An Anomaly

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sleek Stratos
  • 34 comments
  • 1,039 views
Sleek Stratos

Sleek Stratos

Messages
2,132
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Messages
D_Shark10
I'm not one to start posting self-centered threads, but something has been nagging me for some time now, so I'd like to get some opinions; the occasional slanders I'll take as they come.
I've began thinking of myself of some type of irregularity among car aficionados for it has come to my attention that, even though I maintain a considerable fervor for cars and motorsports and all things in between, I dislike driving out on the open road.
Put simply, I hate driving but love cars.

I'm 18 and I don't have nor want a driver's license, yet I can't help but be drawn to cars, whether they're going at high speeds around a track or just plain parked out on a street, I appreciate them, very much so, they're practically a hobby to me. Still, the idea of driving around on public roads fails to interest me, for a variety of reasons.

- Inadequacy: I feel uncomfortable when I'm the driver's seat (not necessarily nervous, I'm past that) but restricted, which tells me perhaps I shouldn't be out on the road just yet.

- Other motorists: I don't claim to be a better driver than the guy (or woman) who can't measure distances and doesn't enter an intersection when a chance is clearly there, but I have seen more than a couple of drivers who perhaps should rethink their way of transportation. I could give other examples of poor driving skills, but I think one is enough. I won't get into reckless drivers either, those speak for themselves.

- Road conditions (a more minor gripe): The roads I would driving on aren't in their top shape precisely; you'll have to take my word for it, unless you've been to a third-world country then you might be able to relate.
To specify, I'd be on city and your regular country roads, highways/freeways I wouldn't take that much, shame since those are the ones in the best condition.

I could add to the list that I can be an ill-tempered person at times (not to say I'm a loose cannon, but everybody has bad days) so when things don't go my way and I run low on patience I need a few minutes to relax, minutes most people don't find in their car, in traffic.

For a fact I'll continue to play GT3, watch motorsports and admire a beatiful vehicle when I see one, you just won't see me in a beautiful vehicle's driver seat, or in a driver's seat for that matter.

Odd 'innit'?
 
Please don't.
I don't have anything against people who drive, I admire them if anything. I'm merely explaining my situation.
 
Originally posted by boombexus
This is absolute crazy talk. :irked: You should be banned immediately.
Click to expand...

i agree with boom on this one:tup:

EDIT: ok maybe not on the whole banning part but yeah...
 
That's not really odd. I started to feel the same as you after I got my license. I enjoy driving when I'm alone, but I hate having passengers in the car. Add in the fact that i've had one too many close calls due to jackasses who think they can squeeze their civic at high speeds mind you, into a gap that's too small even for a moped to change lanes through. My mom nearly crashed the other day due to some moron who decided to go from the right lane to the far left the moment the lights turned green :irked:.

I generally control my temper by music. Depending on the mood I'm in, i'll change it to something suitable to calm me down or wake me up.

Still, my parents are trying to change insurance companies and hopefully we'll be able to get a decent insurance rate on a new car (hopefully a maxima or g35). That'll get me to want to drive all the time :D
 
:lol: I'm just kidding.

I think that you are only partially crazy. ;)
It could be very natural that you feel this way. Driving can be very intimidating at times. Especially in bad weather, night time, or heavy traffic.
Just ease yourself into it slowly. I really don't think that you will be able to escape the drivers seat for your entire life.

I used to be afraid of heavy traffic, but after dealing with it in the Northen Virginia and Washington DC area for a few years, you get accustomed to it.
Now I live in a town that doesn't even have a single stop light. I get caught off guard when I head to the city. There I find myself having to pay very close attention to the traffic and traffic lights as it's not something that I have to deal with on a regular basis where I live. So I find that the heavy traffic situations that I was once at ease with, I now find them a bit unsetteling.
So just ease into it and practice. I'm sure you will feel better about driving the more experience behind the wheel you have. 👍
 
Originally posted by Sleek Stratos

Put simply, I hate driving but love cars.
Click to expand...

Thats why I have a chauffer. And there is enough room in the back if an Maybach to not feel constricted 👍

When i first got behind the wheel, going 20kmh in a parking lot felt like speeding. I kept on standing on the brake to get the car to slow down to a respectable 5kmh. Now, its like meh.

Really, once you overcome the initial fear of getting behind the wheel, it will be a rewarding experience.


Edit: Bad weather and bad drivers can be intimidating, but as long as you keep your wits about you and keep calm and concentrate, it is no problem.
 
I was afraid to drive for a while because when I was fifteen and driving my mom in her 1982 Suburban down a quiet side street I crashed the passenger mirror into the driver's mirror on a parked car. It ****ed them both up. My mom was pissed and worried. I think she told me to keep going. I lost confidence in my spatial perception and felt nervous driving for a while. On occasion I still can, especially on rush-hour crowded freeways.
 
i used to feel the same way as you did before i got my license. i was scared to drive becuase i worried that i cant control other people's driving so i wouldn't be very safe since like you posted alot of people are bad drivers. but once i got behind the wheel and started driving i got alot more comfortable with it and came to enjoy it greatly.
 
I'm basically in the same boat. Everyone at school is getting their learner licenses and I'm like sure go ahead if your up to it. I know I'm not.

I just feel as though I can't handle the jandal. When I feel confident enough I'll give it ago, anyway its good because there is no pressure on me. Well there shouldn't be any anyway.
 
I love to drive! I was driving with my mom at 14 and got my lisence shortly after I was 16, I've taken countless driver courses anywhere from basic skills to skid control, But yes I can see why you wouldnt like to drive sometimes, all those asshats driving around on the roads today!! :irked:
 
i went for my learners permit as quick as i could, and when i got it i thought "oh no now i have to deal with traffic" (i already had a lot of driving experience in paddocks and empty carparks)
 
dont worry after 5mins in traffic i felt fairly comfortable
 
I've always loved cars, and always wanted to drive cars. I first got behind the wheel when I was seven years old, a pick-up truck on the farm, and I haven't looked back since then. Every time I went behind the wheel, of any type of vehicle, I drove it like a pro. I thought all guys were like me, until now.
 
I think it seems normal to have such thoughts. Most people, even myself seem to forget that you are driving a ton or so of machinery that can potentially cause a fair bit of dammage if used incorrectly. I had driving lessons with my parents and an instructor, I don't think I ever felt nervous then. The first time I got into a car by myself I did feel nervous, but after a while I got used to it. I enjoy driving, although I do try and keep it to a minimum at the moment with my 'awesome' car.
 
Originally posted by Race Idiot
IThe first time I got into a car by myself I did feel nervous, but after a while I got used to it
Click to expand...

i felt like someone let me loose
 
Originally posted by VIPERGTSR01
i felt like someone let me loose
Click to expand...

Well yeah, after I got used to being in the car by myself I was like. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Well as much weeee as you can get with a 1100cc Ford Fiesta with a knackered clutch.
 
Originally posted by Party for GT4
I can't wait to start driving. I dream about thrashing it through local country lanes in a BMW 325i. Oh, the sound.
Click to expand...
...which is precisely why Sleek Stratos is worried. And with good reason.

Stratos, the points you raise are all valid. But honestly, once you get some more stick time, it will become more natural. Once your reactions to simply controlling the car become more automatic, a larger part of your conscious attention can be used for watching out for other drivers, hazardous road conditions, bicyclists, etc.

As you get more comfortable behind the wheel, you start to be able to think farther ahead of the car, which reduces the number of nasty surprises a lot. My wife always thinks I'm not paying attention to the road, but really, I'm looking a couple hundred yards ahead, and reacting to that before it filters back to the car directly in front of me.
 
Maybe but I'm on about deserted roads. Yes, I agree with advanced driver training and similar courses that will help me to look out for dangers such as animals or pedestrians, and I am trying to develop the ability to read the road now while I am still just a passenger.
 
I think the car has alot to do with it, there are some cars I could neveer feel comfortable or safe in. For example a minivan or an SUV, now don't get me wrong, I know I'm safe but I just dont feel it while driving, its too big the handling sucks. I'd rather be in a smaller car and I feel safer in a way, I don't know why, I know it's not true but thats how I feel. I have everything in my car set the way I like it, I know where all the controlls are without having to look away the seat and mirror are always in teh correct position because I'm the only one who drives it, I guess it's the familiarity that makes me feel safe. If you have to share a car it's alot harder becasue each driver is different.

As for the weather, I live in Arizona, its all sun but I have to say I LOVE driving during a storm, I don't know why, perhaps is the increased risk. However I hate the rain in general becasue then my car gets dirty :( I also love to drive through the mountains with all the twists and turns, it's so much fun!

In general yes, driving is boring. We like cars for performance and the thrill they give us but you just cant have fun and be safe in everday driving. Sure drving a powerfull car at the track is fun, but what fun is 500+ ponies in rush hour traffic? There is no thrill involved so no fun. Sure every once in a while we get "spirited" with our driving but we still have to keep ourselves in check for both our, and the publics saftey. Video games allow us to do all the stuf we cant do in real life, go tearing through crowded streets at high speed with no need to worry about any concequences. In the end driving is lie a roller coaster, its fun as hell when your flying at high speeds and twisting and turning but really boring when your not.
 
I'm kinda the opposite, Sleek Stratos.

I love driving and I feel very comfortable when I'm behind the wheel. I got my permanent license 2 weeks ago and have been driving for almost a year.

Dense traffic or bad weather doesn't make it any worse either. I think that the most important thing is to drive the way that you feel most comfortable. Don't let other, faster drivers, make you do anything else. Instead just take everything at your own pace.

Its been said before : practice a lot and it will help you!
 
Get a Subaru, it'll make you feel safe. :D Haha, just kidding.

Well, driving makes it a lot easier to get around, and yes, there are these things you have to look out for, but you'll get used to it. My first day driving was very different than I am today. As you get more and more experienced, you start seeing trouble areas, or you plan things around the weather. Hell, I try to avoid driving at rush hour at all times. But yes, accidents will happen, it's part of life. Just hope you haven't had as many as I've already had.
 
Many thanks for the replies.
A few of you mentioned fear, which yes, could very well be part of my problem; I've driven some, not tremendously long distances, from my house to town, and back, I found myself in a few hairy situations, but I managed. Yet I still feel some sort of void when I think about the 'pleasures of driving'. I'll keep practicing and see how things turn out though.

Originally posted by neon_duke
[...] As you get more comfortable behind the wheel, you start to be able to think farther ahead of the car, which reduces the number of nasty surprises a lot. My wife always thinks I'm not paying attention to the road, but really, I'm looking a couple hundred yards ahead, and reacting to that before it filters back to the car directly in front of me.
Click to expand...

That's just how my dad tells me I should get to drive actually. Thinking about what's ahead of the car ahead of me.

Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy
I think the car has alot to do with it, there are some cars I could neveer feel comfortable or safe in. For example a minivan or an SUV, now don't get me wrong, I know I'm safe but I just dont feel it while driving, its too big the handling sucks. I'd rather be in a smaller car and I feel safer in a way...
Click to expand...

For the record, I've had to learn with an SUV, which can feel a little bulky when you're a newbie. I also agree with you on feeling safer in a small car.
My very first taste of the wheel came from a '90 VW Beetle, even if the clutch was a little hard to catch sometimes and it lacked power-steering, I'd choose that car over any SUV anyday. It had to be sold however.

I don't know, sometimes I just wish I had access to a local go-kart track.
 
I hate the retards who thinks its funny to run me into the gutter when Im on my bike (250cc). Luckily I have a mate who works at the Roads and Traffic Authority, so if I can get the numberplate we go round to their house and blow there letterbox up.
 
Originally posted by Crayola
I hate the retards who thinks its funny to run me into the gutter when Im on my bike (250cc). Luckily I have a mate who works at the Roads and Traffic Authority, so if I can get the numberplate we go round to their house and blow there letterbox up.
Click to expand...
Two wrongs don't make a right. That is probably not the best way to handle that.
 
...which makes it all the more pointless.

Next time write "watch out for motorcyclists, idiot" in lipstick on their windscreen.
 

Latest Posts

Back