Anyone else experiencing "haters"?

[prizius]

Hey everyone - new guy here. Bought my Prius in April, and to say I love it would be a gross understatement.

OK, here's the deal. I live/drive in Metro Phoenix, AZ. Traffic and motorist behavior are pretty bad here, but ever since I've started driving my Prius, it seems like people are:

- Going "out of their way" to pass me aggressively

- Tailgating (especially lifted trucks/SUV's)

- Blowing me off at 4 way stops, right of way situations, etc.

- Not letting me into traffic, or into another lane, etc., when I'm signaling and attempting to merge

- "Name your own" aggressive behavior

I'm not a super slow driver, and I'm very conscientious of my overall driving habits and what's going on around me. I was driving an Infiniti G-35 before my Prius, so I'm no stranger to driving fast, aggressively, whatever.

I'm pretty sure that all this isn't my imagination - anyone else experiencing this type of thing? Are people pissed off because I'm not getting killed by gas prices and I can drive in the HOV lane?

[Joekc]

Originally Posted by prizius

Hey everyone - new guy here. Bought my Prius in April, and to say I love it would be a gross understatement.

OK, here's the deal. I live/drive in Metro Phoenix, AZ. Traffic and motorist behavior are pretty bad here, but ever since I've started driving my Prius, it seems like people are:

- Going "out of their way" to pass me aggressively

- Tailgating (especially lifted trucks/SUV's)

- Blowing me off at 4 way stops, right of way situations, etc.

- Not letting me into traffic, or into another lane, etc., when I'm signaling and attempting to merge

- "Name your own" aggressive behavior

I'm not a super slow driver, and I'm very conscientious of my overall driving habits and what's going on around me. I was driving an Infiniti G-35 before my Prius, so I'm no stranger to driving fast, aggressively, whatever.

I'm pretty sure that all this isn't my imagination - anyone else experiencing this type of thing? Are people pissed off because I'm not getting killed by gas prices and I can drive in the HOV lane?

All of the above, except HOV. We don't have them in Kansas City. Around here it's pickup trucks full of ugly dogs and dirty kids (or is it the other way around?)

[PRIUS4J]

I'm also in the Phoenix area and you just described everything I've noticed since getting my Prius! My son thought I was imagining it until I let him borrow the car one day and he came back complaining of the same things. Maybe they just need to get used to us here in the desert?

[mingoglia]

I don't know. Do you have any ridiculous bumper stickers? If not, maybe it's the way you drive. I have yet to have anyone treat me any different at all In the phoenix metro area (I commute from Gilbert to Tempe mon-fri) than any other vehicle I've owned. In fact, I own 3 other vehicles so I can compare the treatment between each, although I do drive the Prius 95% of the time. About all I get are the guys walking up at the gas pump saying, "you think you'll ever make up the premium for that thing?".

Mike

[prizius]

Originally Posted by mingoglia

I don't know. Do you have any ridiculous bumper stickers? If not, maybe it's the way you drive. I have yet to have anyone treat me any different at all In the phoenix metro area (I commute from Gilbert to Tempe mon-fri) than any other vehicle I've owned. In fact, I own 3 other vehicles so I can compare the treatment between each, although I do drive the Prius 95% of the time. About all I get are the guys walking up at the gas pump saying, "you think you'll ever make up the premium for that thing?".

Mike

Dude - no stickers, nothing like that. And as far as the way I drive, I swear I'm totally courteous, drive in the correct lane for my speed, etc. If traffic is going 75-80, I'll go 75-80. Funny, I actually drive from Gilbert to Phoenix (on the Tempe border). Even my carpool buddy is like dude, you're getting NO respect!! And he pooled with me prior to the Prius when I drove my G-35.

Who knows??

[mingoglia]

Originally Posted by prizius

Dude - no stickers, nothing like that. And as far as the way I drive, I swear I'm totally courteous, drive in the correct lane for my speed, etc. If traffic is going 75-80, I'll go 75-80. Funny, I actually drive from Gilbert to Phoenix (on the Tempe border). Even my carpool buddy is like dude, you're getting NO respect!! And he pooled with me prior to the Prius when I drove my G-35.

Who knows??

Strange, I don't know. Seriously, I haven't seen anything. I get on the southern part of the 202 (the one by pecos)... take that to the 101, then get off at Rio Salado... on the way home I take Mill down to the 60, get on and move over to the car pool lane. I get off at Stapley and take that south to get home. That's my typical route. I was commuting down town for a few months, but other than that my Prius ownership (the past 8 months) has consisted more or less that same route.

[Barcelona Red Lass]

My husband's been to Phoenix several times in the last few months, and he says Phoenix drivers are unquestionably the worst in the US. He and I have both seen the prius envy in action, though.

[GatorJZ]

Are you coming from a larger car/truck/SUV into a Prius. If so, that is the explanation....you don't have a target painted on you because of your Prius. Imagine how the people driving "Smart" cars are feeling.

[TravelBliss]

I feel it too...
just jealous haters who can't stand the idea that others have a better car....
It will only get worse when gas hits $5 /gallon !!!

[jeepster7u2]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I have not seen any "haters" down here in Tucson, but I do have a friend from Phoenix and he said that the “Prius Gangs” up in Phoenix pick on other drivers that do not drive a Prius. I drive to Sun City a few times a month and haven’t had any problems, well yet…[/FONT]