tailgating
 

maybe its just me but I find that people seem so close to me when I look in the rear view mirror, I am so afraid that someone is just going to rear end me all the time, does anyone else find that the mirror makes people seem closer than normal?

Half of my driving experience in the Boxster is getting out of people's way especially when I see them not paying attention. It has become a thing that comes naturally because I know even a slight crash could mean total loss and I have too much blood sweat and tears into this thing!

that's what wiper fluid is for. :cheers:

I have the same phobia. Big pickups or SUVs esp seem to pull close. And how can they see my rear end? I usually leave a little fudge room in front of me. This gives me some space to pull ahead if someone gets too close or out of the way if they're distracted and not going to stop in time.

I get claustrophobic when there is a cement mixer ahead, dump truck behind and an 18 wheeler on each side. It is road construction season on EVERY ROAD in Winnipeg right now so this 'midget among giants' scenario happens a lot.

People also just seem to be in such a rush! probably my slow shift from 1st to 2nd :)

They're probably just 'mirin our cars!

I think a lot has to do with the fact our cars are small and low to the ground. So many SUVs and trucks out there - they really aren't that close, but because they have such a height advantage, it sometimes feels like they are bearing down on you.

maybe I think people are just aggressive

The height of the trucks and SUV's is part of it, but I think the drivers just look right over our low cars and tend not to pay attention to them, thus the tailgating. When I drove a Miata, I noticed the same thing.

That said, most people drive too closely behind other cars regardless of what they are!

people see a cool looking car and they have to get close to see what it is and then they have to show off by passing in what ever non sport car they are in.

I am usually the one on other peoples bumper trying to get then to move over:cheers:

I don't find tailgating to be Boxster specific, but I love my 986 so I am always working to be in the best/safest position when driving on the highway. That means: never get boxed in on two sides, never sit in someone's blindspot, never tailgate, if someone is tailgating either change lanes or leave enough room in front for you both to brake, if someone is in your blindspot speed up or slow down. And try to avoid brake checking people, it's not worth the risk of getting rear ended.

I find there are two types of tailgaters: people in a hurry and bad drivers. People in a hurry will normally pass you if you go the speed limit. Bad driver's tend to tailgate whoever is in front of them regardless of speed, so I just change lanes so they can tailgate someone else.

I always drive with my lights on, just so other folks can see me......my wife says I shouldn't talk about old people's driving habits because I am old people

I pilot the Box just like I did the motorcycles in my past. I am always allowing/looking for an escape route and assume that I am invisible to most of the general, texting while driving, public.

I think you will find most drivers in big cities on the east coast are aggressive drivers. Especially Boston area drivers.

+1 Works like a champ.

My boxster is the first stick shift car I've ever owned and I learned manual only a few months ago. When I'm on a steep hill and someone crawls up my ass I get soooo nervous... Usually I preemptively let off the brake and roll back a bit to let them know I'm a stick shift and they should not be an inch away from my rear end when I'm trying to come out of first on a steep uphill:eek:

I rigged-up my spoiler to dump three pounds of 1" roofing nails onto the road at the push of a button. Maybe you need to do the same. BTW, Objects in mirror are actually closer than they appear.

I remember when I was learning to drive a stick I got stuck at a red light going up a very steep hill and this guy pulled right up behind me, within a few inches. My dad got out told the guy to back off, then pulled the handbrake while I revved up the engine.

I don't have any issues with uphill starts anymore, but it certainly took a while to master them. Every now and then I will accidentally over rev the engine, or if I can see a light uphill I drive slowly so it has time to turn green. It takes time, but you'll get the hang of it! :cheers: