When it comes to bad driving, it’s the person behind the wheel that makes all the difference – and the internet has singled out Nissan Altima drivers as the main culprit.
Since first hitting the road in 1992, the drivers of the humble sedan have been the punchline for never-ending jokes.
The cars now have their own cult on the internet, with enthusiasts uploading photos and videos on the theme of Big Altima Energy – or BAE – which is characterized by car crashes, hair-raising police chases and hilarious bugs.
Some petrolheads insist motorists guilty of BAE aren’t limited to Altima drivers. One Reddit user described the presumption that it’s “an idea, feeling, or lifestyle that goes beyond a specific car or brand…BAE means being as trashy as possible.”
One wild clip shows a woman going into a frenzy after an Altima driver rammed her car. Many say their awkward behavior also falls under “Big Altima Energy.”
While social media has always been awash with wild street brawls and stupid driving videos, the emergence of Big Altima Energy seems to be more of a niche business.
The enthusiasm stems 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 accountability,” one social media user commented on the trend.
They explained that while a BMW, another car with a reputation for being a bad driver, might block someone’s path, their drivers would still likely see if there was room because “they’re still looking into what happened to their.” vehicle happened”.
“An Altima driver doesn’t care if their front bumper is missing,” they added. “If you’re in the way, they won’t mind taking another dent.”
According to a study by the insurance comparison portal value penguinNissan 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 wrecks involving the frontrunner, Ford F-Series trucks, over the same period.
Supporters of the “Big Altima Energy” trend often find that it stems from a negligence where drivers “don’t mind taking another dent.”
Motorists who show “BAE” want to be “as trashy as possible,” according to social media
One hair-raising clip shows an Altima speeding down a residential street, pursued by a squad 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 depicting wacky, off-kilter situations.
In a viral video shared on a BAE website Facebook On the page, a woman was seen smashing the front bumper of an Altima after it struck her car. With the ever-growing crowd roaring at the scene, the driver then appears to provide a perfect example of “Big Altima Energy.”
Without thinking about his own ailing engine, the driver crashes into the woman’s car, repeatedly denting and damaging the vehicle.
Some viewers added that the woman’s anger is also a typical example of the power Altima seems to wield over people, with one describing her as “messed up.”
Another absurdity Fiasco saw inspired by Altima A family stood chatting at the side of the road as one of the Nissans sped past them at breakneck speed.
The Altima was quickly followed by two police cars, who lit up the street as onlookers said the daredevil chase was typical of “Altima Energy.”
Many note that “Big Altima Energy” is not limited to the Nissan cars, but rather is a “feeling” for cheesy, crazy, or sometimes even scary drivers. Pictured here is a Toyota Corolla for sale, although it appears to be covered in blood
Altima drivers are known for their laissez-faire and careless attitude towards their busted engines, driving around with glaring damage from their many car accidents
In a statement to DailyMail.com, Nissan said it “promotes safe and considerate driving” and “all motorists have a responsibility to obey traffic laws wherever they drive their vehicle.”
Ironically, the reason Altimas have earned a reputation for crashes and failures may be due to an advantage the cars had over a decade ago.
In 2002, Nissan was a leader in manufacturing engines 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, the CVTs ensure that the engine’s pistons fire at the most efficient rate.
This essentially gave the cars powerful acceleration that catapulted them off the finish line and gave their drivers an extra boost in situations like an overtake.