Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Markie on 11 March 2007, 18:54:08

Title: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Markie on 11 March 2007, 18:54:08
Been really busy recently and generally i only drive through my local town go to to train station.
Yesterday i ventured further and did a 15 mile each way motorway trip to Glasgow.

Clearly my lack of recent driving has rufled my aggressive streak and let me lose my control..

Had 4 run in`s with other drivers on the journey

1. A white van at 60mph on the outside lane of three - no other traffic. Depite flashing him he remained there - so i undertook him. Lots of gesticulating and headlight flashing.
2. A rover 827 and caravan wandering onto my lane indicator free - similar reaction from both drivers.
3. Another white van - see point 1.
4. An audi a3 1.8t that followed points 1 and 3. This one however was different as rather than pull in he decided to speed up and up and up and at 100mph i was still stuck to his arse flashing him in.

None of these incidents were my fault but reminded me of the following

That the majority of drivers cant drive and dont know the highway code.
That white vans still follow their stereotype
That caravans still cause chaos
That the Omega is a fantastic performer against hot hatches

That i need to drive more as my rustyness caused me to lose temper and commit offences  :(

Thoughts?
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Andy B on 11 March 2007, 19:12:08
Quote
......
That i need to drive more as my rustyness caused me to lose temper and commit offences  :(

Thoughts?

And ....... breathe!  ;D
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Markie on 11 March 2007, 19:23:09
Quote
Quote
......
That i need to drive more as my rustyness caused me to lose temper and commit offences  :(

Thoughts?

And ....... breathe!  ;D

Absolutely  :y
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Danny on 11 March 2007, 19:35:46
i wouldnt narrow it down to just white vans, but pretty much ALL unmarked vans of all sizes!!
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: STMO123 on 11 March 2007, 19:48:36
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]


Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: hotel21 on 11 March 2007, 19:50:24
Take a punt on the continent.  Restores faith in how driving should take place on motorways....

B
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: x25xe on 11 March 2007, 19:54:27
Quote
That white vans still follow their stereotype

That the Omega is a fantastic performer against hot hatches

Sorry to hear about your 4 "encounters" toady.  Demonstrates the general poor driving that is to be found out there.

However, in addition to the Omega, I also have a white Transit.  I go out of my way when driving this not to be like "white van man" giving way, letting people out etc.  The look of surprise that I get from car drivers when I have let them out is sometimes priceless!  Sadly, most van drivers don't give a damn and drive as if they own the road which gives the rest of us a bad name.

And yes, the Omega is a fantastic performer.
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 March 2007, 19:54:59
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]




Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.

Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Markie on 11 March 2007, 20:22:48
Quote
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]





Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.


 ;D  yes i am stereotyping - agreed    :P

And Broocie - Driing in Belgium does indeed show how it should be done!!
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: TheBoy on 11 March 2007, 20:41:38
Quote
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]




Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.

The car is irrelevent, its the caravans that should be banned...
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: MikeDundee on 11 March 2007, 21:00:53
I suferred slow drivers in the fast lane yesterday driving down the A2, and driving up the M11 yesterday. Another facelift meega I passed yesterday in Dartford area flashed me, not sure if that was because I was going faster than him or he seen the OOF sticker :y
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 March 2007, 21:03:26
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]




Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.

The car is irrelevent, its the caravans that should be banned...

Explain your 218TD and caravan then!

Not suprised you want them banned after that ;D
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: TheBoy on 11 March 2007, 21:05:20
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]




Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.

The car is irrelevent, its the caravans that should be banned...

Explain your 218TD and caravan then!

Not suprised you want them banned after that ;D
It wasn't mine. However, it confirmed my fears that anyone wanting to have a bedsit tied to the back of a car is one piston short of a v6...
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 March 2007, 21:21:02
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]




Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.

The car is irrelevent, its the caravans that should be banned...

Explain your 218TD and caravan then!

Not suprised you want them banned after that ;D
It wasn't mine. However, it confirmed my fears that anyone wanting to have a bedsit tied to the back of a car is one piston short of a v6...

Exactly - you haven't towed with a car with a decent amount of power, I found even the 2.0 was capable and would maintain road speeds no problem.

The 2.6 coped very well on both of last years holidays, I held noone up over the mid Wales mountains and still had a fun drive, I did see some bad driving notably the 4x4 and caravan ahead of me who would not go over 40 - he pulled over when I flashed him - then the whole queue flew past, I slowed and pulled over in a long layby about 4 miles later and let 3 cars behind me past, they waved thanks! while I rejoined straight after.

In Cornwall I lost a TLGP to a Volvo V70 but he had to go flat out to get past, he didn't expect what happened, but I do find solo cars will go mad to pass then slow down after holding you up. If you want to pass me make sure that you are passing because you are going faster not because I am towing a caravan.

I find I get very little problems as I keep in lane, keep speed up when sensible, not afraid to use the cars power, and if I am leading a queue (once so far) I pull over when safe and sensible and easy for everyone. Most people who can drive and want to go faster willl pass safely.

Then should set a power/weight minimum limit of 45bhp/ton which is easily acheivable mine is 65-70bhp/ton depending on load. 45 is acheivable by a 2.0 and a laden van, and is the lowest pwr I would have towed at, any less I feel would be dangerous.
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: TheBoy on 11 March 2007, 21:27:47
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]




Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.

The car is irrelevent, its the caravans that should be banned...

Explain your 218TD and caravan then!

Not suprised you want them banned after that ;D
It wasn't mine. However, it confirmed my fears that anyone wanting to have a bedsit tied to the back of a car is one piston short of a v6...

Exactly - you haven't towed with a car with a decent amount of power, I found even the 2.0 was capable and would maintain road speeds no problem.

The 2.6 coped very well on both of last years holidays, I held noone up over the mid Wales mountains and still had a fun drive, I did see some bad driving notably the 4x4 and caravan ahead of me who would not go over 40 - he pulled over when I flashed him - then the whole queue flew past, I slowed and pulled over in a long layby about 4 miles later and let 3 cars behind me past, they waved thanks! while I rejoined straight after.

In Cornwall I lost a TLGP to a Volvo V70 but he had to go flat out to get past, he didn't expect what happened, but I do find solo cars will go mad to pass then slow down after holding you up. If you want to pass me make sure that you are passing because you are going faster not because I am towing a caravan.

I find I get very little problems as I keep in lane, keep speed up when sensible, not afraid to use the cars power, and if I am leading a queue (once so far) I pull over when safe and sensible and easy for everyone. Most people who can drive and want to go faster willl pass safely.

Then should set a power/weight minimum limit of 45bhp/ton which is easily acheivable mine is 65-70bhp/ton depending on load. 45 is acheivable by a 2.0 and a laden van, and is the lowest pwr I would have towed at, any less I feel would be dangerous.
Remember, having access to a range of 4x4's, I have towed with far better tow cars than Omega ;).  I have also towed far heavier things that caravans.

The car is not the problem (actually, the 218TD wasn't too bad, though anything above 70 I imagine would take some winding up), its the mobile bedsits clogging up our country lanes in the summer.
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: STMO123 on 11 March 2007, 21:30:18
Now boys. Play nicely :D
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 March 2007, 21:32:45
Some explanation here.

Why do I want to keep speed up and always use quite a bit of acceleration - very simple, I didn't get my own car until I was 27, until then I very occasionally borrowed my mums Metro and later on an Avenger estate, as I had my own transport.

Yes I am a late starter at owning a 4 wheel vehicle as I had powered 2 wheelers rode a very hot Suzuki GP100 for a few years, then various Suzuki 250s (dirt cheap due to learner law) then a GSX600F until I got done on totting up including a very dangerous driver* who the court was not interested in

* wrong side of road coming up to road works blind bend forced a lorry to emergency stop and did me for clipping the ends of a double white line.

BTW I find trafpol fine this was not trafpol - trafpol usually bollock and you learn!!!!

So basically I have missed the whole rubbish shopping car at 17 business!! ;D

Got to admit wet roads scare me more than most drivers as I know what can happen when you are on two wheels but I still have this don't waste time attitude.

So even when going on holiday I still like to smoothly go through a series of corners straightening them as much as possible and saving having to brake/accelerate
Title: Re: I need to go out and drive more
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 March 2007, 21:41:59
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
That caravans still cause chaos


Thoughts?

Martin? [smiley=evil.gif]




Rover 800 is the operative bit here, people who have crap cars and tow generally are crap.

The car is irrelevent, its the caravans that should be banned...

Explain your 218TD and caravan then!

Not suprised you want them banned after that ;D
It wasn't mine. However, it confirmed my fears that anyone wanting to have a bedsit tied to the back of a car is one piston short of a v6...

Exactly - you haven't towed with a car with a decent amount of power, I found even the 2.0 was capable and would maintain road speeds no problem.

The 2.6 coped very well on both of last years holidays, I held noone up over the mid Wales mountains and still had a fun drive, I did see some bad driving notably the 4x4 and caravan ahead of me who would not go over 40 - he pulled over when I flashed him - then the whole queue flew past, I slowed and pulled over in a long layby about 4 miles later and let 3 cars behind me past, they waved thanks! while I rejoined straight after.

In Cornwall I lost a TLGP to a Volvo V70 but he had to go flat out to get past, he didn't expect what happened, but I do find solo cars will go mad to pass then slow down after holding you up. If you want to pass me make sure that you are passing because you are going faster not because I am towing a caravan.

I find I get very little problems as I keep in lane, keep speed up when sensible, not afraid to use the cars power, and if I am leading a queue (once so far) I pull over when safe and sensible and easy for everyone. Most people who can drive and want to go faster willl pass safely.

Then should set a power/weight minimum limit of 45bhp/ton which is easily acheivable mine is 65-70bhp/ton depending on load. 45 is acheivable by a 2.0 and a laden van, and is the lowest pwr I would have towed at, any less I feel would be dangerous.
Remember, having access to a range of 4x4's, I have towed with far better tow cars than Omega ;).  I have also towed far heavier things that caravans.

The car is not the problem (actually, the 218TD wasn't too bad, though anything above 70 I imagine would take some winding up), its the mobile bedsits clogging up our country lanes in the summer.

Thats the thing caravans are big but not heavy - the limit is basically aerodynamic reasons - ie you don't go fast and you are carefull of cross winds.

At road limits when not blustery the whole outfit is stable and under control.

The extra weight of a 4x4 is good with heavier loads but there is nothing wrong with biggish saloons.

I find the whole driving thing the standards are so variable. Most road users do not consider other users at all. Yet a small adjustment makes life so much easier, like the tosser who signalled right as he turned and turned off into the road I was waiting to turn right out of - if he had signalled correctly I would have got out and been down the road - I always signal in time and make it obvious that pulling out is OK - I won't flash - that is supposed to be a warning.