Oppo, who do you think are the best cheap car drivers and worst expensive car drivers?

"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats) 01/16/2017 at 10:57 • Filed to: None

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Originally, I wanted to ask about positive stereotypes you have about drivers of particular marques, but I realized that was kind of boring, because in my experience, people with expensive cars generally try to keep those expensive cars from getting into an accident.

The obvious reason is that people don’t want to damage things that cost them a lot of money, and probably also that if you have the money to buy an expensive car, you’re probably older and more mature.

But I think it also has a lot to do with how much you like your car and how much owning it is an end in and of itself. I don’t see many Ferraris weaving in and out of traffic, but I do see a lot of six figure and near six figure SUVs doing it. I imagine that has a lot to do with the fact that most GL owners probably bought one because they wanted an SUV and had the money to afford an expensive one, whereas most 911 owners probably grew up dreaming about owning one.

So, at any rate, who do you think are the worst drivers of expensive cars and best drivers of cheap cars? As a guideline, let’s say “expensive” is $100k+ and “cheap” is $40k or less, but bonus points are awarded if your cheap car choice is commonly a used beater.

For me, the clear answer is Maserati. In the past year, I’ve seen about four different GranTurismos, and each one was driven by a dip weed who was passing from exit lanes, weaving, or racing from light to light. Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of Maseratis, but I sort of assume that their target market is people who don’t have quite enough money for a Ferrari, don’t really care about cars, but want something that’s Italian and says money.

On the other end of the spectrum, I’m going to cheap out and go with Volvo. While Lexus and Toyota drivers routinely thwart my desire to stereotype them as responsible people who want a reliable car, people who drive Volvos seem to genuinely have a desire to end their journey with the same number of body panels that they had when they left their driveway.

crowmolly > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:06

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Expensive, I’d say new Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade drivers. Seems like a large percentage of them have no spatial awareness.

Not sure about the cheap cars though.

LongbowMkII > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:10

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Maseratis tend to be driven like assholes.

Which is entirely understandable, have you heard them?

“I could make this gap if I goose it and cut this guy off”

*BRRAaaaaaam**pop**pop*

“Worth it”

Liam Farrell > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:26

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The Maserati drivers are probably rushing to try and get to their service appointment before their car breaks again.

TysMagic > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:37

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high end: Range Rover drivers

cheap side: I haven’t had any poor interactions with Smart car drivers, so I’m going with that

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:39

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Around here, the answer to both questions seems to be “Audi”. The high end ones tend to be driven as though they’re made of unicorn tears and rice paper, but once depreciation occurs... their antics are amusing.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:48

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High end. Mercedes SUV, Model X, escalade, Range rover, big trucks

Low end. Hyundai/kia.

gmctavish needs more space > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:56

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Expensive: AMG Mercs, Maseratis, Bentley Conti GTs, The list is too long, but the common thing between them is being wrapped matte black, chrome, or some awful two tone.

Cheap: Volvo seems true here too, also Subaru and Mazda. 

WilliamsSW > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 11:57

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At the high end, I’d say that Range Rover drivers are the worst. They don’t realize how big their vehicles are, and don’t care. The X6, X5, Escalade/Tahoe/Suburban are close, as is the G Class.

Oddly, I see Maseratis (95% Ghiblis) around me frequently, always being driven normally.

At the low end, maybe Buick? I often see Volvos at 10 under the limit, it seems.

Honeybunchesofgoats > gmctavish needs more space 01/16/2017 at 12:06

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That’s funny. At least around me, the Continental GT drivers all seem to be content to just cruise below the limit.

Steve in Manhattan > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 12:35

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For some reason I’ve seen a lot of high end Audis doing stupid shit around here.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 13:34

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I might have mentioned this elsewhere before, but I feel as though drivers of stock (unmodified) Toyota Tacomas are, on average, fairly good and considerate drivers.

At the other end of the spectrum, drivers of newer Range Rovers seem to be disproportionately dickish. They might pass on the right, even if it’s a bus lane or a hard shoulder. They might flash their lights at you to accelerate faster from a stoplight, even though there’s traffic ahead limiting how fast you can go. They might go out of turn at multi-way stops. They might drive around on a clear night with their rear fog light(s) on. Etc.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 13:50

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I disagree with Volvo. Several Volvo drivers I know, my mom included are some of the worst I’ve ever met. Every time I get into my moms 2015 S60, there seems to be a new rattle or funny sound from a curb she hit, a median she hopped, or a 2 foot tall landscaping rock that she managed to drive over...

gmctavish needs more space > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 13:56

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I guess I should specify they’re usually convertibles, and probably used. There aren’t a lot of coupes around

Honeybunchesofgoats > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 01/16/2017 at 13:57

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I’ll fully admit that when a terrible driver whose wellbeing I care about asks me for a car recommendation, my answer is always “buy a Volvo.”

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 13:59

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I can agree with that. Volvo or even Subaru are great choices for terrible drivers who need safety.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Honeybunchesofgoats 01/16/2017 at 19:46

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20 years ago when I started driving my dad goes “watch out for minivans because the driver is watching the kids or late, watch out for contractor trucks and pickups, because employees don’t care, beat up cars, show a history of bad drivers and volvos because they know they’re going to crash.’

High end; Infiniti, mercedes, range rover, Audi

cheap car: cheap pick up, economy car (except civic, TC,)