Lotus vandalism

[clifton]

I've read that Ferrari owners are frequently victims of vandalism just because they drive Ferraris. I wouldn't expect Lotus owners to have the same problem, but I figure it's bound to happen sometimes. Have any of you ever had (or heard of) an incident of vandalism on an Esprit? Also, how do the police treat you when you get pulled over? Basically I wanted to hear any horror stories of the way non-Lotus owners have mistreated Lotus owners. Just so you know, I'm the guy that honks his horn and gives you a thumbs up, or shamelessly grills you on what having a Lotus is like...

[unity1]

I've been the victim of pissed ar$eholes and 10 year old kids who probably have junky parents. Found a grease kerbab dumped on the Bonet with the kids throwing stones at it. Mind you in general I find its treated with respect and gains the right sort of interest.

Have seen other cars that have been keyed with one spelling 'flash B******'

I tend to find the police are ok and have been stopped for what was really nothing more than a closer look.

[Exploded]

I have been victim of vandalism. When I was at the pub a girl and her friend walked over the front of my car from right to left. I didn't see it but luckily someone saw it and notified me.
People act weird when jealous. Since then I always try to park the car not to far from me.

[British Bulldog]

I've had two drunk girls get in my Lotus when I zapped the lock to get in, they were honking the horn and climbing around inside, realy P****** ME OFF, spent 15 mins being polite trying to get them out, in the end one walked across the bonnet. What the hell can you do?

Not much realy.

[MikeyRide]

Is it fair to say that this is more of a UK thing? These seems to be a resentment of the expensive car owner over there.

OTOH, I know that my car was keyed in Boston very early in its life. LCU had it in the records, believe it or not.

[okc-esprit]

While living in Ponca City, OK, the police thought the car was an abandoned/stolen vehicle. My wife had driven to the local park for some exercise and as she came around a corner the police were parked behind the Esprit running a check. The other time in Ponca a Honda full of teenage boys would not stop tailgating her so she gunned. The police pulled her over and asked if she new she was going 40 in a 30 zone. She said she was doing 42 and what was he going to do about the car load of teens tailgating her. He backed off and admitted he saw what had happened. Then while they were pulled over two other cars pulled into the lot just to look at the car. He said he would pass the word about the attention given the car. Given the circumstances he didn't bother to write up a ticket or warning. After that the police even backed at least one tailgater off of her. That's a benefit of small town life.

Now living in the OKC area is a little different. At a local park a pickup of teen guys and a car of girls tried to block her in as she was leaving. The idiots didn't have a clue as to the performance of the car and her ability to drive. She whipped around them leaving them in the dust. We filed a police report and were told the Edmond police went and talked to their parents.

These are mostly isolated incidents. Most people are courteous.

[cnh1990]

Just teenagers stealing my air caps off the wheels.

Cops tell me we are not too much of a problem, they say we are usually older and not normally touble makers. They know we speed but do it aways from other people. They target the teens in Japanese sports compacts more than us.

Calvin

[PAUL C]

Mikey,
Sadly,i think the UK has a bit of a problem with this.
There are places i KNOW it is unwise to take my car.
And my vans regularly get keyed,broken into,mirrors busted smeared with 'afterpub grub' etc.
Am inclined to think if you park, or live(as i do)where the british public might walk past when drunk,then you can expect this.
Garage:most important room of the house.

Very sad.

[KARLUK29]

i dont drive through town on a fri/sat night, because there is alway a drunk idiot shouting abuse at you, and then hi mates start and if you get stuk at lights you dont know what will happen. the other reason is i am 30 years old but i do lok about 23-24 so i get abused twice as bad becuse they think im young and am loaded, im not and my lotus is my money basically

also i do have ground kit (neons),i drive with them on and its like having a massve flag saying smash tis car up now please.

very very sad ppl in the uk, i am a big player in the modofied car scene in the uk i do cruises (legal/illegal) and ppl there respect the car and it always gets noticed and it is basicaly standard, unlike the evo/scooby/skyline crowd

[dr.hess]

Ain't socialism wonderful?

[maigret]

The worst I have experienced is someone knocking my wing mirror out of alignment. No damage. However I wouldn't leave it in the student area on a drinking night or they might walk over it. Then again they will walk over anything if it gets in their way.

The Boys in their 'Rice rockets' have actually been surprisingly positive. They will pull up alongside and shout "Cool car" and give a sign with their hand which I used to know as 'Hang loose' but I believe now means 'Cool'.

A lot of those Boys have spent more on their Stereo system than I did buying the Esprit.