When it comes to bad driving, it’s the person behind the wheel that makes all the difference – and the internet has identified Nissan Altima drivers as the main culprits.
Since it first hit the streets in 1992, the drivers of the humble sedan have been the butt of never-ending jokes.
The cars now have their own cult on the Internet: Enthusiasts upload photos and videos on the theme of “Big Altima Energy” – or BAE – which is characterized by car accidents, hair-raising police chases and comical mistakes.
Some petrolheads insist motorists guilty of BAE are not limited to Altima drivers. One Reddit user described the suggestion that it is “an idea, feeling or lifestyle that goes beyond a specific car or brand… BAE means being as trashy as possible.”
A wild clip shows a woman going into a frenzy after an Altima driver clips her car. Many say their bumbling behavior also falls under “Big Altima Energy.”
While social media has always been flooded with wild street brawls and stupid driving videos, the emergence of Big Altima Energy appears to be more of a niche business.
The enthusiasm comes from a reckless, laissez-faire attitude towards the road, with drivers driving around without windows or with large dents and not caring about the damage.
“What really defines BAE is a complete lack of responsibility,” one social media user commented on the trend.
They explained that while a BMW, another car with a reputation for bad driving, might cut someone off, their drivers would probably still check to see if there was room for it because “they still care about what’s going on with their car.” Vehicle happened”.
“An Altima driver doesn’t care that his front bumper is missing,” they added. “If you’re in the way, they won’t mind taking another dent.”
According to a study by insurance comparison site Value Penguin, Nissan Altimas were the ninth most car involved in a fatal accident from 2013 to 2018 – although the vehicles accounted for only about a third of the 10,845 car accidents involving the front-runner Ford F-Series trucks In the same period.
Supporters of the “Big Altima Energy” trend often note that it is based on negligence where drivers “don’t mind taking another dent.”
Drivers who display “BAE” want to be “as trashy as possible,” according to social media
A hair-raising clip shows an Altima speeding down a residential street, pursued by a patrol car
The rise of “Big Altima Energy” follows in the footsteps of other hilarious internet memes like “Karens” asking to see the manager, with clips of BAE behavior often showing crazy, unhinged situations.
In a viral video shared on a BAE-owned Facebook page, a woman was seen hitting the front bumper of an Altima after it struck her car. With the ever-increasing crowd roaring at the scene, the driver then apparently provides a perfect example of “Big Altima Energy.”
Without thinking about his own broken engine, the driver races into the woman’s car and repeatedly dents and damages the vehicle.
Some viewers added that the woman’s anger was also a typical example of the power Altima seems to have over people, with one of them describing her as “messed up.”
In another absurd Altima-inspired fiasco, a family was standing on the side of the road chatting when one of the Nissans flew past them at breakneck speed.
The Altima was quickly followed by two police cars that lit up the street as onlookers said the daring chase was typical of “Altima Energy.”
Many note that “Big Altima Energy” is not limited to Nissan cars, but rather is a “feeling” for cheesy, crazy, or sometimes even scary drivers. Pictured here is a Toyota Corolla that is for sale, although it appears to be covered in blood
Altima drivers are known for their laissez-faire and carefree attitude towards their broken engines, which they drive around with glaring damage from their many car accidents
In a statement to , Nissan said it “promotes safe and considerate driving” and “all motorists are responsible for obeying traffic laws wherever they drive their vehicles.”
Ironically, the reason Altimas have earned a reputation for accidents and failures may be because of an advantage the cars had over a decade ago.
In 2002, Nissan was a leader in engine production and was among the first automakers to install continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) in their cars.
Within a few years, many Nissans were upgraded with this technology, including Altimas. Thanks to the large gear ratios, CVTs ensure that the engine’s pistons fire at the most efficient rate.
This essentially gave the cars powerful acceleration, catapulting them off the finish line and giving their drivers an extra boost in situations like overtaking.