What my first year driving / first car has taught me.
 

If you're one of the regular people I communicate with on here you may know that my 13' FRS I got just short of a year ago is my first car. I figured I'd make this thread as a celebration and a bit of a recap of my experiences not only driving my car but driving in general. (I'm only 18)

First off, The FRS isn't a very DMV-Worker Friendly vehicle. I actually took my driving test in the FRS. I remember the lady who gave me my test and license and she was actually shocked I was even driving the car in the first place. I had to help her get in and out of the car. was quite funny.

The first place I went driving alone was the mountains ironically enough near my home. It was great and I'm extremely thankful to have had the experience with it I have.

Secondly, I've had to really learn to respect speed and how quickly things can get out of hand. To most people, I know our vehicles aren't very fast out of the box. With the few things I've done, I feel like my car feels like a missile once I burst into third gear and get the RPMS above 4,200 or so.



Very recently I've had a close call with a kid doing one of these flying up the left lane when I was trying to merge into the left lane. he came out of nowhere and was probably inches away from hitting my quarter panel and spinning me off the highway. I didn't even see him until I was halfway into his lane. I was on the way to class when it happened and I was actually pretty shook, but it's life and it goes on. I've been on two rally style events with multiple twins and other sporty cars, driving fast, way faster than we're supposed to go (most recent was a mountain run through west virginia) and It just makes me think a little. I will say If I was in a car that wasnt the FRS I most likely would have had an accident that day due to the size of the vehicle. Overall the FRS has been quite a fun car to daily drive. It's really taught me things about driving that I dont think I would have had the opportunity to learn in any other vehicle.
https://i.imgur.com/6uvrBTP.png


Lastly, It's crazy how much of a connection you can have to a car. I've never had such a connection to an inanimate object before. About a month ago I was on the way home from dinner and was steadily about 60 when an animal about the size of a housecat ran out in front of my car. I had legit no breaking time and just slammed into it. I remember taking my car to the car wash to clean it off and taking this picture and I was extremely heartbroken. I didn't want to report it to insurance so I still did some DIY repairing and poured boiling water on it and popped the dents out and I just need to replace the clips now so it fits back into the fender and we'll be good to go. It's a wee lil battle scar but a reminder to be careful, drive slower at night. etc etc. I lucked out with the damage. dent and a crack is the least I could have gotten.
https://i.imgur.com/v3ALpPX.png

Besides the little speed bumps I've had, the cars treated me well. going on 44,000 miles here soon and hopefully, I can make it last its full lifespan. My goal is down the road to just turn it into a project. something I can wrench on and have fun with and maybe hand down to my kid one day.

Nice story.

Yep, always expect the unexpected while driving.


humfrz

Wouldn't that make it the expected?

If I'm expecting the unexpected and something unexpected from what is expected happens.. what should I expect?

You are lucky ( or worked hard) to have such a car as your first but I think that you would find that no matter what it was you would still love it. Be it a brand new Corvette or a baffed out 12 year old Corolla there is a bond you develop with that first car that you bought with your own money. It is not just a means of transportation, it is a step towards independence and an entrance to adulthood. Many years from now you will remember not just the car but the times associated with it with great nostalgia.
The day will come (I know you don't believe it at this point) where you will be sick of fixing it, something new will get your attention or changes in your life will make it no longer practical and you will sell it. You will never forget it though.

Edit:
LOL Just like this http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=75

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/20/ac...71b49ae930.gif

http://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploa...tion-gif-2.gif

:slap: ....... it's not nice of you to confuse an old man ....... :(


humfrz

You're overthinking this whole expected thing ........ :sigh:


humfrz

Nor is it difficult, apparently. ;).

:popcorn:

Still trying to figure out why driving through mountains is ironic. Wouldn't one expect an FRS to be driven in the mountains?

Nice story, you are lucky and brave learning to drive this car as your first.

Don't beat yourself up over things like the close calls and road kill. They happen. The trick is to note they happened and ask what you can learn from it. What could you do differently (if anything) to mitigate risks further. Evolve your driving by learning from mistakes (yours and others) and unexpected encounters. Stuff happens so whats your plan to make the outcome more favourable.

I learnt to drive on a motorbike. Coming from a long time on a push bike I went with "I'm invisible" and even if they do see me they will either try and kill me out of malice or just out of plain stupidity.

In the car it's really hard to get around with "I'm invisible", you just have to put the car in places where you have to be seen and assume you have been seen. It's too big to sneak past unnoticed staying out of everyones way.

So I focused on everyone being out to kill me. I look at every other car as a risk and wonder what damned stupid thing could they do to ruin my day and have a plan B for when they do it. If you find yourself shocked by the pure gormlessness of some drivers, you need to work on your expectations and lower them.

Things to remember:
1. It's usually not the speed camera van you see that gets you. It's the one you didn't see.
2. It's usually not the hazards you see that get you. it's the one that came out of nowhere. So make sure you see them all.
3. Every bit of road you can't see has a probability of having a silage fork wielding tractor at head height parked on it. Can you take that risk?
4. A flashing indicator (turn signal/blinker) tells you the bulb is working and nothing more.
5. A green light tells you it "SHOULD" be clear. Not that it IS clear.
6. Pedestrians and cyclists are lemmings. They actually want to throw themselves under your car, do not give them opportunities!
7. Flooring it off the lights lowers your risk by getting you away from the cattle stampede behind you and up the road safely. (your honor)
8. Don't race bikers. They will win or die trying.
9. Don't read really long messages by me if they annoy you ;)

The FR-S is a hugely under appreciated learning car. Since it does not have a lot of power, you have to learn all of the other things you need to be fast. People who have never done that and rely on HP alone suck.

:slap: ............YOU were waaaaay overdue for that.......:D


humfrz

I fixed it .......for me at least ...... :drool:


humfrz