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Well. I can't decide what the deal is...if it's the drivers in South Florida, the cars they drive or if the RX8 is an idiot magnet, but I have noticed that many drivers, especially those it seems driving 4x4's have this need to tailgate the RX8 really agressivily. They don't do it nearly as much it seems when I'm driving our minivan, but they seem to come out of the woodwork with the 8. I by no means drive slowly...I don't stay in the fast lane of the turnpike...except to pass, but there seems to always be an A.H. on my tail in any lane. My main concern is not my ability to stop, but if they can keep from ending up in my back seat should I need to stop. I used to own a vette...drove it into NYC every day...I can't ever remember even the cabbies being this bad! I'm almost wondering if the rear view mirror magnifies objects, but my wife has looked back and checked and said..."no...they're close!" Anybody else having similar experiences? Tnx.
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Built June 2004 Titanium Grey AT/stock
I've noticed this also. I have also wondered if it was my perception. But I think it is the little guy in a big truck syndrome. They see something that seems threatening(like a hot looking 8) and feel the need to show that they have a big vehicle. I got this a lot with my Miata also. My wife thinks I have road rage(well it does **** me off) but I don't think that people understand that others do drive differently around the 8. I don't have this problem in our Accord or my '87 Nissan Truck. A little tap on the break or leaving them in the dust usually takes care of it. I am interested to see what others say.
I think the 8 is a magnet, for both idiots and non-idiots.
My most recent episode was on I-10. I passed a big 'ole Ford pick up with a confederate flag, some type of pro-gun bumper sticker, typical for my neck of the woods.
Anyway, 15 seconds later, this guy is right up my ***...I couldn't even see his front grill. So I drop a gear, accelerate away into the middle lane. So the truck comes flying up on my left and draws even with me. After a few seconds, I glance over and the passenger has this huge grin (no, it wasn't toothless) giving thumbs up, etc. He just wanted to see the car.
A few months ago, this sh#t for brains woman in a Ford Expedition is tailgaiting me in 45 mph traffic. I can see her talking on the phone...I'm saying to myself, this is not good. I brake tap her, she's totally obvilious. I finally get a chance to move over and she flys by me and is on the next car's ***. Next light...boom! right into the backside of this Altima! She could care less about the car...she was just an idiot.
I don't even screw with it anymore. The 8 can stop in such short order and slow so quickly just by getting off the throttle, the average nitwit driver can easily end up in your back seat. I brake tap everytime there is someone behind me when I'm slowing down.
Yeah, people sit on my tail too. They're usually driving beat up things with no suspension or brakes. I feel like I need a sticker saying " Do you really think your brakes are better than mine?" Especially as the 8's brakes are so brilliant.
Also, I find that the 8 seems happiest when going "fast". The car is so easy to drive quickly, you feel so safe and connected with the car that without really consciously knowing it, you are driving a bit too fast or making maneouvers that are too abrupt that we are pissing off other drivers?
Today just to test this, I was driving very conservatively on my way to the office. I got cut off on several occasions, tailgated by a saturn suv. wtf???
Can I add a little problem I am having? I drive Interstate 10 from Houston to Laffayette Louisiana ever few weeks to go to my job offshore. I always set cruise control, usually just 5 over the speed limit. Ocassionally I will pass someone who must be doing eigther exactly the speed limit, or slower, only to find moments later that they have sped up (way up) and pass me, get in front of me and a few minutes later I am on their A$$ again because they have slowed down. So, I have to take it off cruise, wait for the passing lane to clear, pass them all over again, set my cruise, settle down to relax, only to find the process reapeated again, BY THE SAME DRIVER. My question is this "Is it a derogatory statement to pass someone in an RX8?" Because it sure feels to me that people get offended looking at the tailights of my car, even when I am not driving aggressively.
Fortunately, there is one thing that attracts tailgaters even more strongly than the bumper of an RX-8. And that is open space. It works out perfectly, since one thing you want to do if someone is following too close is to make sure you have extra room in front so you don't have to make any sudden stops. Just let that gap grow and it won't be long before the tailgater whips around and goes for it like a moth to a flame.
In defensive driving classess, they teach that cars are deadly weapons, and that if someone is pointing said weapon at you, it is your responsability as a defensive driver to get out of their line of site.
The method that they perscribe for this situation is to let off the gas and coast. They suggest that you shouldn't tap the breaks because it could cause them to be even more of an idiot.
I have tried this letting off of the gas before and it doesn't always work, but it does give you enough room to accelerate away from them, if they don't take the hint and pass you.
Many people like SUV's and large cars because they have a need to dominate people. The subconsciouse desire to dominate other drivers is the primary motivator for people buying larger cars.
I have never liked larger cars, because I feel I am more likely to have an accident in a car that I cannot control. I have always had a subconsciouse desire to own smaller, more nimble cars, and I can't count how many times I have avoided trouble by being able to whip arround it.
I have a different problem here in SoCal. It seem that every time I come across a rice out Honda, Nissan, or another rice out car. They all want to race me. Unfornately, I couldn't resist the temptation in some of these incounter and they found out the hard way that the 8 is pretty fast on the freeway.
Yes, it seems the 8 is a tailgate magnet. I do not experience the same degree of tailgaters in either of my other, larger vehicles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by spaldo
Yeah, people sit on my tail too. They're usually driving beat up things with no suspension or brakes. I feel like I need a sticker saying " Do you really think your brakes are better than mine?" Especially as the 8's brakes are so brilliant.
In the early 70's I drove one of the first cars on the road with 4 wheel disk brakes. The dealer had made up special bumper stickers after a rash of rear-enders. It said something like "This car has better brakes than yours. Maintain safe distance."
The other day, I had an H2 on my bumper in late rush hour traffic. Moving nicely but it could come to a standstill at any second. I saw that there was a slowdown ahead and began to decelerate. The H2 was even closer and I saw that the driver was on the phone. I couldn't change lanes since I was boxed in. I had plenty of space to stop but the H2 was just not paying any attention. So, I stood on my horn. Never in my life had I used the horn for something going on behind me, but it worked. The 8's loud horn broke through the haze, and the H2 slammed on his brakes. He also panicked and began swerving left and right running cars on both sides onto the shoulders. No one swapped paint and when we started moving again the H2 was in the right lane and not tailgating. Hopefully, he has adopted a permanent new driving style.
Just leave more room in front of you so they have a little extra time to react. I have to do it all the time - I keep one eye on the rearview mirror and the other on the car in front of me whenever I brake.
....The H2 was even closer and I saw that the driver was on the phone. I couldn't change lanes since I was boxed in. I had plenty of space to stop but the H2 was just not paying any attention. So, I stood on my horn. .......
Thanks for the tip. I'm gonna' have to try it when appropriate.
I don't have any problem with tailgaters because I stay out of the PASSING LANE unless i'm passing someone. And when I'm in the passing lane, i'm usually going fast enough where people won't be catching up to me anytime soon in the first place.
So in otherwords, to avoid tailgaters, dont' lane camp!
The signs saying "slow traffic keep right" is there for a reason.
I don't have any problem with tailgaters because I stay out of the PASSING LANE unless i'm passing someone. And when I'm in the passing lane, i'm usually going fast enough where people won't be catching up to me anytime soon in the first place.
So in otherwords, to avoid tailgaters, dont' lane camp!
The signs saying "slow traffic keep right" is there for a reason.
Sound's like you are one of those I need to watch out for. So if someone is going 65 in a 65 and I want to pass them doing 75 and you come along doing 85 I should make all efforts to get out of your way. I don't think so. Stay off my tail, the world doesn't revolve around you. Everyone would like to have their own personal lane to travel in but it doesn't work that way. I'm going to complete my pass safely and then you can go get that speeding ticket for me.
Hehe, just messing with you. I understand your point. Even if I do not agree. We probably have different driving conditions too. I get tailgaters when there are 5 lanes and I'm in the second one over. I know that is not you but since you are the dissenting voice I'll direct it that way.
Sound's like you are one of those I need to watch out for. So if someone is going 65 in a 65 and I want to pass them doing 75 and you come along doing 85 I should make all efforts to get out of your way. I don't think so. Stay off my tail, the world doesn't revolve around you. Everyone would like to have their own personal lane to travel in but it doesn't work that way. I'm going to complete my pass safely and then you can go get that speeding ticket for me.
Hehe, just messing with you. I understand your point. Even if I do not agree. We probably have different driving conditions too. I get tailgaters when there are 5 lanes and I'm in the second one over. I know that is not you but since you are the dissenting voice I'll direct it that way.
Well, I don't tailgate or at least try not to unless it's someone who is driving awfully slow camping in the passing lane with no cars in front of them and a big line of cars behind them obviously creating a huge traffic jam in a condition where there otherwise would not be one (talk about a run-on). :D
I don't have any problem with tailgaters because I stay out of the PASSING LANE unless i'm passing someone. And when I'm in the passing lane, i'm usually going fast enough where people won't be catching up to me anytime soon in the first place.
So in otherwords, to avoid tailgaters, dont' lane camp!
The signs saying "slow traffic keep right" is there for a reason.
Normally I'd agree, and I'm usually the one doing the passing. But just the other day, on my way back from the gym, I was doing 70 in a 55, passing a bunch of cars and a conversion van (I was in the left lane). All of a sudden, there was an Xterra on my ***. He just came flying up behind me, and then sat literally about 2 feet off my bumper. There was no reason for this. I was passing people, going well over the speed limit, and the entire passing might have taken 30 seconds. He was being rude for no reason other than he could, with his freakin' headlights in all my mirrors. He came up so fast that I never even had a chance to get over, since I was in the middle of passing. I got over as soon as I passed the conversion van, and flicked him off as he drove past. Apparently made him mad, because then he slowed down and drove next to me for a few minutes, which I completely ignored. I was seriously pissed. What was the point of sitting on my *** for the amazing 30 seconds it took me to pass the other cars. It was't like I was deliberately in his way. And he wasn't there when I started passing, because I'd been in the left lane for a few minutes passing the slower folks with no one behind me.
Can I add a little problem I am having? I drive Interstate 10 from Houston to Laffayette Louisiana ever few weeks to go to my job offshore. I always set cruise control, usually just 5 over the speed limit. Ocassionally I will pass someone who must be doing eigther exactly the speed limit, or slower, only to find moments later that they have sped up (way up) and pass me, get in front of me and a few minutes later I am on their A$$ again because they have slowed down. So, I have to take it off cruise, wait for the passing lane to clear, pass them all over again, set my cruise, settle down to relax, only to find the process reapeated again, BY THE SAME DRIVER. My question is this "Is it a derogatory statement to pass someone in an RX8?" Because it sure feels to me that people get offended looking at the tailights of my car, even when I am not driving aggressively.
LOL This problem is not specific to RX8s... I've seen this when I was driving a civic of all things. I think these nitwits just have some self esteem issues when ANY car passes them.
i had a bunch of idiots tonight...i was on my way home and was in the right lane safely behind some guy going slowly, so i turn on my signal get in the left lane and gently accelerate to pass...as i get inches from his bumper he gets in front of me and i have to slam the brakes, i give a little honk, coz my briefcase went flying. hes stilll slow in the left lane, so i slam down to third and take off in the right lane and put some distance...a couple miles later he chases me down and is stuck on my ***, all the way to my exit...i get off on the clover leaf, maintaining 75mph mind you (of course his accord could not keep it up) but he was persistant, nearly slammed into me at the yield sign to get on a road. So im like whatever and drive off slowly (he's still behind me), he comes alongside gives me the finger and runs me off into the shoulder, i freak out and honk like mad...but then drive off, all because of some jerk.
Later on there was a line of cars at a traffic light waiting to make a left turn, i was in the right lane going normal speed, and this land rover peeks out into the middle of the right lane...hesitates coz he sees me coming, then after a second when im about to pass him decides to go and then stop and let someone in front of him out....i slam on the brakes and end up inches from his bumper.
even later on, i was stopped in traffic and this pontiac behind me slams his brakes 50 feet away from me and swerves into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting me...some crazy people not paying attention and not noticing ****...so im thouroughly shaken tonight.
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2009 Dark Grey Subaru WRX Perrin CAI TurboXS 3" CBE
2004 Ti Grey 6MT Touring RIP 8/29/08 I'll miss you
Quote:
Originally Posted by WinningRX8Chick
Seriously.. if ****** juice tasted like buffalo sauce, you'd never get me off that thing.
- driving has become so much less fun because of these a-holes. 
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