Completely agree, far too many thrusting Middle Managers and Junior Execs in their premium German metal...too many Women in massive designer shades in their white Macan/Q5/Evoques all taking themselves far too seriously.

Believe me, I'm as much of a poseur as the next person but I think everyone should have a cheeky small car as a runaround and lighten the curseword up. We're very lucky in this country on so many levels, but it seems that being aloof is de rigueur, showing a glimpse of warmth to one another seems to be diminishing by the day...

Aye all our yesterdays. Back in the day practically every one actually talked & acknowledged one another. As I said earlier we seem to be breeding/ turning into a very selfish/ only my opinion is important society. Slightly off topic, I've always considered myself a friendly chap & have always time for a bit of craic. There was a time when, even if you were not acquainted with the person approaching, a wee nod or hi there was the norm. Sometimes a full conversation would follow in the right circumstances with a total stranger.

I work now in the care sector & I'm out & about all over my area up here in the Highlands. Now, not everybody blanks you off completely, but I find that nine times out of ten, I have to make the first move of conversation. Being friendly costs nothing.

Getting back to the vehicle poseur element, it really is an education watching these people acting out their self centered indulged life revolving around their vehicle/weapon of choice..... especially the young women as stated, taking themselves far too seriously. I have time on my hands these days between clients, I've always been a people watcher & there is far more material out there these days you could write a book. Happy days eh? well they used to be......

The Beard said:

...
So, too used to driving? No longer feels special? Snob value? Or perhaps the general feeling that society has changed and instead of driving being something that brings us together, it's the thing that divides us, and if it doesn't divide us enough, we can always wind the windows up and turn up the stereo.
...

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I get the part about being too used to driving, as someone who commutes for 90-180 minutes per day in a rather dirty white Panda it feels very much like a daily driver, but on a Sunday we will still sometimes take a Panda out on a Sunday trip, up and down the coast for an hour or two, kids in the back, enjoying the drive, listening to the radio, just for the cruise, a bit too slow for the Audi's and BMW's (unless they are pulling in infront, then I will revenge tail-gate them for a light or two) - This makes the Panda feel very special indeed.

Snob-value? yh, Pandas doesnt have that too much, but apparantly in a 4x4 Panda other 4x4-vehicle owners will notice that tiny badge at times and acknowledge the tiny brute offroader with a nod or smile. - I got overtaken by a big 4x4 on the motorway the other day, who pulled up alongside me, slowed down and thumbed up the money-pit (aka 4x4 Climbing)..

Would we expect the average Micra driver to wave or flash the headlights?

Rammed up close to the wheel and holding on with a death grip; car control comes well below fixating on being not more than 10mph below the posted speed limit. All that stress they are unlikely to recognise another Micra never mind be able to release their grip to actually wave. As for flashing the headlights few of them know the car has a main beam switch.

The average small car driver sees the car as a cheap alternative to a Micra or heaven forbid a Quasqai.

We know better but to most of them a Panda is just another cheap tin box.

DaveMcT said:

Would we expect the average Micra driver to wave or flash the headlights?

Rammed up close to the wheel and holding on with a death grip; car control comes well below fixating on being not more than 10mph below the posted speed limit. All that stress they are unlikely to recognise another Micra never mind be able to release their grip to actually wave. As for flashing the headlights few of them know the car has a main beam switch.

The average small car driver sees the car as a cheap alternative to a Micra or heaven forbid a Quasqai.

We know better but to most of them a Panda is just another cheap tin box.

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Now now Dave.

The micra was a hit and handled brilliant, better than my stilo and the 1.3 super s would outrun it too.

I had two K11 Super S models and they where the most fun I had in a small car and would leave most Saxo VTRs and VTS's between the lights.

I was part of a club and others did tend to let on, remembering the days I met Umar in his SR20DE Super S... that was a fun day and a good race

If I had the money and storage and garage to go with it all, I would find another super s and do what Dave Bull did, I would reborn Little Bandit (youtube it)

The Micra has to be a good car there are so many about. But why (oh why) are they always driven by the blue rinse brigade (mentality as well as actual chronology). Every time I think "Oh come on - they can't all be slowed annoying" I get held up by a snail on mogadon with random braking at every bird shadow that flies by.

There are so many different aspects to why someone drives car A as opposed to car B. This sometimes affects how they see other drivers.

There is the:

"I drive a Aaaa and therefore people look at me as if I'm something special. I am admired by men and desired by women. I'm too important to park my car in a car park and am far more likely to leave it half on the pavement outside the bank. I will also get irrationally angry when half an hour later it gets a parking ticket."

"I drive a Bbbb because I bought it from the auction with 120,000 miles on it. It still looks the same as the kn*bhead above but is 20 Grand cheaper. It's got a crappy private plate so nobody knows how old it is. I am also admired by men and desired by women. I too important to park in a car park as well and will also leave it half on the pavement. I also get angry at getting a parking ticket, why can't they go and catch a murderer instead."

"I drive a Cccc because it's the cheapest new car I can afford that can still get the wife and kids in. It looks ok and is quite nice inside and is likely to stay that way, at least as long as the kids don't fidget when they're in the back. And keep their shoes off the seats. I only got an allowance of 5,000 miles a year on the PCP plan so it's a good job I only have a 10 mile per day commute."

"I drive a Dddd because it looked nice on the company car selector spreadsheet. I don't know anything about cars but my partner said they are very good. Besides that, if I don't like it, he said I can always use his 10 year old Micra and he will help me out by driving the BMW."

"I drive a Eeee because they're very reliable, come with an automatic gearbox and a small, economical engine. It's also a little higher off the ground so it's easier to get in and out. I'm not as athletic as I used to be. It's also got those reversing bleeper thingies and nice big mirrors. I can't turn my head as easily as I used to be able to do."

"I drive a Ffff because my accountant told me that my nail and beauty salon is doing very well and I need to reduce my tax liability by getting a new car. I like this one as it's got great big wheels and says 4X4 on the back. It's just what I need to get my handbag to the salon. Not only that, but it'll will keep my kids safe if I crash into someone in a small car while I'm checking my updates on social media."

"I drive a Gggg because it's second hand and a lot cheaper than all that lot of posers above are paying. If they think I'm impressed they've got another think coming. It's just the equivalent of a second hand fridge. It's there to make my life easier and not to impress the neighbours. When it breaks I'll just see how much my local dealer will give me for it when I buy another cheap car."

"I drive a Hhhh because it's got a small engine but looks good with some sick alloys and a kickin' hi-fi set up even though it's put my insurance up. The birds don't know what it is but even with the stereo off it still sounds great with the drainpipe exhaust, touring car rear spoiler and that cool sound when I change gear that makes it sound like a Scoobie. My mate says it sounds just like one."

There are plenty more reasons for buying a car, but many are about what other people think of the driver. There's a lot of me-me-me involved in buying a car. A woman I work with is currently driving an Audi TT convertible. She doesn't like it as it's too cold at the moment, but her husband is a motor trader and he got stuck with this one at the end of summer, so she'll drive it until the weather gets better...........then she'll end up in a Land Rover Defender, or a Toyota Hi-Ace.

My fingers are crossed for the Hi-Ace.

I drive an almost 12 year old Panda in yellow as I bought it new almost 12 years ago. Having test driven almost every small car available at the time (my Saturdays were free back then), the Panda came out at the top of my list of cars that would suit my needs. I even drove miles to faraway dealers to view options I thought I might like and waited a couple of months for the Multijet engine to be released to try it out before finally making my mind up and placing my order (in yellow with almost all the extras I wanted). A calculated purchase but then again I don't tend to change my car that often (2 cars in over 22 years).

I think everyone knows/realises people drive different/same cars for different/same reasons, one size does not fit all, but there are some drivers fit into certain pigeon holes, nothing really new about that. However, what is new & I suppose I'm part of as well is the "tinternet". Social media sites such as car forums brings the good/bad & the ugly out at times. Discussions such as this will bring out all sorts of stories/issues that the forum member in question feels the need to get off their chest & at times are fixated concerning a point & only this point whether it be all Fiat drivers know best or all BMW drivers are knobs (I'm only giving for instances here by the way)

The Fiat forum along with other forums, is a good sounding off platform, letting off steam if you will. I come from a time when we males went to the pub & discussed things face to face... No computers, no mobile phones. Yes I'm regarded as a dinosaur these days. OK, that's enough off my chest for now.....

I had an Audi A4 before my Panda. I like Audi's and how solid they feel. People perceived that I was rich even though it was 10 years old at the time. Before that I had a Mercedes. Same solid feel. I live big German cars but also love little runarounds. I used to own a Fiat 126.

I tried waving at other Panda drivers but they were oblivious.

We do play a Panda related game with the wife - whoever spots another Panda first give the other a playful (read gentle) punch. If it is yellow you give the other 3 gentle tabs. Such fun. Especially when the wife is playing Pokémon go. ?

I bought a brand new Audi A4 Avant TDI with half leather etc etc. Its really was the dog's bits of a car. I then stupidly sold it 18 months later when my divorce kicked off. To be fair I got a good price but ever since Ive regretted letting it go.

It was one of the understated models before they went all blobby and "look at me". TBH I would not have a modern A4 - just too big and fat.

Well no wave back from a Panda drivers but one random wave from a 500 driver.

koalar said:

Well no wave back from a Panda drivers but one random wave from a 500 driver.

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Maybe they liked your hat.

And if you're a male, never wave at a female Panda driver when her bloke's sitting next to her!

It might also be that for quite a long time a FIAT, or indeed anything Italian was the slightly off the wall option. A FIAT, Alfa or Lancia was a little bit like a Saab, only a little more fragile. There weren't that many around so drivers used to look at them and that way they noticed someone waving. One of the downsides of a successful car is that they become ubiquitous.

At one time BMW drivers used to wave at each other because there were considered to be an intelligent choice.

Some friends of my parents bought a 316 in around 1978, not even an "i". It had an engine, gearbox, five seats, a heater and a pair of wipers. For less money he could have had a Cortina 2000E with a radio cassette, sports wheels and a vynil roof, as well as metallic paint. Everyone thought he was mad. BMWs were still comparatively rare and I can remember my Dad telling me that they turned up at a function somewhere at almost the same time as Bill and his wife. The flunkey on the door ignored my Dad's Austin 1800 and made a bee-line for the BMW; it was whisked away to be parked near the main entrance. My Dad had to park the 1800 himself in the far corner of the car park, in a huge puddle.

Bill said other BMW drivers used to wave at him. A few years ago, the BMW 3-Series outsold the Ford Mondeo. Perhaps familiarity breeds contempt.

Around the late 1970s a workmate had a reasonably well specced BMW 2002. It really was a great car but considered weird by other workmates. I'll bet he wishes he still had it.

I was riding a Honda XL250 K0 a the time. I certainly wish that had not been sold. Four valve head, magnesium engine castings, alloy rims, stainless spokes cool style. Rare as hen's teeth. Today a good one can be £4000.

We seem to be going round in circles here. It's a different world now. Drivers are just part of the bigger picture, pedestrians, cyclists & the rest have really no regard for their fellow beings,far too busy with their own wee bubble, but then again that's a different story......

DaveMcT said:

The Micra has to be a good car there are so many about. But why (oh why) are they always driven by the blue rinse brigade (mentality as well as actual chronology). Every time I think "Oh come on - they can't all be slowed annoying" I get held up by a snail on mogadon with random braking at every bird shadow that flies by.

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Watch it mush, or Smurf and I will be down your gaff and brick your car in. Blue rinse indeed. Young whippershapper.

Actually, Smurfs are quite blue aren't they.

I realised something frightening the other week. When my brand new Provisional Licence arrived in a brown envelope it was the kind that lasted until the day before your 70th birthday. 25th May 2027. Laugh? I thought it was hilarious. That was almost 53 years. A lifetime.

Er, the thought that frightened me recently is that the 25th May 2027 is only a little over 10 years away.

At the risk of sounding like a member of the aforementioned "Blue Rinse Brigade", where the hell did the years go? And I've still not got my Ferrari Daytona 365GTB/4 on the drive.

The Beard said:

Watch it mush, or Smurf and I will be down your gaff and brick your car in. Blue rinse indeed. Young whippershapper.

Actually, Smurfs are quite blue aren't they.

I realised something frightening the other week. When my brand new Provisional Licence arrived in a brown envelope it was the kind that lasted until the day before your 70th birthday. 25th May 2027. Laugh? I thought it was hilarious. That was almost 53 years. A lifetime.

Er, the thought that frightened me recently is that the 25th May 2027 is only a little over 10 years away.

At the risk of sounding like a member of the aforementioned "Blue Rinse Brigade", where the hell did the years go? And I've still not got my Ferrari Daytona 365GTB/4 on the drive.

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Mr Beardy - I'm not quite as old as you! And I have a picture up in my attic too!

And throwing bricks is so last century. Lol. Well I wouldn't be fit anyway - frozen shoulder

And Smurfs sometimes are red.

Wee Smurf said:

Mr Beardy - I'm not quite as old as you! And I have a picture up in my attic too!

And throwing bricks is so last century. Lol. Well I wouldn't be fit anyway - frozen shoulder

And Smurfs sometimes are red.

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You misunderstand me madam, when I said "brick your car in", I meant with a pallet of bricks and a cubic metre of mortar so he'd have to use a JCB to clear his drive. And another thing, you are decades younger than me, in fact, as I get older I shall look forward to your visits to Mancland when you can push my Bath Chair into the park so I can get some fresh air while keeping the chill off under a nice tartan blanket and another thing ZZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZ Eh? What? Where was I? Oh yes, I remember now.

You have a picture in your attic? Of me? It isn't that old one the PSNI posted all over the six counties is it? I can explain that, it was all a silly misunderstanding, I mean they weren't even my stockings and stilettos, and, er, on the advice of my legal representative, I shall just go "No comment."