If you drive an expensive car you're probably a jerk, scientists say

[Tambohamilton]

Having commuted by bike (push bike, not motor bike) for about 3 years, covering between 5000 - 7500 miles per year, I feel I'm reasonably well positioned to have an opinion on which car brand is driven least considerately...

ANY car can be driven inconsiderately. I've seen it, and got the brown stains in my underwear from it However, it seems like there are 2 extremes who are generally less considerate, and a middle ground who are generally more considerate;

Fancy range rover sport, flashy Audi, BMW (yep, us!), 'executive' Vauxhall (Opel/GM), fancy Merc...way more likely to blast past me at 60mph, barely clearing my handlebar. Same goes for more shitbox cars; beat up old...anythings. The drivers seemed to not give a fuck about me or my life, either way.

On the other hand, your average Joe cars (non-R golfs, civics, fiats, Peugeot, Citroen, etc ...normal non-racy cars), way more likely to at least slow a bit and/or change lane to pass me.

Of course the worst offenders in my observations are the exception, not the rule. But I swear the pattern was there, and I certainly wasn't looking for it. I never went a week without an 'incident' that gave me an adrenaline spike; at least once a day was normal. I can't claim to have ridden like a saint, but I was always very visibly dressed and lit up at least. And being acutely aware how dead I would be if I actually got hit, I did my best to stay out of trouble.

Since owning my 330d I've hardly commuted by bike. It's too tempting and easy to drive, and honestly I don't want to die because somebody couldn't be bothered to lift their right toe and/or turn the steering wheel clockwise (UK!) by a few mm. I tried to get back into it now that I have a much shorter commute, but within a week I came very close to being flattened by a driver who just didn't give way at a roundabout until the very last second. I'm done with it.

Do I agree with this article though? No. Shit like that is purely provocative, and should never be published. Doesn't matter if the massive generalisation is true, it just doesn't deserve air time.

Oh and thank you to everyone who gives cyclists space on the road. I know we're slow and small, but we're trying to save money and the planet and get fit and maybe have fun at the same time...

[N54Yankee]

Once I read the title and it was a cnn piece I pretty much knew where it was going. University in Vegas and Finland chiming in sealed the deal. First they didn’t even mention a price at which a car becomes an expensive flashy car from your basic utility transport vehicle. Then they dragged race into as well. I’m almost surprised they didn’t find a way to work the President into the story as a catalyst. Pathetic, like everything else they do.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by newcar55

You guys have to realize that posting on a BMW forum makes you the minority. Just because you all drive carefully means nothing. The vast majority of people buying Mercedes, BMW, and Audi do it for the badge so they can flex on Instagram or show their neighbors how rich they are. There's nothing we can do about it unfortunately :

Don't forget to add Ford!

Example: A Ford Raptor *starts* at $53,205.

This is why the article makes zero sense.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

That source directly from a socialist. Its not the car they are targeting but a successful capitalist. The expensive car is just a side effect. You could take out car and put in luxury watch, big home, boat, etc... Anything that is a byproduct of being a successful capitalist is their target. This fraud study has been debunked on other forums.

I am sorry they are so pissed off with their life and need to try to shame others that are successful and happy.
Consider the network source and who funded the study. Just let it fade away into digital smoke.

They're pissed that the job market thinks their Pre-Columbian Feminist Sculpture degree is only worth $35K/year despite the fact that they're $250K in hock in student loans. I don't blame them for being pissed, but they shouldn't be pissed at me; they did it to themselves. And their parents are spineless shit-bags for standing by and letting them do it.

[Darth One]

The hell with what they say...I don't need no BMW to be a jerk

[clutchdj]

How Dare You!

[c1pher]

I’m guessing if you were poor before you were a rich jerk, you were probably a poor jerk. I literally had nothing starting out. I’m not a Mike Bloomberg but I do feel like a jerk when people tell me they can’t do this or that. If you are remotely able bodied, you can be a success if you put in the work.

Bottom line, I grew up with cool car posters on my wall hoping I might drive something like them one day. And now I do.

[..Rush..]

Where I live, there are more aggressive driving jerks in souped-up Ford F150s, and SUV's than people driving in 'nice' cars.

I just got it today. Drove with the top down in nice weather, and all sorts of aggressive jerks in pickup trucks tailgating, and cutting in front of me.

[Germanauto]

There are far too many exceptions and different types of people buying expensive vehicles of all types. It's really difficult to quantify this. People who guy a Merc E300 are going to be a different demographic than those buying M3s for example. Not all "expensive" cars are created equal. And there are plenty of "jerks" driving "regular" cars too, notably pickup trucks, cars for people with poor credit like Nissan/Kia, etc. There are far too many variables at play including the country such studies get conducted in. The demographics of people differ as do the cars sold in the market.

With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if some correlation exists. Wealthier people are likely be more proud of their life achievements and carry themselves with more confidence, this probably translates into a bit of a superiority complex behind the wheel (especially when you can afford a more capable/higher performing car). I'll admit this is certainly the case with me.

[pennsiveguy]

If you're confident, ambitious, above-average IQ and a hard worker you're likely to be successful. If you're successful, you'll be able to afford a nice car. And when you're driving your nice car, the same attributes that made you successful will make driving amongst all the drooling dumb-fucks of the world really aggravating. Which will make you confident and assertive - perhaps aggressive - in your driving habits. This isn't a mystery.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by pennsiveguy

If you're confident, ambitious, above-average IQ and a hard worker you're likely to be successful. If you're successful, you'll be able to afford a nice car. And when you're driving your nice car, the same attributes that made you successful will make driving amongst all the drooling dumb-fucks of the world really aggravating. Which will make you confident and assertive - perhaps aggressive - in your driving habits. This isn't a mystery.

Nobody will admit it but subconsciously this is probably what goes through their minds.

On the flipside, there are a lot of losers with nothing going for them who drive aggressively/arrogantly because it's the only sense of dominance/control they have in their lives. You notice it easily when you go into a lower income and/or working class part of town, doesn't matter the race of the people living there. There's a lot of folks with poor impulse control and nothing to lose.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Nobody will admit it but subconsciously this is probably what goes through their minds.

On the flipside, there are a lot of losers with nothing going for them who drive aggressively/arrogantly because it's the only sense of dominance/control they have in their lives. You notice it easily when you go into a lower income and/or working class part of town, doesn't matter the race of the people living there. There's a lot of folks with poor impulse control and nothing to lose.

Really well stated. Thank you.

[saeyedoc]

I'm a jerk anyway, would rather be one driving a nice car than not

[GenXer]

I say that if you drive an expensive car, it's more likely that you have an expensive watch.
Why don't they do a study on that?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I guess jerks are more successful in life. Idgaf, I'm proud to be one.

[NEfan508]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I guess jerks are more successful in life. Idgaf, I'm proud to be one.

I hear you but around my neck of the woods the most successful people I see (I'm a contractor) majority drive simple vehicles, Honda CRV, Subaru Outbacks or basic accords $25k'ish rides, modern but definitely not premium

I'm talking multi millionaires, they are flooded in the Boston burbs and in the villages all over Eastern Mass, highly educated highly motivated successful people don't-always buy the best they can afford

Notes: my most recent customer drives a Volvo blankety blank he's worth 10 mill easy, looks like a normal dude, you would want to have a beer with him (down to earth) and yes some look and act like aliens, try having lunch with a successful rich eccentric it's just weird

Yes: I would like a glass of water no ice please and a hamburger with 1 tomato ONLY, cooked middle rare 😐 I did not know if he's serious or that's the way he orders? He's paying for a $100k project so guess what I ordered the exact same lol

[NYBulldog]

I see a whole lotta dickheads in Accords, TLs and Camrys.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by NEfan508

I hear you but around my neck of the woods the most successful people I see (I'm a contractor) majority drive simple vehicles, Honda CRV, Subaru Outbacks or basic accords $25k'ish rides, modern but definitely not premium

I'm talking multi millionaires, they are flooded in the Boston burbs and in the villages all over Eastern Mass, highly educated highly motivated successful people don't-always buy the best they can afford

Notes: my most recent customer drives a Volvo blankety blank he's worth 10 mill easy, looks like a normal dude, you would want to have a beer with him (down to earth) and yes some look and act like aliens, try having lunch with a successful rich eccentric it's just weird

Yes: I would like a glass of water no ice please and a hamburger with 1 tomato ONLY, cooked middle rare �� I did not know if he's serious or that's the way he orders? He's paying for a $100k project so guess what I ordered the exact same lol

Interesting... perhaps they just are not into cars. I assume they spend their money elsewhere? Or just like to hoard it.

Reading your comment I think my meaning of successful was a much lower level than yours haha. I'm not multi millionaire, in fact my net worth right now is probably about minus 10 000$. But I have a good regular public service job that pays a bit more than average and a great car I love. Soon debt free and a house.

I guess I have a lot of work to do.

[gatorfast]

I prob drive like a jerk. I def drive fast and always seek to get to the head of the pack. I am not running red lights or blowing through stop signs or things like that though. But if you are going slower than I am in the left lane on the highway then all you will see is my car riding up on you in the rear view mirror. Im sure many people think I am being a jerk by tailgating but all I want to do it pass, nothing personal. On the flip side, there are times when I am shockingly not the fastest one on the road and I always move over quickly if I see someone coming up fast behind me.

[Sarg33]

LMAO they talked about this study on my local news channel this morning. The word is getting out soon all 'expensive car' drivers will be targeted by the police. lol :sarcasm intended:

[Conissah]

What if I drive both an expensive car and a cheapo beater...? The daily is a $2000 NA Miata, fun car is an M2C.

[Sarg33]

Originally Posted by Conissah

What if I drive both an expensive car and a cheapo beater...? The daily is a $2000 NA Miata, fun car is an M2C.

Well then, you are only a jerk when you are having fun.