Bad Vibes from Idiots!

[dannyboyo]

Maybe I'm been paranoid, but just recently I've been getting a few nasty comments and horrible looks when driving the Chim. Especially in London.

I don't drive like an idiot, don't have my music blasting.

Does anyone else ever get this? Don't get me wrong, the majority of people shout "nice car", or I see them mouth the words "TVR" and look gobsmacked. But I've seen a few people look at me driving and shake their heads as if to say "what a flash prick", or a workmen shout "fking Wker and so on.

I didn't buy this car to show off, I bought it because I fell in love with it 11 years ago at the motorshow when i was 17 and dreamt about owning one every single day since. I don't ooze money, the amount this car has cost me has rocketted me to the poorhouse! It's not a status symbol or an extention of my manhood!

Why do people have to be so judgemental without knowing the story behind the picture first?

Just needed to get that off my chest!

[minimax]

generally referred to as "small pr*ck syndrome" I believe....

[Nick P]

one word....Jealousy

I'm in a similar position...I dont earn a huge amount and have 3 kids, so I run mine on a shoestring budget (sort of)...I recently had some abuse from a total stranger on the street as I drove past....
People automatically think you are totally loaded cos you've scrimped and made sacrifices to realise your dream....it's cos they pi$$ there money up the wall or dont make sacrifices

[mrflibbles]

But if the abuse is because ppl are jealous of your (apparent) wealth, why dont people driving non-sporty expensive cars, like S-classes or Jags get the same reaction?

[minimax]

Nick P said:

one word....Jealousy People automatically think you are totally loaded cos you've scrimped and made sacrifices to realise your dream....it's cos they pi$$ there money up the wall or dont make sacrifices

forgive me for editing your post... I get this all the smegging time - ooh 3 cars, you must be loaded.....NO! I just spend every penny I have on them! now off!

[595tus]

Doubtless their benefit cheques will not stretch to buying a car

[Corin Denton]

Nick P said:

one word....Jealousy I'm in a similar position...I dont earn a huge amount and have 3 kids, so I run mine on a shoestring budget (sort of)...I recently had some abuse from a total stranger on the street as I drove past.... People automatically think you are totally loaded cos you've scrimped and made sacrifices to realise your dream....it's cos they pi$$ there money up the wall or dont make sacrifices

Here here, couldn't agree more, I've had the same thing in my old job, if I had bought a Mondeo for the same money nobody would bat an eyelid, if I had been through a divorce that cost two or three times the amount my car did nobody would bat an eyelid. I also think some people are mad at themselves if the truth be known because anyone can own a TVR but they chose a different path - i.e. Mondeo, divorce etc.
Think about it.

[blaineuk]

people automatically think that if you have a sports car you are loaded, wrong you just go without other things to get the car you want

[dragstar]

if it makes you feel any better, this behaviour is not limited to just TVR drivers w@nkers

[Corin Denton]

dragstar said:

if it makes you feel any better, this behaviour is not limited to just TVR drivers w@nkers

Too right, I had a Porsche before and that was ten times worse!

[shadowninja]

just wave back and smile like you though they shouted 'NICE CAR'! By the time they work out what's going on you're long gone.

[Nick P]

595tus said:

Doubtless their benefit cheques will not stretch to buying a car

My mates at work comment that I must be dealing drugs to buy a Chimaera, what they dont realise is that they spent almost as much on their 'Mundano' or 'Fiasco'....like someone mentioned above...it's all aout the choices we make...I choose not to waste my money on luxuries like food and clothes

[kdd]

Nick P said:

595tus said: Doubtless their benefit cheques will not stretch to buying a car My mates at work comment that I must be dealing drugs to buy a Chimaera, what they dont realise is that they spent almost as much on their 'Mundano' or 'Fiasco'....like someone mentioned above...it's all aout the choices we make...I choose not to waste my money on luxuries like food and clothes

Someone who works with my wife made comments that "she must get paid far too much". She simply pointed out that there are 2 of us, we have no kids, and decided to spend our money on the Chim while we had the window of opportunity..... and asked them how much they spent on their kids. It was the same day the news on the radio had reported that "new research" had found that kids cost £14 every day of their lives from birth until 21 (aparently). Things will change if kids come along, but until they do.......

[Propero]

Its the same in Basildon. Always get grief in Basildon. Besides, so what if they think you're loaded ? Why is it such a n embarresment to be loaded ? Bloody dinner table socialists, that's what it is. Bring back the tories.


>> Edited by Propero on Sunday 23 November 00:06

[j_s_g]

I was driving through the town centre last night at about 15mph. 3 or 4 drunken women were stumbling across the road in front of me, so I rolled to a halt about 5 metres short of them. 3 metres the other side of them was a Zebra crossing they couldn't be bothered to walk to. I wasn't expecting any thanks from them, but then one shouted out "just because you've got a flash car doesn't mean you should drive like a w*nker". Really didn't know how to respond to that! Made me realise just how small minded some people are. Shame.

I think the worst I ever suffered was leaving my Elise parked in Huddersfield for an hour a couple of years back whilst having a quick drink. Came out to see 1/2 a dozen "youffs" just finishing spitting all over it. Didn't dare start anything with them then & waited for them to walk off. Had to wheelspin through a huge puddle going past them 2 mins later to soak them, though! Childish? Yes. Deserved? Definitely.

[colinc01]

Dont let these jealous people get you down, I guess we have all had similar reactions from people but I feel I have had more positive comments than negative. Best thing is to blip the throttle a bit more so they cant even be heard above the roar.....

[deanb]

I have to say, having owned 3 TVRS - V8S, Griff & Tuscan, the positive comments far outweigh the negative.

Best one was driving past two skinheads outside a pub in the Griff. One says "Look at that 'kin w***ker" The other tells him "Nah, that's made in England, that is", & the first comes back with "Oh...right....nice one mate!"

[burriana500]

j_s_g said:

I was driving through the town centre last night at about 15mph. 3 or 4 drunken women were stumbling across the road in front of me, so I rolled to a halt about 5 metres short of them. 3 metres the other side of them was a Zebra crossing they couldn't be bothered to walk to. I wasn't expecting any thanks from them, but then one shouted out "just because you've got a flash car doesn't mean you should drive like a w*nker". Really didn't know how to respond to that! Made me realise just how small minded some people are. Shame. I think the worst I ever suffered was leaving my Elise parked in Huddersfield for an hour a couple of years back whilst having a quick drink. Came out to see 1/2 a dozen "youffs" just finishing spitting all over it. Didn't dare start anything with them then & waited for them to walk off. Had to wheelspin through a huge puddle going past them 2 mins later to soak them, though! Childish? Yes. Deserved? Definitely.

Could be worse JS... you could've been sat quietly at the lights minding your own business when some nutter sticks his head through the window and shouts "ere, you on Pistonheads?"

And yes, i did notice the couple of circuits you made around the town centre... it's a bummer when you can't find a parking spot isn't it

see you on the 13th

[mrmaggit]

Had to smile (again) yesterday, Lorraine and me were out doing some brick matches when a "yoof" of about 11-12, pedalling towards us, nearly fell off his bike, he was so enthusiastic with his "thumbs up".

[Apache]

Anyone feel this is a particularly British affliction?