Do you judge other drivers by their car make?

[Boooooot]

Since switching to an Audi, I’ve noticed people are a lot more aggressive toward me and less likely to let me out/in, thank me for stopping, let me merge etc.

I was musing about this to my friend and she said that because only wankers drive Audis/BMW’s etc.

Is this fair? We got ours just because it was the only car available at the time that matched all our needs and was in our budget!

Aibu to think this must be a popular way of thinking considering how different my experience has been on the road since the switch? I had a lovely Nissan Juke before and found most drivers in my city very considerate!

Why would you bother that a poster would judge you based on the car you drive?

Why would anyone be bothered that they may be judged based on the car they drive?

Buy or hire whichever car you like and don’t be apologetic for it. Be confident in your choices and enjoy your car, whatever it is.

I have noticed that people treat me differently depending on what car I am driving. I have an old Land Rover that looks like it belongs in a farm and people are always pulling out in front of me, it's huge, it's not like they can't see it. I think they think it's very slow like a tractor... it isn't, it has so much power!

DS has a small white Audi... he is the most careful and considerate driver I know!

I don't treat other drivers differently, but yes, I'm afraid I do inwardly think that about Audi/BMW drivers because more often than not when I see someone driving in an entitled, knobish way it's an Audi or a BMW. Aware I probably have confirmation bias though at this point!

I recall a thread or news article ages back about people who felt depressed because the jobs they did were pointless. Someone commented “It could be worse, I suppose. Imagine making indicators for BMWs.”
Made me laugh at the time.

There is a studied and practised indifference used on Mumsnet to convey status, which just amuses me so much.

As a pedestrian, I do notice a negative correlation between how expensive a car is and how likely it is to stop for me and my children at a zebra crossing.

I have a tiny car and people always try to barge in front of me because they think they can, also have a bigger, not fancy family car and people definitely react differently to that.

i judge taxi drivers who try to pull out and any car half in the road despite me driving along, I’m stubborn and don’t reward any of that behaviour l.

Yes and as a cyclist - 4 x 4s are not my favourite

I see only colours of cars. The rest is immaterial to me and couldn't tell an audi from a fiesta lol

This 😬
When over someone overtakes me on a corner, drives up my ass or pulls out without indicating I’m not shocked when I see it’s a BMW (and 9 times out of 10 it is a BMW).

Then you must see in monochrome sadly, such is the dullness of colour choice in the UK.

Ah I love this!
I always try to make friendly eye contact with other Drivers with the same model and colour as mine as it's a rarity (nearest Mazda showroom is 20 miles away, folks here tend to buy local 😁)
I always park next to one if I get the chance too.
On topic: think I read something about Audi's being difficult to slow at high speed 🤔 Is that why they are up my arse in the motorway 3rd lane within 3 seconds flat?

Unless you know the drivers are local to you, how do you decide which Range Rover or 4x4 drivers warrant your disdain. It may shock you to know that people from the country and farms do actually venture out to towns and cities on occasion.

scrivette : I drive a Land Rover Defender and I get that too. I don't think Audi and Golf drivers realise that the front bumper on a pukka Land Rover is a steel girder, directly bolted onto the box steel chassis. Mess with that and your pride and joy is just second-hand parts from the local scrappy.

@LittleMrsPerfect · Yesterday 20:33

Only range rovers - there is no need for a massive fuck off 4 by 4 fuel guzzler unless you live in the country or on a farm!!!

How would you know that the country living farmer was not on a visit to the town or city?
By the same rationale people carriers are rarely fully occupied except for a short time on school runs. The rest of the time they are larger that required vehicles used by one parent.

I judge boy racers in small cheap souped up cars as they generally drive like twats.

I judge women doing the school run in massive 4x4s in the city.

Love the sound of your husband. Men who need expensive cars as penis extensions are so very unattractive.

IME Bentleys are normally polite but I think that's because they're usually driven by chauffeurs.

Because people treat you differently.

You're coming across very badly in this @SavoirFlair

I couldn't care less what car the OP has or why she wanted it.

I had a loan car from the dealership when my Volvo had an unexpected fault. They gave me a top of the range Mercedes: it was impossible for me to drive around London as no one let me in and I’m not an aggressive pusher in-er!

I wonder if then, Mercedes/ Jag/ BMW/ Audi etc drivers have HAD to start driving more aggressively then because they know people WONT let them out/in? Maybe it’s just become a viscous circle!

I do. I drive a lot of miles each week to work, in rush hour on the M6. And I’m afraid I judge them all.

BMW drivers - either model drivers or drive up my butt.

Mercedes drivers - sit in the middle lane when they have no reason to be there, doing 67mph. They then don’t maintain their speed going uphill.

Seat drivers - always want to climb in my boot.

Audi drivers - similar to BMWs.

Mini drivers - will box you into lane one when you join the motorway despite having your indicator on, then look surprised when you pull out, despite them having ample room next to them to move into.

If a car is going to go into the back of me it’s going to be a mini and I hate to say it, but driven by a woman. I frequently look in my rear view mirror and see one careering towards me with no regard for the fact that I am slowing down because the traffic is slowing down in front of me.

White van drivers - suspect my ‘girls car’ as DH puts it is a red rag to a bull for them. They drive up my butt they also don’t move over when the lane next to them is clear. Ever.

Evoque/Discos - like to sit in the outside lane not far enough away that you can pull out but not going fast enough to get past you.

Volkswagen drivers - prone to losing their shit with the car in front and undertaking. Mostly applies to Golf GTIs. Larger models like the Passat they are model drivers. But if I see a transporter coming, I get away from them - they’re actually the worst.

Kugas/Galaxy - mum mobiles with kids screeching in the car. I get it, I’ve been there. But they’re unpredictable and they frequently just brake and brake and brake and then indicate to pull out. When if they’d put their indicator on in the first place everyone would’ve known what their intentions were and why they were braking in such a bizarre way.

I think I might be the only person on the motorway to enjoy the lorries, they’re steady and predictable because they’re looking ahead.

I’ve got a range of cars from a 1960s British roadster to modern a BMW M-car via 1990s German, Italian and Japanese cars. There’s definitely a difference in the way other road users react. A couple of the cars often result in conversations in petrol stations etc.

Cant believe noone's mentioned Peugeot drivers yet - never once have i ever been at a set of lights behind a Peugeot and they have been ready to go when the lights change. There is ALWAYS a 5 second delay as they.... do something (not sure what...remember they are driving?) Its like the lights changing takes them by surprise every time. They are also notorious around here for unpredictable sudden lane changes and going 20 in a 30, 30 in a 40 etc. To give them credit they do always seem to indicate though - just sometimes as they've already stopped to turn...

Apologies to any sensible Peugeot drivers but they are a running joke in our neck of the woods!