xman, on 07 Mar 2014 - 20:15, said:

Personally I think OAP's should not be allowed to drive performance variants of any make. They should show more maturity, drive base models and give the rest of the money to their kids. Nothing worse or dangerous than an OAP who thinks he's a rally / f1 driver. 

 

I suspect it was posted "tongue in cheek" to wind up us more mature drivers, but nevertheless it deserves a reply. Here's my reasons for owning one.

 

1) Speed is in my genes. My old dad (RIP) was an engineer with Team Jaguar in the late 40's through to the early 60's and brought home various Jaguar models, XK120, XK140, even a D type! So from birth really I've been used to tearing around at a great rate of knots.

2) I've had some mean machines myself when I was younger - Series 1 E type, Jensen Interceptor FF to name but 2

3) Statistically us oldies are a better risk than, say the 18 - 21 year olds (that's why my insurance is only £153 year)

4) we value the time we have left & therefore are less likely to take risks.

5) The thrill of the ride & (sometimes the chase) gives you that shot of testosterone - works far better than Viagra, according to my Missus.

6) We are less likely to be drugged up or drunk. I can't drink much these days. That which I don't spill seems to dribble out on its own - from both ends.

7) It's not as low down as most cars, which makes getting in & out easier

8) We're not out to impress any more (we don't see a car as an extension to our penis!).So the rather old fashioned austere shape fits in with our old fashioned lifestyle

 

More seriously though, for as long as I feel safe & for as long as my doctor says I'm OK medically, I'll carry on driving as fast & furious as conditions allow (always within the speed limit, of course!)

 

To be honest, I think one of the big factors for me when I eventually reach that age (seeing as I'm only 23) is myself and many of my friends could not justifiably afford one now. So when I'm older and have worked hard all my life for the money, of course I'm going to be buying the nicest, funnest, fastest car I can! But I'll also be maturer so I'm not going to thrash the *******s off it... and probably potter around being concerned about MPG, too...

 

Makes total and complete sense.

 

Young people should be allowed to drive a £200 20 year old Polo, and learn some respect...

+1....

 

Ever heard of S.K.I. holidays, & cars?

 

Designed to stop us oldies from frittering away our hard-earned pennies on the reckless yoof! 

 

DC

To be honest, I think one of the big factors for me when I eventually reach that age (seeing as I'm only 23) is myself and many of my friends could not justifiably afford one now. So when I'm older and have worked hard all my life for the money, of course I'm going to be buying the nicest, funnest, fastest car I can! But I'll also be maturer so I'm not going to thrash the *******s off it... and probably potter around being concerned about MPG, too...

 

Makes total and complete sense.

 

Young people should be allowed to drive a £200 20 year old Polo, and learn some respect...

And NCB to keep premiums down for the Silver Drives.- RESPECT!

To be fair. An older person in a vrs shows interest in what theyre doing to me, which is much safer than an older person in a 20mph jazz, with everybody around them getting pee'd off and taking risks.

Buy what you like, can afford, and what suits your needs. Age shouldnt have a bearing on this IMO.

OK, I'm not officially an OAP yet but I feel old enough to comment!

 

I suspect many of my age are actually better drivers than most 18-21 year olds, it's just that they think they are better drivers. I started driving at 14; we learned to drive and ride motorbikes as part of our 4th and 5th years at secondary school (can you imagine that happening nowadays) and some 35 years later I believe I have amassed a great deal of experience that allows me to better judge the road, conditions and anticipate the actions of other drivers. I also raced karts for a few years so know all about understeer, oversteer, grip and handling. I bought my first GTI at 22 (oh the irony in this post!) and have always sought cars with decent handling.

 

And my main car is a 200bhp Mondeo so there's no chance of me slowing down anytime soon!

I'm 23 and have one, fantastic car and affordable running costs.

The quoted statement is ridiculous... Why shouldn't older people drive whatever they want, at least if you are buying one second hand off an older person you know it has probably been well look after and serviced correctly.

The car being driven is irrelevant. If you are saying someone isn't fit to drive a top of the range or performance variant then you are basically saying that they shouldn't be on the road. It doesn't matter what car is being driven, they can all do the same damage. At least a more experienced driver is likely to be more sensible and take fewer risks.

They are cheap little cars with only a moderate amount of power so I think they would be very suitable for an OAP. The auto box and two-pedal setup is less likely to confuse the aged brain and the dull understeering handling won't get them into any bother should they have a funny turn. The hard ride is prone to shake out dentures so this is best checked on a test-drive. I'm sure you can fit a lot of incontinence pads in the boot and if you opt for the estate then the wife's Zimmer frame will be no problem too. The stereo goes nice and loud so deafness can be overcome. The lights are very poor so I wouldn't recommend driving at night until those pesky cataracts have been sorted. The lack of leather on the options list is a problem for some as it's wipe-clean ability comes in handy for any body fluid leakage.

Haha just kidding really! In all honesty hats off to anyone, OAP or not who is interested enough in cars and driving to opt for the 'hot' version.

Should oap be allowed to drive that's the question ! Regardless of which car they drive they are bloody horrendous on the roads ,once you get to 60 your licence should be revoked and given a free bus pass !

There's nothing wrong with driving any car at any age, whatever takes your fancy I say but putting bumper stickers on is a massive faux pa !!

Should oap be allowed to drive that's the question ! Regardless of which car they drive they are bloody horrendous on the roads ,once you get to 60 your licence should be revoked and given a free bus pass !

As I am now, so shall you be one day. Will you think the same then? Relegated forever to a sporadic slowbus service bus service.

I think not

I can't wait to get my pass

At least OAP's get a winter fuel allowance which helps pay for all that extra oil

As long as they keep up with the speed limits then its fine. Some are so slow and make such last second decisions it's really dangerous that they are on the road. If they aren't using the car for what it's built for then it's a waste of engineering. Angers me when you see some old bloke driving a lovely fast merc or Audi at 40mph on a 60mph road .

Should oap be allowed to drive that's the question ! Regardless of which car they drive they are bloody horrendous on the roads ,once you get to 60 your licence should be revoked and given a free bus pass !

So on your 60th birthday are you going to give up your licence 

So on your 60th birthday are you going to give up your licence

Yep or get a fab vrs so I can race golf gti at the lights like op

I'd rather see an oap in one than a 19yr old with a lead foot and visions they're the next urban F1 champion

Lets see.

Well I'm over 60, & now in the slowest car I've ever owned. Hmmmm But thats more to do with running costs...

 

Still on the fastest Bikes I've ever owned. Double Hmmmmm  Save on car costs use for Bikes.

 

Two bikes in the garage One Car, One Van.

 

Not giving up yet. Still got a few more Bikes I want to ride.

I'm in favour of a 2nd test, at say 60. Or why not a test on a simulator?

I lived in Spain for 8 years and swapped my UK licence for a Spanish one. Part of the procedure involved a medical test. Nothing too serious; just an eye sight check, and bit of a test on a basic simulator, which tested reaction time & hand/eye coordination.

Why we don't have something similar in the UK amazes me. Simple 15 minute test, which could easily be set up in a vacant high street shop & get rid of all the old dodderers not fit to drive, at a stroke (or even before they have a stroke!)

Why don't we? Well the House of Lords would be fairly empty for a start

I see agism is still socially acceptable. One day it might be as unacceptable as racism is today, though probabley not in my lifetime.

Well I'm looking forward to retirement.

 

Currently 45 and will have the mortgage paid and no debts by the end of may this year. Investments and pensions should let me retire in another ten years.

 

So when fueling a car for a commute is no longer a requirement I'll be looking for something with some grunt.

 

And I'll be getting that superbike so I can keep up with my superbike owning mates who are nearly all in their 50's.

 

Lets not forget that most silver haired gentleman in those big German cars and sporty looking bikes have performance that would embarrass a little Fabia.

There's lots of quick kit out there it's just the majority of the young can't afford them.

 

Cheers

Lee

Edited 8 March, 201412 yr by logiclee

I see agism is still socially acceptable. One day it might be as unacceptable as racism is today, though probabley not in my lifetime.

We must have ageism for the greater good of society. Would you want an 80 year old to fly you across the Atlantic or carry out a frontal lobotomy? In either of these examples, I wouldn't worry a jot about, ethnicity or sexual persuasion, or religious beliefs. But an 80 year old? Come on!

It's a fact of life that advancing age brings declining performance in all aspects, & I'm in favour of compulsory ability testing at 60 and then at regular intervals, thereafter. If you don't pass then you lose your licence to practice for whatever discipline. No ifs or buts. Fail & you're out.

Agreed. Carefully planned tests which should be taken every, say, 5 years after 60. Passed it? Fine. The rest of generalizing is nonsense. I can think of more 18-30 y.o. drivers that should have their licences revoked than of dangerous elderly people I've come across. And I say that being still more than two decades away from 60...

Edited 9 March, 201412 yr by newbie69

What a ridiculous thread...at least I hope its tongue in cheek and not serious...

.......I'm retiring this July...Should I sell my vRS and get a Micra...or a Citigo?