Hey there! Welcome to a channel where American automotive passion meets European exploration! 🚗✈️
I'm a devoted car enthusiast with a love to travel and drive around the world. As an American Expat calling Amsterdam, NL home, I'm here to share my personal experiences, insights, and a unique perspective on the automotive world, car culture in Europe, and the differences I see from my perspective as a car lover from the United States of America
If you're passionate about cars, curious about car culture e in Europe, or simply looking for some automotive content, subscribe now!
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I enjoy driving in Europe and loath driving in North America, specifically in Southern Ontario. The drivers know etiquette and better driving skills. Left lanes are free to pass and no one acts like arse holes! Let me say it again, I loathe driving here. They only two pedals and one they use the most, brakes, for no reason and clog the road driving side by side with no one passing, a bunch of arses!
One thing you forgot to mention is, a lot of European countries has something called weight tax. Meaning the heavier the car the bigger tax. And an automatic transmission ads a lot of weight compared to a manual, it kinda ties in to the ongoing cost point yo6 made
Good points, although automatics and manuals have very similar weight (and even fuel economy) nowadays.
Also consider how much time you spend in a car. Yes it takes more time to learn to drive a manual. But you can do a lot more with it, in controlling the car for efficiency, speed or what-have-you. And it becomes second-nature over time, like learning to cycle. So if you have any form of commute, that plus the costs savings make manual transmissions the better choice. Additionally, it makes start-stop functionality and as you mentioned other fuel saving measures less jarring, as you are in control. And that is not even considering the fun aspect, along with the extra engagement keeping your attention on the road better.
Good points!
I wish Germany would introduce a speed limit across the autobahn. Driving on the autobahn becomes unnecessarily stressful and dangerous when you can be overtaken by vehicles driving 100km/h faster than you, even when you are cruising at the recommended 130.
Meh, I understand where you're coming from, but it's a great freedom.
@@Kerleem It is a freedom, for sure. As someone who prefers cruising along at 130 to 140, continuously being forced to merge back into the slow lane behind trucks and campers keeping 90 is still annoying. The racers force other drivers to massively increase fuel consumption by these breaking/accelerating cycles, increase overall risk for others dramatically, and reduce the overall road efficiency in the process. And their only defense is freedom.
Spain, especially Southern Spain, still has potholes. Last month while in Spain my family drove from Sevilla to Gibraltar to Granada. We needed a car because I was traveling with my mom's dad. It was too hot and there was very little shade to cool down. The drive was beautiful. Gibraltar required a car as well. I was actually surprised to see just how much better driving becomes when distances are made shorter. A journey to a mall on the edge of the city from the hotel would only take six minutes by car, rather than 20 minutes to an hour in the U.S. Even reducing car usage for a small number of trips makes driving so much pleasant for everyone else who needs to drive.
Good point, I bet in the South of Spain the road conditions are different. I haven't been there but would love to some day! I drove to Barcelona recently and it was also really beautiful!
This track, even if you watched a lot of videos and played some racing games, once you're in a real car with "something at stake" (at least your dignity and your car), it will be something different entirely. It probably takes a couple dozen laps to have some confidence, and maybe 100+ laps to learn it inside-out. So i understand anyone that drives like they have cartons of eggs loaded in the trunk for the first couple laps.
Thank you! Yeah it’s no joke, I definitely was underprepared but it was amazing!!
I am moving to Panama. This video about cars is good. The Hilux was already on my list.
Thank you! The Hilux is very popular, indeed
Good luck with your move!
May be that’s the reason. Why almost all formula 1 drivers are from Europe 😊
🤣 not Daniel Ricciardo though! (and a few others)
Europeans are more mature in thoughts and deeds and the continent has so many countries all diverse and this they have learnt to respect each other. Can any one imagine for Eg a Euro type currency even between US & Canada
That's one way to look at it for sure
You could include two critical differences. 1. In most of the world, the line separating incoming traffic and oncoming traffic is white, just like any other road marking. I found this extremely dangerous as when you drive on a multi-lane street, you might not understand which lane is for which direction. Similarly, and this happens often, people drive in a wrong way because of this, cause there is no easy way to tell if you’re in a one-way or not. 2. The stop sign is treated differently in Europe. There’s no ‘first comes first served’ rule. You’re always supposed to yield to the car to your right, no matter who’s first in the intersection.
Thanks for watching! On your first point, I made an entirely separate video for this exact reason. See here and let me know what you think: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ioWi1aRpj8XLcs4.html For your second point, good point. It wasn't sign-specific which is why it wasn't covered here, but it is a good call out!
Both of your points are exactly why I make these videos, so thank you for reassuring my doubts :)
I dive in almere all of the time for work and I never understood what were they for, my best guess was it was some kind warning for heavy winds, but now I finally know
Haha you’re welcome! Glad this video could be useful! 😀
Rear fog lights can go for good. Most people don't use them correctly, blind others and the problem they wanted to solve is caused by reckless driving and not weak rear lights. (They became mandatory after some severe mass collisions in the 1990s caused by inappropriate speed during fog.) I hope they make them optional or abolish them all together.
I see where you’re coming from. I’ve seen them used properly a few times and found them quite helpful, but I agree. With LED technology nowadays, rear tail lights are usually good enough.
In Australia Ram, Ford F series, chevy silverado, Gmc and Toyota Tundra are everywhere, the been here for many years, but for some reason we are getting flooded with this type of vehicles more and more each day, i went to the Usa not long ago and their road and suburban areas are the same in down under looks like a copy, makes sense having them here in Australia, but never though europe aswell compared how narrow most of their streets are lol
I only just found out that there are companies in AUS that convert them to RHD for Australia. And some manufacturers are making RHD versions now. Crazy! AUS is the America down under, I’d love to go back someday and make a video there!!!
I want to import 2020 ford explorer to netherlands, what do you think could be the import costs?
Probabaly quite a bit expensive since it’s a large vehicle with probably high CO2 emissions and it’s quite new (which drives the BPM calculation for NL). I believe that generation explorer is already sold in Europe so you may be better off trying to find one locally, or importing an older model!
@@Kerleem 88.895 EUR thats wild! And not much to see on markplaats, so I am gonna switch to some US options, I guess.. have a contact info from a guy who can import
@@ottodix4717 Ok nice, let me know how it goes!
In 2025 this will be over because everybody would have to pay the BPM, even if you're a business owner. So yeah, i guess that means bye bye American pickup trucks 👋
Haha good point, no wonder I see such an uptick in pickup truck ownership going up lately!
My 5 year old son would drive it faster if he had the heigth to reach the pedals. To be fair, he knows the track better, but still...
Haha reality is much different than a video game
Thank you for the review, I am about to buy the elops speed 900 and it has the same frame as yours, but I have concerns over the frame stiffness especially the back upper tube that's connected to the seat tube, have you experienced any issues with this or the frame stiffness is good enough especially that i don't ride in smooth roads, i am 1.8 m and about 82 kg
I don't really know how to feel "frame stiffness" I don't use the bike regularly anymore (my choice, not the bike's fault). But on cobblestone, you feel the bumps easily...if that helps
I remember my little 1981 Dodge Colt with a 1.6 L engine. It had a twin stickshift tranny that gave me 8 forward speeds. It was really a four speed with a high low range. I found shifting the four gears in low range gave me a punchy acceleration and then shift the second lever into high range for economy and quieter engine operation. But each of the four gears can be split, like a semi truck. I got 40 MPG ( 5.88 l/100km ) on the highway.
I think that in the UK, for a long time, torque converter utomatics had a higher fuel consumption. Nowadays, there is negligible difference between manual and automatic models, so particularly in city driving, a modern automatic allows you to fully concentrate on driving and traffic, and so is safer.
agreed, better for stop n go
7:25 I would rip *that* window tint off so fast!
😆 seriously!
4:55 personal bodyguard service.. wth?! Interesting that the rental company left the factory bag/foil on the sun visor..
Yeah I wanted to rip the plastic off of the rental car for sure!! Yes, bodyguard services are not unusual here; crime can be quite bad in Trinidad, especially wealthy folks are easy targets
Thanks for watching!!
I live in the U.S. still and drive like a European. I care about everyone's safety and be mindful and respectful because some people have their kid(s) or pet in the car with them and I also give truck drivers room, as well. When driving or passing a truck as stay out of their blind spots and speed up to pass and then get back over when I see the whole truck or another vehicle in their lane behind them in my side mirror.
In South Africa you only get a licence if you can drive a manual car. Driving test are only done using manual cars...
Nice! I know that's common practice in many countries, and it definitely makes sense!
A turn signal is yellow, brakelights are red. How else am I supposed to know what the car in front is gonna do? (even though I don't drive, although I bike so fast that I keep up with the cars in my hometown's center)
That's the problem!
Speed cams dont work. We have not developed since 1962. Anything you saw "develop" in TT means, it lasted long. Lol. We have not moved the pencil as yet. Our import are 3 times our export. Madness! Wish we had stock with the british because no way we have this amount of money and be this backward. Everything is race and party(political) in TT and this is why we are stock in one spot as a nation. This place is no good. Trust me. Thanks for the video though. And right hand drive were the first way of driving if im not mistaken. Just saying. Lol.
lol I don’t think you give TT enough credit though. Sure there’s still progress to be made and roads, infrastructure and other humanity needs. But every time I go back, there’s more modern shops, restaurants, malls, social life. People are buying more goods, more cars, more of (what seems like) a developing middle class. That’s progress!
And at least they have the 100km/h limit! I remember when they had just 80 km/h speed limits on the highways
Visting and living in it are two differences sir. I can guarantee you that. Past 15 years, we have not evolve or develop from what panday and manning did for this country. Basic changes are not the real changes to which citizens can live with and pursue towards an aim or goal to achieve uts target. Having more cars means, some people are just ignorant or have the opportunty to get one. Thats not helping our country develop for tourist attraction, or for citizens comfort. For example; do you know there are laws still exist from colonial times, and also from 1962 in our law enforcements departments, law associations, politicians beauracracy and even the standard of living? I say this to say, that our mentality has not changed since then. We have not created our own. We follow america too often, as it's leading us a stray. Generations to generations and we are still stagnant where we were dropped off. So when you talk about changes and ways to improve, the question is when and how soon? With all this money, we should be way ahead of where we are. But you know why we are here typically 3rd world. Because we as a people put race greed and party infront of our country's interest. Take my stupid advice TT is no near what its supposed to be via the "2020 vision" that has long gone. There are no system here that opperates effectively and surfficiently for the duration of the public in both private and public sector. It's all about "the money" through extortion and oppression. Here is a pure example of modern day slavery without white people doing it. Im telling you facts sir. But ok if you dont believe me. 👍🤷♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
@@ozoneA6 I respect your perspective. I was commenting strictly as a visitor of course
I'm in Tennesse. We have signs that say "Trucks keep right" every mile, and trucks literally sit in the left lane. If I ever get arrested, (hope it never happens but I may snap one day) it will 99% be related to someone sitting in the left lane. I watch dash cam road rage videos when i need to kill 5-10 minutes, and in EVERY video, there is some moron who posts a video where they get raged on for sitting in the passing lane and they don't understand what they did wrong. Literally like "This guy randomly blew past me and flipped me off or passed me then brake checked me. He must be crazy, he just picked me randomly" They really have no clue what they did to get the guy mad. I fully admit I am very prone to flipping left lane campers off, and they always give a look of surprise. It's amazing to me. California was perhaps the worst; but TN has its fair share. I wish cops would pull left lane campers over more often, 50% of road rage IMO is from left lane campers. I have no doubt in my mind if no left lane camping was strictly enforced, accidents and road rage would drop significantly. I have actually had arguments with people IRL over this, and the defense usually is: "I am going the speed limit, I'll drive in whatever lane I want, stop speeding" or "I AM passing.... at 0.3 mph. Nothing says how fast I need to pass" or my favorite: "This isn't Germany, the left lane isn't the passing or fast lane, it's just a lane" Another favorite is: "If you are in such a hurry, you should have left sooner" The concept of just MOVING OVER is beyond them. Even if you don't HAVE to... why not just let me pass, and then nobody on either side needs to A) rage or B) pull an illegal move in order to pass. I will never understand their mentality.
Haha, well share this video with everyone you've had an argument with IRL to let them know what it actually means.
@@Kerleem We aren't exactly friends, sorry. One is a guy at work who I "cut off" (got in front of because he was going 5 mph under the limit) and the rest are randoms. Also, I'm going to be honest here, you might change the behavior of 1/50th of them. A lot know what they are doing and don't care, only police enforcing it or people ramming them will get the message through.
Trinidad is an island, so it's OK to drive on left side, like the British. Guyana similarly like Trinidad and former British colony, drive on left side of the road. The problem is the North and South American countries drive on the right side of the road. Eventually when countries are connected with roads, it becomes a challenge to switch sides.....maybe take a train in the future?
Good points. However if the Caribbean islands and countries like Guyana adopted LHD, they could more easily get cars (probably for cheaper) from North and South America.
I don’t think there is a train!
I 100% believe it should be legal to ram/pit maneuver people who sit in the left lane and don't pass quickly. Dash cam as evidence, should be able to do it AND have them pay for the damage done to your car. The sick thing is that here in America there are a fair amount of people who do not know the left lane is the passing lane (even with signs up saying it) and think they are doing no wrong when they sit there. Most Americans know it's a passing lane but a good 25% believe it's the: "Leave a lot of room in front of me so I can check my phone/apply makeup/play with the radio" lane.
Well that seems a bit extreme but I understand what you're saying 🤣
@@Kerleem I know it would never happen, but I am not even joking. Everyone would learn after a short time. Only way to get it through people's heads. It drives me berserk; I don't think any common issue gets me as angry as left lane camping. Not only is it annoying, but it just shows how many people care so little for people around them that they can't be bothered to increase their speed by 5 mph to pass and then slightly turn the wheel to move out of the way. Too much to ask.
@@Cruor34 you should share my other video on this topic ☺️ kzread.info/dash/bejne/iKJ6yKhsc8_QoLg.htmlsi=cQoMUrVZ1aVDT9WE
Ah the number of times I put the wiper on instead of the turn signals when I first started driving in Europe 🙈🙈 Brilliant video, Kerleem! Definitely one of my favourites 😀 And Doubles 😍😍😍
☺️☺️ Thanks!! 😊
Great job capturing the country 🇹🇹
Thanks! 😀
I personally think that the side you learn to drive on, is the side you prefer. So both LHD and RHD are equally as good, although more countries are LHD (on right side of rd). I've been to the RHD countries of the UK and Malaysia. But i've never driven since my drivers exam is in a short period. I'm looking forward to explore the world and drive in different countries. Keep up the good work Kerleem. Great video!
Thanks I appreciate it! I agree, it's a matter of preference. However, I think, since most people around the world are Right-hand dominant, LHD tends to make more sense (shifter knob for manuals, for example), but yes they are otherwise pretty similar (although the turn signal thing drives me nuts!)
Awesome vid buddy!!! Keep it up...
Thanks man!!
One of the best ones so far!
❤️
hey 10 minutes not bad 😂
Hahah
Doubles is the staple street food of Trinidad I think and I prefer to drive on the left. Why, because i'm from the UK Manchester. I have drove many times in Europe on the right in either left and right drive vehicles but must admit I found the hardest part was parking a left hand drive vehicle. I eventualy got used to it so now feel comfortable driving either.
🇹🇹Hope you enjoyed this video as much as I enjoyed making it. At 5:55 - Do you know what staple Trinidadian street food that is? Let me know below! 👇
Don’t come back to Germany stay in the fucking US
It is really terrible I agree
Yeah it can be!
Czech sirens are typical - C and G tones are used. The first ambulance service (in the world) was founded in Prague. ;)
Haha I didn’t know this. Thanks!
YOU ARE WRONG slower traffic keep right is used primarily on incline hills.... specially for trucks that slow down going up hills. You are mistaken with "Keep right except to pass" where the left lane is specific for passing only.
Sorry but that is not correct. Even in the US, regardless of hills or not, you should ALWAYS keep to the RIGHTMOST lane, and let other faster drivers pass you.
No, you are wrong. in the USA, in every state I have lived in, the rule is keep right, left lane is for passing. People like you are the problem. Let's pretend for a moment however, this it isn't the law. Why don't you just stay out of the left lane just to be courteous to other drivers? Let me make you a promise: I am going to pass you, one way or another. It can either be a lawful pass on the left or a dangerous pass, be it on the shoulder or on the right purposely missing you by inches. Your call. Just stay out of the left lane and there won't be any trouble. It's really that simple.
@@Cruor34 thank you! 🙏
American here. We don't like your beer. Stop importing it.
That has nothing to do with this video
Will say from my experience from driving a long road trip almost all the bad driving I saw was on 3 lane highways or near cities. Once it goes down to 2 lanes it's amazing and EVERYONE gets over to the right (at least from the driving I did in Iowa and Wisconsin). Also love roundabouts and Wisconsin has a lot of em.
Yes indeed, people are diligent about moving to the right (it's the law in many places). I have a video about roundabouts as well, check it out here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aK6NqqOdgJvOgrQ.html
These ford marquis’s famous in Saudi Arabia, in every street in Saudi you must see one of them.
I love that!
i dont care about cost saving or luxury, manuals are way more fun that stupid automatics
True! a dying breed though
If you want to see some real road rage in Europe, go to France.
true