Car Question

17 years ago

Let me first say, I've always, before, had 'ordinary' cars--ones you saw loads and loads of on the road (before my current car, I was driving a Dodge Caravan--you passed at least 2 on every block!)

Does anyone else drive something that's unusual enough that when you see someone else with the same car, you end up waving or conversing, because of your cars?

The car I drive now is an FJ Cruiser. Not that many of them on the road. Toyota introduced them in Spring, 2006, and I believe only about 5000 were manufactured to be sold in all of N. America the first year they were out. So it's not a car you pass every time you're on the road. Even in the very densely populated area where I live, you still don't see them all that often (and it's not like you can miss an FJ if one passes you--LOL--they're pretty hard to miss), I often go out and run all over doing my errands without seeing another anywhere.

Here's the thing. Most of the time, if you DO pass one, the other driver will wave, or smile. Or if you're stopped, will get into a conversation. Once was stopped at a red light, with a Special Edition FJ next to me, and the woman driving opened her window and we talked cars until the light changed.

I really enjoy the fraternity that seems to exist among FJ owners.

So, my question--does this happen to you with your car model? and what do you drive? Any interesting similar experiences to report?

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Comments (15)

uxorial
17 years ago
Oh heavens no. I've been driving a Honda Accord since 1992. And I used to live in the part of the state that had the highest concentration of Hondas. One time, I was at a 4-way stop sign, and the cars at the other three stop signs were all Hondas!

Mine is a little unusual because it's a 2-door. Most of the Accords out there are 4-door.

There aren't many FJs out here, but I've seen a few. (I don't drive very much though.) Are there any FJ Cruiser clubs, like there are for PT Cruisers?
dilly_dally
17 years ago
I never had it happen to me with a car I was driving, but I did one time try to converse with a woman about the Citron Honda Insight she was getting into. I had read up on them and was considering buying one. They were so new at the time there was no repair and maintenance history and I thought they might "feel funny" driving, being a hybrid with all the switching back and forth between gas and electric power. She was very nice about it and raved about the car. She then commented that EVERYBODY, just everybody, asks her about the car. I felt embarrassed, as I felt I was being intrusive. I had never thought that this poor woman gets hundreds of inquiries about her auto. I can imagine that if one was constantly approached by strangers to chat about a car that one would never have enough time to get the errands done. I'll never do it again.
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chisue
17 years ago
If you drive an antique car people wave and give you a 'thumbs up'. I got that a lot with my Austin Healey 3000. There was a little of it when I drove the XJS; women reacted with an "Oo-la-la" expression; men wanted to know how 12 cylinders felt when excelerating -- OK, they wanted to drive it!

Funny thing about people and cars. At one time we owned a Jaguar and a VW Golf. I had to remember what I was driving because people reacted differently at the four-way stop near our home. If I was in the Jaguar, people yielded even if it was actually their turn to proceed. (They'd stopped before I did.) Opposite applied if I was driving the little car.
angelaid
17 years ago
We had an old 64 or 65 Bronco once. I hated, hated, hated that thing with a passion. It had been sitting out in a field for years before DH rescued it. I mean, it was overgrown with weeds INSIDE, creepy crawlies were living in it...every time I got in it, some sort of bug would appear out of no where to scare the crap out of me. The whole electrical system went out driving down the highway in a blizzard at about 11:00 at night, and we were two hours from home. No lights, no windshield wipers. Thankfully, we were able to follow another truck's taillights all the way into town.
Larry loved that little thing. (Did I mention I HATED it? LOL)
But every time we pulled into a parking lot, gas station, etc., someone would come up and offer to buy it. And the guys would all gather 'round talking about the memories it brought up.
We finally sold it but DH still gets sentimental every time he sees it driving around town.
azzalea
Original Author
17 years ago
Love all your stories.

Dilly--I, too, have a lot of people approach me to ask about my car. I don't mind a bit, and have often given a 'tour' of the interior to someone who was curious about it, and even used to keep business cards from my saleswoman (she was great) to hand out if anyone was interested. Obviously, I can't speak for the woman you were talking with, but I'm happy to talk to anyone about my FJ.

I don't know if there are FJ clubs--I imagine there probably are. Probably off-roaders (my baby's never ridden on anything but paved roads, I'm afraid).

Oh--an Austin Healy? LOVE Austins. Think one of my boyfriends--centuries ago, of course--had a little Austin. Have no idea what model, but it was cute as anything, and such fun to ride in.

Angelaid--glad you got home from that trip. How terrifying (I can see why you might HATE that truck--LOL)!
Jasdip
17 years ago
I always talk to people who are driving cars I want, or think are cool, to get their opinion. Dodge Daytona owners love their cars, and I love the looks of them too. Them and Challengers are still a cool sight to see and always turn people's heads.
OklaMoni
17 years ago
I drive a mini cooper, and all mini cooper drivers wave to each other. ;)

It gives a nice feeling.

Moni... who LOVES driving her car!
trishaw
17 years ago
I did when I drove my Mustang. All the men would gather around it and drool. Now I drive the same old truck that every other farmer in our town drives. Our Jeep is somewhat of an oddity. We bought it used about 10 years ago. Not that the Jeep itself is odd, just like every Jeep Cherokee but we have a weird paint job. Dark blue with this weird splash thing painted along both sides. Every one knows our car and waves at us.

Trish
kathy_
17 years ago
I have a Chevy HHR. I thought it was unusual, but I see them everywhere now. Sometimes we wave and sometimes not.
Mine is a dark granite color - not quite black. It looks like the third one down on the left.
It reminds me of the old "panel vans" my neighbor used to drive. I get some second looks with it and an old man smiled at it once. Brought back memories for him too.
Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: HHR
MiMi
17 years ago
Yep. .pretty much
glenda_al
17 years ago
My ex drives a BMW Z4, as I was told recently.

Looked up the price on the internet.

Today, driving around, I passed 3.
Looked to see who was the driver.
cynic
17 years ago
In the Mini Cooper, you're down so low, you could wave to the roadkill, couldn't you?? ;)

I drive a modern-day version of the family truckster the mini van. If I tried to strike up a conversation with everyone who owns a Dodge Caravan... good grief, I'd get even *less* done than now! :)

I guess my 74 Courier was very unique at the time. They were new to the area and I had wanted one for years. My first new vehicle too. It was "camouflaged" and stood out at the same time. Driving down the road, in the country, farmers thought you were just another plowboy in a pickup. In town it was rather unique. Pickups weren't a common vehicle for people to own for everyday use unless there was a hauling need.

Also had a 280zx. Different, but not unique, I guess.
whidbeykathy
17 years ago
We drive a Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV. Today I saw one at Safeway, the only other one I have ever seen. It had Florida plates on it, I actually waited to talk to the people driving it!{{!gwi}}
bulldinkie
17 years ago
when hubby and
i take one of his collector cars,people wave and stare..
i drive a cadillac escalade,alot of teenagers look,no one ever waved
i only see the red once in great while theyre ususally black,white.
maryanntx
17 years ago
My car? no
My motorcycle? Yes, people want to talk, and many, many wave.

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