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[Ian_D]

It all depends on what your used to.

Biggest questions I would be asking is:
1) What will you be using the car for?
2) What’s parking like there? How wide / long are the spaces.
3) Running costs – Parts and Fuel etc (these will be a lot higher on a bigger / heavy car)
4) Why do you want an Omega / whatever.


When I was at college, at times it was a bit of a squeeze fitting the Omega into some spaces, and also when there are idiots flying about I didn’t want it sticking out (when there’s something like a corsa either side its hard to ‘tuck it in’!) 


In terms of ease of driving, it depends on what your used to driving. If you've only driven a 6 month old 1.0 corsa, and jump into a 10 year old 2.0 Omega, its going to feel completely different.

[Amigo]

It's always encouraging to see a younger driver show an interest in a Mig which even in it's earliest most basic form is a proper RWD saloon/estate car. No FWD hatch people carrier 4x4 bollix. I think as a forum member you could benefit with help/advice on the dirty bits from other members. Ins & fuel are going to cost you more than a Corsa etc. but it can be done. Ian_D's still sh*tting green & he runs a 3.0 Elite.
    Let us know how things pan out. 8-)

[Kevin Wood]

I think you get used to whatever you learn in, TBH.

The only issue you might have is that if you have lessons the driving school will provide some sit-up-and-beg little shopping trolley and you'll have to learn to adjust between the two cars.

Not a bad thing but it might frustrate progress a little at first. Having said that you'll emerge from it a driver who can adapt between cars instead of being great at driving a Corsa and FA use in anything bigger!

I swapped between my driving instructor's Mazda 323 and a Volvo 340 when I was learning and found that in the Mazda I was relying on feeling the suspension shift as the front wheels start to take up drive during a hill start before releasing the handbrake. A tactic that's not that successful on a RWD car. Soon learnt to do it properly.

Kevin

[Andy H]

I was told a couple of years ago that test examiners can now refuse to take the test if the car isn't fitted with dual controls.

Is this true?

[davethediver]

Not sure on that Andy but i know it is frowned upon examiners don't feel as if they have as much control, which in turn makes them more twitchy and resulting in a harder test.

I learnt to drive in a bedford van and it wasn't till i had my first official driving lesson with instructor that i found out what a rear view mirror was 

[tunnie]

be warned, once you drive an Omega and then jump in a FWD hatch, you will think that wheel in front of you is not working.

Turning circle's of FWD hatches are crap compared to the more nimble Omega.

[Andy H]

be warned, once you drive an Omega and then jump in a FWD hatch, you will think that wheel in front of you is not working.

Turning circle's of FWD hatches are crap compared to the more nimble Omega.

Front wheel drive is at a disadvantage because the constant velocity joints have a limited angle over which they can operate.

The Omega has a very nice speed sensitive power assisted steering system. Try steering one without the engine running to see just how much assistance it gives at low speed. Try sneezing in a vehicle with ordinary PAS at motorway speed and see how many lanes you can cross 

[tunnie]

be warned, once you drive an Omega and then jump in a FWD hatch, you will think that wheel in front of you is not working.

Turning circle's of FWD hatches are crap compared to the more nimble Omega.

Front wheel drive is at a disadvantage because the constant velocity joints have a limited angle over which they can operate.

The Omega has a very nice speed sensitive power assisted steering system. Try steering one without the engine running to see just how much assistance it gives at low speed. Try sneezing in a vehicle with ordinary PAS at motorway speed and see how many lanes you can cross 

Yeah i know that from mother tunnies other ride a Nissan Almera, its smaller, but its harder to move around on the drive, cause if its crap steering lock compared to mine

[Kevin Wood]

I was told a couple of years ago that test examiners can now refuse to take the test if the car isn't fitted with dual controls.

Is this true?

Many moons ago when I took my test I was told that they are not permitted to touch the dual controls. I guess if it was a matter of self-preservation they might be glad of them, though. :-/

AFAIK you can turn up in your own car for a test so I'd be surprised if dual controls are a requirement. A second rear view mirror perhaps.

Kevin

[cruisetopoland]

I was told a couple of years ago that test examiners can now refuse to take the test if the car isn't fitted with dual controls.

Is this true?

Many moons ago when I took my test I was told that they are not permitted to touch the dual controls. I guess if it was a matter of self-preservation they might be glad of them, though. :-/

AFAIK you can turn up in your own car for a test so I'd be surprised if dual controls are a requirement. A second rear view mirror perhaps.

Kevin

I taught my wife to drive along with an instructor using our second car, a Perodua Kelisa, she passed first time in it (after trying to learn in a C3, Focus and Micra).
This is by far and away the best possible car to learn in as it is very small, light, confidence boosting, intuitive and forgiving-the instructor was amazed by it-especially the thrummy 3-cyl engine which vibrates under too much load to warn you it will stall.

No issue with it not being dual control, but must be roadworthy, safe, have front headrests and suitable visibility-eg Mini convertibles not allowed.

[Xplicit 2.0]

i hav to say my second car is the miggy im driving now and mines the 2.0i 16v.... I LOVE IT! im probs what called a lucky one as im still on my old mans insurance until my 21st when i will be going on my own and hopefully upgrade to 1 of the v6 models.
i hav my own reason for for having an omega (i hav to hav big cars cuz im 6'9" so i cant exactly be the typical boy racer... ) and yes it is at first a bit tricky getting used to the reversing but still a great car. i would say go for it mate!

[cruisetopoland]

be warned, once you drive an Omega and then jump in a FWD hatch, you will think that wheel in front of you is not working.

Turning circle's of FWD hatches are crap compared to the more nimble Omega.

Front wheel drive is at a disadvantage because the constant velocity joints have a limited angle over which they can operate.

The Omega has a very nice speed sensitive power assisted steering system. Try steering one without the engine running to see just how much assistance it gives at low speed. Try sneezing in a vehicle with ordinary PAS at motorway speed and see how many lanes you can cross 

Only on 2.2DTi and V6 models 

[MickAP]

I passed my test in a split screen VW campervan.......second time around though.
First time I fouled up on a junction approach and not using my rear view mirror enough.
The emergency stop was good though, the brakes on the van were really sharp, the examiner ended up with his nose up against the screen.

Mick

[cruisetopoland]

be warned, once you drive an Omega and then jump in a FWD hatch, you will think that wheel in front of you is not working.

Turning circle's of FWD hatches are crap compared to the more nimble Omega.

Huh  :-? :-? :-?
The Omega turning circle is 10.6m and is like piloting the Queen Mary.
My hatchback is 8.6m and turns instantly and parks far more easily-no contest.

The Omega has good points, but is a big crusier and seriously can't be rated for turning circle, manouevrablility or as a tuition vehicle for a novice.

Huh  :-?

[MickAP]

be warned, once you drive an Omega and then jump in a FWD hatch, you will think that wheel in front of you is not working.

Turning circle's of FWD hatches are crap compared to the more nimble Omega.

Huh  :-? :-? :-?
The Omega turning circle is 10.6m and is like piloting the Queen Mary.
My hatchback is 8.6m and turns instantly and parks far more easily-no contest.

The Omega has good points, but is a big crusier and seriously can't be rated for turning circle, manouevrablility or as a tuition vehicle for a novice.

Huh  :-?

I owned an Astra h/back for a short while, it took the same space to u turn that as the Omega estate
And the Primera I owned before was bad on the steering lock.

Mick