What do you drive? How much attention?
Discussion
I had one of the first 90s Ford Pumas in the UK as a company car. People would literally stare and point at it as I drove by as it was so different and futuristic. I obviously felt like Steve McQueen driving it and it was a lovely practical little vehicle and a lot of fun.
Sadly the latest Ford with the Puma name doesn’t look quite so exciting.
Sadly the latest Ford with the Puma name doesn’t look quite so exciting.
Kiwis, in general, are a bit blasé about cars. The Škoda is largely anonymous, except that folk often slow down when they see me coming as the police here also drive Škodas.
The Megan 275 is also largely anonymous because very few people know what it is. Renaults, especially RS versions, are quite rare over here.
This gets the most reaction, but less than one would guess. Occasional phone out a car window, occasional thumbs up (usually from bikers) and one or two have come up to talk while refuelling, but not an everyday occurrence. However, reactions, when they happen, are invariably favourable.
The Megan 275 is also largely anonymous because very few people know what it is. Renaults, especially RS versions, are quite rare over here.
This gets the most reaction, but less than one would guess. Occasional phone out a car window, occasional thumbs up (usually from bikers) and one or two have come up to talk while refuelling, but not an everyday occurrence. However, reactions, when they happen, are invariably favourable.
Very dull. But drive in a certain way and people move out of your way quickly.
Drive very sensibly, especially with two burly blokes in the front and traffic does seem a bit calmer. There was one car that went from driving like a dick to miss daisy. We both said we would pull him if we were coppers!
Drive very sensibly, especially with two burly blokes in the front and traffic does seem a bit calmer. There was one car that went from driving like a dick to miss daisy. We both said we would pull him if we were coppers!
Tony351 said:
The 355 is perfect. I have a good friend who lets me drive his and it's lovely. In his garage an S1 E-Type, Dino and others. 
I own a few cars, the most interesting IMO are the Atom and Griff. The Atom gets a lot of attention and I never, ever get tired of speaking to anyone. The end of days is coming, the more people are enthused the better for me.
nickfrog said:
LeeM135i said:
If the exhaust valves are closed the C63 goes unnoticed by those that don't know, it's just a Mercedes. With the valves open its 50/50 positive / head shake in disapproval. It gets really positive attention from those that know, when I first got it people would regularly come over and ask about it when refuelling (often). That has died down, I guess I have spoken to most of the local petrol heads by now.
Wonderful. I will probably get one of those at some point. I don't need it, not probably even went one. Bu the noise alone....I’m now on my third Honda Integra type R (DC2)
Had one in 2003 for three years, had another in 2010 for three years. Now I bought another one in November 2022 (never want to sell it!).
First two got no attention really . Actually, the first one often got negative comments, like why didn’t I buy something faster for the money and its only a 1.8 FWD car. Not many people understood my decision at all really.
But on picking up my third one in November, somethings happened, even on the drive back, people were slowing down alongside and waving and taking photos, people at petrol stations stop and ask about it, it gets lots of waves from people I don’t think I know. It seems to have become more likable for some reason.
Had one in 2003 for three years, had another in 2010 for three years. Now I bought another one in November 2022 (never want to sell it!).
First two got no attention really . Actually, the first one often got negative comments, like why didn’t I buy something faster for the money and its only a 1.8 FWD car. Not many people understood my decision at all really.
But on picking up my third one in November, somethings happened, even on the drive back, people were slowing down alongside and waving and taking photos, people at petrol stations stop and ask about it, it gets lots of waves from people I don’t think I know. It seems to have become more likable for some reason.
Suzuki S-Cross - Not a snifter but it is another jelly mold SUV
MG TF - A few stares but I think that's down to it being relatively uncommon to see a 2 seat convertible with the top down. Obvs plenty of HGF comments as if I've never heard that before and was unaware
Suzuki Ignis Sport - Lots from the Audi/BMW/Range Rover crowd driving up my backside and wanting to race, I guess because they know they will win. Its fun to drive but it ain't fast.
Classic Mini - The most, everything from kids waving and people giving thumbs up/ flashing headlights, to old boys coming over to talk about it in car parks and petrol stations
MG TF - A few stares but I think that's down to it being relatively uncommon to see a 2 seat convertible with the top down. Obvs plenty of HGF comments as if I've never heard that before and was unaware
Suzuki Ignis Sport - Lots from the Audi/BMW/Range Rover crowd driving up my backside and wanting to race, I guess because they know they will win. Its fun to drive but it ain't fast.
Classic Mini - The most, everything from kids waving and people giving thumbs up/ flashing headlights, to old boys coming over to talk about it in car parks and petrol stations
Edited by Succulant26 on Friday 31st March 10:31
I took my Caterham 420R out a month or so ago for its only drive of the year so far. I’d had a fantastic morning and parked up in a village for a quick coffee, pee and leg stretch. When I got back to the car a little old lady, must have been mid-eighties, and most most least likely-looking petrolhead, came up to me with a twinkle in her eye and said ‘that looks like so much fun’. I told her it was and chatted for a minute or two. As I was about to clamber into the car she very gently prodded me with her walking stick and said with a smile ‘you jammy sod!’ and walked off. I was grinning for the rest of the day.
My Holden gets a little bit of attention from other dads when they realise it’s a V8 - proper Aussie car, and it does sound great!
The 968 gets an occasional acknowledgement from other classics or Porsches but rarely from 911 owners - was the same with the 928 before it.
But it does provide a good starting point for conversation in traffic jams or at the lights. Yesterday I pulled up to a red light alongside a bright red S1 E Type Drophead - we had a natter as E Type dude had previously had a 928 and knew about transaxle Porsches, and his E Type sounded marvellous. It was a sunny day and was a cheery couple of mins.
The 968 gets an occasional acknowledgement from other classics or Porsches but rarely from 911 owners - was the same with the 928 before it.
But it does provide a good starting point for conversation in traffic jams or at the lights. Yesterday I pulled up to a red light alongside a bright red S1 E Type Drophead - we had a natter as E Type dude had previously had a 928 and knew about transaxle Porsches, and his E Type sounded marvellous. It was a sunny day and was a cheery couple of mins.
If I drive my Mk2 escort, it gets people taking pictures and coming to chat when parked, from all ages and walks of life.
My E92 M3 is very discrete in comparison, as to the uneducated, there's little to differentiate it from a regular oil burner 3 series coupe, but gets a lot of admiration and appreciation if parked up around enthusiasts.
My E92 M3 is very discrete in comparison, as to the uneducated, there's little to differentiate it from a regular oil burner 3 series coupe, but gets a lot of admiration and appreciation if parked up around enthusiasts.
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