Youth Of Today

[Don]

So I'm outside the local Sainsbury's picking up some nosh for tonight and I park the Chimaera right outside the door.

Understandably when I come out there is a group of young lads (12-14) looking at it. I get in a fire it up.

"Woooooowwwwww" goes one, turns to his mate and says, "Is that a posh car?". And his mate says "Naaaahhh. Its just a TVR look."

[victormeldrew]
Don't know they're born...etc etc
[/victormeldrew]

[pwig]

[Don]

pwig said:

Haarrrrrumphphph! I don't believe it! etc etc

[WildfireS3]

I was told once by a lad that his dad's Caverlier was faster, as it's Speedo goes higher than mine.

[Davey S1]

Consider yourself lucky Don if you had taken the Boxter you could have come out to find it covered in gob

[Don]

Davey S1 said:

Consider yourself lucky Don if you had taken the Boxter you could have come out to find it covered in gob

Unfortunately there's an element of truth in that. I find the jealous type look at a TVR and don't know what it is (or care) but they surely know what a Porsche looks like. Or if they don't they know the name when they see the badge.

And when they see the badge they don't see a nice sports car anymore - they just see the money that belongs to someone else and not them.

Thankfully they are in the minority...

[WildfireS3]

Don said:

[ they see the badge. And when they see the badge they don't see a nice sports car anymore - they just see the money that belongs to someone else and not them.

Too true, i catually tape up the badges on the Tiv most of the time so people don't shout things at me. Strange but true, if they don't know what it is they just stare and think it's some kind of kit car.

[streaky]

WildfireS3 said:

[snip] they just stare and think it's some kind of kit car.

Now wash your mouth out with Carbolic

[gixxer1000]

I pulled out of my road recently in the Cerb and a group of dodgy looking lads crossed the road just in front of my car with one shouting "I FING HATE RICH GUYS, THEY GET ALL THE NICE FING CARS AN' THAT"

Charming!

>> Edited by gixxer1000 on Wednesday 17th September 15:07

[bridgdav]

Following my recent situation, see thread:-
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=57230&f=13&h=0

I don't think it effect's soley TVR owners...But any owner with a 'GRIN FACTOR 10' car.

It only takes one individual to have a brainless moment and your dream car is ruined...

I have had the kids on the street waving, shouting out, thumbs up etc...But I have also had the few who you can see are as jealous as hell (just look in your rear mirror and see the words (WR) mouthed.

If I had spent my hard earned on a £10k Mondeo, they wouldn't bat an eyelid.

I would never cover the Badge on my TVR but I would suggest that covering the car and leaving the badge might have been advisable in my case......

Sorry.....I haven't quite got over the bitterness yet....

Insurance are dragging their heels a bit, looks like I won't get the car back for another week or 2...

Drive with Pride....

[matthewbinns]

I have a friend who moved to the states a couple of years ago. On a recent visit we discussed this topic and he is amazed at the difference in attitude over there.

When Americans see someone with a nice car rather than feeling jelous they are actually glad that the person seems to be doing welll for themselves.

It unfortunatly seems endemic in all areas of the UK where people seem to think they are owed a living and begrudge anyone who works and wants to spend their hard earned on a nice car.

[Davey S1]

You will always get a few thick tw@'s who will vandalise anything that looks expensive. It's just that 'if I cant have it I might as well it up to spoil your enjoyment' mentality which seems to be becoming more common.

That said there is a lot of hostility directed at drivers of nice cars, particularly porches. TVR's and other British cars seem to get nice comments on the whole as the drivers are seen more as enthusiasts rather that just wealthy show offs.

I've only ever had positive comments and looks with my Elise. The best was a month or so after buying it and I was stuck in a traffic jam in a busy student area with a brand new Boxter in front of me with the roof down with 2 nice looking ladies in it. No one gave them a second glance but I got lots of admiring looks (not from the Boxter driver and her friend though as I had stolen their thunder)

[Don]

matthewbinns said:

I have a friend who moved to the states a couple of years ago. On a recent visit we discussed this topic and he is amazed at the difference in attitude over there. When Americans see someone with a nice car rather than feeling jelous they are actually glad that the person seems to be doing welll for themselves. It unfortunatly seems endemic in all areas of the UK where people seem to think they are owed a living and begrudge anyone who works and wants to spend their hard earned on a nice car.

I don't think that's quite fair. There are places in America where driving by in a "nice" car you wouldn't consider stopping as gangs of youths eye up the car with envious, acquisitive looks.

There are many places in the UK where having a "nice" car is a prerequisite to any respect in the leafy, pleasant suburban streets too - where people will stop as you wash it to chat about "your lovely car" and so on.

These days I do my level best NEVER to go anywhere like the former place and spend as much time as possible places resembling the latter...middle class ghetto dwelling is VERY NICE THANK YOU!

[madant69]

gixxer1000 said:

I pulled out of my road recently in the Cerb and a group of dodgy looking lads crossed the road just in front of my car with one shouting "I FING HATE RICH GUYS, THEY GET ALL THE NICE FING CARS AN' THAT" Charming! >> Edited by gixxer1000 on Wednesday 17th September 15:07

I think it has something to do with the fact that TVR owners tend to be sophisticated, good looking, witty, snappy dressers etc. Of COURSE they're going to be jealous!

You should have told them that we get all the girls too (or boys lol)

[Don]

madant69 said:

I think it has something to do with the fact that TVR owners tend to be sophisticated, good looking, witty, snappy dressers etc. Of COURSE they're going to be jealous!

I have often thought I should get a sign for the car that says something like:

"Actually. Although this is a sport car I have an absolutely enormous......"

[Davey S1]

Don said:

I have often thought I should get a sign for the car that says something like: "Actually. Although this is a sport car I have an absolutely enormous......"

What about a sticker that says 'my other cars reliable because its a Porsche'

[gixxer1000]

madant69 said:

gixxer1000 said: I pulled out of my road recently in the Cerb and a group of dodgy looking lads crossed the road just in front of my car with one shouting "I FING HATE RICH GUYS, THEY GET ALL THE NICE FING CARS AN' THAT" Charming! >> Edited by gixxer1000 on Wednesday 17th September 15:07 I think it has something to do with the fact that TVR owners tend to be sophisticated, good looking, witty, snappy dressers etc. Of COURSE they're going to be jealous! You should have told them that we get all the girls too (or boys lol)

Here here! I now have that line committed to memory just in case this happens again.

>> Edited by gixxer1000 on Wednesday 17th September 18:49