Car Enthusiasts

[388cube_edxr8]

Lo all

Someone I was talking to the other day said that I as a car enthusiast are frowned upon by general society, and (in essence) will probably not amount to much. I nearly punched him in the face, but it got me thinking. Does anyone here have any evidence to the contrary?

Then again, this person lumped enthusiasts and hoons in the same category, and refused to be reasoned with, which I suspect is part of the problem.

I am no saint on the roads, but some people just redefine stupid (speeders in school zones, etc.), and I'm sick of being grouped with them because I have a modified car.

Sorry for going off topic in the first post of my own thread. Please respond to the top bit only, as I'm sure the rest is a repost.

[Road_Warrior]

Firstly, you should have punched him in the face anyway, because he sounds like he was a douche.

Secondly, Joe Average more than likely considers car enthusiasts and hoons to be one of the same. These same Mr and Mrs Average types probably listen to Alan Jones talkback and watch Today Tonight and drive Camrys.

My personal experience is that if you drive a modified car or ride a motorcycle, you're branded as an instant ******** by a large proportion of the great unwashed.

[RG]

Yes, punching them in the face would change their perspective on things...

[opto]

Mr and Mrs Average are boring, drive boring cars, have boring jobs, boring hobbies, boring missionary sex and they will never do anything special with their miserable lives.

[Bmobile]

I am a car enthusiast and proud of it. I feel I am no more of a danger than anyone else, and I feel I am a good driver. I have had a totally clean licence for over 15 years, I also hold a Heavy vehicle HR truck licence and drive both standard and modified cars.
It just pure stereotyipical hooo harrr.

The bloke that you thought about punching is what I like to call a DUMB ***, no stereotype there, you are either a dumb *** or are not a dumb ***, with no grey line about it.

[jphanna]

dont forget enthusiasts can be classified in many categories.

1. stock standard car (dont need hot machine to be enthusiastic)
2. highly modified engine
3. highly modified body
4. both 2 & 3
5. may drive boring car to work but have classic car (vintage etc) as hobby
6. may be very old (usually rich) but collection of euro classics, Ferraris, lambos etc and never drive them
7. may have a huge ‘doof doof’ system in their otherwise ordinary car
8. a wanna be (myself) drives ordinary cars but dreams of fastback 65 mustang
9. restores cars for hobby, but drives boring car to work
10. collectors who never drive them, but buy cars for sale…at the right time


not every person in this list can be considered a hoon.

[vztrt]

This Forum would be evidence.

There is a huge range of different people on here that all share a passion of cars.

If you look at what people on here do for a living and what they have achieved then that would would be contrary to this persons belief.

[dusty86]

that makes my blood boil, not amount to anything? I'm sorry he looks that way, I would say most people who have track cars such as your M3's lambo's etc... are all enthusiasts, and they sure as hell amount to a lot more than him.

From the other perspective yep I love cars, have a few and in the time and place use what they have, but i have full points on my licence, where as numb nuts apprentice at work isn't what I would consider an enthusiast and you guessed it has one point drives high and drives like a complete knob

[The Yeti]

what a crock of crap, being a car enthusiust makes you no more of a sorn of socity than being an opera enthusiust makes you a theres all kinds in all intrests and hobbys this guy is jsut narrow minded and trying to get a rise out of you

[pauljh74]

I'm sure many car enthusiasts will amount to much more than your acquaintance. From mechanics who do what he can't - to engineers to car designers who have more intelligence and ability in their little finger than that guy will ever have.

[Rodp]

Seems to me like you were only enforcing his stereotypical view of 'enthusiasts'. You nearly punched someone in the face for expressing their opinion...?!

[DeansXR8]

Originally Posted by RG

Yes, punching them in the face would change their perspective on things...

yeah, then do a burnout up the street, that'll change their perspective.

[LeadFoot81]

I think alot of the enthusiasts on here are just as bad as some of the non-enthusiasts (painting all members of the 'opposing side' with the same brush)

Having a v8 manual (that needs the occasional rev when driven) ive been stared at like i was clubbing a baby seal.

Regardless, not being into cars doesnt make someone a wet towel. Lots of people who arent into their cars live exciting and productive lives.

Some people just dont understand what the deal is with enthusiasts fussing over their cars, in the same vein some of us cant understand how you couldnt take even a little interest in your car. And there are extremists on either side of the fence. Yin and yang is just the nature of the universe (and some people are just a pain in the pooper)

[v8capri8]

the thing that gets me with this is when people tell you how to spend your own money.
take one of my wifes friends for example everytime i see her we end up in an argument shes always saying why do u waste so much money on them there just cars who cares about them. meanwhile the said person partys every weekend spending around 150-200 a nite and tells me i'm wasting money of the same value on stupid cars

[LeadFoot81]

Why do you care what she thinks though? Why waste precious cruising time arguing with your wifes friend?

Gotta live and let live mate (ang ignore the s*** stirrers)

[LeadFoot81]

Repost

[v8capri8]

i dont care what she thinks or anyone else for that matter she just gets under my skin real easy

[alter_EGOXR]

well i think the name car enthusiast has been tarnished by "ricers" (the ones who drive like modded up honda civics, and think they are part of the fast and furious crew)..you cant miss those kind of drivers, they usually have a fat cannon wacked on the back of a non turbo 1.8L engine and you can hear them miles away...its because of these drivers, real car enthusiasts are looked down upon in todays society...and its these kind of drivers that race at speeds in excess of 150 on local suburban roads, and endanger everyones lives...its a shame that genuine car enthuasiasts are associated with those hoons...but yeah i agree with Road warrior, its guys who drive boring cars that seem to associate those hoons with real car enthusiasits...

[motorcycles4eva]

only an enthusiast knows the feeling..

if you punched it would it then put you in the category as a thug? maybe you should have removed the pole from its rear ? actually you should have taken it for a spin..

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by v8capri8

i dont care what she thinks or anyone else for that matter she just gets under my skin real easy

You could always punch her in the face. :

[motorcycles4eva]

:

[v8capri8]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

You could always punch her in the face. :

now that would be sweet
hahaha ing_sm

[paule11]

Originally Posted by hemank

well i think the name car enthusiast has been tarnished by "ricers" (the ones who drive like modded up honda civics, and think they are part of the fast and furious crew)..you cant miss those kind of drivers, they usually have a fat cannon wacked on the back of a non turbo 1.8L engine and you can hear them miles away...its because of these drivers, real car enthusiasts are looked down upon in todays society...and its these kind of drivers that race at speeds in excess of 150 on local suburban roads, and endanger everyones lives...its a shame that genuine car enthuasiasts are associated with those hoons...but yeah i agree with Road warrior, its guys who drive boring cars that seem to associate those hoons with real car enthusiasits...

I have never thought of them in that way as car enthusiasts always thought of them as misguided or sexually confused with the possibility of delayed mental development.

[VioletGT]

Im a enthusiast and a don't mind giving it a squirt everynow and then... my car is loud and 95% of the time i am going to speed limit. The police still pull me over.

[mik]

no doubt car enthusiast`s are frowned upon by some members of the public just as many look down on police ,lawyers ,politicians, bankers, car salesmen, truck drivers greedy oil company`s, collingwood, etc,etc, most are`nt bad but a few rotten apples make the rest look bad.

[fos408]

who gives a toss what they think

[GTP 290]

If you happen to bump into him again, ask his opinion on james morrison. Total car nut, hosts car enthusiast TV show loves his car yet he's a world class trumpet player? funny that.

[LeadFoot81]

Car enthusiasm has been tarnished by the people who do dangerous things on the road in their modified cars. It could be new or old, Aussie or Jap or Euro or what ever. Its unfair to pick on any one faction of car enthusiasts.

Could it be the detractors of your cause (being a car enthusiast) 'always' drive boring cars because you have a warped sense of what a nice car is?

Originally Posted by hemank

well i think the name car enthusiast has been tarnished by "ricers" (the ones who drive like modded up honda civics, and think they are part of the fast and furious crew)..you cant miss those kind of drivers, they usually have a fat cannon wacked on the back of a non turbo 1.8L engine and you can hear them miles away...its because of these drivers, real car enthusiasts are looked down upon in todays society...and its these kind of drivers that race at speeds in excess of 150 on local suburban roads, and endanger everyones lives...its a shame that genuine car enthuasiasts are associated with those hoons...but yeah i agree with Road warrior, its guys who drive boring cars that seem to associate those hoons with real car enthusiasits...

[dave351cid]

i have found that on the most part being a car enthusiast has earned me quite a lot of respect from the general community. it has opened a lot of doors for me as well .
i think that if you show a real interest and dedication to any persuite (sport, hobbie, job, etc) most people will support you.

there will always be some narrow minded miss guided souls out there that have preconceptions that will never change who might give you a hard time but they are the minority and are best not worried about. let them spurt their opinion and move on.

its more your own personality and how you present your self that will influence people around you.

[Ohio XB]

Does anyone here have any evidence to the contrary?

Yes, plenty.



Steve