Anyone here drive a car without power steering?

[manlymatt83]

Is it that much of a big deal?

 

[imported_Tick]

Eh, I wouldn't want to drive a full size pickup without power stearing, but it's not a huge deal. Builds arm muscle.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Do they even make cars with out power steering?
The last ones I heard of were early 90's Geo Metros.

 

[Philippine Mango]

The real question is, are you asking does anyone here drive with out power steering when the car originally came with power steering? If your car has the power steering equipment and because it leaks you decide to run it with out the fluid thinking you'll just disable the powersteering, you'll be in a bad position later on. You need power steering fluid to lubricate the rack and pinion and the pump, if you run them dry, they certainly won't be happy.

Now if you're asking does anyone drive w/o power steering because they have an old car, well the answer will probably be yes. I've driven with out power steering, it's very annoying to turn the wheel when you're stopped and requires some strength but if you're moving, it isn't that big of a deal.

 

[Jahee]

I have, it depends alot on the size of the car, but on cars i've driven its ok, its REALLY hard to park unless ur quite strong but once you're moving its really not that bad. but yea as tick said i wouldnt like to drive a pickup or anything much

 

[Lonyo]

Meh, I drive a car without power steering, takes a bit more time/effort when doing things like 3 point turns, or tight corners, but it's mostly not a hassle.
Then again, most of my driving time has been spent in cars without power steering, so I'm used to it.

 

[BrianH1]

i dont have it on my 1971 VW bus, and well, i survive.

 

[dbk]

Once you get used to it you don't really notice it. (I had a 93 Civic DX). However, when you go back to a car with power steering, you definitely notice the difference.

 

[IGBT]

..I have a restored 1971 Dodge W150 PowerWagon 4X4. Has power brakes but no power steering. Very heavy truck. I got to plan my turns a half a block away and try to keep the thing rolling while turning or backing up. Fun to drive tho..especially off the road.

 

[RedArmy]

I drive an 86 DX and 91 CRX and neither have power steering. Both of them are light though so no big. However, when you drive a newer car, it seems amazing just for the fact it has power steering...although you do lose the feeling of the road. Oh well.

 

[Serp86]

had an old mustang without power steering and loved it

but then again the engine was so awesome that complaining about the steering is childish

 

[dbk]

Originally posted by: RedArmy
I drive an 86 DX and 91 CRX and neither have power steering. Both of them are light though so no big. However, when you drive a newer car, it seems amazing just for the fact it has power steering...although you do lose the feeling of the road. Oh well.

Haha, I remember being mesmerized when the steering wheel turned by itself. Then I realized, how silly that was.

 

[JasonE4]

Originally posted by: dbk
Once you get used to it you don't really notice it. (I had a 93 Civic DX). However, when you go back to a car with power steering, you definitely notice the difference.

I just got a 93 Civic DX. I can really notice the lack of power steering when parking and whatnot compared to my old 90 Mazda 626. I'll probably get used to it in a couple weeks and it'll be no big deal.

 

[TruePaige]

Mmm I've driven a tractor without power steering....it's a heck of a ride after the days over you really feel it in your arms.

 

[crisscross]

Nope. this is the car i drive..

 

[funboy6942]

Cars built without PS in from the factory no big deal, its geared not to be that bad. Cars that have PS that is broken, some can be a real pain in the ass if the car is not rolling at all to get the wheel to move, not to mention if it had a leak, and the pump is still running dry, can be damaged causing alot more damage and money out of pocket then the hose thats got a hole in it.

But the ones from the factory without PS, not big a deal at all when not moving and just moving slightly wont tell it didnt have PS.

 

[Umberger]

It's not that bad, once you adapt your driving to it. It only really makes a difference at low/no speed. As long as the vehicle is moving, you can turn the wheels, but if you're sitting still, it's a bitch. When parking, you just have to get used to creeping forward or backward as you turn the wheels.
I'm speaking from experience on a small 2-door, so I don't know much about what it'd be like on something bigger.

 

[Freejack2]

My second car was a crappy honda civic (crappy because it broke down a lot) with no power steering. When moving I didn't notice the lack of it and that helped with handling but it was a pain to park.
I prefer a car with variable speed power steering but I would drive a car without power steering also.

 

[Journer]

ive driven lots of non-power steering cars, but nevered owned one. i dont mind driving RWD ones, but FF and bigger cars suck...although once u get over about 15-20mph you dont even notice

 

[IronWing]

I had a Rabbit w/o PS. Driving was fine, even during backing, parking. I just sold a Toyota Hilux w/o PS. It was a pain in the butt during parking and tight turns. The lack of PS combined with limited wheel turn (whatever that is called) made for a huge turning radius. Switching back and forth between the truck and the Olds w/ one finger steering made it that much more annoying.

 

[Tommouse]

I drove a Saturn SL without power steering. Was a bear when stationary, was a bit dangerous when you had to shift and turning 90 degrees, really have to crank it with one hand. I have had the wheel slip a couple times but thankfully no one was near me when it happened.

 

[paulney]

I used to drive one without PS: Dodle Colt '89. Parallel parking was a b!tch if you didn't get it right the first time, but otherwise it was a blast. Gives you feel of the road

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: Tommouse
I drove a Saturn SL without power steering. Was a bear when stationary, was a bit dangerous when you had to shift and turning 90 degrees, really have to crank it with one hand. I have had the wheel slip a couple times but thankfully no one was near me when it happened.

Actually, the car I'm looking at is a Saturn SL without power steering. Should I shy away from this?

 

[dbk]

Originally posted by: JasonE4

Originally posted by: dbk
Once you get used to it you don't really notice it. (I had a 93 Civic DX). However, when you go back to a car with power steering, you definitely notice the difference.

I just got a 93 Civic DX. I can really notice the lack of power steering when parking and whatnot compared to my old 90 Mazda 626. I'll probably get used to it in a couple weeks and it'll be no big deal.

Yeah, it's really annoying in the low gears but once it gets going, it's a blast to drive. My DX had no RPM gauge...that was a bitch.

 

[DanFungus]

69 vw beetle - no power anything. It's really easy to turn the wheel though since there's no weight in the front, and you get much more feedback from the road without PS.