Are car enthusiasts a dying breed?
Discussion
Classic Grad 98 said:
Sounds so damn familiar! Dad and I both race and dad runs a bodyshop for a living! I got my racecar in March '09 when I was 19, so you must be getting yours soon I presume!? Mk2 golf GTI perhaps?
Ha! It's an all too familiar story! He mostly does Instruction now, but very soon I am looking at going into cars, but possibly karts again. Stock hatch or locost are on the shortlist at the moment! Edited by TAHodgson on Monday 25th July 21:45
As a young person, I can't help but agree. I only know ONE person on my entire University course with any interest in cars, and even then he's just obsessed with tuning Supras (despite the fact that he's never owned a car).
At home I have one friend who is genuinely interested in cars, although not classics like I am. So out of everyone I know only my girlfriend is the only person I can really talk to about cars. I'm quite lucky in that respect but I still don't have any "mates" to really talk to about cars.
I make do with talking to my Dad and my Brother, though.
At home I have one friend who is genuinely interested in cars, although not classics like I am. So out of everyone I know only my girlfriend is the only person I can really talk to about cars. I'm quite lucky in that respect but I still don't have any "mates" to really talk to about cars.
I make do with talking to my Dad and my Brother, though.
I don't really know anyone my age (20) that you could call a real car ethusiast, and that even includes when I studied motorsport engineering at college.
For me I got my passion from an early age, as my Dad got me into go karting and racing. I then like I said studied motorsport engineering, and found out I was awful at it, but still loved it.
So now being a camera man and photographer I like to do a lot of work with cars.
For me I got my passion from an early age, as my Dad got me into go karting and racing. I then like I said studied motorsport engineering, and found out I was awful at it, but still loved it.
So now being a camera man and photographer I like to do a lot of work with cars.
Chrisw666 said:
Life gets in the way too because now I need to go to work and pay bills spending a few days trying an engine swap or ripping apart cars trying to fit a new stereo system are sadly things of the past.
That last bit's not dead - a couple of years ago I was planning a weekend away, the first long trip in my current car. Spent Friday evening until 10pm pulling out the interior to fit a stereo. Saturday: discovered I couldn't hear the stereo over the din of the engine. Broke down 55 miles from home and was recovered home. Sunday: pulled out stereo 
Anyway I'm halfway through my 20s now but no-one I went to school with gave a toss about cars and nowadays I can chat about cars with likeminded people on the net, avoiding conversations about how cool the new [eurobox] is because it has [bluetooth/ipod socket/sat nav] and [band A road tax/60mpg].
Its just getting harder and harder for young ones to start driving in the first place. Cost of insurance is just too much for some young ones to think about, and the lack of interesting metal you can get insured on has made cars into white goods. Who can actually talk that enthusiastically about a 1.2 Fabia?
OP, might I ask where about you live? I live in a quite remote town which is quite small and there's a lack of things to do. Not even a cinema or Maccy Dee's. So most around here are at very least VERY interested in getting their driving license ASAP, as it provided freedom and something to do.
I have quite a few friends who live either in the centre of the nearest town, or VERY close to it. A quick bus away. And the majority of them are less likely to have their licenses and VERY seldomly I'll meet one who is very interested in cars.
And the difference is 17 miles, about 50 mins on the bus.
OP, might I ask where about you live? I live in a quite remote town which is quite small and there's a lack of things to do. Not even a cinema or Maccy Dee's. So most around here are at very least VERY interested in getting their driving license ASAP, as it provided freedom and something to do.
I have quite a few friends who live either in the centre of the nearest town, or VERY close to it. A quick bus away. And the majority of them are less likely to have their licenses and VERY seldomly I'll meet one who is very interested in cars.
And the difference is 17 miles, about 50 mins on the bus.
Im 16 (nearly 17, driving in August), completely mad on cars, and probably one of a handful of lads that went to my school/college that were, the others were interested in football, flexing their biceps, and drinking (None of which I partake in) I also find old Porsche's like the one posted on the first page, much more interesting to look at than some of the supercars nowadays, I love all cars, I adore supercars, (flickr in my profile) but..a Classic is just more aesthetically pleasing to me, but...they are rarely used out and about in Leeds where I go spotting. I could talk about cars at college for hours with friends, but they would much rather talk about Didier Sasquatch who was sold to ar*enal for x amount of ridiculous money, that sort of stuff just really does not appeal to me in the slightest.
Edited by TomN1994 on Tuesday 26th July 00:22
I'm 19 and can tell you that I know maybe 5 people that can hold a conversation about cars, about 5 more that have a passing interest and can name a few. The rest genuinely just see as a car as a means to get around; yes, pretty much all of them have cars and love the freedom that brings them, but none of them are 'enthusiasts'.
TomN1994 said:
Im 16 (nearly 17, driving in August), completely mad on cars, and probably one of a handful of lads that went to my school/college that were, the others were interested in football, flexing their biceps, and drinking (None of which I partake in)
Wow, hobbies sure have inflated in price from when I was a young lad... (I'm 21)Edited by TomN1994 on Tuesday 26th July 00:22
Back then I had enough time and money for Football, Cars, Music and drinking. And that was only with a part time job of £40 a week. Often found myself either jamming with my friends or going to a gig on a Saturday while getting hammered and then playing footy on the Sunday. All the same while I managed to save £3000 for my first car and insurance. (Although in saying that during the holidays I did pick up other part times which paid quite well.)
As an 18 year old;
To be honest, none of my mates are properly into cars. I have one mate who's fairly interested, loves driving (still learning though
) but he's the only one; when I end up with my Metro project he's pretty keen to help out, reckon it'll be a laugh as much as anything else No one else my age I know is into them, or anything remotely to do with any form of engineering really. It all seems a bit hollow.
To be honest, none of my mates are properly into cars. I have one mate who's fairly interested, loves driving (still learning though
) but he's the only one; when I end up with my Metro project he's pretty keen to help out, reckon it'll be a laugh as much as anything else No one else my age I know is into them, or anything remotely to do with any form of engineering really. It all seems a bit hollow.My son... Keen on cars when young, couldn't be bothered to take test, got into bikes for a while. Now is driven around by his girlfriend!
Younger daughter... " I've got a new car Dad!" "What did you get?" "A blue one"
Eldest daughter... After a couple of small 4x4s and a Pug308 decided she wanted a Merc 190E. Every time I had to do any work on it she would help, and learn! When some stupid woman bent it for her she found a really nice classic Audi 80 and is now trying to bring it up to original condition!
Younger daughter... " I've got a new car Dad!" "What did you get?" "A blue one"
Eldest daughter... After a couple of small 4x4s and a Pug308 decided she wanted a Merc 190E. Every time I had to do any work on it she would help, and learn! When some stupid woman bent it for her she found a really nice classic Audi 80 and is now trying to bring it up to original condition!
Back when I was 17 at 6th form the vast majority of us were interested in cars and all owned our own which typically cost less than a grand. A lot of us modified our cars and visiting the scrap yard to try and find parts to upgrade our often bottom of the range cars was a weekly event. This was before the days of health an saftey an the scrap yard trip was like an adventure climbing across cars stacked 2 or 3 high. Not many of us had the money to be paying garages to do jobs so we had no option but to learn how to use spanners!
Fast forward 5 years when my brother was in 6th form an things were the complete opposite, he owned his own car an had his own insurance policy yet nearly every other kid who drove was borrowing their parents car on parent's insurance and to an extent the student car park had more new cars in it than the teachers. None of these people have any interest in cars other than being keen to point out that their car was considerably newer than someone elses.
I think this was a turning point as huge numbers of kids then had their car choice dictated to them by their parents so i suppose there is less motivation to take an interest in borrowed property.
dave
Fast forward 5 years when my brother was in 6th form an things were the complete opposite, he owned his own car an had his own insurance policy yet nearly every other kid who drove was borrowing their parents car on parent's insurance and to an extent the student car park had more new cars in it than the teachers. None of these people have any interest in cars other than being keen to point out that their car was considerably newer than someone elses.
I think this was a turning point as huge numbers of kids then had their car choice dictated to them by their parents so i suppose there is less motivation to take an interest in borrowed property.
dave
Insurance has killed alot of enthusiasm in younger drivers. My little bro who is 17 next year, is facing insane prices for nothing interesting at all! I'm desperately trying to get him an old VW that's easy to DIY, but my dad wants to put him on his company lease scheme on a new A3 sportback S-Line 140 diesel!
How will that teach him basic maintenance and running costs? If insurance was viable he'd be in a £750 car, learning more and appreciating it! But as it stands he'll be on daddy's "just add fuel" scheme as it's cheaper than 2k a year for his own policy!
A shame, but if I was in his position I'd do the same! It's just too expensive to drive without full time employment now.
I'm still paying 1k+ after 5 years, but at least I've had/still drive some quick hot hatches.
How will that teach him basic maintenance and running costs? If insurance was viable he'd be in a £750 car, learning more and appreciating it! But as it stands he'll be on daddy's "just add fuel" scheme as it's cheaper than 2k a year for his own policy!
A shame, but if I was in his position I'd do the same! It's just too expensive to drive without full time employment now.
I'm still paying 1k+ after 5 years, but at least I've had/still drive some quick hot hatches.
JB! said:
Insurance has killed alot of enthusiasm in younger drivers. My little bro who is 17 next year, is facing insane prices for nothing interesting at all! I'm desperately trying to get him an old VW that's easy to DIY, but my dad wants to put him on his company lease scheme on a new A3 sportback S-Line 140 diesel!
How will that teach him basic maintenance and running costs? If insurance was viable he'd be in a £750 car, learning more and appreciating it! But as it stands he'll be on daddy's "just add fuel" scheme as it's cheaper than 2k a year for his own policy!
A shame, but if I was in his position I'd do the same! It's just too expensive to drive without full time employment now.
I'm still paying 1k+ after 5 years, but at least I've had/still drive some quick hot hatches.
TBH insurance has always been obscene for young new drivers.How will that teach him basic maintenance and running costs? If insurance was viable he'd be in a £750 car, learning more and appreciating it! But as it stands he'll be on daddy's "just add fuel" scheme as it's cheaper than 2k a year for his own policy!
A shame, but if I was in his position I'd do the same! It's just too expensive to drive without full time employment now.
I'm still paying 1k+ after 5 years, but at least I've had/still drive some quick hot hatches.
My gut feeling (with no research at all) is that the costs are just too prohibitive. I also think that some of the hysteria of global warming has rubbed off on people.
I seem to have noticed a difference based on location.
I'm from a rural area in Shropshire where most young lads (I'm 19) have at least a passing interest in cars and most have passed their test as soon as they've turned 17.
I was surprised when I started uni however, as hardly anyone seems to be interested in cars at all. Uni's in Leicester and most people there are from urban areas (a lot down south). Perhaps about half of my friends there have passed their test and there's only one (from rural Derbyshire) who I can actually discuss cars with. He's not majorly into cars and seems to get all his knowledge from Top Gear.
These days saying you're interested in cars can get a bad reaction - I was asked last week what I did in my spare time, I said I was really interested in cars and liked green laning in my Land Rover. The bloke who asked couldn't understand how cars could be an interest.
ETA: I agree with the "young people can't afford to be car enthusiasts" idea. My best mate through school was always interested in cars, we regularly went on days out at Oulton Park and used to swap car mags. As soon as he hit 17 he had a few lessons before realising he couldn't afford it and his interest in cars has completely faded.
I'm from a rural area in Shropshire where most young lads (I'm 19) have at least a passing interest in cars and most have passed their test as soon as they've turned 17.
I was surprised when I started uni however, as hardly anyone seems to be interested in cars at all. Uni's in Leicester and most people there are from urban areas (a lot down south). Perhaps about half of my friends there have passed their test and there's only one (from rural Derbyshire) who I can actually discuss cars with. He's not majorly into cars and seems to get all his knowledge from Top Gear.
These days saying you're interested in cars can get a bad reaction - I was asked last week what I did in my spare time, I said I was really interested in cars and liked green laning in my Land Rover. The bloke who asked couldn't understand how cars could be an interest.
ETA: I agree with the "young people can't afford to be car enthusiasts" idea. My best mate through school was always interested in cars, we regularly went on days out at Oulton Park and used to swap car mags. As soon as he hit 17 he had a few lessons before realising he couldn't afford it and his interest in cars has completely faded.
Edited by Angry Sheep on Tuesday 26th July 07:28
I'm young, and I think it's true enthusiasts are a dying breed - in my year I can only think of 1 person out of 120 who is a car enthusiast like me. The rest just want a car for the freedom of being able to drive wherever and whenever, but many can't afford the insane insurance costs.
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