Other driver: "Is that a Tesla?"

frankiebones · 05-11-2021, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3dbimmer89

Wow...I've heard it all... until I think back to that time I saw lady in Tesla pull up next to me at Shell station, got out and was looking for the gas tank... I really hoped it was her brother's car she was "borrowing"

https://www.facebook.com/justinflomo...88628478299721

I had to search for it but I remember seeing this. I am not convinced it wasn't a joke.

mkoesel · 05-11-2021, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killhour

Never attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence

Call me unimaginative, but that's just it - I cannot explain someone mistaking a car that doesn't look even slightly like a Tesla, wearing obviously non-Tesla badging, for a Tesla as incompetence. Is it possible? Sure. But I think the guy knows exactly what a Tesla looks like, and also believes (incorrectly or not) that a typical high performance BMW driver would be both caught totally off guard if their car were identified as one and also not take kindly to the remark.

So, I'm sticking with troll.

killhour · 05-11-2021, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Call me unimaginative, but that's just it - I cannot explain someone mistaking a car that doesn't look even slightly like a Tesla, wearing obviously non-Tesla badging, for a Tesla as incompetence. Is it possible? Sure. But I think the guy knows exactly what a Tesla looks like, and also believes (incorrectly or not) that a typical high performance BMW driver would be both caught totally off guard if their car were identified as one and also not take kindly to the remark.

So, I'm sticking with troll.

I've seen people incorrectly identify the car they were currently driving - on multiple occasions. I've asked people what they drive and been told "I don't know." Tesla is "cool" therefore, all "cool" looking cars are Teslas.

snareman · 05-11-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankiebones

Quote:

Originally Posted by killhour

99% of people have no idea about cars. Nearly every "fast looking" car I've owned had at least one person ask if it was a Ferrari. I had someone ask me if my Aston Martin was a Corvette and then when I told them it was an Aston, they were disappointed and said "you should have bought a Corvette."

It's the American-centric perspective wherein people think the corvette is the pinnacle of American performance (and they're not wrong) and thus performance in general. The problem is that American performance doesn't stack up with European.

I love this country, I have voted in every election since I turned 18 (state and local) but I feel privileged that I have the financial means to buy a German car lol.

My Cadillac and Corvette owning parents tried to talk me in to a roughly same priced Corvette, but I passed. Super cool cool car, but I'll take the German one. Equally cool (just not to them) and a bunch more practical. I always tell them their car was made in Kentucky by some guy named Lenny.

evilalien · 05-11-2021, 02:52 PM

Tesla? Come on. Everyone knows it’s basically exactly the same as a Porsche 911

Der_Wolf · 05-11-2021, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

My Cadillac and Corvette owning parents tried to talk me in to a roughly same priced Corvette, but I passed. Super cool cool car, but I'll take the German one. Equally cool (just not to them) and a bunch more practical. I always tell them their car was made in Kentucky by some guy named Lenny.

Hahaha. Equally cool to them maybe, but the BMW is much cooler than the Vette in my opinion. I've never cared for them at all. As far as American sports cars go, I was always a fan of the Viper. I even thought the 2017 models were cool.

02M3ForMe · 05-11-2021, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

IMHO they were deliberately "low-key trolling" you and trying to see how you'd react. Sounds like you got a laugh out of it, so no harm done.

The psychology of new car ownership probably favors a less friendly reaction, on average. The trolling party in this case was likely hoping to elicit some anger or at least some type of indication that you were offended. Instead, you just thought they were kind of stupid.

I just had something like this experience at a local car meet.

A guy walked up to me and asked me, "How do you like your 4-series?" I responded, "Super comfortable!

"

snareman · 05-11-2021, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

I just had something like this experience at a local car meet.

A guy walked up to me and asked me, "How do you like your 4-series?" I responded, "Super comfortable!

"

I mean, it is technically a 4 series.

02M3ForMe · 05-11-2021, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

I mean, it is technically a 4 series.

Sure, but I think most can tell when they’re being needled. Oddly, after my response, then all the real M4 questions came pouring out. You had to be there.

Obviously, I couldn’t care less whether people genuinely get it wrong. There’s very low awareness of this car outside of online BMW enthusiast communities. Intent matters.

snareman · 05-11-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

Sure, but I think most can tell when they’re being needled. Oddly, after my response, then all the real M4 questions came pouring out. You had to be there.

Obviously, I couldn’t care less whether people genuinely get it wrong. There’s very low awareness of this car outside of online BMW enthusiast communities. Intent matters.

Yea, people are generally clueless. I was admittedly clueless about MB models before I started looking at the C63 AMG and am still not too bright on Lexus models, although I'd never consider one with that hideous grille. Sure, BMWs might not be great, but that one is REALLY bad.

02M3ForMe · 05-11-2021, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

Yea, people are generally clueless. I was admittedly clueless about MB models before I started looking at the C63 AMG and am still not too bright on Lexus models, although I'd never consider one with that hideous grille. Sure, BMWs might not be great, but that one is REALLY bad.

And that’s before touching on the way they drive.

themnmd · 05-11-2021, 08:50 PM

Oh sorry is this the Tesla forum?

Jacky Treehorn · 05-14-2021, 03:19 PM

Man...a Tesla ? Of all the cars....

The most often one I get: "is that a ferrari? Or does that have a ferrari engine in it? Or, what is that car, I've never seen one before"

You can't blame people really that are clueless about cars, they just blurt out what it looks like to them!

05-11-2021, 02:52 PM	#27
evilalien Lieutenant 451 Rep 587 Posts Drives: MY22 M3 Competition xDrive Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Tesla? Come on. Everyone knows it’s basically exactly the same as a Porsche 911
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-11-2021, 08:50 PM	#34
themnmd Colonel 1691 Rep 2,699 Posts Drives: 23 X5MC Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: San Rafael CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i X [0.00]	Oh sorry is this the Tesla forum?
	Appreciate 2 02M3ForMe4261.50 mkoesel7509.50 Quote

05-14-2021, 03:19 PM	#35
Jacky Treehorn Private First Class 135 Rep 115 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Man...a Tesla ? Of all the cars.... The most often one I get: "is that a ferrari? Or does that have a ferrari engine in it? Or, what is that car, I've never seen one before" You can't blame people really that are clueless about cars, they just blurt out what it looks like to them!
	Appreciate 0 Quote