OT: Driving

[giddy up*]

Most enjoyable drive I have ever had was on the open roads of Nevada and Arizona driving from Phoenix to the Four Corners to the Grand Canyon and finally to Vegas.

I've had a variety of different cars

2000-2001: 1987 VW Cabriolet (Manual)
2001-2002: 1986 Jeep CJ-7
2002-2009: 1991 Mazda Miata (Manual)
2005-2014: 2005 Ford Mustang
2014 - present: 2014 BMW 328i xdrive

Good choice.

 

[On Edge]

Drove my brothers 1972 Alpha Romeo GTV across country in 1979 or so with a buddy of mine to his home while he was stationed on the west coast in the USAF. Those two weeks could have been a movie, I swear. From "Bill and Ted's Great Adventure" to "Dude, where's my car?"

That car was a thing of beauty. It was like having a beautiful Italian mistress!

 

[bvon44]

1996-1998: 1991 Ford Escort stick
1998-1999: 1989 Plymouth Reliant K (what, huh? K-car)
1999-2001: 1988 Chevy Celebrity
2001-2003: 1987 Chevy Celebrity
Jan 2003-Present: 2002 Hyundai Accent

I dare anyone to beat that ****** list!

Not anywhere close to you Pnut, but I certainly haven't driven a lot of "choice" cars


2006-2007: 1986 GMC Sierra 2500 4xD
2007-2009: 1994 Dodge Ram 2wD
2009-2012: 1995 Dodge Ram Laramie 4wD
2012-2013: 1993 Buick LeSabre
2013-present: 2002 Jeep Liberty

Biggest pet peeve for me is definitely tailgaiting, also people who cut you off while coming to a red light to gain that extra spot in line, totally throws off your braking time....

 

[blinkman360]

I have an Audi A4 now, but my best "driving" car was my 06' Acura RSX-Type S. Fun to drive. My wife got hit while driving it, so I had to say goodbye. Too small to carry my kid around in anyway. Back to automatic transmission. If I find a 70's 240/260z in good condition, I'll pick it up and use it as my fun car.

Wow. I learned more about you in this post than I have my entire time on HF.

 

[blinkman360]

1) Female drivers
2) People who brake in front of me when NO ONE is in front of them.
3) When I change lanes and the car in front of me brakes for no reason. I don't get it.
4) People who drive slow in the left lane on Sagtikos pkwy. They don't want to drive in the right lane because other people merge onto the right lane.

Most of the other issues people have already said.

 

[teknics]

One of my passions.

Give me a manual tranny and an open curvy road and I'm happy.

Have been Honda guy my whole life --- 87 and 00 Preludes, 92 Accord, 03 TL, 01 Maxima.

Rented a 355 in Hawaii -- it was incredible. Also rented a Viper, it was raucous. Just silly.

Pet Peeves:

1. People who don't signal.

2. Even worse, people who signal AS they are changing lanes. No need to signal if you are already halfway into your turn. The idea is to tell people what you intend on doing, not what you are currently doing.

3. People who litter - from their cars (well, out of their cars too) -- something about throwing your trash/butt out the window of your car, which fires me up. Totally disrespectful, lazy, disgusting, and gross. Not to mention, incurring the cost to clean up your mess and possible road hazard. Take your cig butt and throw it in the backseat, you loser.

4. People who drive, not PASS in the left lane. Go as slow as you want, but do it in the proper lane. Left lane is for passing, not for driving with the pace of traffic.

5. People who can't merge. People who can't merge and STOP on the on-ramp. Now I know that on some roads, they don't give you a lot of room, and sometimes due to traffic, you have no choice but to stop and wait. Understood. But I have been behind people who STOP at the beginning of the on-ramp, and look out their side view mirror for a spot to come in. Guess what, if you accelerate up to speed immediately, your job just became a lot easier.

I'm sure there are more, but these are a good start.

PS. I'm NOT the guy who has a lowered Honda, whose exhaust you hear from blocks away. My rides are stock, and clean, and have 80's music playing.

Thanks for this post. Read on!

Tailgaters are my biggest pet peeve - as well people throwing garbage out the window at a light on service road off LIE. They must not think people SEE THEM! Also - what is the deal with nose picking in the car like there is a force field or something that protects them from being seen?? People are pigs.

Just started to take flying lessons - may come in handy with the LIRR stuff happening.

Love the open road too...the sky though is limitless!

Littering drives me nuts. People are animals sometimes. That's a discussion for another day.

All I read was 'curvy', 'manual', 'tranny'.[/QUOTE

Lol...

A person who cannot merge is the most frustrating thing on Earth

Yes. So much yes. This is why there are so many rear ends. People go, then stop. Boom. I always watch them leave. Never take your eye off the person in front.

Tailgaters - in New York/ Long Island if you leave even 1 car length between you and the guy in front of you a -non signaling- on the phone- lane drifting- give you the finger- drive either 20 mph over or 20 mph under the speed limit- piece of poop probably a ranger fan- will cut into that one car length.
Thennnnnn- he/she slows down starts to turn then gives you the old F.U. With 1 click of the blinker .
Thennnnn- just when you slow down because you had to, 3 more cars take your spot and it all starts again.
How about the guy that exits into the entrance ramp merge lane just to pass 4-5 cars then merge right back in front of you.( somebody reading this is guilty) ( admit it)
I think I saw a honda do it. Lol
All I have to say is thank g-d I drink when I drive home in traffic . It takes the stress away from having to be Mario Andretti just to get home.

I can't believe you just admitted this and I'm the first to point it out.

they're annoying, but nowhere near as annoying as these 2 things:

people who drive the same speed as the car next to them, thus backing up traffic (why couldn't you just get behind the other car, you're going the same speed anyway)

people who pull out in front of you (basically cutting you off) when there is no one behind you for as far as the eye can see. they really couldn't have waited 1 second more.

those 2 things burn me up, almost on a daily basis.



current cars:
2012 subaru wrx
1969 ford mustang

past cars: (mostly pos's)
1987 gmc s15
1984 gmc k3500
1995 ford explorer
1987 toyota pickup
1992 oldsmobile ninety eight
1992 chevy c1500
1987 chevy c2500
2008 nissan altima

thats in the right order, but i couldn't tell you the timeline in which i drove them.

I think it's a psychological thing honestly.

Here's my background.

I drive anywhere from 90 to 100 miles to and from work. Daily. I commute from East Hampton to central Nassau. If that's not bad enough, I drive ALL DAY for work. I do Air Conditioning and Heating so I'm in a van with commercial plates. I'm stuck to Sunrise or the LIE and surface roads.

The left lane is pretty much off limits to me with commercial plates. I can pass, but only to pass. Keep that in mind folks - commercial vehicles get stuck behind the people who insist on doing 45-55 MPH.

Getting cut off in a vehicle that's heavy....yeah. All my fittings fly off my shelves, stuff flies out all over. Thanks for that.

People who don't see a GIANT white van when changing lanes. Thanks. You made me spill my coffee.

Slamming on your brakes when you see a cop. Number one, he's not going to target YOU for doing 65-70 when everyone else is. Number two, he probably already got you anyway and slowing down just draws more attention.

Tailgating. It just makes me go slower. Also keep in mind of you're an idiot on the road - truckers and other commercial vehicles have an unspoken bond. We make your life miserable but suddenly matching the speed of one another - a pet peeve mentioned earlier by several and quoted by me.

How about parking lots! If you see a person backing up, the right thing to do is to let them get out of the spot. Not speed behind them as they're almost out. Also - if a van is backing out, it's hard enough to do without back windows. All I can see is what I see out of my mirrors. Always an adventure.

Yes. I'm crazy for my commute. I work for family though - I moved east a few years ago and trudge along daily. At least for now...I shall be a humble Civil Servant shortly.

Edit:

My vehicles past and present:

1989 Ford Bronco
1995 Ford Bronco
2002 F150 Harley Davidson Edition (Supercharged)
2006 F150 FX4
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (What a truck!)

Current: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

3" Lift 35's and lots of other goodies. We drive on the beach regularly.

 

[KOforprez2016]

people who dont go the speed limit. this drves me crazy (no pun intended) i hate when people go too slow and it makes me yell, and crazy. heck, i hate it when people go the speed limit sometimes. because sometimes the limits are just ridiculous. there is one road by me that is a main road that is a 35 mph limit. its ridiculous.

95% of the time i am speeding

dont know if thats good or not

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I just moved to Minnesota almost two years ago. From Boston. Holy cow the difference in drivers is amazing.

In Boston, when stopped at a red light, people lay on their horn immediately after the light turns green. It's almost like it's a race to see who is the first to honk after the light changes. In MN, no one honks. Ever. That would be so rude.

In Boston, if you're coming up to an intersection and the light turns yellow, you obviously lay on the gas. If the light is red as you fly through the intersection, no problem. In MN yellow is the same as red. You see the light turn to yellow, you slam on your brakes.

In Boston, the name of the game is to cut the other ********* off. He's clearly dumb and not in a hurry like you are so screw him. You cut him off and fully expect him to flip you the bird. You respond in kind probably offending his mother as well. In MN, if someone cuts you off it's probably because they made a mistake and didn't see you. You politely smile and wave them on. They thank you with a wave and a nod.

In Boston, when getting into an exit lane, you wait until the last possible minute to merge. Preferably across a double line immediately before the ramp. Again, screw those **********, you got stuff to do. In MN, we start to move over into the exit lane 3 miles before the exit. You wouldn't want to hold anyone up - afterall you're the one exiting, so just politely get out of everyone's way.

 

[blinkman360]

I just moved to Minnesota almost two years ago. From Boston. Holy cow the difference in drivers is amazing.

In Boston, when stopped at a red light, people lay on their horn immediately after the light turns green. It's almost like it's a race to see who is the first to honk after the light changes. In MN, no one honks. Ever. That would be so rude.

In Boston, if you're coming up to an intersection and the light turns yellow, you obviously lay on the gas. If the light is red as you fly through the intersection, no problem. In MN yellow is the same as red. You see the light turn to yellow, you slam on your brakes.

In Boston, the name of the game is to cut the other ********* off. He's clearly dumb and not in a hurry like you are so screw him. You cut him off and fully expect him to flip you the bird. You respond in kind probably offending his mother as well. In MN, if someone cuts you off it's probably because they made a mistake and didn't see you. You politely smile and wave them on. They thank you with a wave and a nod.

In Boston, when getting into an exit lane, you wait until the last possible minute to merge. Preferably across a double line immediately before the ramp. Again, screw those **********, you got stuff to do. In MN, we start to move over into the exit lane 3 miles before the exit. You wouldn't want to hold anyone up - afterall you're the one exiting, so just politely get out of everyone's way.

I got honked at yesterday before the light even turned green. I was first in line, and I guess the girl behind me wanted me to get off the line fast enough that she could pass the guy who was first in the right line, and then blow by all of us. I proceeded to crawl through the intersection at a turtle's pace.

 

[13th Floor]

I just moved to Minnesota almost two years ago. From Boston. Holy cow the difference in drivers is amazing.

In Boston, when stopped at a red light, people lay on their horn immediately after the light turns green. It's almost like it's a race to see who is the first to honk after the light changes. In MN, no one honks. Ever. That would be so rude.

In Boston, if you're coming up to an intersection and the light turns yellow, you obviously lay on the gas. If the light is red as you fly through the intersection, no problem. In MN yellow is the same as red. You see the light turn to yellow, you slam on your brakes.

In Boston, the name of the game is to cut the other ********* off. He's clearly dumb and not in a hurry like you are so screw him. You cut him off and fully expect him to flip you the bird. You respond in kind probably offending his mother as well. In MN, if someone cuts you off it's probably because they made a mistake and didn't see you. You politely smile and wave them on. They thank you with a wave and a nod.

In Boston, when getting into an exit lane, you wait until the last possible minute to merge. Preferably across a double line immediately before the ramp. Again, screw those **********, you got stuff to do. In MN, we start to move over into the exit lane 3 miles before the exit. You wouldn't want to hold anyone up - afterall you're the one exiting, so just politely get out of everyone's way.

I'd argue the bolded is MORE dangerous, albeit much less selfish. In fact, I read that the traffic light cameras that hand out automatic tickets have been audited and proven to cause more accidents at those intersections than they weren't there. Reason is because people do this exact behavior because they fear getting a ticket and are therefore very tentative around the intersection causing them to slam on their breaks or speed up unnecessarily through the intersection so they aren't caught in camera view.

But, they won't get rid of them because it is basically an automated revenue stream.

 

[stranger34]

Good choice.

Thanks. I love the 328! I just leased it back in April and it is really fun and a pleasure to drive.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I got honked at yesterday before the light even turned green. I was first in line, and I guess the girl behind me wanted me to get off the line fast enough that she could pass the guy who was first in the right line, and then blow by all of us. I proceeded to crawl through the intersection at a turtle's pace.

In my opinion that is a bad move and what causes road rage. Just let it go and ignore it. Not worth your energy.

 

[doublechili]

I have an Audi A4 now, but my best "driving" car was my 06' Acura RSX-Type S. Fun to drive. My wife got hit while driving it, so I had to say goodbye. Too small to carry my kid around in anyway. Back to automatic transmission. If I find a 70's 240/260z in good condition, I'll pick it up and use it as my fun car.

I see some of the old Z cars on here sometimes, of course if they make that site they probably also end up getting sold for too much! But it's a fun site to check out, if nothing else.

http://bringatrailer.com/

 

[Team Houda]

Do NOT come to California, haha. The non-signaling drives me up a wall. I swear there is a game here based around not signaling. Like it is a sign of weakness and since nobody else signals, you don't have to signal. It's pretty insane.

I seriously wish it were more heavily penalized and enforced. There is not one thing even remotely close to the benefit vs effort trade-off of signaling. You can hardly even turn your wheel without accidentally signaling. It requires such minimal effort, and it is rather important to, you know, let other people on the road know where you intend on putting your 2-ton metal death trap.

In talking to people about it, it bothers me that they take it upon themselves to use discretion when it matters to signal or not. Most people have no idea how many people around them signaling has an effect on. Most just think it is for people behind them who won't smash into their car (i.e., a brake warning). It affects pedestrians, bike riders, the person to your left and right, the guy a block ahead is trying to turn onto the road, the lady across the street unsure if she can turn into the intersection... pretty much every single person who can see your car would like to know what the hell you are doing with it. Grr.

I second this. It is absolutely amazing how few people signal in this God-forbidden state. When I first moved out here, I honestly wondered if vehicles sold in California came without blinkers.

 

[KasparsHipCheck]

I got honked at yesterday before the light even turned green. I was first in line, and I guess the girl behind me wanted me to get off the line fast enough that she could pass the guy who was first in the right line, and then blow by all of us. I proceeded to crawl through the intersection at a turtle's pace.

Hahaha!!! In that situation, a little payback is in order. Road rules indicate rudeness can be met with rudeness at the other drives discretion. If someone lets you cut into the line from a parking lot--do not pay them back by immediately turning your blinker on to make the next left-hand turn across traffic, making the decent person catch the longest red light ever. Why push your car's engine unnecessarily?

@Richie Dagger's Your avatar is straight-up scary. In response to looking at it late last night, I had to change mine to something that wouldn't give me nightmares man. LOL. Very deceptive indeed considering what you drive and why. #FamilyMan

 

[On Edge]

I just moved to Minnesota almost two years ago. From Boston. Holy cow the difference in drivers is amazing.

In Boston, when stopped at a red light, people lay on their horn immediately after the light turns green. It's almost like it's a race to see who is the first to honk after the light changes. In MN, no one honks. Ever. That would be so rude.

In Boston, if you're coming up to an intersection and the light turns yellow, you obviously lay on the gas. If the light is red as you fly through the intersection, no problem. In MN yellow is the same as red. You see the light turn to yellow, you slam on your brakes.

In Boston, the name of the game is to cut the other ********* off. He's clearly dumb and not in a hurry like you are so screw him. You cut him off and fully expect him to flip you the bird. You respond in kind probably offending his mother as well. In MN, if someone cuts you off it's probably because they made a mistake and didn't see you. You politely smile and wave them on. They thank you with a wave and a nod.

In Boston, when getting into an exit lane, you wait until the last possible minute to merge. Preferably across a double line immediately before the ramp. Again, screw those **********, you got stuff to do. In MN, we start to move over into the exit lane 3 miles before the exit. You wouldn't want to hold anyone up - afterall you're the one exiting, so just politely get out of everyone's way.

That sounds incredible. I don't know if I could ever get used to it! Maybe with intensive therapy!

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Wow. I learned more about you in this post than I have my entire time on HF.

Bizarre. I never would imagine people would even recognize my user name.

 

[Bones45]

I recently took a Defensive Driving class offered by my employer to reduce my insurance.

Most of it was complete nonsense and boring for most drivers with experience.

One thing the instructor did say, and it makes you go.. "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"..

If you are walking down a hallway at work, make a turn around a corner and accidentally brush into somones shoulder on accident -- or even just come close -- not even touch them --- you are like

"oh sorry... my bad" make a joke, have a quick friendly exchange, etc ...

That same scenario happens and you are driving, instead of walking?

Its almost World War 3!!

Bottom line -- just let it go. Its not worth it.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I got honked at yesterday before the light even turned green. I was first in line, and I guess the girl behind me wanted me to get off the line fast enough that she could pass the guy who was first in the right line, and then blow by all of us. I proceeded to crawl through the intersection at a turtle's pace.

If someone honks at me like that or the second it turns green I make it a point to not hit the gas for a few seconds then crawl for a little bit

 

[Felix Unger]

I just moved to Minnesota almost two years ago. From Boston. Holy cow the difference in drivers is amazing.

In Boston, when stopped at a red light, people lay on their horn immediately after the light turns green. It's almost like it's a race to see who is the first to honk after the light changes. In MN, no one honks. Ever. That would be so rude.

In Boston, if you're coming up to an intersection and the light turns yellow, you obviously lay on the gas. If the light is red as you fly through the intersection, no problem. In MN yellow is the same as red. You see the light turn to yellow, you slam on your brakes.

In Boston, the name of the game is to cut the other ********* off. He's clearly dumb and not in a hurry like you are so screw him. You cut him off and fully expect him to flip you the bird. You respond in kind probably offending his mother as well. In MN, if someone cuts you off it's probably because they made a mistake and didn't see you. You politely smile and wave them on. They thank you with a wave and a nod.

In Boston, when getting into an exit lane, you wait until the last possible minute to merge. Preferably across a double line immediately before the ramp. Again, screw those **********, you got stuff to do. In MN, we start to move over into the exit lane 3 miles before the exit. You wouldn't want to hold anyone up - afterall you're the one exiting, so just politely get out of everyone's way.

What I want to know is why a mere two states over, in Michigan, the drivers are the craziest, wackiest, most aggressive, road-ragey loons I've ever had the displeasure of encountering. What's with that?

 

[islandersbob]

I live in Florida, and the absolute worst collection of drivers congregate here. We have the hostile Mass. drivers, the slow Michigan drivers, the senile Ohio drivers, the aggressive New York drivers, the strange Canadians AND the stupid locals, who come in three breeds: the pimped up ride, the jacked-up p/u truck for "mudding", or the road soda crowd. The worst is on Sunday when all these people try to go to church together.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I live in Florida, and the absolute worst collection of drivers congregate here. We have the hostile Mass. drivers, the slow Michigan drivers, the senile Ohio drivers, the aggressive New York drivers, the strange Canadians AND the stupid locals, who come in three breeds: the pimped up ride, the jacked-up p/u truck for "mudding", or the road soda crowd. The worst is on Sunday when all these people try to go to church together.

You forgot to add that most of them are senior citizens!

 

[LetsGoIslanders]

I love driving in NYC and Long Island. Since I received my drivers license at 16 in Atlanta; I've driven in Georgia, Dallas, DC, and North Dakota.

The nice thing about driving in NYC and Long Island is that the cops are city/county cops. They have better things to do than bust people going 12 miles per hour over the speed limit. In Atlanta and Dallas, localities make their money with cops sitting at a stop sign or sitting at the edge of a highway trying to rack up tickets.

I've flown by county cops on the LIE going 20 mph over the speed limit. They're looking for the idiot in the 1998 Mustang that does 30+ over.

It's funny, whenever I have a client in from out-of-town, and I'm driving through the city -- honking and weaving they have a look of panic on their face. As a co-worker from Raleigh said to me, "How did you adapt to this?" You get used to it. I still remember how freaked out I was driving in Manhattan for the first time. I blew through a cop at an intersection, went the wrong way on a one way, and went through an EZ Pass toll without a tag.

 

[BroadwayJay*]

I have an Audi A4 now, but my best "driving" car was my 06' Acura RSX-Type S. Fun to drive. My wife got hit while driving it, so I had to say goodbye. Too small to carry my kid around in anyway. Back to automatic transmission. If I find a 70's 240/260z in good condition, I'll pick it up and use it as my fun car.

I had a '76 280Z in high school. I LOVED it. Four speed, if my memory serves me.

I also had an older japanese motorcycle that I enjoyed immensely.

Now I ride subways...

 

[A Pointed Stick]

I slid up a road sideways, defying all sorts of laws of physics, during the icy winter of 90, 91, or 92 - don't remember which. It was a back road connector between Nassau & Suffolk just north of Farmingdale. That one was all me.

I drive to work on hot mornings with the top down at the ass crack of dawn. I will never give up a convertible except for another that gets me closer to that elusive 0-60 in 3.X (hello Tesla?)

I've been everywhere man, and every place in this country has good and bad drivers, but the bad changes area to area. BUT, that said, nothing, NOTHING compares to the way people drive like stone cold drug addicts overseas. Pick a continent, they are worse than we are here.