Stupid things non petrolheads say....

[ambuletz]

this was conversation betweeen me and a friend of mine. about her '00 plate ford fiesta.

me: How many miles has the fiesta done?
Her: around 20,000 miles, I don't think its going to last that long!
me: what the hell? if you maintain it, its good for over 100k, you could keep that for a good few years and save up.
her: errrugh, I don't know, it's probably going to die soon with all those scuffs on the front bumper!

• facepalm*

and when people talk to me about my car
'how old is your car?'
me: 15 years old.
'that's oooold, why you driving around in a banger? get something new'.
me: cos I don't need to? why spend money on a newer car, when I already have a car that is reliable and I know its condition.

and the classic 'Did you get a new car?'.. no. I just washed it and get it a valet. >_<

[xrrr]

Me: "What kind of car does your [friend|partner|colleague] drive?"
Them: "Not sure, I think its a Ford but it is blue"


Me: "What engine have you got in your car?"
Them: "Not sure, it is a Ford and it is a nice colour of blue"

[useyourdellusion]

xrrr said:

Me: "What kind of car does your [friend|partner|colleague] drive?"
Them: "Not sure, I think its a Ford but it is blue"


Me: "What engine have you got in your car?"
Them: "Not sure, it is a Ford and it is a nice colour of blue"

I've had that one myself.

A girl I used to work with was thinking about selling her car. I asked what it was, "Dunno, a blue one" came the reply.

Give me strength!

[LD1Racing]

mattmoxon said:

ETA:

S3_Graham said:

"it's just a car"

Really annoys me this one.

The thing is... It is just a car. Unless you are lucky enough to own something with a unique history or a piece of ultra-expensive exotica, it is a item which could be replaced very quickly if something happened to it. Certainly people become attached to their cars/bikes etc. due to the memories associated with them but I really can't understand the attitude of some 'petrolheads'. Pride and joy? well, joy maybe but pride? what are you proud of? did you build it yourself? maybe then you could be proud of your achievement, but you just bought it, like hundreds if not thousands of other people. I see my cars and bikes as something to enjoy using, not cleaning, or showing off, or looking at in the garage. My enjoyment comes from the experience, rather than the physical object I purchased. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone, maybe I'm not a real 'petrolhead'.

[bazking69]

Me: "What car is it sir"

Sir: "It's a red one"

Always said in a totally serious way too.

[defblade]

robsco said:

Alfas break down and fall to pieces.

[defblade]

As above: any old BMW: "oh, BMW. They must be paying you too much!"

I warned a lad I was working with about this when he bought a knackered 316 compact for less than a grand. Comes back after the weekend and says "bloody hell, you were right!"

[GestapoWatch]

CommanderJameson said:

When one of them is in the passenger seat, and you're pressing on, and they say "You won't get there any quicker, you know."

LOLWHUT?!

ARGGHHH!! MUST KILL ALL WITH FIRE!! F!!!

[Phunk]

A girl who has been in my car numerous times since I got it a year back.

"Ooooh is this a new car"

"No, it's just a new car scent magic tree"

[ewand]

LD1Racing said:

I see my cars and bikes as something to enjoy using, not cleaning, or showing off, or looking at in the garage. My enjoyment comes from the experience, rather than the physical object I purchased. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone, maybe I'm not a real 'petrolhead'.

It's horses for courses, really. Many people enjoy the act of owning their car; maybe it represents their achievements (I worked hard, saved up and bought this nice car...) or maybe they like looking at it/cleaning it/letting other people admire it, as well as the obvious driving pleasure. What's cool about communities like PH is that different opinions can coexist and not be contradictary.

The "it's just a car" comment typically comes from the kind of folk who have neither interest in, nor understanding of, what goes on under the skin of the car, or of any of the myriad pleasures that can be had through owning and driving one.

Let's call them "Prius drivers".

Edited by ewand on Saturday 28th August 10:45

[RetroCosworth]

bazking69 said:

Me: "What car is it sir"

Sir: "It's a red one"

Always said in a totally serious way too.

Yes, but it's not as if you expect them to comeback to you with the make and model and other details. The non petrolheads aren't bothered, in all honesty.

Hence, I try and avoid conversions with non petrolheads relating to cars, to prevent getting predictable answers.

[jimbobsimmonds]

25% downhill gradient, gf/mother (but i would imagine this would apply to most females) in the car... downshift from 4th to 2nd to save my poor brakes... engine noise increases...

"Slow down, your going too fast"

"im going no faster, im slowing it down"

"what do you mean, the engine got louder!"


It's great when people who don't even hold a license and combined knowledge of physics/mechanics could be written neatly on the side of a matchbox; using giant marker pens...

[killsta]

Hairdressers car.


RX8

[HalfMoon]

pilchardthecat said:

Shaid GTB said:

pilchardthecat said:

What do you need a car like that for? You can only go 70 miles an hour.

This one makes my pee boil!

I get it most days off the wife.

My latest response is; "What do you need 30 pairs of shoes for? You've only got two feet"

Perfect!

[marksx]

What size engine is it? A 2 litre?

It looks like a calibra

[Pvapour]

when driving a Bright Red 2.5 tonne, 8.3 litre, 500hp truck.....

what mpg do you get out of it

got so bored with this after a while so started telling people it shut down 6 of the cylinders when cruising on the motorway, which returned 45mpg

[otolith]

killsta said:

Hairdressers car.

Usual translation of "hairdresser's car" when applied to anything a bit more interesting than a people carrier - "my wife won't let me have of those because the kids won't fit in it - therefore, if you are allowed one, you must be a homosexual".

Basically, sour grapes.

[hairyben]

TheEnd said:

After you return from a track day..

"How fast did you go?"

Yes! This.


Or when someone wanders into your lane, necessitating a jab at the brakes and you get told in a scolding tone "carefull"

[TheD]

I have a 12 year old Jag Xjr and everybody thinks I must be raking it in. Do you know he drives a jag they say. If I drove a newish Mondeo worth around £10000 they wouldn't blink a fking eye. Of the 4 cars I do have they don't come to the price of a second hand shopping trolley.
You have a 2 litre turbo diesel I bet that can shift....er no it can't. It is the a Primera. Reliable as death but not fast.
Why would you drive a 23 year old Saab. That is just mad. How does it still work? Does it need an mot? Is it road legal?.....blah blah blah

[vxrandy]

marksx said:

What size engine is it? A 2 litre?

It looks like a calibra

I've had this a few times so i tell them no its a 6 litre and the reply is always the same 6 LITRE !!