What does the motorist next to you think?
04-14-2009, 11:04 AM
#16
thanks
Thanks for the note back....
Those are the experiences I seem to get more often then I would like from some people.... and the ones I will admit to being well, not the way I want to start a day. Thanks for sharing.... and well handled on your end of course just not reacting back...
and yes will admit, would love to sit that guy down and just ask "why?" ...... and get the real reasons for his actions...
Those are the experiences I seem to get more often then I would like from some people.... and the ones I will admit to being well, not the way I want to start a day. Thanks for sharing.... and well handled on your end of course just not reacting back...
and yes will admit, would love to sit that guy down and just ask "why?" ...... and get the real reasons for his actions...
I have to admit I was very self-conscious about driving my 997 in the first few months. Last year we had a long thread going about whether people felt it was appropriate to drive our highly visible cars to one's place of work during the economic crisis. That's different of course than experiences we have on the road, but related in the sense that, like it or not (and most will admit they don't object), our cars DO attract attention and elicit emotions from other drivers.
My experiences have been that the car gets noticed a lot, whether on the highway or in town. I have a cab so with the top down that effect is increased. The looks I get generally seem to me to be admiration or envy, with an occasional thumbs up - even from BMW drivers :-). Most other sports car drivers keep a respectful distance, and I always afford them the same. In 10K+ driving miles I have not had very many times when my driving was affected or impacted by the attention of others. If someone wants to play aggressive (even Corollas try to keep up at times), I usually let them pass. Sometimes drivers do weird things, but that's their problem - and it's usually not enough to affect my own travel. More of a momentary annoyance than anything. But perhaps that's just my own experience here in the Northeast.
This morning on the 6-mile back country ride I take before getting on the interstate, I was trailing an Acura TSX. We never got above 40 and I was never closer than 3-4 car lengths. I was totally minding my own business and in no hurry at all. For whatever reason he apparently thought otherwise. When we got very close to the onramp and were crossing the overpass, just 100 yards from my turn (but before I put my blinker on), he suddenly veered over to the right without signaling. I slowed way down, thinking something was wrong. The road was very wide so it wasn't a dangerous move, just a puzzling one. At the time I was those same 3-4 car lengths behind him, and I wondered if he had had a breakdown. The sudden move was annoying but nothing more. As I went by him I slowed and looked over. I put my blinker on and started to turn onto the highway. He then sped up, gave me the finger and beeped for about 5 seconds, making it obvious that he had pulled over in objection to my tailing him. Huh? If it had been a kid I might have understood, but it was a guy my own age (50s). I would say that entire annoying scenario was 110% his issue, probably triggered by his feelings toward having a fancy car trailing him for a few miles. Regardless, we do get reactions from others. It's how we deal with them I think that counts.
Gene
_________________________________________________
05 911 C2S cabriolet, arctic silver/black
01 MB E320 4Matic wagon, midnight blue/beige
08 Audi A3 3.2, S-Line black/black = wife's
My experiences have been that the car gets noticed a lot, whether on the highway or in town. I have a cab so with the top down that effect is increased. The looks I get generally seem to me to be admiration or envy, with an occasional thumbs up - even from BMW drivers :-). Most other sports car drivers keep a respectful distance, and I always afford them the same. In 10K+ driving miles I have not had very many times when my driving was affected or impacted by the attention of others. If someone wants to play aggressive (even Corollas try to keep up at times), I usually let them pass. Sometimes drivers do weird things, but that's their problem - and it's usually not enough to affect my own travel. More of a momentary annoyance than anything. But perhaps that's just my own experience here in the Northeast.
This morning on the 6-mile back country ride I take before getting on the interstate, I was trailing an Acura TSX. We never got above 40 and I was never closer than 3-4 car lengths. I was totally minding my own business and in no hurry at all. For whatever reason he apparently thought otherwise. When we got very close to the onramp and were crossing the overpass, just 100 yards from my turn (but before I put my blinker on), he suddenly veered over to the right without signaling. I slowed way down, thinking something was wrong. The road was very wide so it wasn't a dangerous move, just a puzzling one. At the time I was those same 3-4 car lengths behind him, and I wondered if he had had a breakdown. The sudden move was annoying but nothing more. As I went by him I slowed and looked over. I put my blinker on and started to turn onto the highway. He then sped up, gave me the finger and beeped for about 5 seconds, making it obvious that he had pulled over in objection to my tailing him. Huh? If it had been a kid I might have understood, but it was a guy my own age (50s). I would say that entire annoying scenario was 110% his issue, probably triggered by his feelings toward having a fancy car trailing him for a few miles. Regardless, we do get reactions from others. It's how we deal with them I think that counts.
Gene
_________________________________________________
05 911 C2S cabriolet, arctic silver/black
01 MB E320 4Matic wagon, midnight blue/beige
08 Audi A3 3.2, S-Line black/black = wife's
04-14-2009, 11:10 AM
#17
I don't really care if you believe it or not, but I'm curious as to what possible motive I could have to lie about something so inconsequential on an anonymous internet forum. Some people genuinely don't care what other people are doing inside their cars. I don't see why this is such a difficult concept to grasp.
04-14-2009, 11:15 AM
#18
No, it isn't I have an unrestricted concealed weapons permit. A few months ago I actually had some idiot follow me into a Rite Aid parking lot, fully wanting to fight me in front of dozens of shoppers because he though I cut him off. I happen to be 6'2" 220 pounds, and was driving my truck, yes he was short, a common problem us big guys have is short men constantly yearning to get their buts kicked by a guy twice their size.
Wake up, there's lots of crazy people out there, life is precious, and not everyone appreciates that.
Wake up, there's lots of crazy people out there, life is precious, and not everyone appreciates that.
04-14-2009, 11:38 AM
#21
You choose to drive not acknowledging others on the road? I always keep my radar up as to what others are trying to do, especially while I am in my car. (in a safe way) Interesting way to drive.... For me a wave gets a wave back, as does an approving head nod and a thank you gesture if someone goes out of their way to allow me to flow into traffic or other. Have pulled up to people drinking beers while driving and make sure to stay a safe distance and have even reported the plate.... Ever pull over and help a motorist or to busy not paying attention to others?
04-14-2009, 11:38 AM
#22
Race Car
People can be total jackasses when it comes to Porsche (or other high-end car) owners. Especially as the economy tanks, people are angry and jealous. Here's a post from a few years ago when I first got my car which outlines my (in)famous Starbucks incident. Remember, I'm like 5' 7" so the guy was more than slightly intimidating.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...as-spirit.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...as-spirit.html
04-14-2009, 11:48 AM
#23
It's dangerous out there, and there's very fine line between minor disrespect and all out chaos sometimes.
04-14-2009, 11:57 AM
#24
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New Jersey, USA
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Well the funniest thing I've noticed is that the gas station attendant (NJ you cannot pump you're own gas. I believe a few other places have the same law) takes a little extra care and attention when placing the nozzle on the Porsche as opposed to my Saab.
04-14-2009, 12:19 PM
#25
Burning Brakes
When I was in Law School, my girlfriend and I were driving my BMW 330i to meet a few friends at a restaurant which was somewhat outside of the
city and in a very wooded area. It was a nice winding road so I was
having a little fun with the curves.
It was getting towards dusk so I looked at the dash to see if I had turned
my lights on yet. As I flipped on the light switch, there was an old
pick up truck which was oncoming in the opposite lane. I accidentally
flashed my headlights while I was turning them on.
All of a sudden, this red neck in the pick up turns around quickly and begins
following us. He sped up and was right on my bumper. I immediately
knew he was following us so I sped up in order to lose him. He kept riding my bumper. All of a sudden the road turned into gravel, so I quickly stopped and
turned around and took off back down the road. The pick up kept following
me.
After about five miles, we were getting back into the city and the pick up
pulled up along the passenger side of the car and swung a golf club
at the window and hit the door--severely denting it. Luckily it did
not break the glass, as it would have hit my girlfriend.
When I got home, I was thinking about why this happened. I believe it
was the fact that I was in a BMW and had mistakenly flashed my lights
at a red neck who hates "rich kids" in foreign cars. It was his form of
fun for the night. Had I been driving a Z-71 pickup truck, I am certain
non of this would have happened.
Needless to say, my flawless BMW was damaged goods in my eyes
and it was replaced very shortly thereafter.
city and in a very wooded area. It was a nice winding road so I was
having a little fun with the curves.
It was getting towards dusk so I looked at the dash to see if I had turned
my lights on yet. As I flipped on the light switch, there was an old
pick up truck which was oncoming in the opposite lane. I accidentally
flashed my headlights while I was turning them on.
All of a sudden, this red neck in the pick up turns around quickly and begins
following us. He sped up and was right on my bumper. I immediately
knew he was following us so I sped up in order to lose him. He kept riding my bumper. All of a sudden the road turned into gravel, so I quickly stopped and
turned around and took off back down the road. The pick up kept following
me.
After about five miles, we were getting back into the city and the pick up
pulled up along the passenger side of the car and swung a golf club
at the window and hit the door--severely denting it. Luckily it did
not break the glass, as it would have hit my girlfriend.
When I got home, I was thinking about why this happened. I believe it
was the fact that I was in a BMW and had mistakenly flashed my lights
at a red neck who hates "rich kids" in foreign cars. It was his form of
fun for the night. Had I been driving a Z-71 pickup truck, I am certain
non of this would have happened.
Needless to say, my flawless BMW was damaged goods in my eyes
and it was replaced very shortly thereafter.
04-14-2009, 12:29 PM
#26
Very scary! I had a pick-up chase me down too when I was young, it's terrifying.
04-14-2009, 12:46 PM
#27
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: DC Metro
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When I am driving, I pay very close attention to everyone around me especially the condition of their vehicles and the way they are driving. I rarely if ever look directly at their face or engage in "wise guy" driving (tailgating, sudden and close lane changes, failing to use my turn signals, etc). When I am crawling in traffic, I do not look at the faces of drivers beside me. Every once in awhile, I get tailgated or some idiot does something stupid (on the drive home yesterday on Canal Rd, guy with a personalized VA plate throws his lit cigarrette out of his open sunroof-I was pissed, not because I thought he was aiming at me but because it's littering of the worst type), but I never think it's because of the car. Drivers in this area are grossly incompetent and always distracted-it's them not me.
Mick, where do you live?
Mick, where do you live?
04-14-2009, 12:52 PM
#28
Three Wheelin'
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My residential neighborhood is separated from the main highway by a 5-mile stretch of road with 2 lanes in each direction. There are 3 schools and 3 traffic lights on that stretch of road, and it's part of my daily commute. Just yesterday, with my 7 and 5 year-olds in the 997, as I started from a stoplight in the left lane, a Dodge Ram truck behind me came right up on my rear bumper, then swerved over to the right lane and cut in front of me within inches of my front bumper. All this with no one in front of him in the right lane. All I thought of was "why?" Was I moving too slow for him, or was it the car? This is someone that lives in the same neighborhood as me. His kids might even be in the same school or class as my kids. Heck, they might even be on the same baseball team together. What in the world could be his motivation? That sh*t just pisses me off to no end.
My daily driver is a sedan, and I hardly ever experience this kind of hostility on that road.
My daily driver is a sedan, and I hardly ever experience this kind of hostility on that road.
04-14-2009, 12:54 PM
#29
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The "Massholes" in Massachusetts are by far the worst, most aggressive drivers this side of Europe. So, it's an even playing field out here, regardless of what you're driving. The most dangerous vehicle on the roads is a private plow truck speeding to his next job, they'll push you off the road & leave you for dead, no joke.
Beyond that, I carry a gun everywhere in case some moron has something to prove and follows me into a parking lot.
Beyond that, I carry a gun everywhere in case some moron has something to prove and follows me into a parking lot.
Who cares? Concentrate on your driving.
04-14-2009, 01:02 PM
#30
What is it about Italian drivers in Europe? When ever I go the French Riviera specifically between Nice & Monaco you see them driving dead center on the dividing line of a 3+ lane highway taking up 2 lanes. You really have to see it to believe it.