Frustration

alundi

Hi all ,
I'm a forty year old male . Recently started lessons again after three year break . I did an intensive two day course recently , ten hours over two days . All went better than I thought , I wouldn't be the most confident driver . I wouldn't be very confident in general . The car I have access to at home is a 1.9 Octavia . I decided to take a lesson in a diesel , 1.6 . At the end of lesson instructor said I don't need lessons , just plenty of practice . I was cuffed I must admit ! I decided to try drive the 1.9 Sunday morning , it conked right outside house . I felt back to square one . Found changing gears had gone back . It was like taking corners in second gear felt like I was in third . Any advice ? Many thanks

Lia_lia

All cars are different. I learned in my Mothers 1.6, which I find very easy to drive. I bought a 1.2 Fiesta recently and found myself stalling a good bit, hadn't stalled in my Mother's car in years! However, my Mother also stalled in the Fiesta a good few times, which she never does. We both find the Fiesta grand now. Just a case of getting used to the car! I'm also fairly nervous, but the more practise I get the less nervous I get!

CSSE09

Don't get disheartened, just need a bit of time with the different car, bigger engine might be moving a little faster in 2nd too, tiny bit more on the brake might help. You'll get the feel for it yourself soon enough just take it handy and if the engine cuts out don't worry about it, happens to everyone.

JPF82

Just don't be so hard on yourself. Keep up the practice and you will improve. Everyone stalls now and then. I'm 9 years driving and it still happens. More likely with the change of car too. Best of luck with it and don't give up.

irishgrover

your post seems to be consistent with the feedback you received. You just need to practice.
Contrary to what "learners" (of most things) believe, there normally is not some secret hidden talent that people who have already "learned" have. In 99% of cases it is just patience, practice and perseverance.
If you do and intensive course followed by a lesson, of course you will behave better than trying cold, in a different car, after a break in practice.
Stop trying to convince yourself that that there is some magic gene that you don't have and others do, or that you have a flaw.
You just need to keep calm, carry on and practice.
Also, different cars, react differently, it takes time to adjust...give yourself a break, use your maturity as experience and set realistic goals...and practice, and then do some practice :-)
Best of luck

alundi

Thanks all for the replies , much appreciated , gonna have a pop at it again , hopefully works better , its like if I stall I react as if the car will explode or something .