Are car enthusiasts a dying breed?
Discussion
When I were a lad just about every boy I knew had at least an interest in cars, and often a real enthusiasm.
However my son, despite having been brought up to some extent in a "petrolhead"ish way has no particular interest whatsoever. Which is fair enough, but neither of my partner's teenage boys have any interest in cars, and neither do any of their friends as far as I can see.
Indeed her oldest is 17 and hasn't shown a flicker of interest in even learning to drive, the whole car/driving thing seems to have no appeal whatsoever.
As I say, fair enough, it's not for me to dictate what they should or shouldn't be interested in, and they have plenty of other activities, from the inevitable computer games (bloody Minecraft!
) to Judo and other stuff so this absolutely isn't a criticism of them or "youth of today, blah blah".
It just seems really odd to me that, compared with myself and my friends and acquaintances at that age that were mostly obsessed with cars and could not wait to get behind the wheel, there seems to be a complete sea change in attitudes to all things motoring.
And on a broader scale, does this mean that in time, when these guys are the middle aged consumers of new cars, performance varients, GTI's, VXR's, etc, or even performance models like Porsche 911's will die out through lack of demand?
After all, if all these guys want is comfort and convenience and they're buying cars like "white goods", there isn't going to be much of a market for models that cost more, ride harder, and in the case of sports cars, have less space, just so that they have additional performance abilities that are of zero interest.
However my son, despite having been brought up to some extent in a "petrolhead"ish way has no particular interest whatsoever. Which is fair enough, but neither of my partner's teenage boys have any interest in cars, and neither do any of their friends as far as I can see.
Indeed her oldest is 17 and hasn't shown a flicker of interest in even learning to drive, the whole car/driving thing seems to have no appeal whatsoever.
As I say, fair enough, it's not for me to dictate what they should or shouldn't be interested in, and they have plenty of other activities, from the inevitable computer games (bloody Minecraft!
) to Judo and other stuff so this absolutely isn't a criticism of them or "youth of today, blah blah".It just seems really odd to me that, compared with myself and my friends and acquaintances at that age that were mostly obsessed with cars and could not wait to get behind the wheel, there seems to be a complete sea change in attitudes to all things motoring.
And on a broader scale, does this mean that in time, when these guys are the middle aged consumers of new cars, performance varients, GTI's, VXR's, etc, or even performance models like Porsche 911's will die out through lack of demand?
After all, if all these guys want is comfort and convenience and they're buying cars like "white goods", there isn't going to be much of a market for models that cost more, ride harder, and in the case of sports cars, have less space, just so that they have additional performance abilities that are of zero interest.
I had no more than a passing interest in cars until I learned to drive, once I actually got behind the wheel that totally changed!
From then on, everything from the performance, the design, engineering, ergonomics etc has been of massive interest to me. I suppose I never saw them as much more than boxes to get around in (exotica excluded) until I had a go myself.
From then on, everything from the performance, the design, engineering, ergonomics etc has been of massive interest to me. I suppose I never saw them as much more than boxes to get around in (exotica excluded) until I had a go myself.
Mastodon2 said:
I had no more than a passing interest in cars until I learned to drive, once I actually got behind the wheel that totally changed!
From then on, everything from the performance, the design, engineering, ergonomics etc has been of massive interest to me. I suppose I never saw them as much more than boxes to get around in (exotica excluded) until I had a go myself.
Hmm.. that's an interesting take. Certainly my partner views cars as "white goods" and her ex drives a Dodge Journey (nuff said?) so they haven't had much positive motoring influence in their lives. Maybe that'll change once they start driving themselves.From then on, everything from the performance, the design, engineering, ergonomics etc has been of massive interest to me. I suppose I never saw them as much more than boxes to get around in (exotica excluded) until I had a go myself.
I was thinking of posting the exact same topic yesterday! No one appreciates nice cars anymore it seems.
Kudos is reserved for the latest reg plate regardless of what its on. (for about 5 minutes)
I always used to stop and talk to people with nice cars as a lad. (still do on occasion too)
Kudos is reserved for the latest reg plate regardless of what its on. (for about 5 minutes)
I always used to stop and talk to people with nice cars as a lad. (still do on occasion too)
It wouldn't surprise me if they are dying. My first interest in cars was in the early 70s, and, in my opinion, cars had far more character then, both good and bad. New cars now just seem to be eurobox clones.
Perhaps we need trafficators back.
Edit: Just remembered. I saw a young girl learning to drive at the weekend in a '85 Beetle. Perhaps all is not lost.
Perhaps we need trafficators back.
Edit: Just remembered. I saw a young girl learning to drive at the weekend in a '85 Beetle. Perhaps all is not lost.
Edited by MX7 on Monday 25th July 19:00
I wonder whether the outrageous costs of motoring (particularly petrol and insurance) are putting the younger generation off? I didn't get my own car until after university due to cost and that was over ten years ago. Teenagers today don't have a hope in hell of buying and running a car out of their own pocket so unless the bank of mum and dad coughs up, it's a bit of a non-starter for a lot of people.
Having said that, I made up for lost time once I did get my own car and at least I didn't have to go through the phase of running an unreliable s
t-heap as a 17 year old like most of my mates did.
Having said that, I made up for lost time once I did get my own car and at least I didn't have to go through the phase of running an unreliable s
t-heap as a 17 year old like most of my mates did.I was thinking this just recently. Most of the cars in my road are nice enough exec chariots / 4x4's, but nothing that really suggested any of the owners were really into their cars.
This did change however when I got my Caterham. All of a sudden, neighbours who previously walked past with a friendly wave are now standing on my drive for 45mins looking at the car and tellling about the old cars they had and there were some real surprises.
Beyond plenty of 'oohs' 'aaahhs' and 'can we go for a quick spin' I have so far discovered that;
Mr S type Jag Diesel used to race a Cortina in a Rally Cross type event
Mr Merc 350cdi had a Stag and an Interceptor
Mr Nissan X trail rebuilt a 70's Buick back in the early 90's
Mr BMW 330d still has an Austin Healey 3000 tucked in the back of the garage
They are out there - they just need a little encouragement!
This did change however when I got my Caterham. All of a sudden, neighbours who previously walked past with a friendly wave are now standing on my drive for 45mins looking at the car and tellling about the old cars they had and there were some real surprises.
Beyond plenty of 'oohs' 'aaahhs' and 'can we go for a quick spin' I have so far discovered that;
Mr S type Jag Diesel used to race a Cortina in a Rally Cross type event
Mr Merc 350cdi had a Stag and an Interceptor
Mr Nissan X trail rebuilt a 70's Buick back in the early 90's
Mr BMW 330d still has an Austin Healey 3000 tucked in the back of the garage
They are out there - they just need a little encouragement!
my ldest is 18 no interest
my 16 year old is car crazy
my 12 year old no interest at moment
my 9 year old no interest at moment
my 6 year old car crazy
my 4 year old car crazy
yes they are all boys and all rugby mad except 12 year old who is in to poofball and supports manutd what ever that is
lots of people at work in the sub 30's bracket can not drive and have no interest in cars, I do not understand it, at least get a license so you could get a car if you wanted
my 16 year old is car crazy
my 12 year old no interest at moment
my 9 year old no interest at moment
my 6 year old car crazy
my 4 year old car crazy
yes they are all boys and all rugby mad except 12 year old who is in to poofball and supports manutd what ever that is
lots of people at work in the sub 30's bracket can not drive and have no interest in cars, I do not understand it, at least get a license so you could get a car if you wanted
Possibly yes. It has been discussed on here before, though.
Lifestyles change and technology changes. 150 years ago cars didn't exist and having a good horse was something to aspire to. Cars won't necessarily be here in 150 years' time.
ps. I think that it is even more true for motorbikes. Just look at the age of the typical motorbike rider and the ever-tightening legislation.
Lifestyles change and technology changes. 150 years ago cars didn't exist and having a good horse was something to aspire to. Cars won't necessarily be here in 150 years' time.
ps. I think that it is even more true for motorbikes. Just look at the age of the typical motorbike rider and the ever-tightening legislation.
I think the onset of easy money/credit/remortages over the previous 10 years has spoiled the youth of today.
I used to get genuinely excited by getting a different car and looking after it etc no matter what it was. I don't see the same levels of excitement about anything in kids today. Infact most of them seem a bit nihilistic.
I used to get genuinely excited by getting a different car and looking after it etc no matter what it was. I don't see the same levels of excitement about anything in kids today. Infact most of them seem a bit nihilistic.
lauda said:
I wonder whether the outrageous costs of motoring (particularly petrol and insurance) are putting the younger generation off?
This would be my reason. I thought having a fast car was everything hat was important in life. At 19 I had borrowed £9000 to buy myself a car capable of 150 mph, thrashing around with other mates with astra vxr's, megane f1's, bmw e90 msport, impreza's, evo's etc. Im now driving a 1.2 corsa. I have lost all desire to have a nice car. Going to tesco and coming back with dents in it, £2000 a year insurance, £2000 if not more in petrol, all the tax and tyres that went with it. Its the shear cost that put me off, knowing that i am basically living to pay for my car, and the rest of the cash spent on the lads holidays/drinking every week end. So I had to make a decision, so the car went and im know looking to spend more on travelling and a deposit for a house.
Sad really because people like my mum and dad did all of this pretty easy with low house prices/fuel prices (relative to wages).
There does seem to be a feeling among many teenagers that as soon as they finish their A levels their gran (or whoever) will buy them a 3 year old Saxo or something to go to uni. I guess the student loans mean that most students can now afford to run cars anyway. It isn't that long ago since I did my Degree, and I think at most 3 of us had cars, now it seems to be the majority.
MX7 said:
It wouldn't surprise me if they are dying. My first interest in cars was in the early 70s, and, in my opinion, cars had far more character then, both good and bad. New cars now just seem to be eurobox clones.
Less shapes = less interest. A nice looking car is more important in this camera crazy, densely populated environment than a GTR which does 0-60 in 3 seconds or whatever. High waisted cars don't look that good.
And cars that never break down or nothing ever goes wrong never give you the opportunity to get involved with them.
Given the increasing popularity of goodwood FOS silverstone classic Le Mans F1
I'd say in general it's in rude health.
I know plenty of people who view a car as purely a thing to move them from a to b but they certainly don't buy dross they want comfort all the toys etc.
I know a handful of people who love cars and have great knowledge about them and desirable models etc - the most exciting car between them is a e90 330i. They could all afford much quicker cars however as with everything it's £ and compromise.
These days home ownership saving for a rainy day weddings holidays uni costs general living costs fuel are forcing people to have to cut back from exotic cars. Also the fact the roads are so congested it's not easy to use the power very often.
I'd say in general it's in rude health.
I know plenty of people who view a car as purely a thing to move them from a to b but they certainly don't buy dross they want comfort all the toys etc.
I know a handful of people who love cars and have great knowledge about them and desirable models etc - the most exciting car between them is a e90 330i. They could all afford much quicker cars however as with everything it's £ and compromise.
These days home ownership saving for a rainy day weddings holidays uni costs general living costs fuel are forcing people to have to cut back from exotic cars. Also the fact the roads are so congested it's not easy to use the power very often.
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