My car is just about run in now with 1650 miles on the clock. What suprises me is the effect the car has on certain individuals driving standards. Today it happened twice!
First driving over hilly B roads a Ford focus in front (with no other traffic about) nearly losing it in an effort to impress me with his driving skills and 'none shall pass' mentality. He was all over the road, I was just chugging behind him at a safe distance but it seemed like a red rag to a bull to him. In the end I slowed down to a crawl to let him get away before he did some damage.
Second along an A class road a Renault Laguna I swear deliberately cut me up on a dual carriageway section before undertaking another car on a roundabout. I negotiated the roundabout correctly in time to see this muppet overtaking ahead where the road became a single carriageway in the face of oncoming traffic, headlights flashing etc.
Half a mile down the road when it was safe I overtook him presumably he was still shaking.
Both these incidents took place within the national speed limit and I honestly did nothing to goad them on apart from being on the road I'm not an aggressive driver. Was this just a bad day or do other drivers of Imprezas notice this as well? My writing skills probably dont accurately convey how bad the driving was or how obviously it was my cars appearance that caused it.
I was driving in the same way as I have done driving all sorts of other cars but I've never noticed anything like this before!

 

I get exactly the same thing, very often.

 

Don't we all?

 

They are everywhere.

Calibra drivers seem to have the most to prove here in MK.

Slow where you can't overtake them, then they speed up on straights.

I still blast past them (where safe to do so)

 

I am going to disagree here (pretty unlike me!)

I find that when driving the scoob I get a deal of respect from most other drivers, and this certainly not the case when driving my wife's Rover 214.

I used to drive a Volvo (they say confession is good for the soul) and other drivers behaved appallingly - They clearly felt I should be taught a lesson at every opportunity!

But my tatty old Range Rover - well - no-one f***ks with that - ever - even in London traffic

So the question is - Which car engenders most respect from other road users and why?

JD

 

Huge bloody Volvo T-5's with stripes and blue flashing lights on (but only when close enough to get my number, and only on their home territory - eg very very long straight roads)

Owain McRae.

 

JayDee,
Now you mention it I've also experienced this more positive effect as well.
But I thought the halfwits today were singularly out of their minds. I dread to think how people would respond if I was an aggressive driver!

 

Get this myself cut up , carved up , people trying to impress. Its called jelousy!. Just wait for the right moment get the turbo spinning and WHOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!.........

 

I agree with JD, never had too much bother, in fact people quite often make an effort to get out of the way, and I'm not the sort of driver that hassles people either.

Even been waved at by a couple of Evo's (well the drivers actually not the cars)

Cheers

Simon

 

I get much more grief in the scoob than when I'm in the g/f's Boxter.

I'd love to know why people insist on trying to prove their 1.1 Micra is better/goes faster etc, nearly killing themselves and me at the same time. They know what the scoob can do without even trying, so why do they even bother??

owbow,

You've met me in the 'company car' then ?!?


[This message has been edited by Stuart H (edited 29 October 2000).]

 

nah don't think so mate.... you're not down South Wales way are ya?

South Wales police were lent a scoob as a test vehicle, and Subaru took it back (APPARENTLY!) after they knackered 2 gearboxes and several sets of tyres in the space of 1 month through severe abuse...

besides... you guys've never caught me on my home territory yet mate - those T5's don't fit down the narrow lanes so well eh!!! LOL

Owain "sideways" McRae.

 

I know about the scoobs, I'm running a driving course for their instructors next week on how to handle 'em!!

Lets see if they can get it right this time without wrecking them!!

[This message has been edited by Stuart H (edited 29 October 2000).]

 

I find it depends on who's driving the other car.
Boy racers and Maxpower brigade will drive on your rear bumper in a 30 limit.
Vectraman and whitevanman will try to race and cut you up.
Pensioners have no idea what it is.

Enjoyed today as I've been following our local "Dukeries" rally. Total respect from all road users and loads of intrested admirers. A few Scoobs in the Rally as well.

Lee

 

Ignore this post - I've decided that it is not related to the subject heading

[This message has been edited by Hos (edited 30 October 2000).]

 

Harj

I know the feeling mate ...

But don't know it well enough

Personally I've never had any bother in the 22B.. If someone wants to pratt around then I just let them go.. Local Nova Lads in South Wales show it nothing but respect and thumbs up.. Well I think it was thumbs up

Richard

 

When out in the F40 people are scared to death just trying a passing manoevre, it's so wide and scary they tend to 360 degree rubberneck and that goes for oncoming traffic too.
I also have a 1972 MK1 escort RS ( streetsleeper ) with a 320 bhp cossy engine, modena green, that surprises most people, they think it's an old Knacker of a car, till they see what it can do ! I like that.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR> I was just chugging behind him <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL

No wonder he was trying to get away from you

D



[This message has been edited by Diablo (edited 30 October 2000).]

 

Generally people pull over with no problems - usual idiots obviously, who hate being overtaken whatever you are in - but I don find people dont pull over when I have a roofbox on the top. Then they seem to think I will be driving slowly !

 

Hi all, only had my WRX a month and actually find I drive it more sensibly than any other car I've ever had (inverse propotional law of 250bhp + idiot = DEAD) and now I seem to find that I am forever siting behind that bloke in his company car or van doing 10 MPH below the speed limit in the outside lane with no other ****** around and he/she will not pull over because I have a nice motor and they see this as "just because he has a fast motor I will sit here and annoy him".

I don't own the road (and allow a good stopping distance) but nor does he/she (don't wanna be sexest - man are just as bad as women - o'h wheres my flameproof suit!!!! ;-} ) and I'm sure the Highway code recommendation is that the left lane is the driving lane and the other lanes are for overtaking then pulling back in(except when turning right), yes thats right OVERTAKING lane, my **** they are................

Sorry about that, any one got any ice?

O'h almost forgot, living in Essex, its generally Cosworths that have a go. 'We like are cars quick down south ya know.'

Trev.

 

i know i havent got a scoob but i can relate to what trevs saying. When i drive my cossie i usually drive very carefully in no rush and take my time to get from a-b (except for when a bit of empty road appears and then its a different matter ). But stick me in a 'normal' car and ill throw it about here there and everywhere (within reason).

bren

 

I must admit that currently owning a clio 1.8 16v with mods The bonnet vent attracts a lot of attention from plod and boy racers etc.

I wouldn't mind if they do what I do - generally when I see a scooby I wave hoping they see all five fingers and not one or two and if they want to go fast then I;m up for a bit of a spanking just to see the scooby go - just recently coming out of Gatwich hit a roundabout next to a scooby both joining M25 straight ahead with double lan entries s no cutting up. Had excellent fun after the customary wave, Stayed with it "JUST" until about hhum 100mph and then watched smiling from ear to ear as it blasted off - The we both casually did 80ismh mph with customary wave !

btw still looking for a scoob after XMAS Febish got about 10k to spend and I'm looking for an S reg as prices are in me favour at the mo. Then I'd be waving all the time and I could have an even bigger grin !

 

Gotta admit lads, all i get are looks in the 22B

 

There are always going to be a couple of idiots who try and race a scoob, mainly on motorways. Lets face it, any idiot can drive fast in a straight line.

However on a twisty A or B road I don't have a problem and have even had people indicate to the left, pull over and let me past, but the odd one or two try doing it in the most stupid of places.

Jon

 

It must be the car - I have the same situations time after time in the scooby but never when driving the wife's 306.

As for the 'fast' lane 60mph'ers - I'd send them over to Germany for a week. Sit in the overtaking lane of an autobahn at 60 mph and see how many milliseconds it is before you've got a Merc, Beamer and Porker all vying for space inside your boot let alone up behind it!

That's where you see how lane discipline should work and you tend not to get the moving traffic jams as a result of this, because most of the motorways there are speed derestricted.

Oh for a more enlightened motorway speed policy over here. After all the 70 mph limit was introduced during the the 1970's fuel crisis and was not initially a safety issue at all.

I'm sure derestricted motorways lead to higher driver concentration levels which must have positive safety ramifications... or is this just me wanting to let my right foot do the talking without constantly loking out for gatso's, unmarked cars etc.?

 

I find on motorways, most people (except BMWs) will move over upon seeing a scoob approaching.. however I tend to agree on A/B roads, I get the 'theres no way I'm letting you pass, infact I gonna try and take you out' mentality... ah well... they will learn!

 

BMW M3....ScooB WRs....M6 Motorway...decided he did not want to let me over take him..BMW downshift's from 5th to 4th (yes I know that is a STOOPID thing to do...)just so that he can pull away...thank god for lot's of Torque..stayed with him up to 140mph..after which he decided to pull over onto middle lane....he threw up his arms as i passed him with a look of "Sh*t Why did I but this hunk of German Sausage type of a car?"

 

I've had a few moments of fun when coming out of my village being tailgated by Novas, XR2's, XR3's, RS Turbo's etc all complete with puffa jacketed contents. There is a rather nasty right hander coming out of the village with a very poorly placed drain cover on it. I simply drive round the bend at a safe speed in the RB5 and watch the mirrors for the selection of antics by followers who cannot hope to match the ability of a Scooby at a safe speed, even more fun in the wet

Motto is enjoy your car and let other people be bothered that they do not have one, let alone understand how good they are in handling terms above a regular car.

Yex

 

In my experience motorway travel is easier in a Scoob. Most people move over, particularly running Rally Blue with big spoiler and white driving light covers. The 99 DBM takes a little longer to be recognised!

Now perhaps it 'cos I'm a bloody long way from being a teenager and much of my driving is complemented by the sartorial elegance of a suit and tie. But I've never had problems with "Max Power Mentality". Of course I've had to contend with Vectra venom, that's taken as read, but the worst example was from another Scooby

Travelling in convoy with the in-laws Escort Diesel at about 60 on a dual carriageway a red Sti arrived. It overtook pulled in front and slowed down, he's got a picnic table screwed on the boot and a drainpipe slung round the axles:roll eyes, as we pulled out to overtake he hit the gas again. I went along with him for a moment or two but I didn't want a half an hour in a little chef waiting for the Escort to catch up AND we were also approaching a busy roundabout.

Presumably thinking he is racing/outbraking me the Guy throws it into the island swerving between traffic and I assume terrifying a learner driver he overtook on the exit.. A few miles on I see him approaching at a rate of knots from the opposite direction lights flashing wildly. Minutes later he's along side again leaning over and waving in manner recognised in less polite society to convey w@nker, then changed down a disappeared towards the horizon.

I can readily give examples of poor conduct by Beamers, there was one on the '62 yesterday switching lanes, undertaking and travelling at a stupid speed in torrential rain. But owning a Subaru does not magically transform arrogant and dangerous drivers into Saints, it provides them with the potential to be downright Lethal.

So is it not time that purchasers of high perfomance cars were made to demonstrate they have adequate skill and maturity before they are allowed behind the wheel.

I'm just off to buy tin hat & flack jaket!

 

I agree that it only takes money to buy whatever car you want - so good/bad driving cannot really be attributed to any sort of car. It is nice to think 'we' are better than 'them' but it isnt the case. Trouble is everybody has different ideas on what good driving entails - I just wish people would stop worrying about somebody overtaking them, as who cares, provided you are allowed to drive how you want to.

 

Banshi,

Sorry to hear about that mate, sounds like a raw deal if ever I heard one.. I've never got any abuse off another subaru..

However, I agree with previous comments about Max'd Nova/Escorts/Orions etc.. for example... A3 from Guildford, just entered the twisty bit into Hind Head, doing the speed limit as a female friend was in the car and it was or had been p1ssing down... all of a sudden head lights right up my rear end, then head lights gone.. not because the car has gone, but because said bright yellow nova is too damn close.. proceeded to slow down to 40 as entering the 40 limit.. Nova backs off a little, flashes me, then proceeds to assume the tail-gate position.. then we turn left at the lights, 30 limit.. as soon as it reached 60 limit again, decided to put a safe distance between me and puffa-boy, did so with out exceeding the speed limit and fortunately turned off before he caught up again... but WHY!? why do they have to put us at risk, if we had to emergency stop, there is no way their pathetic cars would be able to! annoys the hell out of me...

Alex