Is this typical of a GPS?

Normal or not - it's the nature of the beast.

It seems every GPS I've had avoids left turns - especially off of certain roads/streets/highways - and tries to get it so your destination is on the right upon arrival. One of those things where you go your own way, and ignore the GPS.

This may not be a good answer for you, but the scenario you describe is not typical or normal, but it is also not unheard of.

I am not familiar with this particular model, but you mentioned you bought it used. Do you have a User's Guide for it? My 1st thought would be to explore all the settings that may be buried in the menus. There may be some options such as avoids or type of vehicle that may influence some of the routing. If this choice is available for instance, a delivery truck may avoid left turns. Just some thoughts.

There are many knowledgeable and experienced folks out here, so check back for other better answers.

A friend has a similar, but different model as mine (same brand). We took a spin one afternoon with him running co-pilot and we had both entered a Cracker Barrel as our destination - quickest route. We came to an intersection and mine said to turn left and his said to turn left. If you want to maintain your sanity, use only 1 GPSr at a time!

This phenomenon must be due to the GPS's interpretation of the map.

For the last 2 years my Garmin 660 would want me to turn left from the driveway, go to the main road and then take a right towards the interstate. Since I installed the last map update (2010.20), it now wants me to turn right from the driveway, then left, then right and finally a right onto the main road - which is shorter, but not quicker and there are 4 turns. The old way has 2 turns.

But, on the way back it still wants to go the old way, with 2 turns.

Most folks in the neighborhood do NOT go the "quick" way as the intersection at the main road is risky, if not dangerous. On the left is a steep hill containing a curve and on the right is a blind curve.

We'll see what happens with the next update in October.

The bottom line is that the GPSr is a complex creature and there are rarely simple answers to these questions.

As for the next update - They remind me of the office Christmas party. Sometimes you get something really good and sometimes you wish you never got it. So far the 2010.20 update seems to be a good one.

Yes it is typical of the GPS. It is evaluating exactly where you are at the time. The units are using formulas to get you the best way home. I have had several and they all do it. Anyway once you are in the neighboorhood, do you really need it?

Thanks to everyone who replied. It's not really a big deal. Was just wondering why this happened.

We are all wondering too!!!!!!!

There is no 'why' - it just does what it does.