I get no respect!

[SimTronik]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

Around here there are a lot of men with good ol' boy redneck attitudes that drive large American-made pick-up trucks and hate anything Japanese. I learned when to antagonize them and when to back-off when I drove my Honda CRX in the late 80's. It's not much different now. I back off when they threaten me.

And yes, they try to follow me too close - but I think part of that is it only looks like they are closer, due to having no trunk. I hate that.

I don't drive this car aggressively because it's new and I don't want it wrecked. When it gets older, I tend to drive a little more "spirited" and I don't let people get away with anything.

This is so Gran Torino movie lol.

[why?]

Just drive slower. I've had a few people try and tailgate me, and I slow down. Or I brake check them. That is fun, I did that to a motorcycle who was literally 2" off my rear bumper, that was funny.

If you want people to stop get a bumper sticker that says you have a gun in the car. People will not be stupid to you at all.

[nemelek]

A few have mentioned getting more respect while driving a truck or SUV. I have found that this is not alwasy true. Especially while pullling a trailer. Keeping a longer stopping distance between myself the in front of me, people take advantage of that all the time.

[KCALB SIRAY]

[chrisj]

The worst vehicles are those ginormous SUVs like the Excursion and Suburban and now the Sequoia. Ridiculous height on those things, but they say women love the height and being up above traffic. From our car we are level with their bumpers.

Oh, and BTW, I have everyone beat for getting no respect. Due to my inability to walk well, we have a handicap PLATE on the back of our car. Not a hang tag...a plate. Talk about having targets on your back!

[p123456789]

Originally Posted by why?

Just drive slower. I've had a few people try and tailgate me, and I slow down. Or I brake check them. That is fun, I did that to a motorcycle who was literally 2" off my rear bumper, that was funny.

If you want people to stop get a bumper sticker that says you have a gun in the car. People will not be stupid to you at all.

If the guy on the motorcycle had rearended you when you brake checked him and someone witnessed it you would be at fault and get a huge ticket. I know exactly what you mean by people on motorcycles thinking they are invisble and following you too close and halfway in the other lane like almost beside you but its not worth it just slow down and they will pass you.

[detroiter]

^^

And you wouldn't get the ticket because the person behind you shouldn't be that close in the first place. Here in Michigan, 10 out of 10 times the person who rear ends the other, is the one at fault and takes the hit.

[krolos]

Lots of Rednecks around here, ya alot of them like to tailgate you
because you drive small car, they think your are a communist or
something.
After the last gas crunch when gas prices fell there has been an
unbelievable increase in full size pick ups jacked up and oversize tires
there are more Tonka Toys on the road now than back in the day
when gas was a buck a gallon, everyday seems more and more.
Well it wont last the Rednecks around here are to poor to
keep that up when gas goes up again this time for real
no dropping back down again, supply and demand Think China.
If it safe to do so I just pull over and let the small dicks pass me.

[chrisj]

The thing that makes me forget all those idiots with their Escalades is when I pass by them as they fill that behemouth up with gas. Now THAT is satisfaction. Believe me, they will be crying one day, just as we saw all those Hummers on car lots by the dozens when gas got up so high. People have such short memories, but not me. That's the whole reason I bought the Yaris...to head off the inevitable rise in gas prices again...and to save money while I wait for it. ;)

[tomato]

Originally Posted by swidd

How to get respect in Yaris: keep it shiny and waxed. Shave your head so you look buff. Wear clothing that show off your biceps and shredded abs. Keep a shotgun visible in the rear window. Drive aggressively, run red lights, roll over the line and rev while waiting. Also shake the neighborhood with your subwoofer.

hahahaha

However, in my neighborhood, all of the above might just get you arrested!

[ddongbap]

Respect is earned. Go jack-knife some of those semis, and see what kinda respect you'll gain.

[Astroman]

The no respect started immediately on my first drive home, from a guy in a chevy pickup. Since it's been lowered with stripes, wheels, and the hood it's gotten better, but only mildly.

I'm half tempted to pull the horn off my '71 Galaxie500. Now that gets respect!

[chrisj]

Any way we can hook up an air horn like big rigs use? I think it would be cool to startle someone with that sucker. Especially out of a tiny Yari.

[firemachine69]

I rarely get tailgated.


But then again, I rarely severely impede traffic, or drive like a jack-ass.


Just sayin'...

[SilverBack]

Wow this thread takes me back to: http://yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12701

The best way to acknowledge your presence and get respect is by being just a little more passive-aggressive than any SUV driving bully as needed (as long as you're only doing it defensively though). Also helps if you're wearing jet-black shades and shooting a dirty stare when they act stupid.

[coheed]

Guys it doesn't matter what you drive, people wont respect you. I drive tractor trailers anywhere from 20k to 90,000lbs and actually got cutoff in them more then I do my car.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by BailOut

I've found that on my 2-lane commute, no matter what speed I go in my Yaris I tend to get tailgated and "postured" at. However, when I drive a pickup truck on the same commute, even if I go a few MPH below the speed limit everyone gives me some space.

I find it sadly funny how people equate their vehicle - which they didn't design, source materials for, build nor even likely maintain on their own - with their ego, and how they feel a need to project that false ego on the roadways that we must all share.

I just simply couldn't have said it better myself.

I've actually found things to go far smoother in the Yaris than in the TJ. I think that at least part of the reason is that the Jeep was just taller and blocked people's view of traffic in front of them, so when it slowed down they'd get frustrated with what's happening directly in front of them. This is especially true in a traffic jam, and I couldn't really blame them.

I find the same to be true with the motorcycle, except that people tend to look through it.

I would never tap my brakes on the Yaris as I'd never offer someone a chance to dent or scratch my baby.

My most favorite trick for tailgaters is to hit the turns on ramps as fast as I can which typically gains me just enough distance, downshift just before the tightest part of the turn for some quick engine braking, coast with the clutch through the worst of it, and the hit the gas on the way out.

For those who are more focused on your brake lights then the road they're driving through, they don't realize they have to slow down until it's too late.

[2007yariz]

Originally Posted by chrisj

I hate the people who zoom around you, only to get stopped at the same red light as you do, but of course they are 10 feet ahead. Another thing I find funny is when vehicles zoom past, knowing there is a red light right up ahead. Let them waste gas, I say. I'll pass them at the gas station.

+1000000

I always wonder why would drivers rush to a redlight? Sometimes I laugh when i leave them in the dust, because the light turned green and i don't have to start from 0mph... Who is in the front now! lol

I drive a sedan and i rarely get tailgated, most people just switch lanes. Actually the Yaris sedan is bigger than a 02 Corolla.