Which of these cars would you drive?

[Markio]

I'm currently taking a driving class online.  Once I finish I have to go to the DMV to take the written test and get my permit.  and after that, other stuff happens, etc.

[AbercrombieBaseball]

Vidgmchtr, don't lose hope! Hopefully something on this list will work and hasn't already been posted...

1. You don't have grandparents, but do you have any aunts, uncles, cousins, etc who could possibly help?

2. Maybe you could learn to drive with your best buddy, assuming his/her parents would let you? Or a neighbor, as Suffix had?

3. If all else fails, talk to your high school counselor. They seem to have a ton of connections and might be able to find you a free/cheap driving class somewhere.

Just stay positive about this and keep optimistic that you will drive soon!

[Kojinka]

I have a 2004 Grand am.  My dad and I found a really good bargain for it at a Ford dealership.  But I would really love to drive a Pontiac Firebird or a Ferrari.

[Vidgmchtr]

1. You don't have grandparents, but do you have any aunts, uncles, cousins, etc who could possibly help?

I'm sure if they taught me, they'd get arrested. It's ILLEGAL for anyone who is not a parent/legal guardian of the student, or Driver's Ed. instructor to teach people to drive in this state.

2. Maybe you could learn to drive with your best buddy, assuming his/her parents would let you? Or a neighbor, as Suffix had?

Same answer as number 1.

3. If all else fails, talk to your high school counselor. They seem to have a ton of connections and might be able to find you a free/cheap driving class somewhere.

I once asked him, but all he knew of were places that cost quite a bit.


Though it probably sounds as if I'm being stubborn on this, I'm not, I'm actually quite frustrated at the fact that every possibility will not work in my situation, due to the fact that my father's not home during the day, and that he refuses to pay for Driver's Ed.

[AbercrombieBaseball]

Okay, the first thing I can say is this: DON'T GIVE UP.

Here's my next suggesstion, apologies if you're already tried it.

Write a letter to your father. Whatever you do don't sound angry in it, but be sure to hit the following points:

1. Driving is the next step in human development (at least in America). When you're a few months old, you learn to crawl. At age one you walk. You learn to read as a toddler, learn how to write and add in elementary school, and learn how to date in middle school. You need all of those skills to make it in the world. Driving is another step there.

2. Along that line, how else can you make a 30 minute commute? Public transportation doesn't serve everything. It's impractical to walk or ride a bike if the commute is that long, plus it's pretty dangerous if you have to go on a busy roadway. (I don't care what some people say, riding a bike on an interstate is a good way to get injured/killed).

3. Driving is a huge factor in a social life. Most 16+ year olds don't meet up on their bikes at the local lemonade stand and then bike two blocks to the park. Usually they need to go further (movie theater, mall, baseball field, concert hall, etc) if they want to be entertained. Without a car, you will have to pester friends for rides. And suppose you're going to take your girlfriend who your best buddy can't stand (assuming she isn't driving).

4. The big one. A job. To work, you will have to go someplace. And going someplace you want to work usually involves a car. Perhaps propose this: as soon as you get a license and subsequently find a job, you can pay back the driver's ed money to him. This way he won't lose out on any money in the end. At the same time, even though you won't be gaining any money for a few months, you will get some work experience, which will eventually lead to a raise or an opportunity for a better job.

I'd try writing this. Maybe mail it to where he works. If you want any help on this let me know.

And remember, keep believing that this will happen.

[Sapphira]

[You] learn how to date in middle school. You need . . . those skills to make it in the world.

Um, what?

3. Driving is a huge factor in a social life. . . . And suppose you're going to take your girlfriend who your best buddy can't stand (assuming she isn't driving).

Hahaha, you obviously don't know Vid very well.

Sorry, those things you said just struck me as really funny. And I think Vid's dad would laugh at Vid if he said that, too.

As for me, I've never really been all that interested in driving. I don't go places very often, and when I do, someone can usually take me. On top of that, driving has always intimidated me, and especially did after having bad experiences in driver's ed. Not to mention it was never a priority to go out and practice or anything. I've had a learner's permit for about 4 years (and have only driven very, very few times during that time), and I've had to renew it twice.

It's gotten to the point, though, that I'm sick of having to rely on others to take me places; it's frustrating for me, and I really don't like being a burden on people, either. I'm also wanting to become more independent or grown up or whatever. Particularly from my parents. This summer I've been driving more often, pretty much now whenever I go some place (and am not really tired). It's a lot less intimidating than it was before, not to mention I seem to be a LOT better and more relaxed. So hopefully by the time my permit expires, it won't matter because I'll already have my license.

Oh, and I suppose as of last week, I have my own car now! My brother and parents bought a used pine-green Dodge Durango (either a '97 or '99, I think?) for him, so now I'll be using the car that he'd been using (which originally was going to become mine, anyway, since I'm older than him, but he got his license before I did, so...). It's a '98 white Chevy Malibu. I like driving that car the best, anyway. :)

Ideally, in the future I'd like to have some sort of four-door hybrid car.

Edit: Oh yeah, this topic reminds me of this one.

[Luigison]

Heh.  I love to drive.  It's exploration.  Taking a road I've never been on and eventially trying to get back without using any of the same roads can be fun.  At least it was in Mississippi where the road layout and a sense of direction could get you anywhere.  LA is another story.  As we found at E3 2005, you can't simply reverse directions to get back.  When I'm driving for exploration I prefer to do it alone or with someone who doesn't care.  I hate it when people tell me to turn around or get directions.  That takes the fun out.  I prefer to figure it out on my own.  If there is an appointment or something I'll take known roads or use a map and/or directions because I hate being late.  If I'm exploring I tend to play music (usually hard and/or heavy rock) a little to loud, but when trying to find an address I usually turn it way down or off.  Somehow it seems the auditory input decreases optical ability.  Maybe it's a multitasking things and uses too many brain resources.  On long trips I listen to a lot of talk/news radio, but my wife hates that or hard/fast/loud music.  She says it makes her nervous or something.  It actually relaxes me.</ramble>

[Vidgmchtr]

Okay, the first thing I can say is this: DON'T GIVE UP.
[snip]
And remember, keep believing that this will happen.

Hahaha, how very supportive of you.

It's inevitable that driving will become less of a want and more of a need (actually, it's going to turn into a complete need by the time I graduate high school, which will be in 11 months). Seriously though, it feels as if you're getting all bent out of shape on something you yourself shouldn't worry about, because you're not me. :P

I'm sure you'd be pleased to know that I WILL get a car soon. At this point, it looks like a Ford Focus. My father'll be trading in his Jeep for one, and will be using that until the "financial slump" ends, and he'd get a new Jeep, while I'll get the Focus.

As for actually DRIVING the car, well I'm going to ask dad about reconsidering about paying for Driver's Ed and not asking me to pay him back (seriously, he paid for other essentials for me for the past 17 years, driving is essential, too).

[Suffix]

I know how to drive a car. No accidents, nothing scars my record. That being said, how do I get to work every day? On my bike.

You see, nobody will buy me a car, and I don't feel the desire to shell out thousands of hard-earned dollars on a pile of ferrous oxide on wheels. Also, I definitely didn't learn how to date in Middle School. While many were chattering like the fools of a silly sitcom, I was busy learning important things, like HTML, BASIC, video editing, writing, poetry, algebra, and some generic items.

Do keep in mind that I have indeed driven plenty. Although I don't own a car, and I ride my bike to work, I have used our minivan just as much as my mother in this past school year. Not always to get to school, but to piano lessons and stuff. So don't think my record is flawless due to lack of driving...

While I'm busy ranting, however, I've got to say that AbercrombieRounders is onto something with numero tres.

[Vidgmchtr]

You...learn how to date in middle school.

Dating? lol

I DEFINITELY didn't date in middle school. I was too busy doing stuff I actually enjoyed rather than spending money on someone I KNOW I wouldn't marry. I personally think middle school students are still too young to do stuff like that, and don't know what TRUE love is.

Besides, just like in high school, I hardly went anywhere while in middle school (except work on Saturdays, and that was only for one year, and I only got paid $20 a week ('twas a piece work job, and not considered "on-the-books")).

[Chupperson Weird]

Dating random people is stupid. "Learning" or not. Also I would question the notion of dating as a necessary skill. If it even can be called a skill.
As you might be able to tell, I find the notion of dating to be ridiculous and useless.

[The Chef]

Dating. Never have. Never will. There's no need. I also don't plan on marrying, but even if I do, I definitley won't have kids.

 Sorry for going off topic, but it seemed like the best time to post this.

[Markio]

Darn, someone should have warned AB that opinions of any kind are looked down on here.

Just kidding... 9_9

I want too drive a Prius.  I mean, the shift into drive or reverse and all that is really simple.  And you don't start the car with a key, you hit the power button!  I know because we have one...  And it's better for the environment, so that's always good ... for the environment! ~_^

[AbercrombieBaseball]

Whoops, I totally forgot to put the Prius on the list of choices! With today's gas prices, so many people are looking into them. I know two people who have them and they look pretty neat. Never driven it so I don't know how it compares to a regular car, but I've heard it's just as good if not better than gas cars. Everyone who gets a Prius seems to love it. I also heard it was the best hybrid out there (there are a few others, Honda makes a few and I think Ford does too).

Yeah, I guess dating isn't 100% necessary to learn in middle school, since some people can go fine without it, but for me, I'm one of these people who loves it and saw it as one of the best new experiences of being in middle school. I prefer to know someone for a little while before going out with them though. Not a huge fan of blind dates though they can be really fun.

[Art]

I picked a pick up truck… it was a tough call between a Honda Civic and a Ford Mustang (yah I know it’s a guy thing…) I know a pick up truck does fall short in gas mileage but gains big in utility. I can do most anything with it. Like go out on a camping trip, do yard work with it or what ever. Though gas mileage is an issue, id might settle with a small 4 cylinder engine Ford Ranger for light duty stuff and still not too bad for regular commuting. Well I do have my “N” licence but still have to go for my full licence. I do drive every now and then, but not on a regular basis, as the current automobiles belong to my parents. My brother on the other hand does have his full licence, as he got his “N” earlier before me. I have not gotten in any accidents so far. I do qualify for my full licence and should consider applying for my full driving test sometime not too far from now. One of the biggest issues for owning a car is the car insurance, its extremely expensive as just a simple Toyota Yaris car it would cost some where in the neighbourhood of 2800-3000 bucks a year (in Canadian dollars ouch!). Well anyway thats just my 2 cents.