Originally Posted by Rudy' post='222196' date='Jan 10 2006, 01:35 PM

JDN, I got you beat by six years -- except something tells me that your first drive was newer when you drove it than mine was!

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='222189' date='Jan 10 2006, 02:27 PM

I learned in a 1930 Hupmobile...no, I'm not that old -- it was the car that was old!

It had mechanical brakes (not hydraulic, certainly no ABS), about 45 horsepower, a three-speed unsyncronized transmission (no SMG ), leaf springs all around (no active roll), split rim wheels with inner tube tires (no runflats), one tiny vacuum-driven windshield wiper (stopped when you accelerated, no rain-sensor), no sealed beam headlamps (way, way dimmer than "sealed beams" and, of course, dimmer than HIDs and didn't swivel with the steering wheel), a 6-volt electical system, a crank start (backup to the electric starter), a top speed of about 45mph, etc.

Suffice it to say that I feel it made me a better beginning driver because no matter what I drove after that, it was simpler. This thing was all over the road!

I do agree with the theory that a new driver may not learn some of the fundamental elements of car control if they're not exposed to a more primitive car than the E60. I'm not saying people should go to extremes and drive a model T but there is something to be said about learning basic car control. Probably the best scenario for any new driver is to get exposed to both sides, a primitive car and an advanced car. Ideally, that exposure should come at a driving school or program that allows some on-track activities, etc.

One important thing though -- I think new drivers should learn about ABS and not be given the exposure to a car without it. Once someone gets used to "pumping the brakes" instead of nailing the brake pedal in a panic stop, it's sometimes hard to break the habit...

Originally Posted by amigo525' post='222389' date='Jan 10 2006, 07:47 PM

Post that picture bad boy !