What do you drive? How much attention?
Discussion
dugsud said:
My 320d touring - invisible
My Tiger 1050 - invisible (unfortunately sometimes!)
My 911 - generally gets a positive reaction, more so the older it gets confirming the classic car theory. I've also found the reaction is even more positive again on the continent with lots of interest and zero negative vibes....makes it less worrying when we have to park it up more than anything else!
Beautiful car sirMy Tiger 1050 - invisible (unfortunately sometimes!)
My 911 - generally gets a positive reaction, more so the older it gets confirming the classic car theory. I've also found the reaction is even more positive again on the continent with lots of interest and zero negative vibes....makes it less worrying when we have to park it up more than anything else!
Bored at work and was searching PH and stumbled upon this now [very old] thread. Anywhoo, based in the US, here's my collection, most of which I've shipped over from the UK, most of which are pretty obscure cars on these shores, so it's always interesting to hear what people think...
-MG TC: Everyone loves it from young kids to oldtimers, as one might expect. Just a cheerful vintage car.
-MGB/GT: Occasional thumbs up from a boomer, it's a '67 so MG people always fawn over it.
-Daimler 250 V8 saloon: "Nice Jag!" is usually the comment I get until they get up close and realize they've never heard of a Daimler. That little gem of a V8 always garners lots of inquiry at car meets.
-Rover P6 3500: Unless at a British car meet, nobody knows what it is. When they see "Rover" on the bootlid they usually ask if associated with Land Rover.
-Triumph TR6: Plenty of those here so not unique other than not seeing them often due to being classics. As with the MGB, usually acknowledged by boomers.
-Triumph 2500S Estate: Definitely nobody knows what it is, always shocked to learn Triumph made things other than sports cars. Most think it's ugly.
-Triumph Dolomite Sprint: "Holy s
t! A Dolomite Sprint!" was what I overheard someone shout when I pulled into a Brit car show one year. Otherwise, some curiosity but seems mostly ignored except for hardcore gearheads.
-TVR Griffith 500: Mostly recognized by people who've played enough GranTurismo, mine is dark blue so pretty low key, obviously has the fantastic rumble so that's usually the attention getter.
-Healey 3000: Plenty of those here so again, like the TR and B, acknowledged by boomers and pretty much always positive comments.
-Morgan +8: Nothing but positive comments, like the TC, pulled into a Ferrari club meet in the Mog and everyone came running over to check it out.
-Defender 110: Loved by beards and hipsters, both of whom would be afraid to pilot a RHD manual gearbox vehicle.
-Jag XJR (X308): Flies under the radar for the most part, however recognized by those in the know.
-Rover Mini Cooper Spi: I think old Minis get the same attention worldwide, pretty much always smiles and thumbs up, and I'm sure a few giggles..
-Range Rover HSE (L322): This is my daily, same colours as Jezza's on Clarkson's Farm so RR guys always make that comment, as green is crazy rare on them over here.
-Bentley Turbo R: This one is probably 50/50, have had some teens and 20 somethings say "sick car man", always does get lots of gawks when cruising on the motorway, some probably categorize it as an old money ride, some an enthusiasts' piece and perhaps a few a poseur's car (I think a Conti GT or FS would pull that off better).
When I've had things like Ferraris, I quickly tired of people wanting to race, or idiots in minivans coming up alongside me on the highway then flooring it, had someone spit on my 308 when it was parked out front of a restaurant, so gave up doing any more exotics and just stick with eclectic as I like cars that elicit curiosity not envy.
-MG TC: Everyone loves it from young kids to oldtimers, as one might expect. Just a cheerful vintage car.
-MGB/GT: Occasional thumbs up from a boomer, it's a '67 so MG people always fawn over it.
-Daimler 250 V8 saloon: "Nice Jag!" is usually the comment I get until they get up close and realize they've never heard of a Daimler. That little gem of a V8 always garners lots of inquiry at car meets.
-Rover P6 3500: Unless at a British car meet, nobody knows what it is. When they see "Rover" on the bootlid they usually ask if associated with Land Rover.
-Triumph TR6: Plenty of those here so not unique other than not seeing them often due to being classics. As with the MGB, usually acknowledged by boomers.
-Triumph 2500S Estate: Definitely nobody knows what it is, always shocked to learn Triumph made things other than sports cars. Most think it's ugly.
-Triumph Dolomite Sprint: "Holy s
t! A Dolomite Sprint!" was what I overheard someone shout when I pulled into a Brit car show one year. Otherwise, some curiosity but seems mostly ignored except for hardcore gearheads. -TVR Griffith 500: Mostly recognized by people who've played enough GranTurismo, mine is dark blue so pretty low key, obviously has the fantastic rumble so that's usually the attention getter.
-Healey 3000: Plenty of those here so again, like the TR and B, acknowledged by boomers and pretty much always positive comments.
-Morgan +8: Nothing but positive comments, like the TC, pulled into a Ferrari club meet in the Mog and everyone came running over to check it out.
-Defender 110: Loved by beards and hipsters, both of whom would be afraid to pilot a RHD manual gearbox vehicle.
-Jag XJR (X308): Flies under the radar for the most part, however recognized by those in the know.
-Rover Mini Cooper Spi: I think old Minis get the same attention worldwide, pretty much always smiles and thumbs up, and I'm sure a few giggles..
-Range Rover HSE (L322): This is my daily, same colours as Jezza's on Clarkson's Farm so RR guys always make that comment, as green is crazy rare on them over here.
-Bentley Turbo R: This one is probably 50/50, have had some teens and 20 somethings say "sick car man", always does get lots of gawks when cruising on the motorway, some probably categorize it as an old money ride, some an enthusiasts' piece and perhaps a few a poseur's car (I think a Conti GT or FS would pull that off better).
When I've had things like Ferraris, I quickly tired of people wanting to race, or idiots in minivans coming up alongside me on the highway then flooring it, had someone spit on my 308 when it was parked out front of a restaurant, so gave up doing any more exotics and just stick with eclectic as I like cars that elicit curiosity not envy.
Edited by bergxu on Friday 24th March 16:08
^^^ Nice collection! And interesting to hear the comments/reactions from people. It's great to have a vehicle that garners interest or curiosity - it can lead to some interesting conversations.
Anyway, from the (limited) fleet that I have access to, here's the reactions I get..
Jeep Grand Cherokee - Just the once, just after buying it when it was fairly new and still shiny- a couple of guys in the street said, 'Nice motor mate!' Since then 8 years ago - zero, zilch, nada.
Wife's Mini One - nothing
Mazda MX-5 - occasional wave from other owners when passing on the road (much to the amusement/embarrassment of my daughter.) Occasional questions from older drivers in petrol stations
Lexus SC430 (now sold) - that got a fair bit of admiration/attention - mostly positive
1974 Steyr Puch Haflinger - lots of curiosity - motorists follow me/wave me down to ask about it; asking to buy it or where they can get one. If I feel that they're properly interested I'll start telling them the history of the Marque, from the Second World War on, at least until I see their eyes start to glaze over
Range Rover Classic (my son's) - waves from other owners and positive reactions from the public - it's pretty much standard so not ostentatious or showy.
I can't recall having had negative reactions to any car/bike that I've owned (oh, apart from the moped I had when I was 16 that I removed the baffles from the exhaust - to unleash the awesome hidden power!)
Anyway, from the (limited) fleet that I have access to, here's the reactions I get..
Jeep Grand Cherokee - Just the once, just after buying it when it was fairly new and still shiny- a couple of guys in the street said, 'Nice motor mate!' Since then 8 years ago - zero, zilch, nada.
Wife's Mini One - nothing
Mazda MX-5 - occasional wave from other owners when passing on the road (much to the amusement/embarrassment of my daughter.) Occasional questions from older drivers in petrol stations
Lexus SC430 (now sold) - that got a fair bit of admiration/attention - mostly positive
1974 Steyr Puch Haflinger - lots of curiosity - motorists follow me/wave me down to ask about it; asking to buy it or where they can get one. If I feel that they're properly interested I'll start telling them the history of the Marque, from the Second World War on, at least until I see their eyes start to glaze over
Range Rover Classic (my son's) - waves from other owners and positive reactions from the public - it's pretty much standard so not ostentatious or showy.
I can't recall having had negative reactions to any car/bike that I've owned (oh, apart from the moped I had when I was 16 that I removed the baffles from the exhaust - to unleash the awesome hidden power!)
Terminator X said:
RS3. Not much attention when parked up as to 99% of people it looks just like a bog standard A3. Fair bit when on the move though as it is reasonably loud for a bog standard A3.
TX.
M3cs now. Again not much attention other than people not knowing or have ever heard of "cs"!TX.
TX.
bergxu]Bored at work and was searching PH and stumbled upon this now [very old said:
thread. Anywhoo, based in the US, here's my collection, most of which I've shipped over from the UK, most of which are pretty obscure cars on these shores, so it's always interesting to hear what people think...
-MG TC: Everyone loves it from young kids to oldtimers, as one might expect. Just a cheerful vintage car.
-MGB/GT: Occasional thumbs up from a boomer, it's a '67 so MG people always fawn over it.
-Daimler 250 V8 saloon: "Nice Jag!" is usually the comment I get until they get up close and realize they've never heard of a Daimler. That little gem of a V8 always garners lots of inquiry at car meets.
-Rover P6 3500: Unless at a British car meet, nobody knows what it is. When they see "Rover" on the bootlid they usually ask if associated with Land Rover.
-Triumph TR6: Plenty of those here so not unique other than not seeing them often due to being classics. As with the MGB, usually acknowledged by boomers.
-Triumph 2500S Estate: Definitely nobody knows what it is, always shocked to learn Triumph made things other than sports cars. Most think it's ugly.
-Triumph Dolomite Sprint: "Holy st! A Dolomite Sprint!" was what I overheard someone shout when I pulled into a Brit car show one year. Otherwise, some curiosity but seems mostly ignored except for hardcore gearheads.
-TVR Griffith 500: Mostly recognized by people who've played enough GranTurismo, mine is dark blue so pretty low key, obviously has the fantastic rumble so that's usually the attention getter.
-Healey 3000: Plenty of those here so again, like the TR and B, acknowledged by boomers and pretty much always positive comments.
-Morgan +8: Nothing but positive comments, like the TC, pulled into a Ferrari club meet in the Mog and everyone came running over to check it out.
-Defender 110: Loved by beards and hipsters, both of whom would be afraid to pilot a RHD manual gearbox vehicle.
-Jag XJR (X308): Flies under the radar for the most part, however recognized by those in the know.
-Rover Mini Cooper Spi: I think old Minis get the same attention worldwide, pretty much always smiles and thumbs up, and I'm sure a few giggles..
-Range Rover HSE (L322): This is my daily, same colours as Jezza's on Clarkson's Farm so RR guys always make that comment, as green is crazy rare on them over here.
-Bentley Turbo R: This one is probably 50/50, have had some teens and 20 somethings say "sick car man", always does get lots of gawks when cruising on the motorway, some probably categorize it as an old money ride, some an enthusiasts' piece and perhaps a few a poseur's car (I think a Conti GT or FS would pull that off better).
When I've had things like Ferraris, I quickly tired of people wanting to race, or idiots in minivans coming up alongside me on the highway then flooring it, had someone spit on my 308 when it was parked out front of a restaurant, so gave up doing any more exotics and just stick with eclectic as I like cars that elicit curiosity not envy.
A great read!-MG TC: Everyone loves it from young kids to oldtimers, as one might expect. Just a cheerful vintage car.
-MGB/GT: Occasional thumbs up from a boomer, it's a '67 so MG people always fawn over it.
-Daimler 250 V8 saloon: "Nice Jag!" is usually the comment I get until they get up close and realize they've never heard of a Daimler. That little gem of a V8 always garners lots of inquiry at car meets.
-Rover P6 3500: Unless at a British car meet, nobody knows what it is. When they see "Rover" on the bootlid they usually ask if associated with Land Rover.
-Triumph TR6: Plenty of those here so not unique other than not seeing them often due to being classics. As with the MGB, usually acknowledged by boomers.
-Triumph 2500S Estate: Definitely nobody knows what it is, always shocked to learn Triumph made things other than sports cars. Most think it's ugly.
-Triumph Dolomite Sprint: "Holy s
t! A Dolomite Sprint!" was what I overheard someone shout when I pulled into a Brit car show one year. Otherwise, some curiosity but seems mostly ignored except for hardcore gearheads. -TVR Griffith 500: Mostly recognized by people who've played enough GranTurismo, mine is dark blue so pretty low key, obviously has the fantastic rumble so that's usually the attention getter.
-Healey 3000: Plenty of those here so again, like the TR and B, acknowledged by boomers and pretty much always positive comments.
-Morgan +8: Nothing but positive comments, like the TC, pulled into a Ferrari club meet in the Mog and everyone came running over to check it out.
-Defender 110: Loved by beards and hipsters, both of whom would be afraid to pilot a RHD manual gearbox vehicle.
-Jag XJR (X308): Flies under the radar for the most part, however recognized by those in the know.
-Rover Mini Cooper Spi: I think old Minis get the same attention worldwide, pretty much always smiles and thumbs up, and I'm sure a few giggles..
-Range Rover HSE (L322): This is my daily, same colours as Jezza's on Clarkson's Farm so RR guys always make that comment, as green is crazy rare on them over here.
-Bentley Turbo R: This one is probably 50/50, have had some teens and 20 somethings say "sick car man", always does get lots of gawks when cruising on the motorway, some probably categorize it as an old money ride, some an enthusiasts' piece and perhaps a few a poseur's car (I think a Conti GT or FS would pull that off better).
When I've had things like Ferraris, I quickly tired of people wanting to race, or idiots in minivans coming up alongside me on the highway then flooring it, had someone spit on my 308 when it was parked out front of a restaurant, so gave up doing any more exotics and just stick with eclectic as I like cars that elicit curiosity not envy.
If you're thinking about further additions I would expect a S1 Lotus Exige would get some attention! As well as being brilliant fun to drive
renmure said:
I'm a whole year into driving this LB Stratos. I've only managed about 1000 miles but have to say that every encounter has been positive.
What a fabulous looking thing!(Please tell me those all light up when you flash an acknowledgment. Must be like daybreak on Mercury).
renmure said:
scenario8 said:
(Please tell me those all light up when you flash an acknowledgment. Must be like daybreak on Mercury).
I'd love to tell you that every flash of acknowledgment was like this....
But usually I pull the wrong thing just end up squirting water all over the windscreen!!
What a thing, though. Don’t see many of those on the mean streets of Croydon. Enjoy every moment.
I daily an S4 Avant and it's under-the-radar enough for me. Most people don't look twice at it. Every now and then someone driving a hot hatch or a 435i or similar wants some engine exercise, but 90% of the time it's just another Audi estate. It's perfect for what I need from it, a comfortable, practical car, with respectable performance for overtaking and the ability to have a little fun on the roads by me.
I regularly drive my Twizy and that gets a lot of attention. People love to stop and stare, point at it, take photos, chat to me at lights/in traffic. I don't mind the attention, it's quite refreshing as it's always positive, and sometimes after a tough day at work it's nice to have a conversation with a stranger where it's good vibes only
I regularly drive my Twizy and that gets a lot of attention. People love to stop and stare, point at it, take photos, chat to me at lights/in traffic. I don't mind the attention, it's quite refreshing as it's always positive, and sometimes after a tough day at work it's nice to have a conversation with a stranger where it's good vibes only
Edited by Second Best on Saturday 22 April 05:47
renmure said:
I'd love to tell you that every flash of acknowledgment was like this....
But usually I pull the wrong thing just end up squirting water all over the windscreen!!
That is fBut usually I pull the wrong thing just end up squirting water all over the windscreen!!
king ace! If that was mine, and I would if I could, the fact that all encounters were positive would only be a bonus
Mainly boys/men aged 15-35. Wherever I go a few thumbs up and people putting their windows down as I'm driving past.
Just the other day had a walking by pedestrian stop whilst I was in traffic. Complimentary comments about the 6.3 engine and how "bad" it was.
Other times I just get the "your a knob" looks
Second Best said:
I daily an S4 Avant and it's under-the-radar enough for me. Most people don't look twice at it. Every now and then someone driving a hot hatch or a 435i or similar wants some engine exercise, but 90% of the time it's just another Audi estate. It's perfect for what I need from it, a comfortable, practical car, with respectable performance for overtaking and the ability to have a little fun on the roads by me.
Same for me, Audi S4 Avant, no one notices it, which is good for me.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff