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Post by Humph on Dec 20, 2017 14:33:06 GMT
How's the second in line to the throne doing with his driving lessons?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2017 9:04:32 GMT
Hmmm. Failed his first test. Don't quite understand what happened, but something to do with crossing the line at traffic lights (no yellow box), but lots of traffic turning one way and he got stranded by the time the lights had turned against him. Next test in the New Year.
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Post by Hofmeister on Dec 21, 2017 9:51:22 GMT
Failed his first test. got stranded by the time the lights had turned against him. Pulled his knob off again? |
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Post by Humph on Dec 21, 2017 10:29:24 GMT
Turning right at a junction against oncoming traffic is, I suppose, one of the more challenging moves for a new driver. Even an experienced one can get caught out by that occasionally, especially if the last oncoming vehicle comes through lights later than they should.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Dec 21, 2017 10:46:49 GMT
You'd still complete the manoeuvre, wouldn't you? And other drivers are required to let you do so, given that you're already in the road they intend to use. Freezing rather than proceeding might annoy an examiner on a bad day.
Esp didn't mention turning right, though. Going straight on when there wasn't a clear exit might be grounds for failure. The HC used to tell you not to block even non-box junctions; I'm not sure it still does but it's a sound principle to work by.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2017 13:10:30 GMT
TBH, I haven't got all the details, but I think he was turning right and was harshly treated by the examiner, but there may be other reasons for the failure. I'm not bothered at the moment, as him not driving doesn't impede his or our lives for the time being, especially as he is considering a gap year from next summer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 15:54:34 GMT
Arghh. A red steering wheel light illuminated last night was I was out in the Punto with the 'spare', doing some revision prior to his second test next week. This red steering wheel implies a fault with the electric power steering. A bit of googling implied it could be as simple as a battery low on oomph or as expensive as a replacement column and ECU.... Likely cost of parts is about £180 plus fitting. No implied criticism of son; It happened between pulling into a petrol station to fill up and leaving five minutes later.
At what point does one stop spending money on a car which was built in 2004 with only 16,000 miles on it, and is generally reliable?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 16:27:46 GMT
>> and is generally reliable?
Is it?
>>At what point does one stop spending money on a car which was built in 2004 with only 16,000 miles on it,
If your priority is getting as much financial value, then keep going till you get a big one. If your priority is safe late night transport for your son, then about now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 16:33:02 GMT
16,000??? That's incredible over 14 years.
Your choice is to keep spending on fixes (£180+ an hour or so ain't much) or blow multiple thousands on something much newer.
I know I'm going to sound like Humph here but if you're going to change it, get a C1/Aygo/108. I've had one sitting under a cover at my place since September, hasn't moved. Its operative has returned to the country from the Antipodes yesterday and I removed the cover and started it up to check for battery condition on Tuesday night, expecting a to have to remove, charge etc. It fired up without a cough or splutter and I drove it round the block a few times for good measure. Immortal cars.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 20:51:35 GMT
Otto, fair point, but actually in over two years of ownership, this is the first defect not inflicted by us. Three MoTs passed without an advisory, servicing simple, starts regularly and puts up with the abuse meted out by #1 son.
Alan... Car owned by old geezer from new until he died. We bought it in 2015 at under 11,000 miles for £500 so it owes us very little. Certainly, a 107/C1/Aygo clone or similar are good options, but if I can keep the Punto going until April 2019, the Renault Captur used by one of my staff becomes available which can go to #1 son and I can then look at alternatives to the Punto for #2 if he needs it.
PS. The light has gone out. I wonder if the recent holiday and very poor weather affected the battery, whose power has now been replenished by some driving today. Certainly various Punto fora suggested that possibility. We shall see.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Jan 5, 2018 0:09:12 GMT
We have a Seicento and a couple of time the same light has come on. When it was on there was no power steering but all back and working after a restart.
You could spend thousands on another car and have even more problems and cost. I'd stick with the Punto for now.
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