MX5- tailgate magnet?
Discussion
I took Mrs AD's MX5 out today for the first time in many months for a run from North London to Shepperton. I normally drive an Allroad. I was amazed at the intimidation and tailgating from other cars (mainly White Van Man). Perhaps its because 50 mph in the MX5 feels like 70mph in a 'normal' car. Or maybe people get miffed at a small car pulling away from them. Or maybe they are just jealous at someone having fun in a sports car. There was no question of me dawdling or not keeping up with the traffic flow.
Whatever, I found the aggression definitely more noticeable in the '5' than in the regular load lugger.
Whatever, I found the aggression definitely more noticeable in the '5' than in the regular load lugger.
Edited by audidoody on Monday 14th March 21:43
audidoody said:
I took Mrs AD's MX5 out today for the first time in many months for a run from North London to Shepperton. I normally drive an Allroad. I was amazed at the intimidation and tail gating from other cars (mainly White Van Man). Perhaps its because 50 mph in the MX5 feels like 70mph in a 'normal' car. Or maybe people get miffed at a small car pulling away from them. Or maybe they are just jealous at someone having fun in a sports car. There was no question of me dawdling or not keeping up with the traffic flow.
Whatever, I found the aggression definitely more noticeable in the '5' than in the regular load lugger.
I think its becuase you feel more vulnerable. People cant usually keep up with me to tailgate! Whatever, I found the aggression definitely more noticeable in the '5' than in the regular load lugger.
Yep, I noticed this right from my very first drive home after buying mine, but you do get used to it eventually.
Doesn't matter what lane you're in or how much you accelerate away people will keep pushing you along until they're finally past, at which point they'll pull in and slow down in front of you.
I've never had a car that was such a tosser-magnet.
Doesn't matter what lane you're in or how much you accelerate away people will keep pushing you along until they're finally past, at which point they'll pull in and slow down in front of you.
I've never had a car that was such a tosser-magnet.
Ben3883 said:
Yep, I noticed this right from my very first drive home after buying mine, but you do get used to it eventually.
Doesn't matter what lane you're in or how much you accelerate away people will keep pushing you along until they're finally past, at which point they'll pull in and slow down in front of you.
I've never had a car that was such a tosser-magnet.
Try driving a maser as well... No end of idiots in Golf GTis wanting to 'race'.Doesn't matter what lane you're in or how much you accelerate away people will keep pushing you along until they're finally past, at which point they'll pull in and slow down in front of you.
I've never had a car that was such a tosser-magnet.
I find cars are generally no closer to the rear of my car than in any other vehicle.
What's different is the distance between you and the rear of your car is very small. Your very nearly sat on the rear wheels, and the boot is tiny.
Compare that to say a Ford Focus, the rear wheels are miles behind you plus there's room behind for an adult and then a boot.
Said hypothetical car would still be the same distance from the rear of the Focus, but you, physically, are further away this giving the impression when you're in an MX5 that people tailgate you when in reality it's your vantage point that's changed.
What's different is the distance between you and the rear of your car is very small. Your very nearly sat on the rear wheels, and the boot is tiny.
Compare that to say a Ford Focus, the rear wheels are miles behind you plus there's room behind for an adult and then a boot.
Said hypothetical car would still be the same distance from the rear of the Focus, but you, physically, are further away this giving the impression when you're in an MX5 that people tailgate you when in reality it's your vantage point that's changed.
I've found that other drivers treat you very differently depending on which car you drive. As the OP has found, I find that people give you very little "respect" in an MX-5 - they're generally very impatient around you and don't give you much space on the road in an active way.
If you drive something like an old Ford Escort, you get very little "respect" in a passive way - people don't drive aggressively around you, they just don't seem to see you or pay you any regard.
Drive a Mitsubishi Evo around and people will go out of their way to make room for you. The effect of approaching someone oblivously hogging the outer lane in one is often comical, some will pretty much crap themselves and yank the car over into nearside lane to get out of your way.
If you drive something like an old Ford Escort, you get very little "respect" in a passive way - people don't drive aggressively around you, they just don't seem to see you or pay you any regard.
Drive a Mitsubishi Evo around and people will go out of their way to make room for you. The effect of approaching someone oblivously hogging the outer lane in one is often comical, some will pretty much crap themselves and yank the car over into nearside lane to get out of your way.
GravelBen said:
Mr MXT said:
People cant usually keep up with me to tailgate!
On roads with interesting corners its fun to sit bang on the speed limit while they tailgate you, then take said corners without slowing down and try to guess how long it will take them to catch up again.
Done this yesterday, car on my arse on the way up to a round-a-bout I know well.. I remember coming out the other side and looking in the rear view mirror and waiting for the other car to catch up, did take a while
_Batty_ said:
JonnyFive said:
Yep!
Done this yesterday, car on my arse on the way up to a round-a-bout I know well.. I remember coming out the other side and looking in the rear view mirror and waiting for the other car to catch up, did take a while
did it take as long as my handbrake cover? Done this yesterday, car on my arse on the way up to a round-a-bout I know well.. I remember coming out the other side and looking in the rear view mirror and waiting for the other car to catch up, did take a while
Mr MXT said:
_Batty_ said:
JonnyFive said:
Yep!
Done this yesterday, car on my arse on the way up to a round-a-bout I know well.. I remember coming out the other side and looking in the rear view mirror and waiting for the other car to catch up, did take a while
did it take as long as my handbrake cover? Done this yesterday, car on my arse on the way up to a round-a-bout I know well.. I remember coming out the other side and looking in the rear view mirror and waiting for the other car to catch up, did take a while
s off.. bds!Matt, my boss is away from tomorrow>Friday.. PM me your address again.
GravelBen said:
On roads with interesting corners its fun to sit bang on the speed limit while they tailgate you, then take said corners without slowing down and try to guess how long it will take them to catch up again.
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