I PASSED!

[Shelby 427 1965]

You may remember that I had a build thread up on my 1:1 scale GTI...

Well, I don't think I posted on the forum about this, but, I took my driving test a while back.. and I passed first time! So proud. Dead chuffed. That explains a bit of a lapse of model building.. but I'm now road legal!

Unfortunately, thanks to insurance companies being horrible, I can't insure the GTI

So I was stuck with the Fiesta...

Which, after I had refurbished the wheels to gun metal gray, didn't look too bad.

So yeah, I passed first time! No faults, flew through the test. Had insurance sorted instantaneously the second I got home, and it was time to go out for a rip! R Plates put on the car, a restriction in the UK/Northern Ireland by which new drivers are restricted to 45mph for their first year of driving. I can honestly say, this is horrible. I can't wait till the year is over.

And literally within two minutes of passing my test, I had a demand for a mini road trip from a certain someone, so that was in order...

And it was all smooth sailing until... disaster struck. Literally within a day, the car was broke beyond repair. Something called an EAC fault, and we tried literally every single plausible thing to fix it, took it to dealers, took it to mechanics, all to no avail. Sent the car into limp mode and lost practically all power. Was practically dangerous to drive. And no.. this wasn't due to me!

So now.. I'm in my mother's car. A ford Ka. and this thing doesn't even have the decent wheels going for it.

Spot the difference...

I've also made a point of not washing it, which has led to some funny looks and some interesting artwork...

I do feel bad for the GTI, lying up and not being able to be driven, and now getting snow...

But who cares. Every school boys biggest goal. I can DRIVE!!

[Atmobil]

Congratulations

I remember how it was, being roadlegal at last. It was really great. Just remember to be carefull, I also remember how it is to be a fresh out of the box driver

[jbwelda]

whats the hang up with the insurance on the GTI?

and how come that ford was a complete loss? some emissions stuff? really, can't be that bad! what a drag!

anyway great news on the license. I remember when I first got mine. then promptly got a couple tickets. don't do that!

had the first year (here anyway) GTI back in 1984. was a fun car, but they have come a long ways and no comparison to what you got there.

jb

[Shelby 427 1965]

Well the insurance companies wanted roughly £8000 to insure me on the GTI. So that was a no. The Fiesta and Ka were both at around £700. But after a year or two, the GTI insurance comes down to around £1500.. Go figure. I'll be able to daily drive it soon...

Yeah, it's a complete loss. It's not emissions, it's a common problem in that age of Fiesta... We've had it in the family from brand new in 2003 I think, which would be the very start of the production. Pro tip: Leave a car for a year or two for the teething problems to be sorted before ya buy 'em new... The problem has dipped in and out now and and again but it was last here two years ago and it only lasted a day. This time it lasted a every single day for a month and we've tried and replaced every possible thing, but all to no avail. Nothing's coming up on dealership computers. So it's just lying around the back of the house too till we eventually get rid of it.

I won't be getting any tickets, I'm a very smart driver But nah, having the GTI there and the thought of being able to drive it soon if I'm good on the roads and don't get any tickets or anything that would effect my insurance is enough to keep me sensible!

[jbwelda]

so I guess the combo of a young person, a newly registered driver, and a performance car makes the premium go through the roof. 8000 pounds man that's insane! and probably if you survive the first year without incident they bring you down to "normal" premium which doesn't really seem to bad compared to what we pay in the states for mandatory insurance. but those prices you quoted were for the year, right? not a month or a quarter or anything?

jb

[Shelby 427 1965]

Yeah, but the thing that annoys me is that it's the car that I did all my learning in and lessons in on the road - it's not as if I wouldn't be used to the power of the car and I'd be at risk. But try telling that to the companies. Oh well.

Yeah, that's for a year!

[Erik Smith]

Yeah, but the thing that annoys me is that it's the car that I did all my learning in and lessons in on the road - it's not as if I wouldn't be used to the power of the car and I'd be at risk. But try telling that to the companies. Oh well.

Yeah, that's for a year!

Unfortunately insurance rates are based on everybody's driving abilities, not just your own.

I have a teenage driver. Insurance is no fun, unless you need it.

Congrats on passing!

Edited December 11, 2014 by Erik Smith

[DrKerry]

Congrats!!!!!

[moparfarmer]

Enjoy your new found freedom I remember my first road test in 1964..Took it in a 1964 Chev Bel-Air 4 dr sedan with standard shift (three on the steering column) and standard steering..Clipped a parking pole so FAIL..Called next day and got appt the day after in snow storm with ice..Got it no problem..Enjoy your life with your license and don't abuse it..REMEMBER DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE "NOT" A RITE...

[Belugawrx]

Congrats on passing the test

Insurance rates go down as you go,...proving your a safe driver..!!

But showing up at the office looking like two deers in the headlights,...well

Have fun,... and if you cant be good,... be careful

Cheers

I mean have a coke and be happy

[Dave Van]

Who cares about the cars.......who's the cute red head!?!?!?!?!?!?

My wife is a red headed Irish girl (born in Paris Fr. but that's another story!!)

She has been bugging me to make a trip 'home' someday....I'd like to go.....but like your insurance....$$$$$$ for now.

The KA is not THAT bad....it is 'WHEELS"!!!!

[Belugawrx]

PlasticmodelsPlasticmodelsPlasticmodels

[o-man]

I'm sure the car is taking all your time...NOT! Its that pretty girl with you in the pictures. Cograts on passing. Too bad about both cars. I'm sure you will hear this more times than you can stand, but be careful driving. You are not invincible, so try not to abuse the privilege. But, do enjoy yourself.

[Daddyfink]

Congratulations! Have fun and be safe!! But 45 MPH for a year? That sucks! And bummer the car broke on you, that really sucks!

[slusher]

Congrats, I took my license in a 1980 Dodge pick up when it was 2 years old. Started driving at 15 in a 76 Pinto. Some guys told me a beginner didn't need to start in a pinto...

[Miatatom]

Congratulations, Tomo! I remember that day as well. I had a feeling of freedom. You and your lass make a beautiful young couple.

[ChrisBcritter]

Congrats on the license, Tomo! At least you have a better VW to drive than I did when I was your age:

Spot the difference...

New glasses for your girlfriend? Anyway, you make a cute couple!

[Shelby 427 1965]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

I dunno, that VW has potential to be pretty darn cool too...

(The difference was it was the ka in the background that time.. But she got new glasses too!)

[crazyjim]

Congrats Tomo.

[fumi]

Is it possible to register your GTI under, say, your mom's name and have you as second driver for the insurance?

[dublin boy]

You can do that, but if he's the "main driver" of the car it's illegal, anyway he needs to build up his own no claims record.

Didn't realise the R plate resticted you to 45 mph. They've just brought in something similar down here.

If you need someone to drive the Golf for a year, I can be up there in 2 hours easy. LOL

[Jim Whalen]

Well done on passing your test! I work as a driving instructor in Wolverhampton, England. It is a shame that a minority of young drivers wreck it for the rest but there is not much we can do about it - unless someone successfully challenges ageism in the European courts like they did a couple of years ago with sexism (stopping companies charging less for women). Approaching driving properly is almost an art form - I still come across new situations and I have been driving for 30 years!

Now get onto more important things - model building!

[Shelby 427 1965]

Unfortunately, that quote WAS as a named driver. Which sucks. But thankfully with the company I'm with at the minute, they do no-claims for named drivers too, so I can build up my NCB to get driving the GTI sooner.

Thanks everyone!

[blunc]

Congrats on your new freedom.

My first "freedom" was in a 1969 Opel Kadette-L, a fun little car.

The insurance "problem" seems to be universal (in countries that have insurance), unfortunately, in the current "texting" environment, I doubt rates will drop much for new/young drivers due to a few rotten apples.

I'm glad the insurance industry finally got over the unfair fallacy that female drivers are "safer" and therefore get insured for less.

Oh yeah, writing in the dirt on your mom's car body actually damages the finish a little by scraping dirt into the top coat. Be nice to your mom's car.

[sjordan2]

Congratulations. If I recall correctly, there are so many narrow streets in Dublin that 45 mph would be ridiculous. Also congratulations on your beautiful fair lass of a girlfriend. If my girlfriend in those days in my youth had gotten new glasses, the relationship would have been over much faster.