No respect in a Yaris?

[Nicfin]

Hey all, I'm a relatively new member and I have had my Yaris for only about a month now. I like the car and the great gas mileage, but the interaction with other drivers is baffling to say the least. It seems I get zero respect on the road and it really goes beyond that. For example, I was leaving work the other day and before I pulled out onto the street, I noticed a full-size Dodge pickup truck heading the same direction I was going. I had plenty of time to pull out and get on down the road, but I guess the driver felt I should have waited for him to go by because he made a point to pass me (on a no passing road) and he then slammed on brakes in front of me. I was about 75 yards from him when I pulled out and it is a 30MPH zone. It took him about 150 yards just to catch me and get in front of me. It was hard for him to catch me and he had to really get on the gas to catch up. Plus, after pulling that little stunt, he almost missed his turn and came close to hitting the curb.

Today I was driving home and going through a 30mph zone notorious for being a speed trap. It is a winding road in a neighborhood with many curves and it is no passing road. A car with some teenagers was behind me and the driver was staying very close, so I sped up to about 37mph. Just before we got to a sharp curve, the idiot decides to pass me. I was not happy about that and I stuck my head out the window and said some things that weren't nice, while pointing down at the double lines. I could tell I scared the driver, because he immediately turned at the next available road.

There have been other little incidents, but those two have stuck in my mind the most.

OK, I know I don't drive any different than before. Actually, I have been having to watch my speed in this little car. My other vehicle is a black 97 Tacoma 4X4 and it is not as peppy as the Yaris. I tend to get a little carried away in the car as opposed to my truck. However, it is obvious I am treated differently in my truck, even though it is a small pickup. I guess it is human psychology at work. Of course I know I have to drive differently in the Yaris as opposed to my truck. I can tell it is harder for people to see me, and I am aware of that. However, it is almost like the Yaris is making people mad.

Can anyone relate?