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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that if you drive a small car, you are fair game for intimidation!

155 replies

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 12/06/2013 22:33

DM is away this week, and has lent me her car. It is a Nissan Micra. EVERY time I have been out in it, I have been tailgated by a van/taxi/4x4. I don't get this in my large Citroen. I have driven the Micra in exactly the same way! If it was my own car, Id be tempted to apply the brakes! Angry

OP posts:
WileyRoadRunner · 13/06/2013 12:44

Nan-wagon

Grin love that description ComposHat

I will now refer to any Micras or Honda Jazz as Nan-wagons!

Loulybelle · 13/06/2013 13:26

I have a bright yellow Kia Picanto, im a constant target for arseholes, but im a bitch and like to hold them up for as long as possible..

Audi drivers hate me...

ComposHat · 13/06/2013 14:20

Audi drivers hate me.

Audi drivers hate me too, but I suspect they hate everyone who stops them using the roads as their private race track.

I don't have a small car, but do have a stereotypically old fogey type car (ancient Toyota Corolla) which attracts their disdain.

SauvignonBlanche · 13/06/2013 14:25

I had a Micra as a courtesy car for a week and I noticed it too.

Phoebe47 · 13/06/2013 14:28

I love my Honda Jazz and don't think I get any more trouble from impatient/rude/bullying drivers than I did when I drove a 7 seater.

Phoebe47 · 13/06/2013 14:29

By the way I am not a Nan! Several teachers at my school have the Honda Jazz, most of them considerably younger than me.

Taffeta · 13/06/2013 14:31

PMSL @ nan wagon Grin

We have a large car and a small car. I haven't noticed any difference but then I tend to ignore other drivers anyway

rubyflipper · 13/06/2013 14:33

I used to drive a Smart ForTwo and I can't remember getting tailgated or cut up at all.

MrsSpagBol · 13/06/2013 14:33

This is so true, thought it was just me. Have had 2 micras over the past 2 years and just recently changed to a bigger vehicle and the difference is astounding!

littlepeas · 13/06/2013 14:38

I used to have an AYGO and remember feeling really intimidated if someone was driving too close - dh suggested it was because they were actually very close to me, as the car was so small. I have a big German car these days and people still pick on me (probably because it is a VW Saran, rather than a BMW), but it bothers me less as they are far away and I am big!

Damnautocorrect · 13/06/2013 14:38

Yep my little one suffers it, I always get some berk pulling out at roundabouts or junctions. Up my bum on motorways. What they don't realise she's probably faster than their big chunky car

ComposHat · 13/06/2013 14:54

I drive an old Toyota Corolla and am fed up of twats in 4x4s and BMWs driving up my arse. I don't dawdle down the road at 20 mph or keep braking for no reason, I drive perfectly normally and have years of experience

I absolutely adore my Corolla beyond all reason, it is by some distance the best car I have ever owned, smoth, relaxing and generally a relaxing place to be. It is also utterly reliable.

When I'm being harrassed by pricks in Audis/BMW/ that my Corolla cost me £400 (in which time it has needed two tyres and a set of windscreen wipers) and they are probably paying close to that every month for the pleasure of driving their Euro barge behind me.

fossil971 · 13/06/2013 16:05

Small cars, we are indeed laughing all the way to the petrol station. And the post office, and the insurance company.

They buy say an old Micra or Metro in biddytastic biege, put tartan rugs on the seat, national trust stickers on the back window, but then dump a huge Rover V8 engine in it and uprate the brakes, suspension etc, so the naked eye it looks like a typical small car, driven by a pensioner, but is actually extrodinarily powerful.

Do they wear a grey perm wig or flat cap to keep up the deception as long as possible?

SueDoku · 13/06/2013 16:12

I drove Citroen Saxos for 15 years, but have now upgraded (!) to a C3 VT - it looks bigger and is definitely more solid, but it's not what you'd call nippy... However, as my first car was a 2CV, anything that doesn't require you to pedal madly to get up to the speed limit is fine by me. Grin My real hate is, as so many people have already said, when I am doing the correct speed and then some twat overtakes in a dangerous place (such as when I'm slowing down because there's a queue at the traffic lights; gosh, he - and it usually is a he - gains at least 10 feet ..!!) Angry

ComposHat · 13/06/2013 16:12

Do they wear a grey perm wig or flat cap to keep up the deception as long as possible?

You'd hope so!

BlackMini · 13/06/2013 16:20

I used to have a 3 series for work and now have an aygo. I get tailgated more in the Aygo but still had idiots trying it on in the 3 series. They always presume I'm a nervous driver (I'm not, I drive a lot for work) because I stick to the speed limits.

I did find it easier to cope with them on the BMW though as they were far enough away to ignore. In the aygo I feel very vulnerable as they're so close.

tallulah · 13/06/2013 17:37

Can't answer for anyone else but my heart sinks when I see I'm behind a micra/ Ka/ Fiat 500 or similar. Experience has taught me they will hesitate at junctions, drive at least 20 mph under the limit, brake for green lights, leave enough room for 2 lorries in front of them and go up the slip road at 40mph (then straight into the middle lane).

Going through town isn't so much of a problem, but driving anywhere with a higher speed limit I will overtake if I can safely, as soon as I can. Similarly I won't let them out if I think I'm going to end up following them for any length of time.

I don't cut them up or overtake dangerously tho, and I can't stand having white van man or Audi driver up my backside, any more than any of you.

theodorakisses · 13/06/2013 17:45

Go on holiday out of the UK. Outside of your bubble, people drive like that, whatever you drivea bus, taxi, tuktuk, Hummer, Merc, whatever.

MamaBear17 · 13/06/2013 20:29

That explains why I get grief whilst driving my lovely, little Toyota Aygo!

cakebar · 13/06/2013 21:23

I hate driving DH's tiny car instead of my people carrier because of pulling out on roundabouts here. People get up to 40 easily on these big roundabouts and there just isn't the space to pull out safely into the gaps and the people behind get irate. I don't get tailgating much though.

CheapBread · 13/06/2013 21:52

Just feel smug that your small car actually fits into car park spaces, unlike those chubster wagons.

I think there should only be 1 car for all to stop this behaviour, like the Trabants in East Germany... Just saying.

theodorakisses · 14/06/2013 08:25

I think people who work hard and have lots of money should be allowed to have the biggest car they like and celebrate their success. Just saying.

HomelessAngua · 14/06/2013 08:45

I drive a Smart - no tailgaters but Volvo drivers don't like being overtaken so they put their foot down, overtake then slow down again...

Also drive a pre-war car - the brakes on these cars are not good and the tossers that pull in front of you then brake hard are really stupid.

PostBellumBugsy · 14/06/2013 09:05

theodora - surely everyone should be able to buy any car they can afford & drive it safely with due respect & courtesy to other road users. That way driving is a pleasant and safe experience for everyone.

WarmAndSunny · 14/06/2013 09:12

I drive A meriva. It's looks like a bigger car but only has a 1.4 engine. I have no idea how other drivers treat me. I am sat high up, and drive like the law says I should. If other drivers choose to be arses that's up to them. I also don't drive my car like its a 1.4 I pretend its a merc,might explain my attitude