On the appointed Saturday of October 7, The Snark could not make it. He had an important engagement somewhere. Likewise, ShaolinTiger was overseas on a business trip. Instead of waiting for the merry duo, Christine suggested that we send the car to her regular workshop instead. Mr. Chua, the proprietor of the workshop, had installed similar hand control kits in Christine’s Toyota Vios and a few of her friends’ cars.
It was already late afternoon when we arrived at the workshop situated a stone’s throw away from the Bangsar LRT Station. While Mr. Chua was figuring out how to install the kit, Christine, Wuan and I adjourned to the mamak’s restaurant next door. It was hot. I felt very uncomfortable even with the ceiling fan blowing down on us.
There is a difference between Christine’s and the hand control kit I got. Hers is a right-handed control version. This is commonly installed in right-hand drive cars. I bought the left handed one solely to ease my entry into the car. My legs are long. A suitable car would need to provide sufficient space between the seat and steering wheel to accommodate my lower limbs. The protrusion of the control stick near the door would make it very difficult for me to transfer into the car.
That was also the very reason why we got a Honda City. This is the only car within our budget with a very adjustable steering column. When locked at its highest position, I could get in and out of the car with ease. I had difficulty getting into the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Vios. Wuan preferred the Kia Citra but I could not even get into the MPV because of the small front doors.
Mr. Chua wanted to be sure that there is sufficient space for the control stick play. After trying several variations, he told us that it could be done but we had to leave the car overnight as he was busy. We did not fancy leaving the spanking new car overnight there. So we made an appointment to send the car for installation the following Saturday.
… to be continued.
Hello Peter,
This is my first time to your blog after reading your comments in sixthseal.com First of all do you always read sixthseal.com ? Because if you do, you notice something about the writer. The writer not only bares his soul but admit to the kind of problems he is having. When a blog is read, one judges the impression the blog gives. Is it to help others or is it to help oneself in this case, keep fuelling his bad habits ? When I read your blog, I can sense peace. Even though you are undergoing a major crisis, but the sense is like you are going with the flow. It is not that we want to judge sixthseal.com. It is the countless times when he shows himself to be unable to take control and later reports to the world about it like he is saying no matter how he abuses himself, he is still around. Whether we like it or not, any blog will be judged. The author will be judged. The question is how it is judged. Have a good day and may be I will return to comment on your other blogs. 🙂
Peter:
I have been reading sixthseal on and off for the past four years. Despite whatever shortcomings we attribute him with, I believe he is a nice person at heart.
Dude, when are we going racing? LOL.
By the way, with the hand control kit, and considering you can also change gears on the steering wheel, basically your hands never have to leave the steering wheel area unless you are parking right?
Peter:
Anytime after I get my license. I will not be using the gear shift on the steering. My fingers are not that functional. I have not even driven the car after installing the attachment. Going to do it one of these days.