What's Up With Middle Aged Toyota Drivers?

[Skippy]

As I mentioned in another thread, my motorcycle was hit while parked in a parking lot. That got me thinking about another accident where a vehicle of mine (this time a Lincoln Town Car) was hit while parked in a parking lot. In both cases, the offending vehicle was a Toyota pickup driven by a middle aged person. Then I thought about it some more and realized that the last two near misses I've had on my bicycle due to inattentive cagers were with middle aged men in Toyota Camrys. What's going on here?

[Solid Snake]

That is interesting... I've only been physically hit by one car while parked, where they lifted their wheels off the ground on my bumper

Maaaaaany near misses from Volvos though... maybe the Toyota drivers are jealous?

[tbomachines]

Around here its large luxury SUVs. They will simply pay any tickets and damage (if caught)...kind of scary. We have nasty accidents all the time, a few weeks ago a 22 year old girl was hit and killed by you guessed it, a luxury SUV who didn't see her in the crosswalk. News helicopters flying overhead tonight too, not a good sign.

edit: nevermind about the helicopters...er...just found out some guy was shot outside the neighborhood bar (less than 1/2 mile away from me). Scary to think I'm usually there or across the street on Tuesdays. C'est la vie.

[Skippy]

I guess it's good that the drivers who hit me at least stuck around. The first one wanted to take care of it without involving insurance. I asked for $150 to cover the minor damage her bumper did to my Lincoln. I got it and called it good. Second one is going through insurance. Bike is in the shop now.

[The Clk Man]

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

That is interesting... I've only been physically hit by one car while parked, where they lifted their wheels off the ground on my bumper

Maaaaaany near misses from Volvos though... maybe the Toyota drivers are jealous?

I'm middle aged and I use to drive Volvos. Hmmmm....

[jcyuhn]

As a driver, motorcycle rider, bicyclist, and sometime pedestrian, I share your fear of Toyotas. Actually, the Lexus sub-species is worse, but Toyota products in general put me on alert.

I have a theory. On the one hand, it's simple statistics - Toyota sells a lot of vehicles. On the other hand, it's the kind of people who purchase toyotas - it's a car for people that don't give a **** about driving. If you don't car about the car, or driving it well, how much attention, care, and skill are you going to apply to operating it?

My $.02.

[E150GT]

as a side note. does anyone else notice how offensive the newer tundras headlights are? At night whether they are behind or beside me when they drive up on my I am blinded. i look over and sure enough its a tundra. Makes me hate em even more.

[t walgamuth]

I have had a vague though boiling in my mind recently and this thread brought it to a head. Toyotas are the new Buick. (But Buick drivers still suck as much as ever). Mini vans are in there somewhere too but I think Buicks and Toyotas are the kings of lousy drivers.

[Can't Know]

Around here it's even odds whether the bad driver is behind the wheel of a VW or a Prius.

[MBeige]

Originally Posted by E150GT

as a side note. does anyone else notice how offensive the newer tundras headlights are? At night whether they are behind or beside me when they drive up on my I am blinded. i look over and sure enough its a tundra. Makes me hate em even more.

Same goes w/ Tacoma trucks.

[LandYaghtLover]

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

...On the other hand, it's the kind of people who purchase toyotas - it's a car for people that don't give a **** about driving. If you don't car about the car, or driving it well, how much attention, care, and skill are you going to apply to operating it?

My $.02.

I agree with this one. My friend, a Prius driver, is a HORRIBLE driver. Of course, its ALWAYS the other persons fault or he has excuse (blind spot, etc). And he does not get why I drive a Benz. He thinks its uncomfortable and too expensive. He really has no clue what a "good car" is or why some new cars cost around $100k. He goes on about Toyota being #1 in build quality. Which is complete crap if you have ever driven inside any Totyota product. IN the Prius parts flex, it rattles, parts on the outside keep falling off. But I guess if a lie is told enough it becomes the truth.

Anyway, I hate driving with him. He is also one to often go lower than the speed limit because he is so inattentive.

[Mike D]

"Middle aged"? "MIDDLE AGED"! Why you young whipper snapper, I've half a mind to send you a nasty text message and I will as soon as I figure out how to do this Ipod thingie touch screen doowhicky on this phone! Whoa! That was a close one, danged fools driving like fiends, that feller musta been doing at least 65 in this 40 zone. Now HE knows how to text, look at him typing away driving with his knees. I'd yell at him but he couldn't hear me over the bass a'booming and the fart can on the end of his exhaust pipe.


But yes, I do agree, Camrys are the new Buicks.

[Brian Carlton]

$hitboxes










Texting a bit too much with that $hitbox...............



The one in the middle sideswiped the SD trying to beat me onto the expressway..............pull out from behind and try to pass in the right lane before I can merge.

Of course, she denied the fault and her insurance company won't pay............have to take her to small claims............with no assurance of prevailing.

[elchivito]

What's a cager?

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by elchivito

What's a cager?

A "cager" drives a car or truck. I've seen the term used by both motorcyclists and bicyclists.

To some, the term is neutral. To others, it's pejorative, and refers to a car or truck driver who doesn't share the road well with two-wheelers. Yet others use it pityingly to refer to the poor sap (in their opinion) who, by driving a car or truck, isn't enjoying the glorious freedom of two-wheeled-ness.