My night.

"norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback" (norskracer98)
08/05/2014 at 22:42 • Filed to: None

So at around 845 eastern time I set out to do some city driving and night time driving to get some of my licence requirement done. So after about 30 mins of parallel with only one car in front I felt confident in that and wanted a challenge. So we found two cars pretty close together and on a slight hill. Paralleled better than both of those cars on my first time. Did it perfectly on second try. So feeling accomplished with my city driving it was time for the highway.

So about 10ish I got on 481. I took it 10 miles down to Fulton, NY, on this stretch I made my first passing maneuver on the highway at night. So I made it down to Fulton and turned around at the Fastrac. So heading back towards Oswego, I ended up in a turn lane on accident. So I had to pull a U-turn. I'm pretty sure the guy in the Civic behind me was pissed. So I made the 15 minute drive back home, and pulled into my impossibly steep driveway.

These were my driving adventures for tonight. 1.5 more hours towards my 50 bringing me to around 8.5 with 1.5 evening/night. I need 50 with 10 at night. It was good and I'm becoming more confident each time I drive.
This is what our car looks like only with out the fog lights on the bottom. We have brake ducts!!!

DISCUSSION (38)

Crocket Bernet > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 22:46

Good times, I remember practice driving with my dad. Once you get that license your life becomes a lot different.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 22:48

I usually don't have to parallel park living in the suburbs of NoVa but today I parallel parked in front of a Maserati perfectly on my first try. I was happy.

cabarne4 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 22:50

Ah, I remember practicing for my driver's test... Got my license in 2008, did all of my practice and my test in a '75 VW Beetle convertible. Love that car.

Parallel parking is easy. Don't know why so many people fail at it... I actually prefer it to regular parking. I'd rather get a scuff on my bumper than a door ding.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/05/2014 at 22:51

We usually don't but because NY it's on the driving test so I need to know how to do it. It'll be utterly useless everywhere near me except downtown Syracuse or any other biggish city.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 22:51

I felt so accomplished my first time parallel parking between real cars on a busy street. And thanks to the dork within me, I even took a picture:

Okay, so I'm a little far from the curb, and it wasn't a small space, and I had backup sensors, but still.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Crocket Bernet
08/05/2014 at 22:51

I have to wait until spring because I have to drive in snow first. Yeah, driving is amazing fun, I can't wait to get my licence.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/05/2014 at 22:53

I like the car. Our Subaru has nothing but mirrors and my eyes to help me. Thank you old people who owned it before us. I think that's actually really good it doesn't have any parking aids on it.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > cabarne4
08/05/2014 at 22:54

Yeah it was easy, it was just trying to get the turning points right. Once I got a handle on that it was really easy.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 22:58

Hey it's a good skill to have. It wasn't on my test but I taught myself anyways. I'll admit including today I've only had to parallel park a handful of times.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/05/2014 at 23:01

Yeah, it'll help if I ever have to go to a place where I have to park on the street.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 23:04

I pretty much only use it when I'm in DC and I'm running late for something, or when I'm going to the DC auto show and I don't wanna spend $30 parking in a lot lol.

cabarne4 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 23:07

Pretty much just pull alongside the car in front. Back in at like a 45 degree angle. Once your B pillar is even with their rear corner, straighten out, and start to swing into the space.

Pro-tip: lower the passenger side mirror as far down as it'll go. Being able to see your back wheel makes it way easier. Also, for the test, remember which way you're supposed to point your wheels. The basic idea is: if your car suddenly starts rolling, you want the tires to roll towards the curb and stop it... Just consider that instead of trying to remember the mind games they give you — because one way streets with parking on both sides fuck up their whole "down hill right, up hill left" bullshit.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/05/2014 at 23:08

Yeah, $30 is steep and if you can avoid it more monies for something else!!

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 23:12

That $30 bought me some cool Tesla swag at the Tesla store a few blocks over from the show. I parked right next to a Model S!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/05/2014 at 23:14

Awesome, how do they look in person? I've yet to see a one in person.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 23:16

You haven't seen one in person in NY?? Whaaaat. They're gorgeous. I'm in love with them, I want to own one in the future and I'm just saying that like how we all want to own E30 M3 in the future. I really do want to DD a P85 performance.

They just look amazing in person within the 21" turbines.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/05/2014 at 23:19

Do keep in mind I'm NO WHERE near New York City, well like 5 hours away so we don't see many exotics. The most expensive car I've seen here is the Maserati that shows up every now and then.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 23:26

Oh I always thought upstate had a lot of money, especially in the burbs. I like NYC, but idk if I'd ever be able to live there.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/05/2014 at 23:31

Well if you're near, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, or Albany you might see some stuff, or even Watkins Glen. Most of what we see are the typical 3 and 5 series and the C and E classes and plenty of Audi and Volkswagen.

SonorousSpeedJoe > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 23:35

So you don't have a parallel parking location close by that was set up by a local driving school?

The most popular driving school in my area usually has practice spots for 2-point turns and parallel parking set up in certain locations - they use pylons with poles stuck inside and carry that same equipment in their cars to improvise a spot if out on a drive to somewhere else. I think even other driving schools use those spots.

Mistakes with poles would generally be less expensive, but I guess it's NBD since you did clear the cars and seem to have the skills down-pat. Keep at it!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > SonorousSpeedJoe
08/05/2014 at 23:40

The first spots were near my HS and are used by the DMV and drivers ed. There were just other cars there when I was starting with the first ones.

SonorousSpeedJoe > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/05/2014 at 23:45

Ah, okay.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 00:05

Ah I see. The used market for lightly used German cars must be pretty good up there. Luckily it's strong down here. I can pick up a 335is for low 30's with low miles.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/06/2014 at 00:11

Yeah, plenty of used Bimmers and Mercs around here. Too bad I can't afford them!

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 00:19

Haha trust me, they're a lot more affordable than you think.

You can get a RWD 250hp inline 6 BMW for low/mid teens. Ask me how I know!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/06/2014 at 00:22

I can't afford that! I'm only a junior in high school, well will be. One day I'll be able to afford one.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 00:26

Save and try to go halfsies with your parents!

Not sure if you have a job but *any* car that you can afford to buy and drive in high school is a fun car.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/06/2014 at 00:30

I'm going to try to get a job when school starts again. I've got around $2,600 saved right now. I need to save for a car and for college.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 00:38

$2600 isn't bad. Just keep saving, college is definitely more important than a car but who doesn't want a car in high school??

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/06/2014 at 00:43

When I get a job most of my money is going straight into my saving accounts. I'll leave myself like maybe $100 a month at the most for things that I want to buy with in that period. If a car is bought that'll be my fuel and other stuff monies.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 00:56

Cool, anything in particular you're looking at?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/06/2014 at 00:58

Something fun and practical. Torn between if I want a hatch back or if I want something German. Or maybe even a wagon. So no not really I'm just kind of looking for something fun to drive, preferably a 5 speed, and practical enough to DD.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 01:03

German? Hatch? Fun?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/06/2014 at 01:15

I've just found a Golf 5 spd, and it's red!! That's German, a hatch, probably fun, and it's a 5 spd!!! And only for $3,800!!! Post to be up soon

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 01:17

see if you can borrow some money from parents/grandparents and lowball!! Seriously, deals like this don't always pop up. Jump on it!!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM3R
08/06/2014 at 01:17

It's been up for a month so you never know.

AM3R > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 01:19

lowball!! Yeah the end of the summer is usually a good time to buy, a bad time to sell. Everyone that buys a fun (read: older) car buys it at the end of winter so they can enjoy it/work on it during spring and summer.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/06/2014 at 03:50

nice man! have fun getting those hours up! I had all my hours done before I started driver's ed, so I was really ready for all the stuff there. and almost all my drive time was on a car with a stick! 18 of my 40 (Washington state requirement) were in a beat to shit Mk2 Golf Diesel, and I had exactly an hour in an Xterra as well. the rest was in my mom's jetta! I'm going to go pick up my license the day after tomorrow actually, so I can go first car shopping!

Also, just relax on the test, and be casual! I scored 97/100 without even trying! Also, when on the freeway, remember S.M.O.G. (Signal, Mirror, Over the shoulder check, Go!)