if you are looking to learn, here are a few thoughts:

o playing a driving game with a steering wheel (think old arcade, free-standing, sit-in style boxes) can help a little on hand-eye coordination and foot controls (really, i remember seeing studies on this in the 80s)

o if you are thinking of buying a car to learn with... get a 'beater'. something you don't care too much about, but will protect you and function properly. it should last 6+ months, be functional, and be safe. you should be able to find one for $500 (recommend: automatic transmission)

o put both yourself and suvega on your insurance (its not for your car repairs... more for other cars/people)

o when you get the car, have suvega drive you to a LARGE, EMPTY parking lot... put you in the middle of it... then switch seats. have fun with it.

and if you are nervous about hurting the car... remember it's a beater. if it'd make you feel better, when you get it... kick one of the quarter panels hard... dent it. then you'll be less worried about hurting it. (sounds weird, but maybe growing up in the automotive field gave me a different perspective.. either that, or i'm just a bit whacked)

oh, and since you are in the NW... the first time it snows... DO NOT DRIVE. instead, have suvega take you and the beater to the big empty lot... and practice doing donuts (this was SOP for the first snow every year growing up in Boston)

once you are feeling secure with your driving... toss the junker and get a real car

and of course... you need to get something cheesy for your first beast:

or




edit: oh yea... we want pictures too !