You know how they say you should never meet your heros? Dodge Viper aside, a Ferrari was the next biggest letdown I've ever driven.
I think how a person treats their car says more about them then the car they own.
Does the car you drive...
- Thread starter bitzz
- Start date
I think how a person treats their car says more about them then the car they own.
I wouldn't mind a nice car but would get tired of filling out stolen car reports at the cop shop. Similarly, while I appreciate all cars at the parking lot a lot of people don't.
My turning point was at the Port Credit Marina where I saw a black Ferrari parked a bit away. I wandered over to take a better look and saw all the door dents along the side. What's the point of having something nice?
Once you finally acquire a nice car your parking habits better change fast or that's what you can expect. Let's just say I no longer look for the closest spot to business anymore.
A car that makes you happy doesn't need to be on the most stolen cars list. The family sedan your dad used to drive may be what does it for you.
As for the Ferrari with dents. I'd love that. That brings the price down to something I may be able to afford (eventually), I wouldn't be terrified to drive it often and anywhere and I'm buying it mostly for the noise anyway. While many many cars are faster, it is rare for one to sound better. Sure, a perfect example is a joy to look at but you need to keep it protected from everything (or spend half it's life in the shop getting body work).
Love my truck and I get compliments on it regularly. Other than it being new and me being old it matches me perfectly.
My wife has asked me if we are ever going to get a cruising car and I like the idea. Don't think we're ready (have time) for it yet but maybe in another year or two.
My wife has asked me if we are ever going to get a cruising car and I like the idea. Don't think we're ready (have time) for it yet but maybe in another year or two.
The vehicle you drive absolutely says a lot about you like it or not. If you think it does not because you don't care what you drive...it says, about you, you don't care what you drive or it is just transportation--and there is nothing wrong with that BTW. But in many cases it can also say who some people want other people to think you are vs really are... There is also context like the below...
When I was young and driving beaters (all I could afford, and that is what those vehicles said about me but...) we learned to put a local college/university sticker in the rear window. Why, well with no sticker the cars said we were young dirt bags driving a sketchy beater, sticker changes that to starving student (actually in school or not). Totally changed how the police dealt with you, even the decision to pull you over or not.
At one point we had a newish Saab 9-5 and a beat up Hyundai Accent. It was an exercise in sociology how people treated you differently just based on the car. Subtle sometimes not so subtle other times. It really stuck out to us as we switched back and forth all the time.
When I was young and driving beaters (all I could afford, and that is what those vehicles said about me but...) we learned to put a local college/university sticker in the rear window. Why, well with no sticker the cars said we were young dirt bags driving a sketchy beater, sticker changes that to starving student (actually in school or not). Totally changed how the police dealt with you, even the decision to pull you over or not.
At one point we had a newish Saab 9-5 and a beat up Hyundai Accent. It was an exercise in sociology how people treated you differently just based on the car. Subtle sometimes not so subtle other times. It really stuck out to us as we switched back and forth all the time.
POWERMAN
Well-known member
So much this , when I was late teens and working in an autobody shop , I would paint my cars quite regularly and try custom finishes . Drove my girlfriend nuts as cars changed color schemes and styles constantly. Guy that owned the shop gave me run of the place weekends . And I would park MILES from anybody , and some twat would park right beside me. Despite 146 empty spots between us and the movie theatre .
With a black truck and wife’s electric blue beemer we are still “‘park alone “ people , and for some reason , dillholes park beside us . Maybe to annoy me , and it works !
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Yeah we have some inherent 'gathering' mentality from our flintstone days. Never fails you'll have someone find you all alone and end up beside you.
For real.
One time i came out of a cafe and some chick in a Q5 was trying to get her kid into the child seat, her door was resting fully against my X5 at the time. I politely waited for her to finish and then when she turned around to get in I said "You know, driving a decently nice car yourself do you not think you could take a little more time to make sure your door isn't going to leave me a permanent reminder that you parked next to me at one point?". She became defensive and said I was over reacting, etc. When I moved her door to show paint missing she said it's a coincidence and there's no way it was her who did that. I just rolled my eyes and called her a liar to her face and left.
Her kid is going to be a treat with life lessons like that. My kids have it drilled into them every time we stop to be careful with the doors. If it's really tight, I still do the door for them and use my hand as a bumper to protect the other car.
For most of my years as an engineering consultant, I drove first a 1996 VW Passat TDI and then a 2006 VW Jetta TDI.
I didn't want to show up in a high-end vehicle, because that sends the message "this guy is too expensive". I didn't want to show up in a beater, either, because that sends the message "this guy can't get work, must be a reason". So, late model (at the time) nice looking mid-range sedan it was. Customers didn't need to see the odometer on either one of them ... sold the Passat with 462 000 km and the Jetta with 430 000 km.
I didn't want to show up in a high-end vehicle, because that sends the message "this guy is too expensive". I didn't want to show up in a beater, either, because that sends the message "this guy can't get work, must be a reason". So, late model (at the time) nice looking mid-range sedan it was. Customers didn't need to see the odometer on either one of them ... sold the Passat with 462 000 km and the Jetta with 430 000 km.
This was my daily driver 10 years ago.
Now this is my daily driver.
If my choice of vehicles defines my personality, well, apparently I'm bi-polar lol.
Anyhow, I've had a mishmash of stuff over the years. Whatever caught my eye and turned my crank at the time. Malibu wagon, Chevy Beretta, Gen1 Grand Prix GTP, then an Astrovan, then a Gen2 GTP, then the 1-Ton above for about a decade, then when that wasn't needed anymore, the a Dodge Magnum Hemi, then the Volt. There was a Chevy Aveo in there somewhere as well for a brief period but I try to block out that memory. I'm sure there's some I've forgotten, and that doesn't include my wife's cars of course.
Now this is my daily driver.
If my choice of vehicles defines my personality, well, apparently I'm bi-polar lol.
Anyhow, I've had a mishmash of stuff over the years. Whatever caught my eye and turned my crank at the time. Malibu wagon, Chevy Beretta, Gen1 Grand Prix GTP, then an Astrovan, then a Gen2 GTP, then the 1-Ton above for about a decade, then when that wasn't needed anymore, the a Dodge Magnum Hemi, then the Volt. There was a Chevy Aveo in there somewhere as well for a brief period but I try to block out that memory. I'm sure there's some I've forgotten, and that doesn't include my wife's cars of course.
POWERMAN
Well-known member
Worst part is that it is a civil matter in which case police do not get involved.
How does one convince the other person to exchange insurance information for situations like these!?
Hit and run?
Depends on the situation. If they look high/drunk, i'm calling the cops. That part of the law is likely enforceable in a private parking lot. But what do I know, i'm an amateur detective, maybe i make a mistake "I'd like to report someone who looks impaired, <colour> <vehicle> <plate>. Last seen hitting my vehicle at the local strip plaza."
I remember going to sherway gardens one sunday , driving my 68 chevy11 Nova. Parked as far away from the main lot as possible. I was the only car in the parking lot in that area....went shopping , came out... there was a circle of cars around mine, the rest of the lot was empty...go figure
Classic sherway
My brother was sitting in his car when it got doored, the offender was oblivious until my brother solidly returned the gesture. True, it was the passenger but the driver chose to bring them along.
As far as impressing people goes it is a factor. A business contact was trying to get into the investment racket and asked if he could give us a presentation. Circa 1985. He showed up in a well worn Chrysler econo mobile and during his presentation mentioned planning to buy a Hyundai Pony ($5,000). He was going to lay down the law with the dealer on pricing. The mouse that roared.
While firm he was representing was probably viable he himself was only going to be the front man with little or no expertise.
I passed
P.S. A decent suit has a similar effect when they can't see your car.
As far as impressing people goes it is a factor. A business contact was trying to get into the investment racket and asked if he could give us a presentation. Circa 1985. He showed up in a well worn Chrysler econo mobile and during his presentation mentioned planning to buy a Hyundai Pony ($5,000). He was going to lay down the law with the dealer on pricing. The mouse that roared.
While firm he was representing was probably viable he himself was only going to be the front man with little or no expertise.
I passed
P.S. A decent suit has a similar effect when they can't see your car.
