Cars you are nice to in traffic. :)

So I can't help but "kneel before" any old J-tin or true muscle cars, and pretty much any car built before 1985. But folks I never let out into traffic? Mercs. Beamers. Mid 90's mustangs. Audi and Porsche suvs and and though I love nissans, people with 350z's. I allow the old cars some leeway because I understand how hard it can be to drive an old in today's traffic, I also believe that if a car has attained a certain "cool" status (defined by me) it has earned something. Are their any cars you hate/love and therefore allow certain traffic liberties simply because of its title or year?

Nope, I'm fairly generous to all the traffic around me. I wouldn't even consider being a dick just because of the car they are driving. The persons actions may cause me to change my behavior but it has nothing to do with the car.

You have traffic in Sisters Oregon?

I'm nice to just about anyone. But you'd better accowlage it with a wave. Otherwise I'll fantasize about nerfing you into a ditch as long as you're in sight.

I'm nice to you no matter what you drive as long as you wave and to say thanks.

If you don't wave, well berkeley you then.

N Sperlo wrote: I'm nice to you no matter what you drive as long as you wave and to say thanks. If you don't wave, well berkeley you then.

Yes! Or even a nod. Don't stare straight ahead and pretend I'm not there

I'm not talking about "being nice" here. I'm nice to folks. But there are cars, such as the old 80's yota van that gets special treatment from me. And yes, I don't like people in mercs or sn95 mustangs! Everyone I've ever met is a total urethra. And yeah sea Dave- we get traffic here. Big time. It's a tourist town, which happens to bring in the biggest urethras around.

Anything aircooled, also anything more then 15 years old that's cool and in decent condition, those people care about their cars and don't just go buying what they hear is the hot new flavor

I'll be far more accommodating to cool cars, and fairly courteous to others on the road in general. But if you don't use turn signals or are just obliviously plodding along unaware of your surroundings then I'll afford no extra courtesy aside from not PIT manuvering you.

When I was driving the Caddy in this condition, everyone gave me lots of room. I think it was the combination of size and nothing to lose. I think the front bumper weighs about as much as a Fit.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

Hahaha! Having owned two gens of fit I concur! And I love the "nothing to lose" mentality. It's kinda true.

To be clear, it wasn't that I was driving it that way. It's just the aura the car exuded.

Nobody. It's Boston and everybody gets hated equally.

Cop cars

In the DC metro area where I've driven for 38 years, the use of turn signals, correct following distance, an understanding of right-of-way as it applies to merging, intersections and traffic circles, not being distracted and simply paying attention are nearly completely absent in traffic.

You probably think I'm exagerating, but I'm really 100% serious. It's gotten steadily worse over the years I've driven, but I've travelled extensively, and I've yet to experience a level of inneptitude in and disinterest in the process of driving as we have here.

So,

The cars I give a break to are anyone who pays attention, signals their intention and shows the tiniest shred of having some notion of where they're going, and a microscopic modicum of awareness that there are in fact drivers and vehicles other than themselves.

It's shocking when I'm on a highway and see a car come down an on ramp then...

Actually activate their turn signal and begin to accelerate.

A couple times a year my giving that rare example a headlight flash results in their merging smartly into the space I've offered.

So, yeah. I'll give a break to anyone who makes the tiniest effort to be aware.

I never give cabs a break because they never give anyone a break. If someone drives past a mile long backup then stops, obstructing the turn-only lane they're using to circumvent waiting, I'll wedge my car between their car and a merge and force the issue.

If you're talking on your cell, you ain't gettin' in. (Sure you could be on the phone with your surgeon but i don't really care).

Use your blinker and don't appear like you're gonna get in front of me NO MATTER WHAT and you're as good as in.

Don't show appreciation and I'll tailgate you for miles.

And I'm not above closing ranks on motorcycle lane-splitters either. Otherwise the same rules alloy.

But this is my life in general: if I'm nice, you're nice and everything is great. But act like an shiny happy person and I won't let you off without a "chat".

Yeah. I think people driving classics earn "auto" respect (pun intended) because they either know the car they drive, or at least shell out big bucks to ensure its survival.

BMWs

cuz I'm gonna be a BMW snob real soon

There are both courteous drivers and jackwad drivers in each and every type of car out there. My courteousness towards other drivers is based purely on the courteousness (which also includes attentiveness) that I have directly observed from any given driver. I simply don't understand the mentality of why somebody should get any more or less leniency from me based on the type of car they are driving.

In reply to Driven5:

Because stereotypes are real brotha.

Turn signals. If you're going faster than me, no worries-- I'll get out of your way, just don't tailgate. If we're in heavy traffic, I can't make the guy in front of me get over any faster, but I'll gladly let you be the shiny happy person. Similarly, don't get butthurt if I want to pass you. I won't tailgate, but I will signal and pass swiftly, left, right, or otherwise.

I don't care what you're driving, but I'm human and likely stereotype accordingly. Lap dogs, dioramas of your whole family on the rear window, truck nutz, stacks, COEXIST, Prii -- I don't consciously care or judge, but I can't speak for what my subconscious does. It may or may not affect my bias on how I anticipate you will drive.

I have extra empathy for motorcyclists, truck drivers, and generally anyone on the job, as long as you're not dropping gravel in front of me.

Semis. They are at work and have a tough time with certain driving situations and without them, stuff will not get to my house.

I get a lot of people waving me ahead in the Falcon.

I am of the opinion that the world is already too negative. I try and spread a bit of niceness everywhere on the road. I learned long ago that the few seconds I sacrifice by letting someone in traffic ahead of me aren't lost.

A few years ago I decided to only use my horn in emergency situations and to stop thinking of it as a way to declare my frustrations. Bashing the horn and flipping the other person off or giving the WTF hand gesture just steadies their resolve to continue being an ass. I started making eye contact, winking and giving the ol' shame finger

Every damn time I do it the other party makes the sorry face.

All this being said I will not yield to lifted coal rolling brodozers. They need to know they don't own the road, plus I don't want them in front of me blocking my view and making me breathe that noxious exhaust

I don't honk or anything at people either unless my honking will stop them from hitting me.

However, I give the two big thumbs up when somebody pulls an asshat manuever.

I'll give cars that obviously need help. School busses and stock Model Ts.