How's my Driving

Hi Folks.

Just back from a fortnight 'hols' In the South of England.

Have the rules of motorway driving now changed South of Watford?
Is the slow lane now the fast lane and the fast lane now the slow lane?

As far as I'm aware there has never been a slow or fast lane

Theres a slow lane! I thought that was the hard shoulder...........

Had a little chuckle when I saw the thread title, as when my Mrs asks that question the stock response is Crap.

Actually Mav, what do you drive with your huge brood, a double decker bus ?
Seriously, I need to get something bigger, maybe a 7 seater and any knowledge would be appreciated.

I'm just back from the States, if you think our driving is bad.......

Doon the Water wrote:Hi Folks.

Just back from a fortnight 'hols' In the South of England.

Have the rules of motorway driving now changed South of Watford?
Is the slow lane now the fast lane and the fast lane now the slow lane?

Not that I'm aware 'officially' but it would appear that blissfully unaware inconsiderate fools who insist on sitting nose to tail at 50mph in the outside lane and impatient undertaking boy racers are I think are collaborating to force the change through by stealth!!

Diggers wrote:Actually Mav, what do you drive with your huge brood, a double decker bus ?
Seriously, I need to get something bigger, maybe a 7 seater and any knowledge would be appreciated.

Don't say bigger on here, otherwise you'll have SR giving you grief

Diggers wrote:Actually Mav, what do you drive with your huge brood, a double decker bus ?
Seriously, I need to get something bigger, maybe a 7 seater and any knowledge would be appreciated.

Diggers, I'm thinking of buying a Kings Ferry coach

It's not easy especially as Mrs Mav still has a 207gti her little fun car is now destined for trade in as with 4 she could just manage it now she's tipped over the edge into having to have a proper family car.

I have a Range Rover (bloody thief magnet, clubs nicked from it last year and sar barsteward tried getting in it again last month), that i'm looking at changing end of this month looking at Audi Q7's for myself, something a bit cool even when the kids are not in it. We've looked at a few 7 seaters, stay away from the Zafira very boxy and plasticy inside, also known a few people that have had to have them recalled during to streering issues. Citreons well its a citreon so no. The best ones we've seen for practicality is the old Dagenham Dustbin (new version) Ford Galaxy unbelievably roomy and confortable or the Toyota landcruiser however don't think the Mrs could park one of those.

Were testing a Galaxy for her this weekend so wil let you know

Cheers mate. Cant decide whether to go 7 seats, like maybe a VW Touram or go for the extra boot space and something like a Passat Estate or an A6. There will only be the 4 of us so the 7 seat part isnt essential but if we are out with the grandparents its nice to be able not to take 2 cars sometimes.
I do like the Q7's but dont think I could bring myself to part with that much cash for a motor that the kids are probably going to trash anyway.

Diggers wrote:Cheers mate. Cant decide whether to go 7 seats, like maybe a VW Touram or go for the extra boot space and something like a Passat Estate or an A6. There will only be the 4 of us so the 7 seat part isnt essential but if we are out with the grandparents its nice to be able not to take 2 cars sometimes.
I do like the Q7's but dont think I could bring myself to part with that much cash for a motor that the kids are probably going to trash anyway.

The VW Tourag is a nice motor, looked at those myself but the Q7 is calling me... As for kids in it, last resort, pop them in the galaxy.

Forget fitting the kids in, your main priority should be whether you can get a few sets of clubs in the boot.

super_realist wrote:Forget fitting the kids in, your main priority should be whether you can get a few sets of clubs in the boot.

SR thats what the Galaxy is for the kids...
My first thought is always can I get 4 adults in and 4 sets of clubs for a jolly boys outing and the anser to this with the Q7 is YES

Mav, hows things these days on the injury front, because everytime you're not playing Mrs mav ends up preagnant Plenty of room to make babies in a Galaxy or a Q7, and still have room to stroke your 5-iron

The left knee's really good actually, i still get tender and soreness after a round but thats starting to ease off now. The more work I do in the gym and stretching it off really helps, I'm still not overdoing it yet and not practising as much as I was until i'm 100% sure. So just 1 day a week at the range an afternoon on the practise green and 1 round a week. Sounds like a lot still when you write it down but i'm used to practising 3 times a week then playing saturdays and sundays, as well as working out.

Thik the Mrs is hoping the knee gets to fully fit state soon so she can be left alone, still could always go for a round with her sister

Jas
Amazingly I found that the Swindon drivers were generally very good.
M27, A34 and M4 were generally awful.
Around Windsor was very scary.
I shall retreat to ma wee heilan hame and let the hamsters run round their little wheels faster and faster.

To middle lane hoggers - I hope you all die (without harming anyone else).

I went from lane 1 to lane 3 and back to lane 1 yesterday around a Ford Ka pootling along at about 60 in lane 2. And HE gestured to ME that he believed me to be an onanist!

Generally I try to keep in lane 1, even (especially) if the rest of the motorway wants to queue up in lane 3 at 70. I consider it using the bits of road no-one else wants.

Maverick wrote: We've looked at a few 7 seaters, stay away from the Zafira very boxy and plasticy inside, also known a few people that have had to have them recalled during to streering issues.

Is that the new model Zafira or the old one Mav? My parents' car is a old Zafira with 100k+ on the clock, plenty of things are starting to go wrong with it now but not had any steering issues yet!


What are your thoughts on the Ford S-Max?

It's the newer models Ned, not just the Zafira's but also the smaller sibling car the Meriva, ironically after my friends were recalled there was a watchdog episode that highlighted this error and good old Anne Robinson had a spat with Vauxhalls manufacturing plant over it. It was quite serious as I recall even old Man Mavs Insignia had to go back o be checked on its steering though that was fine, seems to be something of a design fault on post 2008 models.

The S-Max is what I've been suggesting to the Mrs, I like the lines on it, and the fact it has that sporting look and finish rather than looking like the usual family bus cars that MPV's usually are. Pretty reasonably priced to from what i've seen, an attractive car for its type and being a Ford should be a reliable motor

Mrs M wants a new car. I wouldn't mind but it's only 6 months old.

It would be perfect for my golf bats, but unfortunately I wouldn't be seen dead driving it.

What is she driving at the moment Marcus

A white Cayenne, with black wheels. It's an eyesore.

She wants an Infiniti next.

Wow, Q7's, Cayennes, Range Rovers, the streets really are paved with gold down there.

super_realist wrote:Wow, Q7's, Cayennes, Range Rovers, the streets really are paved with gold down there.

No we just car jack them and change the number plates!! Or just live off the income profits from ou drug mules

To be fair I don't mind the Cayennes if its black, with chromes, never white with black rims. My brother looks like aright poof when he turns upto play at the club on SUndays with his new white TT with black rims only to be made worse when his mrs comes meet up for lunch in a matching A3 same colours But he works for Audi as an area manager so theres cost nothing, and could do me a bit of special discount the Q7.

Mrs Mav has her her little chick racer mobile for a couple years I gave her alsorts of options when she ogt it but she wanted the 207GTI as it had a good safety rating for the kids to.

A man should never drive a TT, strictly a ladies car, especially in white.

Some cars look amazing in white, but I think the Cayenne is as ugly as sin in any colour. I still can't believe she managed to convince me that getting one was a good idea.

Anyway, she's decided that it's too big, and is also too fast for her. Although I am somewhat annoyed that I'll lose a fortune on it, the annoyance is tempered somewhat by the fact that I won't have to look at it outside our house any more.

Marcus wrote:Some cars look amazing in white, but I think the Cayenne is as ugly as sin in any colour. I still can't believe she managed to convince me that getting one was a good idea.

Anyway, she's decided that it's too big, and is also too fast for her. Although I am somewhat annoyed that I'll lose a fortune on it, the annoyance is tempered somewhat by the fact that I won't have to look at it outside our house any more.

Yet she wants an Infiniti? Not really much smaller is it?

super_realist wrote:A man should never drive a TT, strictly a ladies car, especially in white.

Exactly what I said when he got it... I have not been out in it with him, when he volunteered to drive us to a comp at an away course at start of the year before my injury, I declined as I did not wnt to be looking like I was his boyfriend getting out of the passenger seat. Even my old man won't get in it for fear of what others may think.

I've got no idea. She hasn't even test driven one yet. She walked past the showroom on Piccadilly t'other day and liked the look of it.

I think I'll be making the final decision this time.

500 bhp+ 5.5 litre V8 supercharged engined cars are the way to go.

Or an 84 bhp straight 3!

Marcus wrote:I've got no idea. She hasn't even test driven one yet. She walked past the showroom on Piccadilly t'other day and liked the look of it.

I think I'll be making the final decision this time.

They look a bit like an updated version of the Lexus SC430 which is a frightful car.

Can't stand Lexus's (or is it Lexii, or even Lexee?).

I thought the shape of it looked a bit like a Q7, which is a monster of a car, but with added chrome bits here and there.

Maybe I'll get her a G-Whizz as punishment.

I must have been thinking of a different model. However it's Nissan's "luxury" department, which gives an indication of their lack of style and design.
I'm sure they are very good, but no way would I buy one.

http://www.infiniti.co.uk/fx.html

She had her eye of the FX50 model. From the rear it looks pretty much identical to the Q7.

There's a guy who arrives at the train station the same time as me has one, it's more of a q5 size or perhaps even smaller.

Would say they are more like a Q5 in size too, as much as the colours your Mrs chose for her car i'd stick with the Cayenne

One way or another it's going. Can't say I'm sold on the Infiniti, so will have to conduct further research.

Mercurio wrote:To middle lane hoggers - I hope you all die (without harming anyone else).

+1, Amen!, Hallelujah! (apologies S_R for the religious phraseology) , etc etc

navyblueshorts wrote:

Mercurio wrote:To middle lane hoggers - I hope you all die (without harming anyone else).

+1, Amen!, Hallelujah! (apologies S_R for the religious phraseology) , etc etc

I believe the police call them CLOC members - centre lane owners club.








No? Oh please yerselves! I'll get my coat.

Maverick wrote:The left knee's really good actually, i still get tender and soreness after a round but thats starting to ease off now. The more work I do in the gym and stretching it off really helps, I'm still not overdoing it yet and not practising as much as I was until i'm 100% sure. :

Mav,
I too have left knee problems, would you like to enlighten us with your stretching & gym exercises you do for this ?

SetupDeterminesTheMotion wrote:

Maverick wrote:The left knee's really good actually, i still get tender and soreness after a round but thats starting to ease off now. The more work I do in the gym and stretching it off really helps, I'm still not overdoing it yet and not practising as much as I was until i'm 100% sure. :

Mav,
I too have left knee problems, would you like to enlighten us with your stretching & gym exercises you do for this ?

After surgery spent most time just doing stretches and with my physio these ones were worked out as best for the knee.

Hamstring stretch
Chair Knee Extensions
Heel Slide Knee Extensions
Knee Flexions.

The exercise's I now do in the gym on after doing the above stretches are:

Wall Slides
Bent Leg raises
Straight leg raises
Abductor Raise
Hamstring Curl
Step Ups
Stationary Bike

All done with light weights but more reps, as this helps strengthen and tone the muscles around the knee to prevent further injury. If you do heavy weights low reps your likely to cause more damage. Above all avoid swimming, as it causes stresses on the muscles to the outside of the knees and prevents them healing properly

Never really got the whole middle lane hogger thing. The motorways are so full of trucks these days so if you are driving at 70-75 then by and large you should be in the middle lane anyway. If someone wants to excessively break the speed limit then they still have the outside lane to do so in.
Personally the drivers I cant stand are the ones who are constantly changing lanes as if to make a statement.

Don't get me started on lorries Diggers.
What do they feel they have to gain by overtaking the lorry in front just because they are literally driving at 1mph quicker, yet they overtake, take 2 minutes to pass and have gained about 10 metres. Pointless.

Diggers wrote:Never really got the whole middle lane hogger thing. The motorways are so full of trucks these days so if you are driving at 70-75 then by and large you should be in the middle lane anyway. If someone wants to excessively break the speed limit then they still have the outside lane to do so in.
Personally the drivers I cant stand are the ones who are constantly changing lanes as if to make a statement.

Diggers in being contrary non-shocker. I'm talking about people in the middle lane when there's nothing in the 'slow lane'

http://www.howmotorwayswork.co.uk/middle_lane.htm

super_realist wrote:Don't get me started on lorries Diggers.
What do they feel they have to gain by overtaking the lorry in front just because they are literally driving at 1mph quicker, yet they overtake, take 2 minutes to pass and have gained about 10 metres. Pointless.

I'm pretty sure they do it so they can continue to eat their breakfast, make telephone calls, read porn mags, ensure the kidnap victim in the back doesn't try to escape, and don't have to take their feet off the dashboard to apply the brake.

Mercurio in not liking anyone else having an opinion different to his own shocker.....
How often do you find that there is nothing in the inside lane of a motorway these days, and if there is then by and large the motorway is quiet anyway and the fast lane is empty so whats the big deal about someone being in the middle lane anyway, how many lanes do yo uneed to overatake someone?
Just something more people to moan about that IMO....yes, I can have one........doesnt make any difference.

Diggers wrote:Never really got the whole middle lane hogger thing. The motorways are so full of trucks these days so if you are driving at 70-75 then by and large you should be in the middle lane anyway. If someone wants to excessively break the speed limit then they still have the outside lane to do so in.
Personally the drivers I cant stand are the ones who are constantly changing lanes as if to make a statement.

Never really got the whole showing consideration to other drivers thing. The motorways are so full of trucks these days I get too scared to change lanes very often, and sometimes I dare to break the speed limit by as much as 5mph so doing so while changing lanes would really push my driving ability to the limit. If someone wants to do 77 they've still got the outside lane, and the 15 drivers behind them who want to do 80 can just wait.
Personally the drivers I can't stand are the ones who know what they're doing.

SmithersJones wrote:

Diggers wrote:Never really got the whole middle lane hogger thing. The motorways are so full of trucks these days so if you are driving at 70-75 then by and large you should be in the middle lane anyway. If someone wants to excessively break the speed limit then they still have the outside lane to do so in.
Personally the drivers I cant stand are the ones who are constantly changing lanes as if to make a statement.

Never really got the whole showing consideration to other drivers thing. The motorways are so full of trucks these days I get too scared to change lanes very often, and sometimes I dare to break the speed limit by as much as 5mph so doing so while changing lanes would really push my driving ability to the limit. If someone wants to do 77 they've still got the outside lane, and the 15 drivers behind them who want to do 80 can just wait.
Personally the drivers I can't stand are the ones who know what they're doing.

Hilarious Smithers. I suppose the fact that Ive been driving for 27 years and never had a point or an accident mean I must be a hopeless driver.

Diggers wrote:Mercurio in not liking anyone else having an opinion different to his own shocker.....
How often do you find that there is nothing in the inside lane of a motorway these days, and if there is then by and large the motorway is quiet anyway and the fast lane is empty so whats the big deal about someone being in the middle lane anyway, how many lanes do yo uneed to overatake someone?
Just something more people to moan about that IMO....yes, I can have one........doesnt make any difference.

It's nothing to do with it being a different opinion to mine. It's to do with it being contrary to what the Highway Code says you should do.

I rarely drive on motorways, but happened to drive three times on motorways last week (in the evening and Saturday morning) and in all occasions faced middle lane hoggers doing 60 mph, with little traffic on the road.

Did you not read the web link? It does make a difference. It's dangerous and you're advocating people do that. I shouldn't be surprised at some of the stuff you type, but I am here and also extremely disappointed and angry.