Enlighten me - why? oh why?

S

Steve @ Guru

New member
I've had fast cars before, and I've driven lots of fast cars (muscle cars, real cobra's, superbirds, Judges, etc)...



So, I have a 337 GTI VW. It's not the fastest car in the world, but it has been known to surprise a few "fast" cars. I've done a fair share of mods (including my most recent one, a stratmosphere turbo-back exhaust system), so it holds its own.



It seems like everywhere I go, every leadfoot larry wants to race me; for no reason at all - I'll be going 70mph on the interstate and a Ford Explorer will pull up along side me and "drag race" down the interstate - not letting me change lanes, trying to speed up if I need to exit, etc.



So, tonight was an unbelievable night...I had to drive to "the big city", which is about 45 miles from my home. While in the city, I experienced the following events that demonstrate the level of mentality that surrounds the greater Arkansas area:



1) Jeep Grand Cherokee, V8 (circa 1999ish).



Comes right up on my butt, while we're doing 40mph in a downtown, 3 lane environment. No one on either side of me, just him, right on my butt - and I mean right on it.



I keep going 42ish, and have to adjust my mirror to keep his lights from blinding me. He does an "emergency lane change" manuever to the left of me, then floors it past me. Good riddance...then comes the stoplight.



We both stop. He's gunning his motor - doing brake 'bounces' (getting the car to rock by gunning/braking/gunning/braking). So, the light turns green, he floors it (I hear the bogging noise). I just normal shift, accelerating slowly to 40mph. Next light - the same thing.



So, I toast him. It wasn't even funny - wheelspin in 1st, and on the shift to 2nd (actually, wheel hop). I slow at just over 50mph; he does the 'ricer fly by' - roaring past me a few minutes later at about 70mph, then jacks on the brakes...





2) Ford Focus ZX3



Similar situation, without the tailgating. Car load of kids. At stoplights, they're revving the crap out of that poor little 2.0L, trying to squeal the tires, etc. After about 3-4 lights of that stuff, I had to toast them too. This time, the ricer fly-by was accompanied by someone trying to pour a Wendy's cup of coke on my car, but they missed horribly and ended up dousing their car.





3) Dodge Intrepid/Chrysler Concorde with a ricer exhaust and some chrome hubcaps w/whitewalls and a gold chain around the license plate.



This guy was a real dandy. First, I didn't think anyone was actually driving the car, because he had his seat reclined so far that all I could see was the tip of a baseball cap sticking up past the door sill. He's in front of me, we're going 40ish.



He slams on the brakes - no reason, I wasn't even close to him (at least 10-12 car lengths back). Then he floors it "bwwwwwwwwwwuuuuuaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh". I just turn up the System of A Down a little more and keep my steady, 40ish pace.



Again, heavy on the brakes, causing me to brake. I signal left, continuing in the left lane, keeping my distance from him.



My on-ramp is approaching; he's blocking my lane change to the ramp. I slow, he slows; I speed up, well, he tries to - all over but the crying...a quick downshift to second, with a stomp and he's suckin' exhaust. Comes up behind me on the ramp, more of the same - then does the ricer-fly-by at about 100mph (I was going 75 (speedlimit 70)), while brighting me from behind.



So, my question - does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? I *never* had this much trouble when I had my 93 Cobra- lots of thumbs up (or the finger from Chevy guys), but Cheese-n-rice, I can't believe how many idiots there are out there...



I try to ignore them, and the more I ignore 'em the worse it gets.



Oh, and by the way, the 337 can NEVAR lose. :D



(APR 93 + Carbonio CAI + Stratmosphere turbo-back exhaust + Autotech 28mm rear sway)
 
I would be willing to bet that the 337 would loose to say... one of those cheater '03 cobras with the supercharger...



but seriously I think its just that people don't characterize a v-dub as something even remotely fast.



But to speak volumes about dumb people: today myself and 3 friends were on the way to lunch in my friend's '87 IROC Camaro. We had the t-tops out and the windows open despite the extreme cold temps here (ok ok, we're crazy), and part way there we start being tailgated by some lady in a new trailblazer. We pull into the taco bell parking lot and the lady is right behind us. She tries to block the car into the parking space with hers and gets out to yell at us.



We go, "whats the problem?" and she says "you guys threw something at my car, I heard something hit my car and you were right next to me when it happened." (just so happens this is a 3-lane road, someone could've been on the other side of her too..) we go, "no maam, we didnt throw anything at your car, you must be mistaken." she gets all angry and jumps back in her car, roasting the tires as she drives off. For all she knew, we could've been some punks who would beat her up, dump her in a trash can at the restauraunt, and steal her car. Why she would confront 4 guys by herself like that is way beyond me. :rolleyes:
 
What is it with people who want to block your lane change? I've had this happen a few times. I once missed my exit. Today some dufus in a sports car, who was tailgating me, just had to get into the slow lane as soon as I turned on my turn signal. He didn't even want the exit. If he had wanted to go faster, he should have stayed in the middle lane. :nixweiss
 
I don't get that much in my WRX... being that it's a wagon I think has something to do with it. It's not loud (stock exhaust and bov), but it has wheels and it dropped a bit.



It just depends on what day it is, and where I am in Austin. Wednesdays is the meet at Fuddruckers, so if you go anywhere around there you'll get messed with. Plus, I live south which isn't much of a import scene like the north side (yes, it's very different).



But I have to say the SUVs that try to run are my favorite :) hahahaha
 
I kinda fly under the radar with my GTI, it’s a nice little sleeper with some buh-bye power. Then again I don’t have the 18â€� BBS bling blings (those are schweet) and the ground effects that the 337 does..or maybe it’s the badboy sticker and the type R badge Steve…;)



Adam
 
This is exactly the reason I bought a 4 door GSR. Typically the Honda sedans aren't fast. There is no Si Sedan, for example. The GSR sedan is rare enough that people just think I've got the sticker on as rice or something.



VeeDubs on the other hand have always made pretty impressive sedans. I'd never take one at face value. They pack a lot of pep. Its like I've always said, never underestimate a 4 door!
 
Jngrbrdman said:
This is exactly the reason I bought a 4 door GSR. Typically the Honda sedans aren't fast. There is no Si Sedan, for example. The GSR sedan is rare enough that people just think I've got the sticker on as rice or something.



VeeDubs on the other hand have always made pretty impressive sedans. I'd never take one at face value. They pack a lot of pep. Its like I've always said, never underestimate a 4 door!
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Right on! :xyxthumbs



I think part of the problem is that VW Golfs have that boy racer image, as do other sport compact cars that are small and "zoomy". So every punk that comes around will try to race you or push your buttons.



Thankfully I don't have that problem, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't casually sized up some of the competition once in a while - the 92-94 Maximas are quite the sleepers too, and I like it that way. ;)
 
I think some of these kids have watched The Fast and the Furious too many times!!! Geesh.



I have surprised many a car with the "buh bye" power of my turbo! I don't flaunt it, but when I do they are sucking exhaust! ;)
 
I had a 89 toyota single cab for 10 years. Lowered 2 front 3 back, 16inch Probe GT rims, 4wd fenders, and a dynomax exhaust with a 3 inch monza tip coming outta the rear pan. It did NOT make that annoying ricer sound that is sooo popular today. I had mainly the V8 boys rev on me, I always told them or held 4 fingers out the window, I got 4 man, you got 8.... Idiots. I always wanted to put a V8 in that truck, can you say sleeper?
 
Just to give you the other side of the coin..



When I drive my stock 1997 Toyota Supra Turbo, many so-called sports cars become downright submissive. I get Mustangs, Eclipses, 300ZXs and Golfs pulling meekly into the slow lane when they see the Supra coming. The car is apparently intimidating. :)



..and I hardly ever exceed the speed limit. Seriously.





Dean





Supracompr.jpg
 
Ya had to sell the BMW and get the Ultimate Rice-Boy WannaBe Kraut Car, didn't ya??? :p :D



Ya know, these things wouldn't happen if you drove a Lincoln Town Car.



Or a green SAAB 9-5, for that matter.



It would be easy for me to say, "don't mess with them", but it's your deal. The 337 makes you a marked man.
 
Dean said:
When I drive my stock 1997 Toyota Supra Turbo, many so-called sports cars become downright submissive. I get Mustangs, Eclipses, 300ZXs and Golfs pulling meekly into the slow lane when they see the Supra coming. The car is apparently intimidating. :)
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That's exactly what used to happen to me when I had my 93 Cobra; everyone's tail would go between the legs and they'd yield and drive like I was a cop.



Now, it's completely the opposite; although, I must admit, it is somewhat rewarding to put a few of those yokels in their place... :D Especially Saab's...
 
One of the reasons people in Indiana slow down when they see a Camaro or a Mustang on a State Hwy is that they may actually be State Troopers! They drive undercover muscle cars to catch speeders. :eek:
 
Steverino, my man!

You might be surprised, but here in NYC there are lots of drag-racing scenes, and I don't mean Carl Lewis in a dress. (I'll be here all week, thanks ladies and gentlemen).

Seriously though, these guys race in desolate warehouse sections of the outer boroughs, then get together and raise hell in packs on crowded inter-borough highways. They've caused a lot of deaths recently- it's become a big problem.

As for the one-on-one aggressive jerks, I get that too. I drive a BMW 3 series coupe, and everyone seems to want a piece of me despite it not being modified or having a bad boy pissing sticker o it. Usually I get tailgaters. My technique: raise the e-brake just enough to get the brake light to come on, and hit the gas. Waste them. Then get the hell outta there.

Cheers,

John
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
For all she knew, we could've been some punks who would beat her up, dump her in a trash can at the restauraunt, and steal her car. Why she would confront 4 guys by herself like that is way beyond me. :rolleyes:
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Well, I don't think there is anything wrong with her confronting you. I don't think she should go around being intimidated by people. It's just too bad she was confused and thought you threw something at her.



Jcattarulla, your brake lights come on from the emergency brake?



I wonder how much of these scenarios you all describe are due to the area? I've never really had any weirdos or unsafe aggressive people try to race me. But I also don't go to local hangouts or bars or any sort of gathering places, and I stay the heck away from DC. It's always been pretty reasonable people. When I had the 'vette, I'd get the occassional Mustang or Camaro, once a BMW 840, a Supra Turbo (who spanked me repeatedly from about 75mph to about 120 on an empty straigh interstate), and one time a guy in an Escort who would blow by me when I'd eventually let off, and then slow down to try again. But he didn't act irrational and cut me off or anything. He'd just slow down and let me by a little, punch it past me, I'd punch it and leave him in the dust then back off, and then he'd try again. I mean, I've had idiots cut me off or brake in front of me for no reason, but it wasn't because they wanted to race. Just because they are poor drivers.
 
I get that a LOT while driving my WRX (sedan). Every stupid highschool kid with a civic (stock or pimped out) wants to race me. It's even worse on the rare occasions I take my Alfa racecar out... they see the racing seats & roll bar and think I must be out looking for civics to drag race :p



I never dare race anyone to put them in their place... laws are so strict against drag racing here in SoCal that I'd probably end up in jail and my car impounded :mad: Besides... I keep my racing to the track, it's much safer and driving fast in a straight line gets old...
 
I get people ALL THE TIME wanting to race me in the ETC. Why do people not even understand what 4 exaust tips are for? There are just way too many uneducated idiots out there, and sometime you have to put them in their place.....;)
 
4DSC said:
Right on! :xyxthumbs



I think part of the problem is that VW Golfs have that boy racer image, as do other sport compact cars that are small and "zoomy". So every punk that comes around will try to race you or push your buttons.



Thankfully I don't have that problem, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't casually sized up some of the competition once in a while - the 92-94 Maximas are quite the sleepers too, and I like it that way. ;)
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'02 Maxes are sleepers as well :D
 
There is another perspective as well, people who have really fast cars that enjoy taunting others.
 
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