[Randy Chase]

For me it's been an interesting thing...to see how other people react to the car. And frankly, it's not all positive.

A good number of people just don't care of course. Or perhaps glance over and wonder what the hell it is... and then drive on. This is the largest group.

Then there are car guys. Depends on their car as to the reaction.

Guy in slammed Honda with clear corners and a big tail pipe. Some of them get quite excited. They pull up beside you and make hand gestures and grin. Some of them then show you how cool they are too by flooring it and slowly moving away from you at speed.

People in sportscars seem to mostly acknowledge your presence and or twist around and stare a lot. Some give me a thumbs up. A few also go crazy and show me how they can now drive 100mph weaving in and out of traffic.

I have to admit... I started taking the bait, and I realized I was being stupid and have quit. Had a bad near accident* on the freeway today to show me that stuff happens that is not in my control and to be doing something dumb at the same time is a recipe for bad things.

Young girls in cars and kids. Both of these seem to really like the car. They point and say stuff to the other people in the car.

And for some reason... the real negative that I never experienced in other cars. Some people seem almost aggressive for some reason. They drive right up to your bumper (trust me, I don't block the passing lane). I have had more issues with other drivers, specially larger vehicles... than I normally would in any of my other cars. I wonder what the motivation is.

*driving in 3rd lane... on a 4 lane freeway this morning, going to a lunch appointment. Distracted by a loud strange noise. For a second wondered if my car was making it... it was that loud. Then noticed ALL OF A SUDDEN...all four lanes (it was crowded) were locking up their brakes. I see a truck spinning in front of me..maybe 50-100 feet in front of me. Like watching NASCAR in car video as the car in front wrecks.

Easy to aim and miss the truck... but all the other cars are going crazy. For a split second... I wondered the best course of action. I really was not sure about my blind spot as my attention was diverted, I quickly glanced and dived over off the freeway to the emergency strip. Things were chaotic on the freeway. I noted the spinning truck is now pointing the wrong way. In my rearview mirror... I see nothing but a HUGE grill. Holy crap. Did he hit me. I was so busy... I was not sure. I knew I could slow down a lot faster than he could. I pulled off and notified the highway patrol as I checked my car out for any damage. I didn't think there was any.. but I was shook up and it was a good chance to settle my nerves a bit.

 

[babak]

Man, how is your pulse? Glad you made it out OK.

 

[khamai]

We'd hate to lose you Randy!!!

Glad you're safe. :clap:

As for tailgaters... I've found that I do get more tailgaters when driving a Lotus. I've concluded that the driver behind you does it unknowingly because they can see over you and tend then to drive the distance the car in front of you!

I'm typically in two modes on the freeway - a) pulling away from the car behind me; b) have confirmed that car behind is holding their distance.

 

[OneFastLotus]

Randy, its exactly the same here. Ive had people try to take pictures as I drive along. Ive had people ride my bumper trying to see what it is. Ive had people speed up and slow down trying to act like badasses. Car guys always crane their necks to take a look. Sometimes families will all slow down to look over and smile. Overall its been alot of fun.

 

[martinm1]

Interesting post. I too am in San Diego and have just had my car for 2 days, but it definitely is different than any other car I have driven. First of all, I live in North San Diego and there are LOTS of amazing sports cars here--Porsches are like Camrys--yes I know this is sad, but it is true! I have had a variety of interesting sports cars, but this one seems to take the cake. It may be the size of the car, the sound(I have the stage 2 exhaust) and the extreme styling of the car, but whatever it is people seems to notice--A LOT.

I am not sure that it is all good. I had an Excursion tail gate me on the way back from a drive to the mountains yesterday on del dios highway. I am going 5-10 mph over the limit and this guy is just itching to drive 80 in a 55 zone. I hold speed around the turns and he drops back having to brake, but as soon as a straight comes up he is back on my tail--I really don't get it. He has a 5000 lb plus vehicle that he could not stop if his life depended on it and somehow he feels good about being on the ass of a car that he would roll right over the top of if I came to a stop. It really takes away from the enjoyment of a driver's car like this.

 

[agent.5]

I am beginning to think that I need digital recording for both the front and the back, in case the idiot rear-end you and you need evidence of negligence.

 

[MikeAR303]

I am not sure that it is all good. I had an Excursion tail gate me on the way back from a drive to the mountains yesterday on del dios highway. I am going 5-10 mph over the limit and this guy is just itching to drive 80 in a 55 zone. I hold speed around the turns and he drops back having to brake, but as soon as a straight comes up he is back on my tail--I really don't get it. He has a 5000 lb plus vehicle that he could not stop if his life depended on it and somehow he feels good about being on the ass of a car that he would roll right over the top of if I came to a stop. It really takes away from the enjoyment of a driver's car like this.

Sounds about the same as what I deal with on my motorcycle... it sucks and it really does ruin the ride/drive when you have to worry about being run over by some moron in a gigantic SUV, truck, or even a car for that matter.

 

[shay2nak]

glad to hear that you and your car are OK.

 

[Randy Chase]

I am beginning to think that I need digital recording for both the front and the back, in case the idiot rear-end you and you need evidence of negligence.

And soon we will be selling it.

 

[Randy Chase]

The funny thing... I am sensing some aggression that I don't normally see. Perhaps a perception of some more expensive car, it is often seen as costing more than it really does.. and expensive toy even. I get a feeling that someone is trying to prove they can drive as fast as I can, even in that F-150 truck or Cherokee SUV.

 

[MikeAR303]

And soon we will be selling it.

Did you get a chance to test it during your cross-country trip by any chance?

Can't wait to start recording my boring 45-60mph motorcycle riding

 

[khamai]

The funny thing... I am sensing some aggression that I don't normally see. Perhaps a perception of some more expensive car, it is often seen as costing more than it really does.. and expensive toy even. I get a feeling that someone is trying to prove they can drive as fast as I can, even in that F-150 truck or Cherokee SUV.

It's a reality. It was stupid crazy when I had an X180R. Folks would try to beat the car no matter what the circumstance. You have to learn to ignore them, but at the same time be aware that they're being stupid. Chalk it up to more ego than brains.

 

[Vantage]

Martin,
If you have time, you should come to our next San Diego meet. We'd all love to meet you and check out your stage II.

 

[Need4Speed]

Interesting post. I too am in San Diego and have just had my car for 2 days, but it definitely is different than any other car I have driven. First of all, I live in North San Diego and there are LOTS of amazing sports cars here--Porsches are like Camrys--yes I know this is sad, but it is true! I have had a variety of interesting sports cars, but this one seems to take the cake. It may be the size of the car, the sound(I have the stage 2 exhaust) and the extreme styling of the car, but whatever it is people seems to notice--A LOT.

I am not sure that it is all good. I had an Excursion tail gate me on the way back from a drive to the mountains yesterday on del dios highway. I am going 5-10 mph over the limit and this guy is just itching to drive 80 in a 55 zone. I hold speed around the turns and he drops back having to brake, but as soon as a straight comes up he is back on my tail--I really don't get it. He has a 5000 lb plus vehicle that he could not stop if his life depended on it and somehow he feels good about being on the ass of a car that he would roll right over the top of if I came to a stop. It really takes away from the enjoyment of a driver's car like this.

I have SUVs do this with my black 3rd gen. RX-7 fairly often. It's pretty weird. Typically I just SLOW DOWN to 10mph or so under the limit, whatever seems intolerable to them, and then the a$$wipe usually passes me (solid yellow being no deterrent), and problem solved. Speeding up just tends to keep the loser on your tail.

Mike

 

[Need4Speed]

The funny thing... I am sensing some aggression that I don't normally see. Perhaps a perception of some more expensive car, it is often seen as costing more than it really does.. and expensive toy even. I get a feeling that someone is trying to prove they can drive as fast as I can, even in that F-150 truck or Cherokee SUV.

Interesting. Probably some misperceived class warfare and free-floating anger to boot.

 

[Surferjer]

I have noticed that stopped at lights cars get TOO CLOSE. But driving it isn't a problem. Usually that's because I'm doing the passing.

On challenges, I usually take them. And win. It's just good clean fun for me, but the situation has to be danger free, no weaving in traffic in a race.

 

[Vantage]

This added aggression may be due to the size of the car as well. There are plenty of expensive looking cars in San Diego that don't attract aggressive drivers. For example, sometimes people stay away in fear of hitting it and having to pay. Wish that were true here.

But come on now, taking bait from others to race on the street?

 

[Lotus F1]

This added aggression may be due to the size of the car as well. There are plenty of expensive looking cars in San Diego that don't attract aggressive drivers. For example, sometimes people stay away in fear of hitting it and having to pay. Wish that were true here.

But come on now, taking bait from others to race on the street?

So Vantage, you have never had a friendly street sprint. I find it hard to believe that anyone who is into this kind of car and race cars in general never have a little fun time to time. I'm not talking about organized street racing, but rather a random little fun from time to time. Or maybe you just tell yourself I had to get away and accelerate away from the other sports car for safety reasons

 

[BrianK]

Or maybe you just tell yourself I had to get away and accelerate away from the other sports car for safety reasons

I speed in the name of safety often.

... and, for the record, if I have open road in front of me and *any* other vehicle behind me for any length of time, I move over and let them by. It irks me to be in either position. If everyone moved over, this wouldn't be that much of a problem. Granted, it's different when they catch you on a straight just before a twisty bit & ride your ass until they can't keep up (and the "can't keep up" outweighs the "on your ass") - In that case, screw 'em.

 

[NtflBlueLiz]

I have to say that my experience with the Elise was simliar to Randy's. I think too many people think this is an expensive car and it brings some unwanted attention that way and way too many people too close for confort. When I first got the Mini Cooper a lot of people gave me thumbs up and smiles, lots of attention but all positive while the Liz has definetelly not been as nice. I can only hope things will get better as more cars are on the road and people know more about them.