible to enjoy for 'spirited' driving. I sold my exotic machinery some while ago and bought myself a Morgan - it is not a car for dual carriageways or motorways, it's for country lanes. It's a huge amount of fun to drive and pottering along at legal speeds is more involving than the same speed in a Lamborghini. I don't commute in it - but it sits in the garage for when I actually want to drive.
I would also agree that the UK has become impossible to enjoy for 'spirited' driving. I sold my exotic machinery some while ago and bought myself a Morgan - it is not a car for dual carriageways or motorways, it's for country lanes. It's a huge amount of fun to drive and pottering along at legal speeds is more involving than the same speed in a Lamborghini. I don't commute in it - but it sits in the garage for when I actually want to drive.
Ride a momobike instead.
I live in a very touristy bit of england that gets utterly gridlocked all summer and from the start of june until well into september I pretty much never drive.
The feeling of excitement and engagement with the vehicle and environment that you used to get from a car, I now get pretty much every single time I ride and I've been riding for a very long time. It doesn't wear off. Even a crappy commute on an average bike feels better to me than a spirited drive in a fast car on good roads.
I live in a very touristy bit of england that gets utterly gridlocked all summer and from the start of june until well into september I pretty much never drive.
The feeling of excitement and engagement with the vehicle and environment that you used to get from a car, I now get pretty much every single time I ride and I've been riding for a very long time. It doesn't wear off. Even a crappy commute on an average bike feels better to me than a spirited drive in a fast car on good roads.
Around Bristol, for decent roads forget Cheddar. It's way to overcrowded, and IMO, not all that great.
Have a trip to around Chew Valley lakes and that, better roads, but still can be crowded. Alternatively, just jump across the bridge into wales.
If you want fun, I would buy a £1000 RS Clio and take it on track, way more fun. Castle Combe nearby and doesn't cost the world.
Have a trip to around Chew Valley lakes and that, better roads, but still can be crowded. Alternatively, just jump across the bridge into wales.
If you want fun, I would buy a £1000 RS Clio and take it on track, way more fun. Castle Combe nearby and doesn't cost the world.
AB57 said:
Ah then you're ahead of the game than me on Advanced driving! I've not joined IAM or Rospa yet as I am waiting to get a slightly better and well maintained car. I've been looking for almost a year but I can't find anything I want within busget; I too am saving for a house. Did you join IAM Bristol, if so what was it like? I've just done loads of theory at the moment and putting it into the best practice I can.
I know what you mean with frustration, it's really hard sometimes when you having people like Dorris holding you up but you just have to let it go. Otherwise you'll drive yourself mad or end up doing something you regret. If an opportunity presents itself then go for it, if not just sit back and enjoy the ride
Yeah I was assigned to IAM Bristol when I bought my course. Out of curiosity, do you happen to be under 25 and live/work in South Gloucestershire (BS34 is one of those postcodes, where I work)? Only because at the time S Glos council were running a thing to get young drivers into advanced driving where if you bought the £150 course and passed within a year you'd get a full refund! I don't know if they are still doing it but it was a nice surprise.I know what you mean with frustration, it's really hard sometimes when you having people like Dorris holding you up but you just have to let it go. Otherwise you'll drive yourself mad or end up doing something you regret. If an opportunity presents itself then go for it, if not just sit back and enjoy the ride
IAM Bristol is a good group of people. Obviously I have no basis for comparison but it was a bunch of enthusiastic guys who were very easy to listen do during the 3 seminars you go to as part of the course. My Observer (Nick [surname which I have forgotten]) was very good, as I'd imagine all of them would be. I started the Observed Drives in late Feb last year and passed in June.
The test is quite a bit different to a normal driving test. I had Andy Poulton, an ex traffic cop (I think he was a Police driving instructor too), and as we went along he was giving me constant feedback and areas for improvement, which I acted upon. It took about an hour and he was happy to pass me. It's more like another Observed Drive really, as long as you stick to what you've been taught and take the examiners feedback on board you'll be OK.
One tip if you want to get a First in the test is to practice commentary!! I am a generally very awkward person so I found it too difficult, and therefore missed out on a First. If you start practicing now (say what you see and how you can adjust your driving to suit) while driving alone it'll really help. Then get practicing with people in the car to lose the sense of awkwardness about it. With that, there's no reason why you shouldn't get a First!
For the mundane everyday driving you could try and find a car that interests you in different ways. For me it's soft suspension, big leather armchairs and an 825 watt stereo - I never feel the need to speed, I don't get angry with crap drivers. I just drive around in comfort like I'm sat in my living room.
The key is then having a second car that fills the holes that the everyday car can't fill.
The key is then having a second car that fills the holes that the everyday car can't fill.
bristolracer said:
The mistake you made was driving in and around Bristol.
Second that, especially with all the road works going on, particularly the viaduct on the ring road.I only commute 9 miles but hate it, I normally ride to work 3 days a week but didn't today as I'm full of cold, can't stand driving at the moment.
Vincefox said:
Ride a momobike instead.
I live in a very touristy bit of england that gets utterly gridlocked all summer and from the start of june until well into september I pretty much never drive.
The feeling of excitement and engagement with the vehicle and environment that you used to get from a car, I now get pretty much every single time I ride and I've been riding for a very long time. It doesn't wear off. Even a crappy commute on an average bike feels better to me than a spirited drive in a fast car on good roads.
100% this, provided it's not pissing down as that does take the shine off it, for me at least. Unfortunately whilst you can pick up a quick bike for pretty much peanuts these days, the training/tests and gear is not exactly cheap.I live in a very touristy bit of england that gets utterly gridlocked all summer and from the start of june until well into september I pretty much never drive.
The feeling of excitement and engagement with the vehicle and environment that you used to get from a car, I now get pretty much every single time I ride and I've been riding for a very long time. It doesn't wear off. Even a crappy commute on an average bike feels better to me than a spirited drive in a fast car on good roads.
BristolRich said:
bristolracer said:
The mistake you made was driving in and around Bristol.
^Absolutely this. There is nothing remotely enjoyable about driving around Bristol especially at the moment with what seems to be perpetual roadworks (or knock on traffic impact) where ever you turn.Matt_N said:
bristolracer said:
The mistake you made was driving in and around Bristol.
Second that, especially with all the road works going on, particularly the viaduct on the ring road.I only commute 9 miles but hate it, I normally ride to work 3 days a week but didn't today as I'm full of cold, can't stand driving at the moment.
ericmcn said:
I am of the same opinion, UK roads are dreadful for a motoring enthuaist - You need to go far far north (think north west scotland) for any enjoyable fun
England is over crowded, uselss drivers, idiot drivers, slow drivers, 1 billion speed camers - you name it.
Driving an expensive sports car is probably the worst waste of money ever in fact.
What an absolute load of BS. Have you ever gone further north than Bristol? I live in Newcastle, and there are many, many miles of wonderful, empty roads with no speed cameras to enjoy within a few minutes of where I live.England is over crowded, uselss drivers, idiot drivers, slow drivers, 1 billion speed camers - you name it.
Driving an expensive sports car is probably the worst waste of money ever in fact.
That being said, having read all of the other negative comments on this thread, most of them from southerners, then I'm not surprised you have that attitude, but then you probably think that England ends at the Watford gap
Crumpet said:
For the mundane everyday driving you could try and find a car that interests you in different ways. For me it's soft suspension, big leather armchairs and an 825 watt stereo - I never feel the need to speed, I don't get angry with crap drivers. I just drive around in comfort like I'm sat in my living room.
The key is then having a second car that fills the holes that the everyday car can't fill.
OP, if you can afford it, this is probably the best advice on the thread. If I needed an every day car for commuting, and could afford two cars, I'd go with a nice comforting car like this and a little Roadster for fun driving.The key is then having a second car that fills the holes that the everyday car can't fill.
Jbeale96 said:
AB57 said:
Ah then you're ahead of the game than me on Advanced driving! I've not joined IAM or Rospa yet as I am waiting to get a slightly better and well maintained car. I've been looking for almost a year but I can't find anything I want within busget; I too am saving for a house. Did you join IAM Bristol, if so what was it like? I've just done loads of theory at the moment and putting it into the best practice I can.
I know what you mean with frustration, it's really hard sometimes when you having people like Dorris holding you up but you just have to let it go. Otherwise you'll drive yourself mad or end up doing something you regret. If an opportunity presents itself then go for it, if not just sit back and enjoy the ride
Yeah I was assigned to IAM Bristol when I bought my course. Out of curiosity, do you happen to be under 25 and live/work in South Gloucestershire (BS34 is one of those postcodes, where I work)? Only because at the time S Glos council were running a thing to get young drivers into advanced driving where if you bought the £150 course and passed within a year you'd get a full refund! I don't know if they are still doing it but it was a nice surprise.I know what you mean with frustration, it's really hard sometimes when you having people like Dorris holding you up but you just have to let it go. Otherwise you'll drive yourself mad or end up doing something you regret. If an opportunity presents itself then go for it, if not just sit back and enjoy the ride
IAM Bristol is a good group of people. Obviously I have no basis for comparison but it was a bunch of enthusiastic guys who were very easy to listen do during the 3 seminars you go to as part of the course. My Observer (Nick [surname which I have forgotten]) was very good, as I'd imagine all of them would be. I started the Observed Drives in late Feb last year and passed in June.
The test is quite a bit different to a normal driving test. I had Andy Poulton, an ex traffic cop (I think he was a Police driving instructor too), and as we went along he was giving me constant feedback and areas for improvement, which I acted upon. It took about an hour and he was happy to pass me. It's more like another Observed Drive really, as long as you stick to what you've been taught and take the examiners feedback on board you'll be OK.
One tip if you want to get a First in the test is to practice commentary!! I am a generally very awkward person so I found it too difficult, and therefore missed out on a First. If you start practicing now (say what you see and how you can adjust your driving to suit) while driving alone it'll really help. Then get practicing with people in the car to lose the sense of awkwardness about it. With that, there's no reason why you shouldn't get a First!
Would you say it's tough to get a First? I'm confident with commentary but I I'm concerned that some things may be too dogmatic for my liking; well from what I've read elsewhere about IAM.
TameRacingDriver said:
What an absolute load of BS. Have you ever gone further north than Bristol? I live in Newcastle, and there are many, many miles of wonderful, empty roads with no speed cameras to enjoy within a few minutes of where I live.
That being said, having read all of the other negative comments on this thread, most of them from southerners, then I'm not surprised you have that attitude, but then you probably think that England ends at the Watford gap
I may live in the South (Kent), but definitely still a Northern boy at heart! I know the country does not end at Watford.That being said, having read all of the other negative comments on this thread, most of them from southerners, then I'm not surprised you have that attitude, but then you probably think that England ends at the Watford gap
Having moved from up North the driving down here is truly eye opening for stupidity, and people being "on the edge" of just boiling over.
Christ, how many more posts are we going to have like this? I understand it to a degree but it depends on where you live and your daily commute. My particular route to work and the majority of driving is very stop/start i.e. not the most enjoyable. However, it's still not hindered my love for driving/being able to drive. It may have added to me falling out of love with a manual gearbox but i still enjoy it, for the most part.
If your idea of enjoyment is pure hooning then, yes, i can see your point. However, see above where i said it depends on your commute and where you live. It's easy to take driving for granted. I'd suggest not driving for a while and using public transport or another way of getting around and see how you cope. Then you'll really know if the enjoyment has gone or not. It's the incompetence of others that gets me the most!
If your idea of enjoyment is pure hooning then, yes, i can see your point. However, see above where i said it depends on your commute and where you live. It's easy to take driving for granted. I'd suggest not driving for a while and using public transport or another way of getting around and see how you cope. Then you'll really know if the enjoyment has gone or not. It's the incompetence of others that gets me the most!
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