ROSPA test car choice...
Discussion
Hey folks,
I am looking for a bit advice from the PH advanced driving knowledge pool...
Four years ago I passed the IAM test and was training to be an observer, but unfortunately I moved and had to give up on the observing idea due to the constraints of my work. So I didn't bother to join the local IAM group after I moved.
Recently I decided to go for the ROSPA test because i) I wanted to polish up my driving and ii) I fancied the challenge of going for ROSPA Gold.
I've had a couple of observed drives and it's going well. My observer says that I'm currently at a Silver standard, so we are working towards getting rid of the remaining niggles.
My question to you lot is which car to take the test in. I have done the two drives in my Evo 8, but I also have a Peugeot 406 HDI. As I see it, they weigh up as follows:
Evo:
Pros- Any overtaking type manouver is much, much easier.
More accurate positioning on the road.
Push-pull steering is made easier by the quick rack.
It's the car that I enjoy driving!
Cons- Quite hard to be smooth at low speeds.
Rock hard suspension might further add to impression of a lack of smoothness.
Nightmare speedo design makes it hard to check speed at a glance.
Possible that the examiner will have preconceptions about a young person in such a car.
Pug:
Pros- Really easy to finesse the controls.
Comfy suspension, low NVH etc. creates impression of a smoother drive on my part.
Cons- It's so damn dull.
I'd feel like I'm taking the easy way out.
I've discussed it with my observer and he is leaning towards the Pug as he feels that because the car has lower abilities there will be correspondingly lower expectations of my driving. He is happy for me to continue using the Evo for the practice drives (in fact he really enjoys it!), but he has suggested that we do a drive in the Pug before the test to make a decision on which to use.
So, please let me know if you have any useful input especially if you found yourself in the same quandry. In short, I'd like to use the Evo but I'm coming round to the idea that it will be easier to achieve a higher grade pass in the Pug, which is my goal after all.
Thanks!
>> Edited by Monumental on Wednesday 29th March 20:36
I am looking for a bit advice from the PH advanced driving knowledge pool...
Four years ago I passed the IAM test and was training to be an observer, but unfortunately I moved and had to give up on the observing idea due to the constraints of my work. So I didn't bother to join the local IAM group after I moved.
Recently I decided to go for the ROSPA test because i) I wanted to polish up my driving and ii) I fancied the challenge of going for ROSPA Gold.
I've had a couple of observed drives and it's going well. My observer says that I'm currently at a Silver standard, so we are working towards getting rid of the remaining niggles.
My question to you lot is which car to take the test in. I have done the two drives in my Evo 8, but I also have a Peugeot 406 HDI. As I see it, they weigh up as follows:
Evo:
Pros- Any overtaking type manouver is much, much easier.
More accurate positioning on the road.
Push-pull steering is made easier by the quick rack.
It's the car that I enjoy driving!
Cons- Quite hard to be smooth at low speeds.
Rock hard suspension might further add to impression of a lack of smoothness.
Nightmare speedo design makes it hard to check speed at a glance.
Possible that the examiner will have preconceptions about a young person in such a car.
Pug:
Pros- Really easy to finesse the controls.
Comfy suspension, low NVH etc. creates impression of a smoother drive on my part.
Cons- It's so damn dull.
I'd feel like I'm taking the easy way out.
I've discussed it with my observer and he is leaning towards the Pug as he feels that because the car has lower abilities there will be correspondingly lower expectations of my driving. He is happy for me to continue using the Evo for the practice drives (in fact he really enjoys it!), but he has suggested that we do a drive in the Pug before the test to make a decision on which to use.
So, please let me know if you have any useful input especially if you found yourself in the same quandry. In short, I'd like to use the Evo but I'm coming round to the idea that it will be easier to achieve a higher grade pass in the Pug, which is my goal after all.
Thanks!
>> Edited by Monumental on Wednesday 29th March 20:36
It's a nice dilemma to have ;-)
My car is a Focus RS, but I know exactly what you mean when you say that the Evo is difficult to drive smoothly at low speeds. I find driving my girlfriends Focus 1.6 to IAM observer standard far far easier - the softer suspension/brakes/throttle response just makes smooth-driving at low speed much much easier. I'd lean towards the Pug.
My car is a Focus RS, but I know exactly what you mean when you say that the Evo is difficult to drive smoothly at low speeds. I find driving my girlfriends Focus 1.6 to IAM observer standard far far easier - the softer suspension/brakes/throttle response just makes smooth-driving at low speed much much easier. I'd lean towards the Pug.
Don't know how much it helps but I have taken tests in an Ascona 'B', a Rover 800 series, an Omega, four in Xr4x4s and a Mercedes C-Class estate. The last one being an auto. In none of the tests can I honestly say that "the car" made any difference whatsoever to the result. The point is that it's not what you drive, rather it is the the way that you drive it.
That may sound a little trite but it's the way it is. As far as the examiner is concerned, the car is just a tool that you will need to demonstrate control and efficient use of. If you have a choice then I would suggest that you take whatever you enjoy driving the most.
That may sound a little trite but it's the way it is. As far as the examiner is concerned, the car is just a tool that you will need to demonstrate control and efficient use of. If you have a choice then I would suggest that you take whatever you enjoy driving the most.
OK, I've had four observed drives and I'm now happy with the idea of using the Evo for the test. I discussed it with my observer and he agreed that using the Evo isn't going to create extra diffulties during the test.
I just have to arrange a check drive with another observer and if that goes well I'll apply for the test
Wish me luck!
I just have to arrange a check drive with another observer and if that goes well I'll apply for the test
Wish me luck! 
Monumental said:
OK, I've had four observed drives and I'm now happy with the idea of using the Evo for the test. I discussed it with my observer and he agreed that using the Evo isn't going to create extra diffulties during the test.
I just have to arrange a check drive with another observer and if that goes well I'll apply for the test
y thoughts are with you. Best of luck.. und my hope und thought for you ist GOLD pass.
I did my RoSPA first time in the Stag. Post accident when re-took everything - from basic upwards... in the Jag.
Got GOLDY star again
People do ask why I re-took my entire driving history..
Well ... was incapacitated for a while.. in wheelchair .. had to learn to walk again. Needed a confidence rebuild....had the family support - they were like granite rocks
- especially family BiB und the policeman who helped me survive, drove with me a couple of times as person who felt he was responsible for myt welfare und a fellow Christian - und he still keeps in touch. He featured on Cheshire's Traffic Cops by the way. I still owe him plenty.
Ist why I want policemen und not automation maybe
Periodics? I drive in the Jag as norm.. so one in Jag und one in the Moggie
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