Sports car etiquette

[mdrburchette]

Something has been bothering me for quite sometime so I thought I'd see if anyone else has noticed this. Years and years ago, when I owned my first Fiat Spider, it seemed other sports car drivers were a bit more friendly. Something that you always did when you passed an MGB, TR6 or any other convertible was toot your horn in acknowledgement. You could bet you'd be rewarded in like fashion with possibly a wave to boot. Well, I have owned my 72 since 1995 and I can tell you that nobody has returned a toot or wave. This new generation doesn't even look your way when you're on the road and they certainly won't wave or acknowledge you. I'd like to turn around, run them down, ask what their problem is and teach them the proper etiquette. Course, I'd probably get my ass shot, so I just toot my horn, wave and drive away confused when it's not reciprocated.
Now, one thing that hasn't changed is the brotherhood you feel when you're on a motorcycle. It doesn't matter if you pass a Harley, crotch rocket or a moped, the universal wave is extended to everyone. If I'm in my Fiat, I find myself wanting to hold my hand out in acknowledgement to every motorcycle that passes me. Of course, they'd probably give me a funny look or the one finger salute since I'm not on a bike, but that's more than what I get from a Miata owner.

[kilrwail]

Denise - It might be a regional thing. I'm happy to say that I frequently get waves, or nods of ackowledgement from MG's, Triumphs, Alfas and, of course, other Spiders - in my area. Of course, all Porsche owners flash their lights at each other - it's mandatory Don't give up - your enthusiasm could be infectious.

[htchevyii]

The British guys around here are pretty friendly and we go on runs with them since there aren't many Fiats around here. We went on on one run with an XKE and a 427 Cobra, they had to wait for us, but we had to wait for the MG's.

[launieg]

Likewise, I get a friendly wave and often they beat me to it. A Jensen Healey driver waved at me last time I had the Spider out for a run. However, its the classic drivers who do it - mostly British cars around here; can't recall ever seeing a Miata driver do so, although there are oodles of them.

[kristoj]

I sold my sport bike earlier this year. But I can tell you that the Harley guys in Ohio will NOT return a wave to guys on sport bikes. I would always throw out the wave, but the return rate was generally less than one in five. But I also remember back in the mid 80s when I bought my first BMW, you would always flash your lights when you saw another and vice versa. That never happens anymore. Of course, that was when BMW made true sports sedans -- with two doors, manual transmissions and no cupholders. The soccer moms driving X5s today would probably get spooked if you flashed your lights at them.

[katsi]

My horn doesn't work!

[pope]

Did the waving slow down as you all got older? I'm just saying!

I think that people get newer cars faster than before so they are not as attached to them. A lot of people lease cars, so they think they are renting, not owning and dont customize the cars. Lastly, it is almost impossible to work on a new car so you dont have a comradery with your car.

[mdrburchette]

I don't see many older cars around here. Most of them are new convertibles and the owners rarely put the top down. Couldn't understand that logic either...but they just seem like a different breed of people. They're not the carefree type we used to be when everyone either had redneck, souped up Camaros or pampered little European sports cars.
Oh well, I'll continue to wave and toot and maybe they'll get the right idea.

[sptcoupe]

Denise - you need to move out here to Texas. I get, and return, waves all the time. But you are rigfht, it is not like the old days when it was the norm. I think it is because the sports cars today are more our daily drivers - just another appliance, not a "car" like our FIATS.

[JimM]

I purchased my 1st sports car (a MGB) in 1968. Before leaving the dealership the salesman took about 15 minutes and explained to me the club that I was joining. I was to be part of a select group, Sports Car Drivers. Not just MG"s, but sports cars, all inclusive. It was traditional custom to wave a greeting whenever you passed another sports car. When I graduated to my 1st Fiat in 1971 this custom carried over. Today, I don't think anyone has taken the time to explain the traditions and customs of driving a sports car to the younger generation, but if we youngsters of yesterday continue to wave or honk, then just maybe some of the newer members of our club will catch on. Anyway keep on waving and honking!!!!!

[Kevin1]

Most everyone here driving an older convertible (Triumph, MG, Healey, Fiat, Alfa) will wave, but if they are in a newer car (Saab, BMW, Mazda) it just doesn't happen. I have found an exception to the Miata rule - if the Miata is a beater and the driver is young, they'll wave - maybe because they are driving the car for the fun of it and they "get it". Otherwise the older the car and driver are the more likely the wave seems to be, so maybe it's just something us old folks get.

[racydave]

I get alot of waves, and some snubs. People in expensive sports need to wave first.

[radiopilot]

In the past when driving the spider I would pull up to another convertible (Miata) and the person driving the Miata would not even look my way, not even to acknowledge we were in some kind of secret convertible club. I just ignored her... same happened that day too, a guy driving a convertible Mercedes drove past me and didn't wave or even glanced, it's like they are in some other dimension that doesn't recknognize another convertible unless it's the same car as theirs... I see that when Corvettes drive past each other or BMW's they acknowledge each other with a wave or jesture...

I think it's rude and when I see that attitude it makes me want to say to the guy driving the convertible Mercedes 'funny how we're both enjoying the sun and fresh air but the $1000 a month payment you have compared to my zero payment I have makes this drive soooooo much better'!


Nick

[mdrburchette]

I think it's rude and when I see that attitude it makes me want to say to the guy driving the convertible Mercedes 'funny how we're both enjoying the sun and fresh air but the $1000 a month payment you have compared to my zero payment I have makes this drive soooooo much better'!

Good one, Nick!

[NebraskaSpider]

....we were in some kind of secret convertible club.

Which we are all apart of. So when is the next "secret convertible club" meeting?

Seems to me that people are just a lot more rude these days. People just seem less personable and less likely to acknowledge their fellow man. Its sad that people aren't nicer to others.