Pistonheads bias and prejudice?
Discussion
now I may have been a member for quite a while, but I've been a lurker for much longer than that and have only started posting more regularly recently but I've always thought of this place as a little bit prejudiced.
There seems to be an undercurrent of 'If it isn't German or Italian, rear wheel drive (maybe 4WD at a push) and doesn't have 6 cylinders or more, then you're part of the underclass and will NEVER be a true Pistonhead.'
No doubt this has been picked up on before and doesn't seem quite as rampant recently, but there's still the occasional snide 'Drives the wrong wheels' comment or suggestions that the car someone is enquiring about isn't a 'proper' car because it's a 4 cylinder or isn't German or Italian.
Is there still the 'PH Mafia' resistant to the addition of new members asking about cars that don't quite fit the mould 'f a 'PH member who may not have, or have had a Porsche or a V8 or even something rear wheel drive?
For the record I have had a rear drive car, unfortunately only a Volvo 340 but it made for some interesting wet roundabouts. I currently drive a 306 GTI-6, which, IMO is a 'PH' car.
Discuss.
There seems to be an undercurrent of 'If it isn't German or Italian, rear wheel drive (maybe 4WD at a push) and doesn't have 6 cylinders or more, then you're part of the underclass and will NEVER be a true Pistonhead.'
No doubt this has been picked up on before and doesn't seem quite as rampant recently, but there's still the occasional snide 'Drives the wrong wheels' comment or suggestions that the car someone is enquiring about isn't a 'proper' car because it's a 4 cylinder or isn't German or Italian.
Is there still the 'PH Mafia' resistant to the addition of new members asking about cars that don't quite fit the mould 'f a 'PH member who may not have, or have had a Porsche or a V8 or even something rear wheel drive?
For the record I have had a rear drive car, unfortunately only a Volvo 340 but it made for some interesting wet roundabouts. I currently drive a 306 GTI-6, which, IMO is a 'PH' car.
Discuss.
There is a definite amount of nonsensical snobbery about certain things - especially as you say when it comes to the question of the driven wheels. I'm not sure how big a proportion of PH-ers actually holds these views though or whether it is just a case of it being a very vocal group and those who hold more sensible opinions just have better things to do with their time than spend it arguing with randomers on the internet.
billzeebub said:
You will be relieved to hear you 306 GTi6 passes my Ph test!..don't think you will find many PHers that don't think your Pug is a great ill motor
They haven't driven it! The rear beam is on it's way out, the front bumper is held together with sticky tape (an encounter with some snow) the rear wiper doesn't wipe anymore, the rear window demister doesn't demist, the radiator fans don't come on any more (thankfully I don't do much town driving) but it is an absolute hoot to drive. Another 25-30HP and it would be an awesome car. At the moment it's just a great one.The problem is that there are several voluble people here who have never had a properly fast car. This isn't a problem in itself, but it becomes one when they talk extensively about the relative merits of their 4 pot french hatchback, or diesel steam-ship, without having experienced the things that they are comparing it to.
pilchardthecat said:
The problem is that there are several voluble people here who have never had a properly fast car. This isn't a problem in itself, but it becomes one when they talk extensively about the relative merits of their 4 pot french hatchback, or diesel steam-ship, without having experienced the things that they are comparing it to.
True, and while I probably would have a 911 GT2 if I could afford one, many on the forum have more limited means and have to choose something a lot cheaper while trying to 'make the grade' as it were.pilchardthecat said:
The problem is that there are several voluble people here who have never had a properly fast car. This isn't a problem in itself, but it becomes one when they talk extensively about the relative merits of their 4 pot french hatchback, or diesel steam-ship, without having experienced the things that they are comparing it to.
It's not just speed that that happens with - it happens just as much with handling, ride, and any number of other things. StottyZr said:
I'd say theres so much prejudice it can't really count as predudice 
. Almost each and every single car has negative comments (bar the mx-5) 
I think that's different and indeed is a good thing - the whole point of a motoring forum is to discuss the relative merits of cars and that's impossible to do without negative comments as well we positive. All cars have their negatives and, despite what many fans of particular brands seem to believe, pointing out the flaws in a car does not make one a "hater" or even mean that one actually dislikes the car in question.. Almost each and every single car has negative comments (bar the mx-5) This would be a very boring place if people only ever said nice things about cars.
MissChief said:
pilchardthecat said:
The problem is that there are several voluble people here who have never had a properly fast car. This isn't a problem in itself, but it becomes one when they talk extensively about the relative merits of their 4 pot french hatchback, or diesel steam-ship, without having experienced the things that they are comparing it to.
True, and while I probably would have a 911 GT2 if I could afford one, many on the forum have more limited means and have to choose something a lot cheaper while trying to 'make the grade' as it were.But read (for example) certain persons going on about the merits of german diesels relative to other cars (of which they have no experience whatsoever) then you can expect others (who do have such experience) to put them right
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