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Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:38 pm

It seems to me that people really disrespect beetles in traffic. Even when my bug is running good ( finally ) these a-holes find every way to cut me off or pass me on the right, even when I am cruising at 65 or 70 +. Maybe Calif. has a disproportionally amount of jerks driving on the road.
What about your state? People used to say that NY drivers were bad, I disagree, Calif. has no traffic manners...every man for himself.
Sorry for the rant, but Slug-Bugs need some respect!

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:47 pm

Usually I have no problem, but I get the Soccer Mom in the SUV that tailgates at times. I find a few taps on the brake gets them to back off. And if it doesn't i'll drop down 2 gears and leave them in the dust.

BTW... I hope you're not in the LA area. Don't they shoot each other over stupid stuff on the freeways?

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:50 pm

Tim, might I suggest chillin' when you get home with some of Cali's finest. 8)

Truth is bro' that people drive like that everywhere, I get cutoff, pulled out in front of and treated like I'm driving a high performance car. So it's downshift, clutch, slam on the brakes and SUE THE HELL out of em if you can't stop in time.LOL

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:52 pm

Haven't had any more disrespect from NW Indiana drivers. I live on the Illinois state line and commute into Indiana, I would have thought more people would take notice of the BRIGHT yellow bug but instead they just mind their own businees and pass me when they want to go over 65.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:53 pm

Glenn wrote: Usually I have no problem, but I get the Soccer Mom in the SUV that tailgates at times. I find a few taps on the brake gets them to back off. And if it doesn't i'll drop down 2 gears and leave them in the dust.

Hey Glenn, most of us drive 1600's with 54 horses, not really capable of leaving people in the dust. :P

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:55 pm

I think it's everywhere but especially out here. Californians are easily some of the most self centered drivers I've ever seen. Speed limit signs aren't even suggestions they're for drunken target practice. If there's room to fit a vehicle no matter how fast you're going someone will squeeze in. I had no idea I've been driving around with no rear running lights for easily a month at least, and not one person ever said anything. In Chicago you'd have to ignore people after awhile cause so many would let you know. Oh well. To each his own right.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:56 pm

I live in red neck vill and all the red necks at my school try and pick my bug up, and they all pass me on the way home honking there dixie horn

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:58 pm

bleep, get a freakin airhorn for a semi. That'll show em.LOL
I live in Tulsa and we have more than our fair share of Rednecks here.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:59 pm

Times are a changing.

As there are fewer bugs on the road and also fewer drivers that remember being "stuck" behind a bug, or especially an old bus on a long single lane uphill no passing zone.

Yea, I'm old.

I still find that no matter how fast I might be buggin along cars will go out of their way to get around, and in front of me.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:10 pm

I don't think impatience is limited to beetles in southern CT.
If you drive less than 70 in the right lane, people will tail gate with less than a car length between. SUV driving bozos are the worst.

When I had a sun roof, if they were close enough I used to flip pennies on their hood and windshield - it would scare the crap out of them :twisted:

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:11 pm

tornadoboy wrote: Truth is bro' that people drive like that everywhere, I get cutoff, pulled out in front of and treated like I'm driving a high performance car. So it's downshift, clutch, slam on the brakes and SUE THE HELL out of em if you can't stop in time.LOL

i still have no brake lights at night and some sob was tailgateing me when i went and picked up the ball and chain from work.. had to blow a red light or get rear ended!

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:18 pm

<FiSh(( wrote: tornadoboy wrote: Truth is bro' that people drive like that everywhere, I get cutoff, pulled out in front of and treated like I'm driving a high performance car. So it's downshift, clutch, slam on the brakes and SUE THE HELL out of em if you can't stop in time.LOL

i still have no brake lights at night and some sob was tailgateing me when i went and picked up the ball and chain from work.. had to blow a red light or get rear ended!

Ack Fish, here's a wiring diagram if you need it. http://66.34.72.138/index.html

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:18 pm

well. here in the GREAT LAKES STATE the drivers do kinda follow you closely , but pass slowly too with THUMBS UP !!! nice car , if you hapen to be driving a sharp 71 orange super beetle convert. when was last time they seen one of these? muscle cars are a dime a dozen ..........keep you heads up and, be proud ,beetle owners!!

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:22 pm

How about one of those ricer tail pipe flame thrower kits. Or a rear facing windshield wiper sprayer nozzle. That ought to teach the tailgaters.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:38 pm

<FiSh(( wrote: tornadoboy wrote: Truth is bro' that people drive like that everywhere, I get cutoff, pulled out in front of and treated like I'm driving a high performance car. So it's downshift, clutch, slam on the brakes and SUE THE HELL out of em if you can't stop in time.LOL

i still have no brake lights at night and some sob was tailgateing me when i went and picked up the ball and chain from work.. had to blow a red light or get rear ended!

"the ball and chain" !!!!! LOL, damn i haven't heard that one in a while!

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:57 pm

yea i found after 10 years it is easyer to pick up the ball and chain and bring it with you.. it makes getting around less of a pain in the umm ankle

Wed Jan 04, 2006 11:09 pm

Hey Tim- I moved up here to Oregon From Ventura 5 years ago. I miss the weather and the beach.... I lived by the hospital, across from the Spaghetti Company.

In Oregon, the common offense is to pull in front of you, and then go slower than the speed limit. Bugs the heck out of me. In my Jeep, passing these idiots is a joy- 300+ HP in a 2800 lb vehicle. In the VW...you learn the gift of patience, and realize these jerks could in no way appreciate how cool a VW is.

I dont think it's intentional disrespect, more like a growing plague of stupidity.
I'd heard an amusing theory- with the advent of airbags and safer cars, the bad drivers aren't eliminated from the gene pool like they used to be.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 11:13 pm

In Cali, 54 Horse get no respect. There are a lot of dumbasses out here too that need to save that precious 38 seconds getting where they are going.

Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:29 am

Having some extra HP in your bug definately helps if you are driving in SoCal. Frwy speeds around town often reach 80 mph even in the slow lane, :shock: Unless it is rushhour (more like 2-3 hours), then its 5-15 mph. It is nice being able to cruise at the higher speeds so you can be the one in front but not impeeding anyone, and if they try passing, you can make them work for it. :wink:

Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:26 am

i guess i experience the opposite of most people who posted. i see someone coming up on my back side and they realize im in an old bug and just drive on by, usually with a smile or a nod as they pass. it is extremely rare (as in i cant remember the last time) when someone tried to drive me off the road or tailgate me.