Automobile Enthusiasm: What's it mean to you?

[Okin]

From there I have come a long way and worked with some of the most talented people in the industry. I dont look to the internet for inspiration, My ideas bounced off of life long friends is all the inspiration I need to create what I intend on.

And this (to me) is what REAL Auto Enthusiasm is about. Shared and made memories, while turning wrenches and eating huge amounts of pizza! Been in the biz since '87 with %90 of the same guys around today and always rode low.

[WhiteStripes]

Everything that needs to be said on the topic has been.

One thing I will throw into the mix though, A good friend once told me that to be a part of the community you need dedication. Anyone can go out and buy power modifications, but it takes a certain type of, crazy if you will, to roll your car as low as possible.

To add to that, to be a part of this community not a whole lot is needed. But for those of us that live and breath what has become our culture, we will still be here after the "fad" passes. In 20 years time, I will still be building cars to be as low as possible. its something I have always done and loved. When I was 14 and my mum(mom for you yanks) gave me her old car, I knew nothing of suspension, But I still have pics of it with 200kg of cement in the boot and a full car load of guys in it.

From there I have come a long way and worked with some of the most talented people in the industry. I dont look to the internet for inspiration, My ideas bounced off of life long friends is all the inspiration I need to create what I intend on.

Finally, Real low > Lip low, Real > Reps, Jason > Ben.

Edit: I just re-read this post, Night shift has gotten the better of me once again, this post has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but I wont delete it either.

Enjoy the rambling, my forecast appears stormy. idontlikewherethisthreadisheading.jpg

I completely agree, and no, you're not really off topic, I'd love to see what other people think it means to them.

I'm not saying that the internet is where you get inspiration, the community is, your friends that have inspired you are part of the community too .

And this (to me) is what REAL Auto Enthusiasm is about. Shared and made memories, while turning wrenches and eating huge amounts of pizza! Been in the biz since '87 with %90 of the same guys around today and always rode low.

Exactly, I'm not saying I'm a gearhead because of the internet, some of the best times I've had were doing head and cam swaps or installing nitrous on an Explorer, then partying after. The personal moments are the best, the internet aspect is just an added bonus.

[benz88]

I think it needs to be said as well, that building with what you have is amazing, I love what can come of that, if time and passion is invested to a car, and that more people need to see that. It really really, can lead to something truly amazing (directs to rat rods).

rat rods are built quick and cheap. Thats what they are. Hotrods tend to take the time and patience though.

[Kielan]

While I agree on the cheap part, I don't neccessarily agree with the "quick" I mean its a relatively quick build, but its a lot of time invested in say a month.

[hypercrush]

It's not about their profit margin. It's about supporting the company that created what you want instead of supporting the company that stole it so you could afford it.

i hear that arguement, i really do. i make custom composite parts and if someone stole my design and started selling it cheaper i sure wouldnt be overjoyed. but... its business, make what the customer wants and sell it for what they want to pay, or dont and go under. i think the most important issue is that people new to this dont KNOW that the price difference comes from the manufacturing. if i want forged i pay for it, other people not so much. i sell my parts for what i think they are worth, if the customer doesnt agree than hey... thats business.

[benz88]

Good Point.

[M.Burroughs]

i hear that arguement, i really do. i make custom composite parts and if someone stole my design and started selling it cheaper i sure wouldnt be overjoyed. but... its business, make what the customer wants and sell it for what they want to pay, or dont and go under. i think the most important issue is that people new to this dont KNOW that the price difference comes from the manufacturing. if i want forged i pay for it, other people not so much. i sell my parts for what i think they are worth, if the customer doesnt agree than hey... thats business.

While that's completely valid, just because a business exists doesn't mean it should be supported, nor does it make what they do right.

[hypercrush]

i guess i can see both sides. as a consumer i want it cheap, as a manufacturer i want to be paid what i think its worth. i still feel education on the consumers end is the answer, know what you want and why you want it, dont let others opinions dictate where YOUR money goes. telling someone "fuck your fake wheels" isnt automotive enthusiasm to my ears, seems close minded or elitist

[M.Burroughs]

To each his own. Supporting companies like Rota doesn't seem like automotive enthusiasm to me. It seems greedy.

[Okin]

Back on topic.








I've heard numerous times:


-Inexpensive.

-Fast.

-Reliable.





Pick 2.

[smoky0937]

I honestly could not agree with the OP more. It makes me truly sad to see someone's hard work and time get cut down by someone just because they can't afford all top of the line equipment. I actually wrote a paper very similar to this topic except it had to do with music piracy. The argument that buying reps directly hurts the real company is essentially invalid( I will most likely get crapped on for this but I feel like it needs to be said). The only time it hurts the "real" business is when a person who has the money to purchase the real set chooses to buy the fake set. But for the vast majority (people who cannot afford the reals so they buy the fake) the fake company may earn some profit but the person was not in the same market as the real company to begin with so they lost no money.

Im not trying to say that everyone should buy fakes but if there is really no way in the foreseeable future to obtain funds for real wheels, well then if you want the look I don't think you shouldn't get shat on because you want a particular look and cannot afford the more expensive version of it. sorry for the rant but i wanted to get that off my chest. but to each his own and all that jazz you know the routine

[benz88]

its like saying people should wear highend clothes. If you dont rock a $100 Tee you aint shit. $300 jeans. $150 sweater.

[WhiteStripes]

Im not trying to say that everyone should buy fakes but if there is really no way in the foreseeable to obtain funds for real wheels, well then if you want the look I don't think you should get shat on because you want a particular look and cannot afford the more expensive version of it. sorry for the rant but i wanted to get that off my chest. but to each his own and all that jazz you know the routine

This is a definite reality and a good point. For some people, "saving up" can be extremely difficult for more reasons than just poor fiscal responsibility. I know on several occasions I've had to raid the savings accounts for unexpected pop ups life has thrown my way. I've also been glad that I've had the cash on hand to take care of them. For others though sometimes that's just not possible.

Keep em' coming guys, I think we've got a good civil discussion going on here.

[Okin]

Honda = all 3

Are you serious, or is this your attempt at derailing the thread?

You won't achieve all 3, no matter what car you put up. It's also a reality to most here. Builds and daily's are a never ending quest. Therefore, Inexpensive flies out the window.

No matter how you factor the equation, it leads right back to only choosing 2.

[Kielan]

Are you serious, or is this your attempt at derailing the thread?

You won't achieve all 3, no matter what car you put up. It's also a reality to most here. Builds and daily's are a never ending quest. Therefore, Inexpensive flies out the window.

No matter how you factor the equation, it leads right back to only choosing 2.

He's being a successful troll.

I don't agree with a few of the latest statements, but I am interested to see where this goes.