Not Enjoying Driving Anymore

Not Enjoying Driving Anymore

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
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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...

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
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Thanks for all your replies guys! Last night I went out for food in Bristol so drove home late-ish and had a better time of it. The A37 is hardly inspiring but I managed to crack a smile a few times while trying to encourage some lift off oversteer round some quiet roundabouts...

I think it is mostly the commute that's sucking all the fun out of it, the Citigo is remarkably capable on the motorway for a city car, but at the end of the day it's still a city car and I'm spending nearly 3 hours in it every day. Hopefully when I start getting the train (trial run next Weds when the schools are back to gauge how busy it will be) I'll be able to enjoy the car again. I'll have a 16 mile drive to the train station, which will be easy in the morning and I've counted no less than 4 twisty routes I can take home, which are often quiet at all times of day.

The car itself could be a factor. While it is white goods in the grand scheme of things, for a new car I think it's rather good. It's rewarding to drive quickly although it doesn't have enough power to trouble the grippy tyres, which might be taking some of the fun away. I had a Kadjar for a year before (where do I hand in my PH membership card...?) and I found throwing that about on Dartmoor in the wet the day before it was due for new tyres highly amusing, if a little terrifying at times....

There's no getting away from the fact that the Citigo is financed however (I know, boo hiss, stupid me etc.) and isn't eligible for termination for a while. I'd love a second car but I'm saving for a house and insurance is crippling at my age.

I could go for something now that is eligible for classic insurance but my budget for the car would be tiny (we're talking snotter money - 3 figures).

First step I guess is to wait and see how the train goes, and if the driving/car is still not sparking my interest then maybe I'll look at some classic snotter fun cars (if such things exist).

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
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bristolracer said:
The mistake you made was driving in and around Bristol.
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.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
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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.
I wholeheartedly agree that within Bristol I've got no chance. I was just a bit disappointed that on some minor roads outside Bristol there was so much traffic, although 2:30pm in the school holidays is perhaps not ideal.

Early morning blast to Wales will be on the cards at some point, I am an IAM member so I know not to let my frustration affect my driving. I don't think I can help being a little frustrated though (I have stopped getting annoyed at other examples of poor driving, it's just being stuck behind Doris on her way to the garden centre that I hate).


Edited by Jbeale96 on Friday 1st September 09:06

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
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toasty said:
If you want to enjoy driving in the South, get up early. Leaving for the commute at 7am was a nightmare, traffic everywhere. Change that to 6am and halve the traffic, 5am and halve again.
I leave at 0530 but its a 65 mile jaunt up the M5 from Chard - no fun to be had. I could do A303/A37/ring road but there's not much fun to be had there either.

I love the lack of traffic on the way in though, nice to relax and just cruise. It's the way home that ruined it for me, even at 3pm the M5 is rammed from J17 where I get on to J21 and its an eternal cycle of speed up, slow down, speed up, pass MLM, slow down, lorry pulls out, brake, pull into L3 just as the lorry finishes overtaking, back into L2, speed up, slow down...you get the picture!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
quotequote all
Jbeale96 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.
I wholeheartedly agree that within Bristol I've got no chance. I was just a bit disappointed that on some minor roads outside Bristol there was so much traffic, although 2:30pm in the school holidays is perhaps not ideal.

Early morning blast to Wales will be on the cards at some point, I am an IAM member so I know not to let my frustration affect my driving. I don't think I can help being a little frustrated though (I have stopped getting annoyed at other examples of poor driving, it's just being stuck behind Doris on her way to the garden centre that I hate).


Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 1st September 09:06
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 smile

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
quotequote all
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? laugh
Well that's nasty! The Purple Prince is lovely, I'll see if I can fish a picture out, although I seem to be the only lover of it. My girlfriend, friends, and work colleagues keep giving me a hard time until I quietly mention my 30k and rising house deposit wink

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
quotequote all
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 smile
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.

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!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
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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.
That Viaduct work is such a ballache. I commute from Kingswood to Avonmouth and if I don't leave dead on finishing time I get stuck for a fair while. Leaving in the morning I opt to get on at Eastville park which takes 5 minutes longer but cuts out all the start stop nonsense.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
quotequote all
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 smile
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.

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!
Sweet thanks for the feedback. I'm really looking forward to it now. I saw that offer on the Bristol site and while I live in BS15 I'm unfortunately, although fortunate from an insurance perspective though, 25 this month.

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.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
quotequote all
AB57 said:
Sweet thanks for the feedback. I'm really looking forward to it now. I saw that offer on the Bristol site and while I live in BS15 I'm unfortunately, although fortunate from an insurance perspective though, 25 this month.

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.
The examiner said that if I'd just done more commentary I would have got one, and I'm nothing special. Make it clear to your observer that you want one and they should teach accordingly. Use as much information about what's going on as you can, for example if you can see a busy main road in the distance, mention that you've seen it and that you'll be prepared to stop for it. Andy Paulton in particular is very hot on that kind of thing (as well as using all the available road space when safe to avoid stty surfaces near the curb, maybe his back hurts from driving his Megane Cup!).

ETA: your observer will prob mention this but make sure your car is welcoming for the examiner. Turn the radio off when you get there, make sure the Aircon isn't going to blast him in the face, and CLEAN YOUR CAR INSIDE AND OUT. This'll put the examiner in a better mood which is always handy.

Edited by Jbeale96 on Friday 1st September 11:57

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Friday 1st September 2017
quotequote all
Update: went for drive earlier. Had fun! Yay!

Fortunately there were only 2 of us in the office today so I had some time to muck about on Google My Maps planning a route. Ended up on some nice roads near Tomarton and Iron Acton if anyone knows them. They don't really lead anywhere significant so they're dead quiet, perfect!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Saturday 2nd September 2017
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Solocle said:
On my commute to school you could have some fun in a Citigo. One particular corner I slowly ramped up my approach speed until I heard the tyres squeal hehe. 35 mph, this corner is so tight. They do corner surprisingly well for what they are. And boy, if you pull off an overtake, is it a good feeling. Planning is the key...
You managed to get the tyres to squeal?!?! Clearly I'm not trying hard enough then!!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Saturday 2nd September 2017
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C70R said:
Tragically, it always seems to be blokes in their 20s (I recall one telling everyone how proud he was to own two diesel Mondeos!) trying to show how 'grown-up' they are...
I'm sorry, in what way am I trying to show how 'grown up' I am? I posted this looking for advice on how I can get back to enjoying something I used to love - driving. This is, if I am not mistaken, a forum for driving enthusiasts after all.

I don't know what your problem is but if you haven't got anything valuable to add you can kindly fk off

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Saturday 2nd September 2017
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C70R said:
I've now realised who you are. You're the bloke telling us how your 1.0 Skoda "showed up" numerous faster cars at the traffic lights. I immediately regret posting.
Not me mate. I wholeheartedly acknowledge that it takes seventeen seconds to reach 60, and regularly poke fun at that fact.

It appears the chap above is the one you're after. I haven't read his thread but his comment about other drivers being half asleep is a valid one.

I don't know what you have to be so insecure about but if belittling everyone is what helps you sleep at night then I recommend seeing a counsellor.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Saturday 2nd September 2017
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MorganP104 said:
If we're done slapping each other around the chops, I might be able to offer some constructive advice. wink

Whenever my circumstances change, I often find changing my car to fit the circumstances helps. On the occasions where I've tried to make my car at the time fit those new circumstances, it's never worked out as well as I would have liked.

For example, I had a lovely Alfa Romeo 166 V6, which I liked very much. Then I got a job with a 100 mile round trip commute (I previously worked around the corner from home). The fuel economy of the Alfa became a pain, to the point where I stopped enjoying the car. I chopped it in for a MkV Golf GT 2.0 TDi DSG, which would return 60mpg on my commute, but was still entertaining enough to put a smile on my face at the weekend.

If I were doing 130 miles a day in a Citigo, it would take me about a week to become VERY pissed off with driving. Sounds to me like you need a barge. wink Get yourself over to the definitive thread on the subject - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Hope this helps. smile
You've just given me a potentially dangerous idea....

What im absolutely not under any circumstances going to do is find a 20+ year old reliable barge and couple it with a classic policy that covers commuting

Being young and having an accident on your record really sucks in terms of regular insurance!