Exotic Car Protocol and Etiquette

[Doctor Houx]

I have always had nothing but positive reactions to the Maserati. The DB9 however gets nothing but hatred. Driving up my road I had some old guy with his wife do some strange wrist behaviour and spit on the bonnet. Usually I would put it down to the green eyed monster but I had my 4 year old Daughter in the car who then asked why that old man was so angry and what the certain wrist movement meant! “Ask your Mother”.

Surprised at the reaction to the DB9. I have always had very positive reactions to my Astons and Maser. Only bad reactions similar to yours was when I had a 911 Cabriolet. I thought Porsche and Ferrari were the focus of envy, not AM.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I have always had nothing but positive reactions to the Maserati. The DB9 however gets nothing but hatred. Driving up my road I had some old guy with his wife do some strange wrist behaviour and spit on the bonnet. Usually I would put it down to the green eyed monster but I had my 4 year old Daughter in the car who then asked why that old man was so angry and what the certain wrist movement meant! “Ask your Mother”.

That’s exactly extraordinary. My Vantage always seems well-received. I think in general the Maser GTS may have got more attention, but I’ve had no hate of the little Aston. In fact, in France it’s received really positive reactions even more so than in the UK.

Maybe your encounter was with someone who mistook you for someone else. Most unpleasant, anyway.

 

[Monaco73]

That’s exactly extraordinary. My Vantage always seems well-received. I think in general the Maser GTS may have got more attention, but I’ve had no hate of the little Aston. In fact, in France it’s received really positive reactions even more so than in the UK.

Maybe your encounter was with someone who mistook you for someone else. Most unpleasant, anyway.

Actually, I never thought of the fact he could have mistaken me for someone else, clearly not Brad Pitt ha ha. Was very odd but luckily a rare incident, otherwise I think I’d have sold it. I used to have a 911 Cabrio which always got quite a lot of negative attention. On the the flip side we went out to the pub a couple of years ago and as we were leaving a lovely chap started up his brand new DBS and clearly noticed us staring, so got back out and let my son sit in it and rev it. Top chap.

 

[Vampyrebat]

Is she a long legged blond?

After you shave her down.........Maybe??!!

 

[Markc]

Interesting post a while back on Ferrari Chat about approaching exotic car owners in public.
If you see an interesting car while out and about ( covid not withstanding), do you stop to chat with the owner?
If you are approached while in your car, do you make time to chat, or do you blow that person off?
Do you chaps have a secret handshake or something to let others know you are a member of the Italian car fraternity?

I certainly wouldn’t blow them!

 

[Gazcw]

I think it was the second Brunti a couple of guys from JLR down the road had driven past the hotel, turned around and come back. Must have spent about 2 hours with us in the car park

Took the GT to the dump once. Had a fantastic pastor knocking on the window asking what it was

C

Did you respond with 'its called dogging'?

 

[Scaf]

I have always had nothing but positive reactions to the Maserati. The DB9 however gets nothing but hatred. Driving up my road I had some old guy with his wife do some strange wrist behaviour and spit on the bonnet. Usually I would put it down to the green eyed monster but I had my 4 year old Daughter in the car who then asked why that old man was so angry and what the certain wrist movement meant! “Ask your Mother”.

The reaction the the DB9 is a surprise, I used to get n thing but positive comments courteous driving around me (being let out at junctions) and thumbs up. Perhaps it’s you driving style

 

[CatmanV2]

Metal recycling..?

I think it was a TV, actually </straight bat>

C

 

[safrane]

I believe most of 'bad reactions' stem from how cars and their owners use them in the locality... most people would resent cars/drivers if they frequently disturbed or drove at excessive speeds, no matter how lovely the car was or the driver.

In my old suburban home, I kept thr noise and speed to a minimum, as I was aware the local ring road was used as a race track and I did not want any aggressive reactions directed at me or the cars.... however further away from home... well...

 

[CatmanV2]

however further away from home... well...

That's a challenge though, isn't it. Further away from your home is someone else's suburban home. Apparently one of the drivers of littering. <shrug>

C

 

[Oishi]

Ok, good points about annoying drivers and vehicles, ( see my comment about being ambassadors ).
Over here we have a trend in truck modification called the Carolina Squat.

Like most of these fads, there is no practical reason to do this other than to imitate Baja race trucks.
The down side is that it is extremely annoying to drive anywhere near these things. The exhaust has been straight piped, the tires make as much noise as the motor, and no one re-aims the headlights so they blind you at night.

 

[Wanderer]

I let this lad have a sit in mine, he was most impressed with the electric rear screen blind. Small chap, about 8, let him tickle the accelerator as he was car mad, little buugger sent it right to the limiter....

Missus is always saying don't you get sick of people starting at the car as u drive it, and to be honest I don't see any at all. Perhaps cos I have my eyes on the road unlike her who drives and looks in shop windows at the same time....

 

[Gazcw]

I let this lad have a sit in mine, he was most impressed with the electric rear screen blind. Small chap, about 8, let him tickle the accelerator as he was car mad, little buugger sent it right to the limiter....

Missus is always saying don't you get sick of people starting at the car as u drive it, and to be honest I don't see any at all. Perhaps cos I have my eyes on the road unlike her who drives and looks in shop windows at the same time....

How does she know they are admiring the car and not you?

 

[Wanderer]

How does she know they are admiring the car and not you?

Good point!

Mind you this Alexander (dumb a$s) bloke in Rush (Ireland) spotted my car and come over all expert, thought the QP DS forward/reverse selector was a proper gear stick! He didn't get the paddle thing at all......

 

[CatmanV2]

Missus is always saying don't you get sick of people starting at the car as u drive it

My sister said this as well. Couldn't work out why people were staring, then realised they were staring at the car. Honestly don't notice when I'm driving unless they make wave, or something.

C

 

[montravia]

Well I think that us here are a bit different. If you choose a Maserati then that's an indication. It's certainly not an aspirational choice so we don't receive the negative 'envy ' reaction. And we're not a snotty up our own ar$ehole bunch, well not here.
If you have something that indicates a passion then you're going to be approached be it Maserati, pretty little rag top or steam traction engine. It used to take an hour to do 1 mile in the TE, stops and chats
I think that I've indicated before, evey time I stop, someone approaches, and when we could, with outstretched hand.
Both the Maserati and the little rag top.
And all sorts. Chaps in vans, ordinary blokes, those that know the Marque, those that appreciate aesthetics. Boys to aging gents.
And not infrequently girls and ladies too and some very knowledgeable.
Perhaps the fierce countenance isn't as fierce as I think.

 

[Wanderer]

When anyone engages me or knows I drive a Maserati, I'm quick to say 'oh it's an old one, cost about the same as a decent hatchback, just you have to look after it more' etc, etc. Almost embarrassed in a way in case they think I'm a flashy cove.....

In actual fact I've never received any negative reaction unlike Fezza types in Manchester who regularly get the V's flicked at them....

Ferrari = Rich Dad
Lambo = Flash Git
Maserati = Self made modest
Aston = Self made modest, has a title.
Alfa = Above for wannabe (sorry!)

 

[Monaco73]

When anyone engages me or knows I drive a Maserati, I'm quick to say 'oh it's an old one, cost about the same as a decent hatchback, just you have to look after it more' etc, etc. Almost embarrassed in a way in case they think I'm a flashy cove.....

In actual fact I've never received any negative reaction unlike Fezza types in Manchester who regularly get the V's flicked at them....

Ferrari = Rich Dad
Lambo = Flash Git
Maserati = Self made modest
Aston = Self made modest, has a title.
Alfa = Above for wannabe (sorry!)

That cracked me up!!!! I will show the Wife as she wants a Lamborghini! Her plans are just somewhat delayed / dashed by me not being able to afford one

 

[Wanderer]

Odd the that Maserati's (I don't know every model) is easy to get into, not a skate on wheels, suited to us older types, same for Aston, whereas Ferrari/Lambo etc for me I'd need a doctor present before I attempted to get in and team of helpers to get out.

Proves Masers only generally come to those 'of an age' which could imply self-made. I'm doing ok, but 60 in 3 months and on cheapo QP5, no top of the range GT for me! When were kids we didn't have one penny to rub together.....

Until I was nine I didn't even have any clothes, until my Dad bought me a cap so I could look out the window.....

I know, I churn these out a lot but they are funny af lol!!

 

[Oneball]

Odd the that Maserati's (I don't know every model) is easy to get into, not a skate on wheels, suited to us older types, same for Aston, whereas Ferrari/Lambo etc for me I'd need a doctor present before I attempted to get in and team of helpers to get out.

Proves Masers only generally come to those 'of an age' which could imply self-made. I'm doing ok, but 60 in 3 months and on cheapo QP5, no top of the range GT for me! When were kids we didn't have one penny to rub together.....

Until I was nine I didn't even have any clothes, until my Dad bought me a cap so I could look out the window.....

I know, I churn these out a lot but they are funny af lol!!

Enough of the “us older types” grandpa! There’s a few who haven’t hit middle aged and maybe one or two that still have hair.