what's the best word to describe...

[spikeyhead]

...someone that's a petrolhead, but without using a slang word such as "petrolhead"

[SlimRick]

Automotive enthusiast?

[redtwin]

Automotive suggests cars only. Motoring enthusiasts would encompass other vehicles.

[funkyrobot]

Car bummer?

[Papa Hotel]

Boy racer?

Nah, the correct answer is motoring enthusiast.

[Insanity Magnet]

Saddo, according to certain females of my acquaintance.

Another vote for motoring enthusiast.

[mybrainhurts]

BRAKE baiter...

[Papa Hotel]

Insanity Magnet said:

Saddo, according to certain females of my acquaintance.

And that's why we search in vain for a term that doesn't mark us out as instant bores. To non-petrolheads, motoring enthusiast sounds as pathetic as anything else, we're all just boy racers, we're the same as 17 year olds in Novas with cherrybomb exhausts.

[shambolic]

According to my missus " SAD" sums it up!
Although she doesn't complain when her Z is gleaming

[wendyg]

Papa Hotel said:

Insanity Magnet said:

Saddo, according to certain females of my acquaintance.

And that's why we search in vain for a term that doesn't mark us out as instant bores. To non-petrolheads, motoring enthusiast sounds as pathetic as anything else, we're all just boy racers, we're the same as 17 year olds in Novas with cherrybomb exhausts.

But that is exactly the point. The more focussed and attentive you are, the more boring you are to everyone else. Lose:lose

[Jonboy_t]

Proper bloke

[Y282]

Driver/rider. If someone doesnt know what that means, fk 'em.

And btw any woman that declares us to be boring has simply saved you the hastle of a mismatch. Next.