[Chappers 71]

When you buy an estate car

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

When you buy an estate car

Meh, I wouldn't mind a nice MB or BMW station wagon. Saw many of them screaming by on the Autobahn last time I was in Germany. Always black, for some reason.

[vreihen16]

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[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Meh, I wouldn't mind a nice MB or BMW station wagon. Saw many of them screaming by on the Autobahn last time I was in Germany. Always black, for some reason.

Funnily enough I’ve just bought one

[M_Six]

That's sweet. Major envy.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

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That's me. Feeling like crap every morning whether I drink or not. Back in the day I used to get up 10 minutes before morning formation and then run 3 or 4 miles for PT. I can't run at all now, let alone first thing in the morning.

[vreihen16]

The only running that I do in the mornings these days is to the bathroom.....

[vreihen16]

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[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Funnily enough I’ve just bought one

Steering wheel is on the wrong side.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Steering wheel is on the wrong side.

Never did it myself but I've heard people say it's pretty easy getting used to driving on the other side, as well as the shifter and clutch on the other side and of course the other side of the road.

[3.0L]

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[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Never did it myself but I've heard people say it's pretty easy getting used to driving on the other side, as well as the shifter and clutch on the other side and of course the other side of the road.

Add that to driving on the wrong side of the road, and we'll see. LOL!

[Esteban]

^^ Good looking estate car.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Never did it myself but I've heard people say it's pretty easy getting used to driving on the other side, as well as the shifter and clutch on the other side and of course the other side of the road.

I found a bunch of YouTube vids of a driver's license test drive that covered most situations one would encounter. There were 6 vids in all, IIRC. Before we flew to the UK, I watched those vids over and over and even watched them again on the flight over. By the time I got there and picked up the car, I had a pretty good feel for driving on the left. I rented an automatic, though. Trying to shift with my left hand was a step too far. The hardest parts about driving in the UK were the narrow roads with hedges right up to the pavement and people parking on the side of the road, which forced you into the oncoming lane. Even when I had the right-of-way, the Brits would come barreling through anyway as if they were daring me to stand my ground and get hit. But I've made it through 4 or 5 trips where we rented a car and so far I've come through unscathed.

[Esteban]

Wonder if M5Rick has ever driven over here and if he found it easy to get used to driving on the other side of the car and the other side of the road. What say you, Rick?

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Steering wheel is on the wrong side.

No…the steering wheel is on the correct side

[Markr]

Haha, this is going to be an interesting debate. I would replace the word correct with the word right.

I have always found it useful to have the steering wheel on the drivers side!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Markr

Haha, this is going to be an interesting debate. I would replace the word correct with the word right.

I have always found it useful to have the steering wheel on the drivers side!

That is why above I say "the other side" because it depends on where you live. There is no wrong side if thought of that way.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I found a bunch of YouTube vids of a driver's license test drive that covered most situations one would encounter. There were 6 vids in all, IIRC. Before we flew to the UK, I watched those vids over and over and even watched them again on the flight over. By the time I got there and picked up the car, I had a pretty good feel for driving on the left. I rented an automatic, though. Trying to shift with my left hand was a step too far. The hardest parts about driving in the UK were the narrow roads with hedges right up to the pavement and people parking on the side of the road, which forced you into the oncoming lane. Even when I had the right-of-way, the Brits would come barreling through anyway as if they were daring me to stand my ground and get hit. But I've made it through 4 or 5 trips where we rented a car and so far I've come through unscathed.

I rent manual transmission cars when I travel to the UK. I find that having to shift with my left hand (which takes about 2 seconds to get used to for me), is a constant reminder that things are different. The one time I rented an automatic I was much more concerned about forgetting to stay on the left.

All the pedals are in the same spot. If they were backwards too I'd do a hard pass.

[Markr]

When I worked at Jaguar HQ in the UK in the mid-80’s, we had to go through an advanced driving test to drive Jags. There were 4 levels of permit and various checks you had to do before even starting the car (as they could be engineering vehicles) but ultimately as North America was the biggest market at the time, we had to go out in left hand drive manuals. I was in IT, but still had to do the same test as the engineers.

I have also driven right hand drive cars on the continent, and what a pain that was, as all the toll booths and car parks are geared up for left hand drive cars.

My learning is go abroad, hire a car - so much simpler.

However, if we were going to Ireland, or a family trip through France/Germany with at least 2 in the car, I would take the 7.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by Markr

Haha, this is going to be an interesting debate. I would replace the word correct with the word right.

I have always found it useful to have the steering wheel on the drivers side!

The reason for travelling on the left dates back to the middle ages, when you passed another traveller you would pass on the right keeping your sword arm free to engage the other traveller should you need to, hence the CORRECT side

[M_Six]

...when you spend 30 minutes trimming weeds and brush around the yard and it takes your arms 2 days to recover.