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What Type of Driver Are You?
blacktalon
Member Posts: 203
Over time, I've noticed that drivers tend to fall into different categories based on their feelings towards cars and driving.
Enthusiast Drivers
Enthusiast drivers love to drive. If you're like me and a beautiful sunny day (like today in Boston) makes you say, "I just have to do some driving today!" then you're an enthusiast.
Enthusiasts tend to drive sports cars, sports coupes, sports sedans, roadsters, and muscle cars -- anything that's built primarily for fun rather than practicality.
Enthusiasts have plenty of internal debates -- American cars vs European cars vs Japanese cars, roadsters vs muscle cars, sports sedans vs sport compacts, RWD vs AWD, front-engine vs mid-engine, high-end power vs low-end torque, et cetera. But the one thing all enthusiasts agree upon is that there's (almost) nothing better than taking a sports car through the twisties on a beautiful day, with the stereo up and your right foot down.
Above all, enthusiasts are focused on the act of driving itself, because it's fun. But enthusiasts are definitely in the minority in the general population...
Frustrated Enthusiast Drivers
Frustrated enthusiasts are enthusiasts who, for one reason or another, are no longer able to drive fun cars on fun roads on a regular basis.
The most common cause of this malady is having children and having to trade in two-seaters in for minivans, SUVs, or boring family cars. Another common cause is the need to commute daily in rush hour traffic.
Frustrated enthusiasts look wistfully at the roadsters zipping by as they make sure their child seats are firmly attached.
Occasionally, a frustrated enthusiast will "snap" and buy a sports car on impulse, when their spouse is expecting them to return with a new minivan. This can lead to expensive counseling bills.
Practical Drivers
Practical drivers don't have a strong emotional reaction to driving, either positive or negative. They just want a reliable, economical, safe way of getting from point A to point B.
Practical drivers are responsible for making cars like the Accord, Camry, and Taurus best sellers. They can't see spending extra money for either high performance or a prestige brand.
Some practical drivers are very careful, attentive, and safety conscious. Others like to talk on cell phones while they're washing down bagels with their morning coffee (and also, incidentally, driving to work).
Prestige Drivers
Prestige drivers care less about the experience of driving than the experience of being seen driving a high-status car. Owning a car from a premium marque is of the highest priority, and owning a superior model than most other drivers of the marque is a bonus.
Unlike the enthusiast driver, who may choose a BMW or a Porsche for its fun factor, the prestige driver cares more about the fact that they're driving a BMW or a Porsche -- or a Mercedes, Lexus, or Infiniti.
Prestige drivers tend to be the most demanding in terms of the exterior and interior appearance and upkeep of their vehicles. (Enthusiasts come a close second, but tend to place at least as much priority on their cars' mechanical upkeep.)
Reluctant Drivers
Reluctant drivers would rather not be driving at all. For some, it's an environmental or political issue. Others just find the experience of driving stressful and unpleasant. Some are actively scared of the other drivers on the road.
For the reluctant driver, the ideal is to get rid of their car entirely, and the next best thing is to drive as little as possible, preferring to walk, bike, or take mass transit whenever possible.
Reluctant drivers tend to drive Priuses, Insights, and used Volvos.
Which type of driver are you? Do you fall into one of these categories, or is there another category I've left out?
Enthusiast Drivers
Enthusiast drivers love to drive. If you're like me and a beautiful sunny day (like today in Boston) makes you say, "I just have to do some driving today!" then you're an enthusiast.
Enthusiasts tend to drive sports cars, sports coupes, sports sedans, roadsters, and muscle cars -- anything that's built primarily for fun rather than practicality.
Enthusiasts have plenty of internal debates -- American cars vs European cars vs Japanese cars, roadsters vs muscle cars, sports sedans vs sport compacts, RWD vs AWD, front-engine vs mid-engine, high-end power vs low-end torque, et cetera. But the one thing all enthusiasts agree upon is that there's (almost) nothing better than taking a sports car through the twisties on a beautiful day, with the stereo up and your right foot down.
Above all, enthusiasts are focused on the act of driving itself, because it's fun. But enthusiasts are definitely in the minority in the general population...
Frustrated Enthusiast Drivers
Frustrated enthusiasts are enthusiasts who, for one reason or another, are no longer able to drive fun cars on fun roads on a regular basis.
The most common cause of this malady is having children and having to trade in two-seaters in for minivans, SUVs, or boring family cars. Another common cause is the need to commute daily in rush hour traffic.
Frustrated enthusiasts look wistfully at the roadsters zipping by as they make sure their child seats are firmly attached.
Occasionally, a frustrated enthusiast will "snap" and buy a sports car on impulse, when their spouse is expecting them to return with a new minivan. This can lead to expensive counseling bills.
Practical Drivers
Practical drivers don't have a strong emotional reaction to driving, either positive or negative. They just want a reliable, economical, safe way of getting from point A to point B.
Practical drivers are responsible for making cars like the Accord, Camry, and Taurus best sellers. They can't see spending extra money for either high performance or a prestige brand.
Some practical drivers are very careful, attentive, and safety conscious. Others like to talk on cell phones while they're washing down bagels with their morning coffee (and also, incidentally, driving to work).
Prestige Drivers
Prestige drivers care less about the experience of driving than the experience of being seen driving a high-status car. Owning a car from a premium marque is of the highest priority, and owning a superior model than most other drivers of the marque is a bonus.
Unlike the enthusiast driver, who may choose a BMW or a Porsche for its fun factor, the prestige driver cares more about the fact that they're driving a BMW or a Porsche -- or a Mercedes, Lexus, or Infiniti.
Prestige drivers tend to be the most demanding in terms of the exterior and interior appearance and upkeep of their vehicles. (Enthusiasts come a close second, but tend to place at least as much priority on their cars' mechanical upkeep.)
Reluctant Drivers
Reluctant drivers would rather not be driving at all. For some, it's an environmental or political issue. Others just find the experience of driving stressful and unpleasant. Some are actively scared of the other drivers on the road.
For the reluctant driver, the ideal is to get rid of their car entirely, and the next best thing is to drive as little as possible, preferring to walk, bike, or take mass transit whenever possible.
Reluctant drivers tend to drive Priuses, Insights, and used Volvos.
Which type of driver are you? Do you fall into one of these categories, or is there another category I've left out?
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Comments
I however owning a former Acura TL, Cadillac STS, would put myself as a Enthusiast Driver. However currently I'm a Frusterated Enthusiast Driver, because I don't currently own a high powered performance machine.
I however think it depends also on how many cars one owns which will change behaviors. For instance if a guy owns FWD Saturn Aura as his daily driver would he be a Frusterated Enthusiast at the time or a Practical Driver personality even though he has a Vette in his garage he enjoys on his days off ?????? :confuse:
I think this forum will be exciting to watch as other's post their opinions.
Great Forum "blacktalon" :shades:
-Rocky
For me, I really couldn't care less about things like leather interiors, GPS systems, anything beyond the base stereo, etc. I realize I'm somewhat hard core about it...whenever I see an Infinity G35 coupe, I always wonder why the driver didn't buy a 350Z instead. :shades:
Some additions:
Enthusiasts never buy a car with an eye toward resale value; the value they derive from the car is in the driving experience alone. Resale however, weighs heavily in the mind of the practical driver (who see vehicles as something that should be approached as rationally as possible), as well as for the prestige driver (high prices validate their choice).
Both enthusiasts and practicals wash/wax themselves (love of caring for their car and saving money, respectively) wheres prestige and reluctants pay someone else (high end detailers vs. closest local carwash).
Then I throw in a large dose of tempering my enthusiast tendencies with some environmental awareness, so seeking the best fuel economy and least smog emissions possible, and I become a practical enthusiast.
I am convinced that most of our regulars in the town hall would not fit neatly in one of these categories, but rather would be a hybrid...
:-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
As far as roads go, I lived in Palo Alto for a year and in LA for two summers. Compared to California, Boston's traffic jams aren't quite as bad, but Boston's roads are much worse (potholes galore) and Boston's drivers are far more insane. But I still have fun driving in Boston anyway.
As for NorCal, iluv, there are a few spots to "stretch out", but they are nowhere near the Bay. Take the drive over Donner Summit and past Reno, however, and now you are talking a whole different story! ;-)
And I will amend my remarks to include that I insist on my car being all-season, as mentioned above. No convertibles or roadsters for me, just not practical enough. In fact, I want all my cars from now on to have at least four passenger doors, I do too much kid-carrying to have it any other way. It's a good thing there are a bunch of very competent sport sedans on the market these days, but then I must still revert to points (a) and (b) above...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
-Rocky
Oh, and my nieces are 2, 4, and 16, and my nephews are 2 and 12. And I love babysitting and tagging along for music lessons and sports practices, so my conversion to "practical enthusiast" has been nothing but pleasurable. :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
-Rocky
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Just kidding...
94 Lincoln Town Car " " " " new 1994
66 Mustang GT Coupe (I wanted it) purchased used 1967 - it replaced a 63 Fiat Spider, I wanted, purchased new 1963.
I'm considered an enthusiast with the Mustang as it has been a Trophy car for over 10 years.
I'm considered a Practical/Prestige driver and that's OK.
However, the love of my life got her speeding ticket in the T Bird and I'm not going to label her other than a lady.
So what's your driving style and why?
Therefore, what really makes my blood boil is when other drivers don't act in the same way, and the flow suffers.
For instance, improper merging drives me nuts; I hate when merging drivers don't understand that as the merger, they have a responsibility to merge in with the existing traffic flow without causing traffic disruption. I'm more than happy to let them in, but they need to make the effort and act like they know what they're doing (i.e. blasting at full speed to the end of the merge lane is a no-no, as is coming to a complete stop).
I drive fast, but I also try to drive nice -- no tailgating, no cutting other people off intentionally, occasionally even letting someone flashing their turn signals in (as opposed to speeding up to block them, as is the norm in Boston).
I know other people who get stressed out about driving in Boston. I even know a few who absolutely refuse to drive in downtown Boston. But after living here for 8 years, I've come to find it invigorating. When I drive in other US cities, it seems boring by comparison.
Above all, driving is a joy -- especially in a sports car. So I refuse to become one of those people who see it as a chore or a routine.
How do you find a scenic drive?
What a great opportunity to push my '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS to the hilt. It was up the mountainside with twists and turns and uphills then downhills for about 40 miles or so heading towards Silver City, NM, cutting off from I-25 southbound. The handsome 4-door sedan performed admirably and still turned in about 29.0 mpg for the uphill run!
New Mexico is one open, arid and mountainous and desert-laden state. It has plenty of both terrains and some water, but, like its western neighbor, Arizona, not all that much water to speak of.
So today on the way home I could be a twisty-a-go-go type of driver. My wife's stomach got a little upset, though. Humm...wonder why that might have happened. I think if I was the front passenger on that west-south central stretch of NM mountainous terrain-travel I would probably be a bit sick to my stomach. Especially if the driver decided to "make time" in even steep, mountainous terrain!
Nice, challenging terrain to test the Lancer GTS racing heritage out a tad.
The babe passed with flying colors.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
If they hit your car on the pull-in to a parking spot in a parking lot they'd no doubt do as Britney did, go look at the area on their car where they think they might have scraped your car at and just ignore yours completely! Dorks. What is the big deal with popping your turn-signal on when changing lanes?
One person answered that question this way. They said that a lot of people develop that habit because of competitive feelings borne from driving in overly-congested areas. They feel that if they signal ahead of their lane change, you will just speed up and not let them in. Then they'd really be hot as a hornet angry!
Still, there's lots of times where there's a huge gap and they have plenty of time and space to put their turn-signal on, they just choose not to. Just another sprinkling of New World Order end-of-days selfishness. Uh-huh.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I would say 90 to 95% of my driving is on cruise control and like you I pass then they pass and so on while I maintain a constant speed. Heck, I even pass the state patrol on the freeway that way. I couldn't live without my cruise control. I use it on 30mph streets even
When the limit of speed is the speed limit and if you go the speed limit you should be at ease in driving any lane you choose. The inside lane is not reserved for "speed demons" - it is reserved for overtaking others traveling at less than the speed limit i.e. 18 wheelers & cars towing anything. You can Left Lane Camp, but you must be doing the speed limit to do so. Let NOT the Speed Demons con you into getting out of their way for it is they who are to adjust - not you.
Upon all highways any vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing, shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic (link)
Curious that it doesn't say anything about the speed limit - just normal speed of traffic. That tells me that a LLC should be ticketed for not moving over.
If one discards all idea of lane discipline (also known as logic and accountability)
Some people preach so much about the sins of others that one has to assume they never sin, themselves. This must be true!
Bottom Line is not to be falsely influenced by wannabe race car drivers who apply such terms as "lane discipline" and playing "enforcer" to make you feel guilty if you impede their "precise" weaving in and out of traffic.
As for being an "enforcer", the weaving speed demons would "enforce" their way on others & that is most unsafe.
By the way, let's not go down road to LLC discussion again. Those so inclined can just search the "Inconsiderate Drivers" thread. Euphonium is just baiting us. :shades:
james
I have had a car pass me and find it stopped by the state patrol only to have the same car pass me and find it pulled over by the state patrol a second time a few hundred miles up the freeway. That was east of Boise on the way to SLC a few years back.
Then remember a few years ago when I-84 east of Boise required truckers to drive in the left lane for miles because of the condition of the freeway. I don't usually pass on the right but we all did before they re-worked I-84.
You just have to "go with the flow".
Tomorrow, I leave Seattle for Grants Pass, Or., and I only plan to stop in Albany on the way there. I'll be the one on cruise control in the lane I need to be in to keep it on cruise(always trying to stay in the rightmost lanes).
It used to be that I would be the slowest one out there except for the occasional truck (most of the trucks exceed the speed limit) that I would accelerate to go around.
But since the gas prices have gone up the last year or two, I have been amazed to find a great many people that cruise below the speed limit now. I wonder if they have made the connection between speed and gas consumption and just want to save a few bucks. But whatever, I am still the one cruising on the right at the speed limit, I just have to pass people a lot more now.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Now I got rid of the PT and the ZTS and I am back to driving my truck more like you do. Even in the Pontiac I tend to find a comfortable speed and sit there till I get to where I am going.
To answer the question as to what kind of driver I am today I would have to say one that simply drives to get to where I am going so I can see or do what I want to see and do. Driving is a means to an end I guess.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick