learning to drive in a mazda bongo

[fractionMan]

I want to learn in a bongo. It's automatic and it's what I'll be driving after my test.

Can anyone see any problems with this? Where can I find an instructor?

 

[Pickman's model]

yes and on the internet

 

[fractionMan]

thanks pickmans.

how do I close this thread?

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Problem, learn to drive in a manual car.

No idea where you can find a driving instructor, they don't appear to advertise their services anywhere.

 

[Pickman's model]

thanks pickmans.

how do I close this thread?

you should always learn to drive on a manual even if you desire afterwards only to use automatics. and there are a multitude of driving instructors who advertise their services both on and indeed offline; it should not be difficult to find someone to teach you.

 

[bi0boy]

Your vehicle must:

• be properly insured and have a valid tax disc
• be roadworthy and have a current MOT if it needs one
• be checked and fixed if it has a known safety fault
• have a seatbelt for the examiner
• have an interior rear-view mirror for the examiner (these are available from most motor stores)
• have a proper passenger head restraint (not a slip-on type)
• be a smoke-free environment
• have 4 wheels
• be able to reach at least 62mph
• have a speedometer measuring speed in mph
• have no warning lights showing - for example, the airbag warning light
• have L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
• have a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kilograms

Some models of vehicle can’t be used for the test. This is because they don’t give the examiner all-round vision. They are generally convertible cars and panel vans.
You can’t use these cars for a driving test:

• BMW Mini convertible
• Ford KA convertible
• Toyota iQ
• VW Beetle convertible

Other types of convertible car or panel van may also be unsuitable. Check with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) before booking your test.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Learning on an automatic is just going to give you hassle after you pass, even if you're motor is automatic, most aren't.

 

[Pingu]

aye man the fook up and learn to drive a manual and then get all lazy and go back to the auto once you have passed

its what the baby jebus would have done

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Learning on an automatic is just going to give you hassle after you pass, even if you're motor is automatic, most aren't.

Unless you're Heather Mills.

 

[lizzieloo]

I thought I'd be shit at learning to drive cos I'm well slow on the uptake and pretty bloody anxious about stuff like that but after a while the gears thing just becomes second nature and easy peasy.

Don't just learn automatic.

 

[Fez909]

Don't learn automatic...you'll miss out on the chance to impress Americans with your ability to "drive stick".

 

[DownwardDog]

Just do it in any automatic and you'll be fine. A Mazda Bongo isn't exactly hard to drive.

Don't listen to any of this crap about learning in a manual. Manual transmissions are a dying breed going the way of manual ignition advance and chokes.

 

[lizzieloo]

Manual transmissions are a dying breed

Are they bollocks

 

[marty21]

I remember finding it difficult to deal with gear changing at first - but it does become second nature after a while - learn in a manual - more choice of cars when you pass

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Just do it in any automatic and you'll be fine. A Mazda Bongo isn't exactly hard to drive.

Don't listen to any of this crap about learning in a manual. Manual transmissions are a dying breed going the way of manual ignition advance and chokes.

That would be why most new cars are still sold with them then?

 

[DownwardDog]

Are they bollocks

Of course they are. They are already extinct in premium and sports cars. They'll disappear in poor people's cars too soon enough.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Are they bollocks

They will die out, due to emmissions laws,. My car is auto, but you can use it as a clutchless manual with a flappy paddle thing, but what's the point?

 

[fractionMan]

I am going to pretend every car I buy is a premium sports car and that's why it's an automatic.

 

[fractionMan]

So will instructors teach you in your own vehicle then?

 

[Spymaster]

Uncharacteristally poor advice from DownwardDog there.

Don't learn in an auto, it limits future options too much (buying cars/hiring cars etc).

At the very least take a few lessons in a manual first. If you really can't get on with it switch to automatic but you may surprise yourself.

 

[mauvais]

Manually driven cars will be finished soon, so don't bother at all IMO.

After that, robots are inevitably going to replace us completely, so you might as well spend the lesson money on an overdose.

 

[mauvais]

(That's why I'm not an ADI any more)

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

So will instructors teach you in your own vehicle then?

They will if you insist, but you'd be mad to. if you're gonna have a shunt, may as well be in someone else's car.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I got a couple of quid of my lessons for using my own car, but that was a few years ago.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Of course they are. They are already extinct in premium and sports cars. They'll disappear in poor people's cars too soon enough.

Except on small engines they're awful. Fine if you got a nice big engine in your premium or sports car.

 

[DownwardDog]

Except on small engines they're awful. Fine if you got a nice big engine in your premium or sports car.

Small cars are increasingly going to be hybrid or EV. They will probably be CVT or no transmission at all. Except the Honda CR-Z which is, I think, the only manual hybrid you can buy and they've sold about 3 of those globally.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Small cars are increasingly going to be hybrid or EV. They will probably be CVT or no transmission at all. Except the Honda CR-Z which is, I think, the only manual hybrid you can buy and they've sold about 3 of those globally.

Yeah, but the OP is learning to drive now, not in ten years time.

 

[fractionMan]

learning to drive so I can drive my automatic 2.5l mazda bongo

 

[UnderOpenSky]

learning to drive so I can drive my automatic 2.5l mazda bongo

What if it breaks/written off and the loan car is a manual? Go on holiday or need to rent one? You need to replace suddenly on a budget and find you have a lot less options...

 

[lizzieloo]

It's not that hard and honestly I'm totally rubbish at things