Unwanted attention

[t1javelin]

I know this has been discussed before but I have an "unwanted attention" comment and a theft question for those with more knowledge than me. For background I purchased my CW FL5 about 5 weeks ago, and since it isn't a daily driver I have only had it out for any extended drivers about 5 or 6 times (just love the car BTW). I'm 61 so I have owned a few performance cars in the past (Mustang Cobra's, e90 M3's, f80 M3's, etc) so I am used to the occasional race challenge or rev'd engine next to me.

This CTR however seems to attract much more attention than I would have expected. Just the other day, trip to eye doc and late lunch (Central NJ area, about 45 min worth of driving) incurred 4 extremely close tailgaters (that back off and then run up to you for attention), a large dump truck tailing me and honking his horn, another guy in a slammed 90's civic ran up the right lane about 90 mph (dangerous), slowed with thumbs up and "filming" me with his phone (which was actually kind of funny). The highlight was at late lunch (about 2:30PM), my wife and I stop at a Mexican chain place, large parking lot, hardly anyone there (i.e. lots of empty spaces). As I said, I've had nice cars, so I know not to park totally isolated so as not to draw negative attention, so I parked a just 1 row out from the entrance. When I came out there was a beat up white Ford work van parked very close to the passenger side of the CTR (again there were a zillion empty spaces in the lot, so this was strange). Annoyed, I walked around the passenger side of my car kind of checking for any damage, and glanced in the van and the driver was sitting in the van, and quickly looked away from me. When I got home later, I read a couple threads on here about theft, alarms, etc. and thought, was that guy trying to steal my car? By way of intercepting the key fob signal, waiting for a flatbed, etc.? What do you think?

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[Jester04]

I know this has been discussed before but I have an "unwanted attention" comment and a theft question for those with more knowledge than me. For background I purchased my CW FL5 about 5 weeks ago, and since it isn't a daily driver I have only had it out for any extended drivers about 5 or 6 times (just love the car BTW). I'm 61 so I have owned a few performance cars in the past (Mustang Cobra's, e90 M3's, f80 M3's, etc) so I am used to the occasional race challenge or rev'd engine next to me.

This CTR however seems to attract much more attention than I would have expected. Just the other day, trip to eye doc and late lunch (Central NJ area, about 45 min worth of driving) incurred 4 extremely close tailgaters (that back off and then run up to you for attention), a large dump truck tailing me and honking his horn, another guy in a slammed 90's civic ran up the right lane about 90 mph (dangerous), slowed with thumbs up and "filming" me with his phone (which was actually kind of funny). The highlight was at late lunch (about 2:30PM), my wife and I stop at a Mexican chain place, large parking lot, hardly anyone there (i.e. lots of empty spaces). As I said, I've had nice cars, so I know not to park totally isolated so as not to draw negative attention, so I parked a just 1 row out from the entrance. When I came out there was a beat up white Ford work van parked very close to the passenger side of the CTR (again there were a zillion empty spaces in the lot, so this was strange). Annoyed, I walked around the passenger side of my car kind of checking for any damage, and glanced in the van and the driver was sitting in the van, and quickly looked away from me. When I got home later, I read a couple threads on here about theft, alarms, etc. and thought, was that guy trying to steal my car? By way of intercepting the key fob signal, waiting for a flatbed, etc.? What do you think?

I agree the car does bring wanted and unwanted attention. Yesterday I went to a event and I was one of the type R’s in the event only 2 FL5’s in the whole place. When I drove in all eyes were on the car.

Driving around have had multiple people pull up next to me looking for a race or just messing around. Its a byproduct of having a relatively rare car. I would garage it and not leave it outside. Mine sleeps safely in there.

 

[dathoneycomb]

I haven’t noticed that issue at all, but I don’t live in a big city. Most people in West Michigan don’t even know what a Type R is.

 

[ThanksGTA]

You could get a kill switch for peace of mind… aside from that if a determined thief wants it, not much you can do. Thankfully it’s a MT and most people don’t know how to even drive them anymore.

 

[t1javelin]

Agree with all of your points. Thanks. It's always weird the attention performance cars get when many people are driving around unnoticed in $80+K SUV's.

 

[Etherol]

I now choose to take my other vehicles for the smaller errands these days due to the over attention I get. You nailed it with the unwanted revs and dangerous driving near the car. I appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm but I just want to drive my car and not have to worry about some person riding my ass, driving erratically, or huge truck thinking that they can keep up (when I’m not even trying). It’s annoying and it’s made me think to myself, is this worth it?? Meh, I still have the car but still get annoyed. Safe driving all

 

[Jester04]

I now choose to take my other vehicles for the smaller errands these days due to the over attention I get. You nailed it with the unwanted revs and dangerous driving near the car. I appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm but I just want to drive my car and not have to worry about some person riding my ass, driving erratically, or huge truck thinking that they can keep up (when I’m not even trying). It’s annoying and it’s made me think to myself, is this worth it?? Meh, I still have the car but still get annoyed. Safe driving all

Yeah whatever happened to just a simple rolling down the window and giving a thumbs up. That is all it takes to give a compliment and not be dangerous in any way. I had a Focus RS try me the other day and had to blow his doors off to get him to stop trying me.?

 

[chopsuey34]

I haven’t noticed that issue at all, but I don’t live in a big city. Most people in West Michigan don’t even know what a Type R is.

In the land of big 3 crossovers and trucks, no one know what a hot hatch is, except for the occasional teenager.

 

[Cornercarver]

Not too many incidents with my FK8. I get tailgaters but that may not have anything to do with my car, some people can't drive or have issues. Yes, I do get some fast cars try to get me into a stoplight race. Not my thing as a rule, plus that is not where this car shines, so why bother?

On the bright side, was at Costco yesterday and someone was getting gas in the next lane in what turned out to be a 2018 STI, also in blue. Had a great, short conversation. He said he didn't see many Type R's in Aegean Blue.

He loves his STI, but wishes he had better bolstering in the seats. Had him sit in one of the front seats of the FK8 to get an idea. I heard him restart his car and admired that boxer rumble. So there is an upside to having something special when you can share your experiences. Doesn't have to be the same make - there is still a kinship. Last thing I said was ' hang on to that, they're not making any more'. Sad but true for the STI. Is it an older design? Yes. Still worthy.

The funny thing is that the FL5 has far less extroverted styling than the FK8, wing aside, so only those who know should be spotting it in the first place.
My favorite reaction to people seeing Blue Royal (yeah I named him) is 'What is that?'

 

[crepr12]

Yeah whatever happened to just a simple rolling down the window and giving a thumbs up. That is all it takes to give a compliment and not be dangerous in any way. I had a Focus RS try me the other day and had to blow his doors off to get him to stop trying me.?

Got to love the internet stories...smh....

 

[chopsuey34]

Agree with all of your points. Thanks. It's always weird the attention performance cars get when many people are driving around unnoticed in $80+K SUV's.

SUV's of most manufacturers fit in and are mostly anonymous. Sports cars just stand out from the mold. Normal people be spending $80k+ on trucks and SUVs but buy one use Porsche Boxster and suddenly you're Mr. Big Bucks. Looky here, how much was this guy's bonus??

 

[t1javelin]

SUV's of most manufacturers fit in and are mostly anonymous. Sports cars just stand out from the mold. Normal people be spending $80k+ on trucks and SUVs but buy one use Porsche Boxster and suddenly you're Mr. Big Bucks. Looky here, how much was this guy's bonus??

Exactly. Well said.

 

[CTR]

I live in a fairly small town but do get more attention when I drive in more populated areas. I feel like Championship White blends in a lot and I imagine some people don't even notice the black wing.

I bet Boost Blue or Rallye Red would get a lot more attention.

 

[dathoneycomb]

I imagine some people don't even notice the black wing.

I have a SGP and feel the same. I’m getting my wing color matched soon.

 

[Azkyrie]

I know this has been discussed before but I have an "unwanted attention" comment and a theft question for those with more knowledge than me. For background I purchased my CW FL5 about 5 weeks ago, and since it isn't a daily driver I have only had it out for any extended drivers about 5 or 6 times (just love the car BTW). I'm 61 so I have owned a few performance cars in the past (Mustang Cobra's, e90 M3's, f80 M3's, etc) so I am used to the occasional race challenge or rev'd engine next to me.

This CTR however seems to attract much more attention than I would have expected. Just the other day, trip to eye doc and late lunch (Central NJ area, about 45 min worth of driving) incurred 4 extremely close tailgaters (that back off and then run up to you for attention), a large dump truck tailing me and honking his horn, another guy in a slammed 90's civic ran up the right lane about 90 mph (dangerous), slowed with thumbs up and "filming" me with his phone (which was actually kind of funny). The highlight was at late lunch (about 2:30PM), my wife and I stop at a Mexican chain place, large parking lot, hardly anyone there (i.e. lots of empty spaces). As I said, I've had nice cars, so I know not to park totally isolated so as not to draw negative attention, so I parked a just 1 row out from the entrance. When I came out there was a beat up white Ford work van parked very close to the passenger side of the CTR (again there were a zillion empty spaces in the lot, so this was strange). Annoyed, I walked around the passenger side of my car kind of checking for any damage, and glanced in the van and the driver was sitting in the van, and quickly looked away from me. When I got home later, I read a couple threads on here about theft, alarms, etc. and thought, was that guy trying to steal my car? By way of intercepting the key fob signal, waiting for a flatbed, etc.? What do you think?

seems like the only real solution is to sell you’re very nice CTR. But I understand your concern.

type R’s have always been a target of theft, even though There was only the Integra type R until 2017. The two largest concerns are relay attack to steal your key fob codes and CANbus injection. That’s where they can secretly tap into your headlight wiring. From there they buy a dark market device to access your ECU to start your car and drive it away.

this can seem extreme but I’ve ordered a steering wheel lock and a kill switch for the Integra type S.

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