Interesting thread, has made me think a lot, not good.
I've got two driving heads, when i'm driving for my living i can cope with anything, traffic, idiots, the absurd nannying, the idiotic computerised gearbox that i have to drive in manual to make safe normal progress, and the increasing surveillance of us by many means worry me not a jot, just as well i suppose, it comes with the territory.
But i become a totally different person once i get in my own car in my own time, which is becoming increasingly less frequent.
Its a good job my cars are pleasurable to drive, both proper auto's, as i really don't think i would ever take a manual car anywhere other than work commute.
I'm getting less patient and the antics of various fools encountered all day every day without problem whilst i'm working really annoy me to the nth degree, when you get to your destination, there's a good chance the parking stazi will ruin your trip if they can.
Give me an open road, and i'll take my old MB for miles of pleasure, smooth running, almost imperceptible gear changes constant uninterrupted acceleration and predictable RWD handling mean progress rapid or sedate can be equally pleasurable, i suppose most RWD/4WD automatic cars come into this pleasurable driving thing.
The few times recently i've taken a normal modern manual car anywhere have been frustrating and uncomfortable experiences, normal price range, i realise there are exceptions.
Engines with no low speed torque or smoothness, rough diesels, clutches so fierce they either stall the dreadful excuse for an engine immediately or judder if you get frustrated with the thing and give it more throttle to overcome the stalling, horrible FWD handling, wheel spin in the wet, torquesteer, even in the dry pulling fairly rapidly away from a junction, and don't tell me about the dubious masochistic pleasures of the automated manual (same dreadful thing i've got a 12 speed useless version of in the truck), progress being a series of leaps and dives, truly the gearbox from hell.
Even starting some of the modern things is a trial by patience.
Sorry i've gone on a bit, but this rant has just confirmed the possible replacement for my old MB, it wont be manual/automated manual/FWD/modern diesel.
Funny how sometimes things become so clear once you've written them, even if other readers can't make head or tail of the waffle.
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i used to go out driving quite alot, but ive had to cut back on how much driving i do because it was getting too expensive (not just fuel costs but life in general)
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Tawse's posts are fascinating, because they say in a different way what I have often said here: that a lot of bad driving, especially of the mimsing and Double-Take Brothers sort, is caused by repressed but acute anxiety of which the driver may be partially or wholly unaware.
For those of us who are barmy enough, though, there is some pleasure even in reflecting on these matters in the thick of crawling traffic. If you can't actually drive for a lot of the time, at least you can consider in detailed analytical fashion the psychic and other interplay pulsing through the surrounding traffic like invisible sheet lightning. I bore my poor wife rigid with monologues in this vein, although what she really hates are the sudden expletives that sometimes escape me under severe provocation.
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A phenomenon which appears to be particularly prevalent here in the NW is the "mimser" convoy effect. It is initiated by the "Lead Mimser" (LM) who sets the funereal pace. Usually an uncannily steady 40mph. This speed is maintained regardless of road conditions, traffic density or prevailing speed limit. Even 30 and 20 mph zones are not exempt from this, 40 mph on the nail whatever the limit.
The convoy is then extended by M2 , M3 and sometimes M4. M2 gets to within less than a car length of LM and stays there. M3 will occasionally weave around a bit to perhaps vaguely hint at at an overtake but will usually tire of this in due course and settle into his or her rightful place. You guessed it, 10 feet behind M2. M4 joins in and doesn't bother to weave and just sits the regulation distance behind M3.
Eventually, M2, M3 or M4 will lose concentration. It must indeed be hard to drive in such close formation for extended periods. One of them will inadvertantly drop back leaving a safe overtaking gap. This may remain in place for some time and the unwary can be deluded into thinking this is a deliberate courtesy to following traffic. However, if you then have the audacity to actually attempt to overtake M4, M3 or M2, or indeed any combination of them, they tighten up quicker than the Red Arrows, usually when you are alongside and in the greatest danger.
One of the almost forgotten advantages of my recently aquired, reasonably powerful, petrol car is that you can take out multi-mimsers (MMs) in one move. Having driven large but moderately powered diesels for many years the MM phenomenon had become a fearsome and demoralising sight. The stress factors alluded to by Tawse and Lud are now limited to timing the MM despatch technique to avoid the inevitable camera placed in the few spots where this is possible.
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Used to do it a lot HB, am much more circumspect now. Even thirty years ago M2 could finally get his courage up and pull out in kamikaze style just as you were about to pass the carphound. These days I would expect it.
Enjoyed your sound documentary-style description of modern A road traffic especially at summer weekends though. Even sticking rigidly to the chosen mimse through limits that are lower than the mimse, well spotted... however I must say under those circumstances I often feel as it were thankful for small mercies.
:o}
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I still drive for pleasure a lot. I suppose not having to commute helps and living where I do with reasonably empty roads can make driving fun. I have one 'modern' and several old classics that need regular exercise so if it's a nice day I'll go for a blast just for the hell of it. Costly? Yes, if you count it as a means of transport, but less so if you look on it as a hobby as well. The classics cost peanuts to own so the only real cost is fuel.
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What nick said; but sadly I don't use the GMC pick-up as much as I used to. Fifteen MPG takes its toll eventually, so it only goes out when there's timber to collect or junk to be tipped.
Still the most fun way I know to go to the council dump though!
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Funny how odd combinations of time, weather, car, and road conditions can sometimes add up to a thrilling drive. I was out late last night in appallling weather. Extreme rain, partially flooded roads, well standing water anyway. Took the long way home on the twisty winding country A roads. No other traffic to speak of. Paul Weller unplugged on the CD. Made swiftish progress despite foul weather. Really enjoyed it for some reason.
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I was thinking that last night - I always have a perverse pleasure from driving in the rain - I had a 40 mile trip the other day in torrential rain - it was in the work Honda, lights, heater, air con and wipers - and a journey time that was long enough to enjoy the Radio 4's Afternoon Play. Couldn't find fault with any of that - the play was one about a B17 being flown to Florida n WW2 (still available on iPlayer) - brilliant.
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