Number 1 Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Hi folks I got quite a surprise last Friday when I got picked up from school and Dad handed me the keys for a 2001 Ford Fiesta Freestyle that was sitting there! It’s my birthday next month and Dad said he would have a look around for a car for me and help me learn to drive on the understanding that I stayed away from motor bikes … and work hard for my highers. I wasn’t really expecting to get something like this because although it’s almost 9 years old, it’s like its brand new. It was a guy who works with dad who was selling it for his wife’s Granny who has just turned 90 and has decided to give up driving. And get this, it has only done 5600 miles from new. Every week the lady drove it down to the shops a couple of times to get her groceries and then it went back in the garage… but it never went out in the rain! I am chuffed to bits and cant wait to get out of the exhibition centre car park and onto the road! Cheers Fraser Quote Future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red vtec Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Looking good! Nice car to start with, you want to keep that in good nick with that mileage on it! And work hard at your Highers!! Chris Quote Amateurs built the Ark Professionals built the Titanic "I haven't ridden in cars pulled by cows before" "Bullocks, Mr.Belcher" "No, I haven't, honestly" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydclements Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 When I was around your current age I saw nothing wrong with motorbikes, until a few weeks after passing my car test (still riding motorbike) an aged gentleman (not how I described him at the time) pulled out from a T junction (turning left onto the lane I was in) right in front of me. it was raining, it was a single carriageway road and I was still hard on both front and back brakes while I passed him as I travelled along the white line separating him from the traffic going the other direction. Motorbikes are fun, the problem is the other road users, so with a car you are not immortal, but you do have some protection, enjoy the car. Keep in mind, don't damage that one (or subsequent ones) as it may go against you when you ask for the keys to a certain other car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon350S Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Nice one dudes, looks ace! Should get sone nice subs in the boot and some 6x9's in the parcel shelf then you'll be beating the girls away enjoy her and learn how to drive her well and before long you'll be in the esprit Quote Chunky Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM mayevora Posted March 10, 2010 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 on the understanding that I stayed away from motor bikes Can remember having the same conversation with my parents at 17 Fraser. (I kept that promise for nearly a decade before getting a Bike but can totally understand your parents thought process - I'll be having the same chat in about 5 years with my kids) Looks like you've vertually got yourself a 'new' car I would say only just 'run in' properly. Enjoy the Learning to drive process, if you want any test hints/tips, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingoking Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Hi Fraser, Some Dad you've got there Fraser, not forgetting Mum as well. Enjoy cruising long the Esplanade once you have passed your test but work hard at your Highers get a good job and you'll soon be able to afford the insurance to get behind the wheel of not 1 but 2 Esprit's. You lucky person. Quote Join Lotus Enthusiasts Group Scotland here! and on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Frazer, 35 years ago I had exactly the same conversation with my parents. The same 2 bribes exactly! To be honest I really only mentioned bike so they would take this approach as I always preferred cars. It worked. Years later after sliding along the road at 60mph down in Wales I remembered why and like Andy it was nothing I was doing wrong but some diesel on a wet road mid bend. In a car it would have been a wobble, maybe, on a bike it was scary and could have been fatal. I know exactly where your Dad is coming from. Mind you they only insured Mum's 850cc Mini for me but I was still king of the road. Your car sounds a great find. About 8 and 5 years ago I had the same conversation with my sons and I did what your Dad did but with Puntos. Anything to keep their mitts of my cars. They have done what you will inevitably do and learn from their mistakes bouncing off various bits of Aberdeen scenery (they are both up there now working or at RGU). Remember every mistake you have, no matter how minor, will probably make your Dad add about a year onto his date when he thought you may be allowed a go in something else in the stable. Subconsciously I did. Forget the Subs suggested - too Chav, too cap on backwards. Just stick the 6x9s in a Stealth shelf so you don't get a brick through back window when parked down on the Beach Boulevard and you are sorted for the sounds. See you down there for a cruise sometime after passing your test? (Sorry Gordon) Remember there is always Knockhill for getting birthday vouchers for after passing your test. They have made a fortune out of me via my sons. Awrabest and good luck with the test when it comes along. Quote A LEGS man and proud to declare it! Lotus Enthusiasts Group Scotland Autocar's Best UK Drivers Car 2009. Car's Performance Car of the Year 2009; Evo's Car of the Year 2009. Top Gear Sports Car of the Year 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Nice work Fraser, cool set of first wheels. Does this mean that everytime you go for a drive everyone will get out of your way as they'll think it's the maniac old granny out in her Fiesta?! You're a lucky lad, work hard and next time tell him you want a green and yellow badge on your birthday cars Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Great car Fraser, looks really tidy - I wouldnt mind something like that right now so I'm a bit jealous ! Quote facebook = jon.himself@hotmail.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza 907 Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Congratulations As with some of the other guys I bought my first car mini at 16 encouraged by my parents to steer me away from buying a motor bike. It was a 20 year old Austin 7 mini which I chaved up to have wide wheels, spats, dark windows, an 8inch steering wheel and dark glass. Oh and a great big stripe over the car (before they became all the rage). I thought it was the muts dodahs. It worked as it kept me away from bikes but my parents forgot to link it to academic success which explains why A levels and university were such hard work. Enjoy it - you never forget your first car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esprit350 Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Congratulations Frazer, just never forget how lucky you are to have been given a car, I had to buy my first car and all the others since and fund my own insurance etc so you are very lucky. stay lucky and stay away from motorbikes I had a neigbour who was killed on his bike at 17 Quote The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. Friedrich Nietzsche find me on Tripadvisor http://www.tripadvis...mbers/espritguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molemot Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 My first car cost me £50 as a wreck and some teachests full of parts...in my family, if you wanted a car, it was up to you! Since I've never been able to afford what I wanted, I've always had to take the back roads to the required destination by acquiring enough bits to make it myself. Took a few years to finish...but ended up with a supercharged MG TC with nice shiny red coachwork. Wish I still had it...! Motorcycles I was saving up for when I got to be 40, something to look forward to...then they changed the test rules so I got in a bit earlier; passed the test on a Honda 125 after riding it from London to York and back...then went out a couple of days later and bought a Benelli 500 Sport! Somehow avoided throwing it down the road..probably because I'd acquired road sense and a bit of anticipation, no longer being 17 must have helped!! Good luck with your new beastie..and the test stuff..remember, passing the test only means that you have been assessed as fit to drive on your own...it's the equivalent of being sent solo in an aeroplane..it doesn't mean you're properly and fully competent. That you have to take care of yourself..keep thinking about what you do on the road and analysing and criticising yourself - I still do it! - and you'll develop into a fast and safe driver. Get some advanced car control stuff done, too...sliding the thing about somewhere safe, finding out how to keep it doing what YOU want...I used grass fields, but there are courses you can do, these days. Above all, cars are freedom... make sure you don't get that freedom curtailed by the Blue Meanies.. some means of speed camera warning is essential these days!! Have fun....and you have that green and yellow badged thing to look forward to! Quote Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been." - Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gghc87 Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Nice one Fraser Your first drive is always the best..enjoy Quote Cliff Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed. : Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotus4s Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Congrats on a great first car! Take to heart what the others have said about taking care of her, being careful and not being over confident. Make a wager with yourself to keep free of traffic violations and collisions for the first couple of years and you'll be ok. Most new drivers wreck their car in the first year. The only way to do it is to be extremely careful at all times and don't speed. Good luck! Quote 1995 S4s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.